[pt] Esta dissertação investiga o uso de Algoritmos Genéticos aplicados em dados sísmicos com o objetivo de obter parâmetros físicos e atributos sísmicos que auxiliem na caracterização das rochas de um subsolo terrestre. Os dados sísmicos têm sido extensamente empregados no setor de exploração de petróleo. As aplicações envolvendo sísmica não se restringem na busca por novas reservas de petróleo, mas também são usadas para projetar novos poços e melhorar a produção dos reservatórios de petróleo. O levantamento de dados sísmicos permite analisar extensas áreas da subsuperfície com custo praticável em relação a outras técnicas. Entretanto, a interpretação desses dados com o objetivo de obter informações relevantes e acuradas não é uma tarefa simples. Para isto, várias técnicas de inversão sísmica vêm sendo desenvolvidas. Este trabalho consistiu em avaliar uma alternativa que emprega Algoritmos Genéticos para inverter parâmetros a partir de dados sísmicos. Existem 3 etapas principais neste trabalho. Primeiramente, foram estudados o tema da exploração sísmica e a técnica de Algoritmos Genéticos. Na segunda etapa foi definido um modelo, usando Algoritmos Genéticos, que busca, neste caso, minimizar uma medida de erro, para obtenção dos parâmetros objetivos. Finalmente, foi implementado um sistema a partir do modelo proposto e realizados os estudos de casos com dados sísmicos sintéticos para avaliar o seu desempenho. O modelo baseado em Algoritmos Genéticos foi avaliado submetendo-se seus resultados a um especialista e comparando-os com os da busca aleatória. Os resultados obtidos se mostraram consistentemente satisfatórios e sempre superiores aos da busca exaustiva. / [en] This dissertation investigates the use of Genetic Algorithms applied to seismic data with the objective of obtaining physical parameters and seismic attributes that would facilitate the characterization of rocks in terrestrial subsoil. The seismic data has been extensively utilized in the field of petroleum exploration. The applications involving seismic are not restrained to the search for new petroleum reserves, but are also used to project new wells and to improve the production of existing petroleum reservoirs. The survey of seismic data allows the analysis of extended areas of the subsurface at an affordable price relative to other techniques. However, the interpretation of the data with the objective of obtaining relevant and accurate information is not an easy task. For that, several seismic inversion techniques are being developed. This work consists in evaluating an alternative that uses Genetic Algorithms to invert parameters from seismic data. There are 3 main stages in this work. Initially, the theme of seismic exploration and the technique of Genetic Algorithms have been studied. On the second stage a model has been defined, using Genetic Algorithms, which aims, in this case, to minimize an error measurement, obtaining objective parameters. Finally, a system from the proposed model has been implanted and the study of cases with synthetic seismic data has been executed to evaluate its performance. The process of optimizing has been compared to the process of random search and the results obtained by the model have always been superior.

Soil is a fundamental resource in the environment, its sustainable use is vital to food supply and, consequently, life continuity on the Earth. However, the currently status of this resource in the world is critical and, therefore, the need of soil recovery measures and methods to evaluate it is urgent. The aim of this study is to provide a holistic evaluation about soil architecture at different recovery states, as well as its interaction with fluid in the environment by using nonconventional methods. It was organized a tool package that allows to analyze soil physical at geometric, morphometric and energy scope, to show in a more efficient way, which physical parameters indicate the physical and environmental quality. Subsequently, this package was applied to the study of six types of managements in different stages of development by using of physical parameter derived from the package; It was also analyzed the efficiency of recovery techniques under different perspectives. In addition, the soil-water dynamic was evaluated in a particular condition by using the same tools, offering knowledge about this interaction in the environment along the time. Finally, it is expected that this work can bring new insight on preservation and recovery of this environmental resource. / O solo é um recurso fundamental no meio ambiente, seu uso sustentável é vital para prover alimentos e consequentemente a continuidade da vida na Terra. No entanto, estado atual desse recurso no mundo encontra-se em condição crítica, logo as medidas de recuperação devem ser adotadas urgentemente, consequentemente a necessidade de métodos adequados para avaliação dessas medidas. O objetivo desse estudo é proporcionar uma avaliação holística sobre a arquitetura do solo em diferentes estados de recuperação, assim como sua interação com fluido no meio ambiente utilizando métodos não convencionais. Logo, foi organizado um pacote de ferramentas que permitam analisar a física solo no âmbito de geometria, morfometria e energia, proporcionando parâmetros físicos que indicam a qualidade física e ambiental; Em seguida esse pacote foi aplicado no estudo de seis tipos de manejos com diferentes estágios de desenvolvimento, envolvendo os parâmetros físicos derivados do pacote, mostrando assim a eficiência das técnicas de recuperação sob diferentes perspectivas; Assim foi realizado também a avaliação da dinâmica da água no solo em uma situação particular utilizando as mesmas ferramentas, proporcionando conhecimentos sobre o essa interação no meio ambiente ao longo do tempo. Finalmente, espera-se com esse trabalho novos olhares sobre esse recurso precioso no meio ambiente.

Detta examensarbete har utförts vid högskoleingenjörsprogrammet Byggteknik och design vid Kungliga Tekniska högskolan och i samarbete med Ramböll Sverige. Syftet med denna rapport är att undersöka och analysera dagens ytterväggskonstruktioner för framtidens energieffektiva flerbostadshus.  Ytterväggskonstruktionen som är en del i byggnadens klimatskal, har en viktig och betydelsefull funktion för att kunna klara av framtida byggnaders energikrav. För att en väggkonstruktion ska fungera finns det en rad andra påverkande faktorer som måste tas hänsyn till. Därför kommer examensarbetet att fokusera på ytterväggskonstruktioners byggfysikaliska egenskaper såsom lufttäthet, fukt, uppbyggnad och beständighet. För att kunna lösa uppgiften har vi varit i kontakt med åtta olika byggnadsentreprenörer i Stockholmsområdet och utfört studiebesök ute i produktionen. Det finns flera faktorer som styr valet av ytterväggskonstruktion för projektet och på grund av detta finns det en rad olika typer av ytterväggskonstruktioner som används i dagens byggande av flerbostadshus. I vår jämförelse mellan sex olika ytterväggskonstruktioner har vi analyserat byggfysikaliska egenskaper och produktionsmetoder utifrån samma grundparametrar. Eftersom ytterväggarna skiljer sig mellan lätt respektive tung stomme har vi valt att presentera en från varje kategori. Enligt vår bedömning i vår analys har vi kommit fram till att en lätt utfackningsvägg med stålregelstomme och en tung väggkonstruktion med platsgjuten skalväggsstomme har de bästa förutsättningarna för att i framtiden utgöra de främsta alternativen inom ytterväggskonstruktioner för flerbostadshus.Rapporten är skriven för läsare som antas ha viss kunskap inom området byggteknik, dvs. den riktar sig främst till intressenter till byggbranschen och studenter inom området. / This thesis has been carried out at the Bachelor's program of construction engineering and design at the Royal Institute of Technology and in collaboration with Ramböll Sweden. The purpose of this report is to examine and analyze today's outer wall structures for the future of energy efficient buildings. The outer wall construction that is part of the building envelope has an important and significant flaw to meet future energy requirements of buildings. For a long time different wall construction projects have been designed to create wall panels with low U-values. For a wall structure to function, there are a number of confounding factors to be taken into account. Therefore, the thesis will focus on outer wall structure building physical properties such as air density, moisture, structure and stability.  In order to solve the task we have been in contact with eight different contractors in the Stockholm area and conducted field trips out in production. There are several factors that determine the choice of exterior wall construction for the project and because of this there are a number of different types of exterior wall structures used in today's construction of apartment buildings. In our comparison of six different wall constructions, we have analyzed the construction of physical characteristics and production methods on the same basic parameters. Since the outer walls differ between light and heavy body, we have chosen to present one from each class. Our conclusion is that a light stud walls with steel stud frame and a heavy wall construction with in-situ shell wall structure is best equipped to continue being the main option in exterior wall construction for apartment buildings. The report is written for readers who knowledgeable in the field of building technology, i.e. it is mainly addressed to interested parties in the construction industry and students in the field.

Previous research have shown a possible relationship between the indoor work environmentand the impact it has on the employees’ performance. Different factors can affect theperformance; physical parameters, such as ventilation and air quality, noise levels, thermalclimate, lighting and access to daylight, as well as the level of flexibility of the work, furnitureetc. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the quality of the indoor work environment at siteoffices within Company AB in Sweden. Further, how the physical and the psychologicalenvironment play an important role regarding the attractiveness of the workspace. The studywill only focus on four physical parameters affecting the physical functionality of an office; airquality, noise, temperature and lighting. The following research questions were asked: 1) Whatdifferent types of site offices can be identified in Sweden and what are the commonly usedoffice layouts? 2) How well does the actual indoor work environment at site offices align withthe restrictions by the Swedish Work Environment Authority? 3) How is the indoorenvironment of the site offices perceived by the people utilizing the workspace? 4) Which arethe most important parts to look at to improve the attractiveness of the site offices at CompanyAB? The study is both qualitative and quantitative including measurements, interviews,meetings, and a questionnaire as the main sources of information used to answer the researchquestions.According to the results, the two most commonly used site offices are construction trailers andrented premises. The visited offices had varied layouts since they are designed to fit the needsof the specific project organizations. Out of the four parameters, noise was the only one thatentirely fulfilled the requirements in the six site offices visited.The employees perceived the physical parameters in the site offices differently. The air qualitywas generally perceived to be sufficient in the office spaces but quite bad in the meeting rooms.Multiple employees thought noise was one of the most problematic parameters and it wasshown to possibly depend on work role or task. Employees expressed the need of a versatileoffice layout, with both open office areas and smaller secluded rooms combined, which couldincrease their concentration level and decrease disturbance. Another problematic parameterwas the temperature and generally, the need was to stabilize it throughout the year. Regardingthe lighting, many expressed the desire to be able to adjust it on their own.People perceive things differently which is why a more varied and flexible office might fulfillmore people’s needs. If these needs are fulfilled, it could improve not only the physical workenvironment but also the psychological work environment and therefore increase theattractiveness and job satisfaction of the employees. / Tidigare forskning har visat en möjlig koppling mellan inomhusklimat och dess påverkan påden anställdas prestation. Olika faktorer kan påverka prestationen; fysiska parametrar; såsomventilation och luftkvalitet, ljudnivå, termiskt klimat, ljus och tillgång till dagsljus samt nivånav flexibilitet på jobbet, möbler och andra faktorer. Därför syftar denna studie till att undersökakvalitén av arbetsmiljön inomhus på platskontor hos Company AB i Sverige. Vidare, hur denfysiska och psykiska miljön spelar en stor roll gällande hur attraktiv en arbetsplats är. Dennastudie kommer bara fokusera på fyra fysiska parametrar som påverkar den fysiskafunktionaliteten av ett kontor; luftkvalitet, ljud, temperatur och ljus. Följande forskningsfrågorhar ställts: 1) Vilka olika typer av platskontor kan identifieras i Sverige och vilka olikautformningar används vanligast? 2) Hur väl uppfyller den faktiska inomhusmiljön påplatskontoren kraven från Arbetsmiljöverket? 3) Hur upplevs inomhusmiljön på platskontorenav människorna som jobbar i dem? 4) Vilka är de viktigaste aspekterna för att ökaattraktiviteten av platskontoren på Company AB? Studien är både kvalitativ och kvantitativoch inkluderar både mätningar, intervjuer, möten och en enkät som de främstainformationskällorna för att svara på forskningsfrågorna.Resultaten visar på att de vanligaste platskontoren är byggbodar och inhyrda lokaler. Debesökta kontoren hade olika uppbyggnad eftersom de var utformade för att passa de specifikaprojektorganisationerna. Utav de fyra parametrarna var ljudet det enda som uppfyllde kraven ide sex besökta platskontoren.De anställda upplevde de fysiska parametrarna på olika sätt. Luftkvaliteten upplevdes generelltsom tillräcklig bland kontorsplatserna men ganska dålig i mötesrummen. Flera anställda tyckteatt ljudet var en av de mest problematiska parametrarna och det visade sig möjligtvis bero påarbetsroll eller uppgift. De anställda uttryckte ett behov av en varierad utformning av kontorenmed en kombination av både öppna kontorslandskap och mindre avskilda rum vilket skullekunna öka koncentrationsförmågan och minska störande ljud. En annan problematiskparameter var temperaturen och generellt var behovet att få en mer stabil temperatur över året.Vad gäller ljussättningen så uttryckte många att de ville kunna reglera den själva.Människor upplever saker olika vilket gör att ett mer varierat och flexibelt kontor kan uppfyllafler människors behov. Om dessa behov uppfylls kan detta förbättra inte bara den fysiskaarbetsmiljön utan också den psykiska arbetsmiljön och kan därigenom öka attraktiviteten samtarbetsnöjdheten hos de anställda.

M. Tech. (Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences) Vaal University of Technology. / Pollution of aquatic systems by wastewater containing pathogens, heavy metals and high concentrations of nutrients is of great concern due the ecological risks they impose. The toxic effects of metals may occur even at low concentrations because of potential bio magnification in the food chain. Excessive nutrients cause algal blooms which depletes oxygen and prevents sunlight from penetrating into the water, thereby killing fish and other aquatic organisms. This study investigated the pollutant removal efficiency of a riparian wetland located in Sebokeng, Emfuleni local municipality, South Africa. The study was carried out to assess the water quality of a wetland located downstream of the Sebokeng wastewater treatment plant by monitoring and analysing the physico-chemical parameters which included pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, nutrient levels (nitrates, phosphates, nitrites) and heavy metals. The water samples were collected from the effluent discharge of the treatment plant, upstream and downstream of the wetland. Plant uptake of heavy metals in a riparian wetland, nitrification as well as denitrification processes have been historically recorded as the main processes that contribute to the high removal of pollutants in a wetland. The contaminant concentrations of the influent and the effluent were used to estimate the wetland efficiency in improving the water quality that passes through it and its potential effects on improving the quality of irrigation waters. The heavy metals of interest included Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn and Zn. Most heavy metals within the wetland occurred at low concentrations (lower than detectable limits and within the discharge limits for irrigation purposes). The results indicate that the average removal efficiencies for Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total coliforms (TC), E. coli, BOD5, COD, TSS, carbonate hardness, aluminium, iron, manganese, copper, nitrite, nitrate, sulfate and ortho-phosphate were 43 %, 51%, 85%, 60%, 61%, 61%, 21%, 67%, 52%, 51%, 83%, 56%, 89%, 49% and 54% respectively. The study showed that this wetland can provide up to 89% removal efficiency of pollutants. Of particular significance was the high pathogen and nutrient removal efficiency. A t-test was performed in order to determine the statistical significance of the wetland pollutant removal efficiencies. All p-values calculated were well below 0.05 and the removal efficiencies are therefore considered statistically significant. For this particular ecosystem the findings show that there is no great concern about metal pollution since most of the metals tested for were below the minimum limit for irrigation stipulated by the South African water regulation department (DWAF 1996a). Therefore, the wetland effluent water qualifies for both agriculture and landscape irrigation. Future considerations in choosing to use wetlands as a polishing facility for wastewater treatment systems are highlighted in the study.

This is a prospective study of a cohort sample of injured Kuwaiti First Gulf War survivors designed to investigate the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity due to combat and exposures to traumatic events. The study included two main phases. The first phase conducted in 1998, and in 2003 the second phase was executed. This study was designed to investigate the contribution of combat physical injury to the neurobiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), prevalence rates of PTSD, depression, anxiety and other psychological morbidity, and predictors of chronic PTSD. The first assessment was in 1998 and the second assessment in 2003 that involved biological investigations. Beside the clinical interview and the physical examination of the site of injury, multiple psychological scales and questionnaires were used. Based on DSM-IV criteria of PTSD, after the second assessment the population of this study were classified to: Chronic PTSD(have PTSD at both assessments), Delayed PTSD (have PTSD only on the second assessment), Recovered (have PTSD only in the first assessment), and Never PTSD (have no PTSD in both assessments). The biological assessment include: blood investigations, BMI, and visual analogue. The data of the study were analyzed based on the four PTSD subgroups. In the first chapter an introduction to the First Gulf War was presented followed by the second chapter that discussed literature review. The third chapter tackled the methods used in this study. The fourth to the sixth chapters discussed the results of this study regarding prevalence of Chronic PTSD, Cortisol and PTSD and Thyroid hormones and PTSD respectively. The last chapter presented the limitations and strengths of the study. There were three main hypotheses. First: combat injured survivors with chronic PTSD have cluster of symptoms severity similar to delayed PTSD after 13 years of the trauma and the prevalence of chronic PTSD is constant over time. Second: low cortisol levels observed in chronic PTSD are constant with chronicity, normalize with recovery, unrelated to degree of disability, and are influenced by comorbid disorders. Third: there is minor role for thyroid hormones in chronic PTSD. All of registered Kuwaiti combat injured survivors at the Social Development Office in Kuwait, were approached to voluntary participate in this study. Of 234 individuals 212 participate in the first stage, and out of these 123 participate in the second stage with the addition of 33 new cases that were not examined in 1998 but were registered in SDO after 1998. An informed consent was taken from the participants at both phases. The participants were assessed using General Health Questionnaire, Trauma Questionnaire, Clinician Administered PTSD Scale, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, Symptom Checklist-90 Revised, and Life Event Scale. Questionnaires and scales applied in the first stage were applied in the second stage with the addition of Impact of Event Scale, Composite International Diagnostic Interview and Scale of Gulf War Syndrome. Biochemical assessment comprised cortisol level, thyroxine (fT4), free triiodothyronine (fT3) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The blood samples were taken before starting the interview. Physical assessment involved measurements of: pulse rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, waist-hip circumference, body mass index and visual analogue before and after the interview. Data entry program using Statistical Package for Social Scientists was used to enter data and analysis. The prevalence rate of delayed onset PTSD (14.6%), chronic PTSD (15.4) recovered from PTSD (22.8%) and never had PTSD (47.2%). With chronic PTSD there are higher cluster of PTSD symptoms severity, not related to severity of physical injury, has more prevalence of PTSD associated symptoms, higher comorbid psychiatric disorders. Intrusions, avoidance and arousal are PTSD cluster of symptoms more predictive of future development of PTSD after the injury. There was a low baseline cortisol level with chronic PTSD, and it was significantly lower in participants with delayed PTSD. Furthermore trauma itself rather than PTSD diagnosis may have an impact on cortisol level. Other psychiatric comorbidity has an enhancing effect on cortisol level. The levels of thyroid hormones were within the normal range. The trend of thyroid function in delayed and chronic PTSD is lower fT3, and TSH and higher fT4 levels, with higher fT3 levels in delayed PTSD compared to chronic PTSD. It was found that the higher severity of trauma score with PTSD the higher fT3 mean values. / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, School of Medicine, 2008

[pt] No Brasil, os riscos à saúde humana resultantes da exposição a compostos químicos vêm sendo abordados há poucos anos. Em 2009 foi publicada a Resolução CONAMA 420 que deu início à regulamentação desta prática e em 2013 o procedimento de avaliação de riscos à saúde humana em áreas contaminadas foi normatizado através da NBR 16209. Esta dissertação apresenta um estudo de avaliação de risco à saúde humana a partir de um estudo de caso de uma área contaminada com hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPAs), considerando a exposição de futuros trabalhadores da área. Diante dos resultados obtidos foi realizada uma análise de sensibilidade dos parâmetros do meio físico da área de estudo para que fosse possível determinar e recomendar quais devem ser melhor investigados em estudos de áreas contaminadas com HPAs. Os resultados de risco à saúde humana mostraram que a rota de exposição mais crítica para o estudo de caso é a inalação de vapores em ambientes fechados, devido à ocorrência de compostos de baixo peso molecular, como o naftaleno. A análise de sensibilidade mostrou que o parâmetro do meio físico que exerceu maior influência nos resultados de risco à saúde humana foi a fração de carbono orgânico (FOC). Quanto maior a FOC menor foi o risco por inalação em ambientes abertos, fechados ou contato direto com a água subterrânea. / [en] In Brazil, the risks to human health from exposure to chemical compounds have been discussed since few years ago. In 2009 federal resolution CONAMA 420 was published, starting the regulation of this practice, and in 2013 the procedure of human health risk assessment (HHRA) in contaminated areas was regulated by the Brazilian Regulatory Standard (NBR) 16209. This dissertation presents a HHRA for a case study of an area contaminated with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), considering the exposure of future workers in the area. Based on the results a sensitivity analysis of the soil physical parameters of the study area was performed to determine and recommend which of the parameters should be further investigated in studies of areas contaminated with PAHs. The results of the HHRA showed that the most critical exposure pathway to case study is the inhalation of indoor air due to the occurrence of low molecular weight compounds such as naphthalene. The sensitivity analysis showed that the soil physical parameter that had greater influence on the risk results was the fraction of organic carbon (FOC). The higher the FOC the lower was the risk for inhalation in outdoor spaces, enclosed spaces or direct contact with groundwater.

MESC / Department of Hydrology and Water Resources / Wetlands are known of their pollution reduction characteristics due to their flat topography and dense vegetation which capture pollutants on the settling sediments. Three processes take place on the captured pollutants in the sediments, the physical, chemical and biological processes, which facilitate the removal of pollutants from the wetlands. This research was carried out in order to assess the Water Quality of wetland downstream of Makhado oxidation ponds and its potential effects on Irrigation Waters by determining the Physical-chemical parameters (pH, Dissolved Oxygen, temperature, electrical conductivity and turbidity); the nutrient levels (Nitrates, phosphates, nitrites, bromide) and heavy metals. The water samples were collected from the effluent discharge of Makhado oxidation ponds (upstream), the middle section of the wetland (midstream) and downstream of the wetland. The climate data for the study was also used assess the contribution to variation in the physical-chemical parameters during their passage through the wetland. The use of waters in the wetland by subsistence farmer’s was also assessed to determine their farmer’s perception on wastewater reuse, sustainability, water quality, health hazards and crop yield. At the discharge and midstream point, the physical parameters tested were found to be mostly outside the target water quality range of irrigation water set out by DWAF but are within the DWAF guidelines for discharge of wastewater. The exceptions were with total dissolved solids which were higher than 25 mg/l guideline value of the said standards. The anions were analysed by Ion chromatography and showed spatial variation in content and seasonality. The nutrients (nitrates, nitrites and phosphates) and chloride were higher than the DWAF guidelines for discharge of wastewater. The heavy metal content in the wetland was analysed by ICP-OES and varied throughout the wetland. The following metals were reduced during their passage in wetland and were within DWAF guidelines: zinc, lead, cadmium and total chromium. Iron and manganese were reduced during the drier season but were above the DWAF guideline values during the wet season. Also the metal contents in the wetland are out of the target water quality range of the same standards bringing forth the risks of toxicity in the wetland. The anion analysis also suggests that the wetland is becoming a nutrient rich environment bringing forth risks of eutrophication. Nitrite concentrations did not conform to the South African viii Water Guidelines on target water quality ranges for irrigation water. Farmers have expressed a positive opinion on wastewater use for irrigation since there are loads of nutrients. The presence of nutrients in wetland may contribute to development of harmful algal blooms.