The purpose of this study is to develop an improved human radiation exchange model for use by planners and researchers. Although applicable for all environments, emphasis will be on urban areas. All processes of radiation exchange between the human body surface and surrounding environments were investigated through human body area factors (effective radiation area factor, feff, and projected area factor, fp), existing human thermal exchange models and three-dimensional (3D) computer simulation models with collected microclimatic data. For new body area factors, a sample of standing contemporary Canadian adults in normal-weight (male: 31 persons, female: 40) and over-weight (male: 48, female: 20) body mass index (BMI) categories were analyzed. A 3D mean body model was created for each category. Only very small differences in feff and fp were found between genders and BMI categories. Differences in feff and fp values between this study and previous studies were very large, up to 0.101 and 0.173, respectively. Another common body posture, walking, was also studied for the normal-weight male and female BMI categories. 3D computer walking body models at four stride positions were created. The directionless fp values for walking posture had minor differences between genders and positions in a stride. However, the differences of mean directional fp values between azimuth angles were great enough (up to 0.072) to create important differences in modeled radiation receipt. When both standing and walking postures are considered, the mean feff value of standing (0.826) and walking (0.846), 0.836, could be used. However, fp values should be selected carefully because differences between directional and directionless fp values were large enough that they could influence the estimated level of human thermal sensation. A new human radiation exchange model was developed using the new body area factors and compared with five existing models and one method (Burt, COMFA, MENEX, OUT_SET* and RayMan models and the six-directional method) using collected microclimatic data observed in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Most differences between models came from absorbed solar radiation, especially absorbed direct beam solar radiation because of differences in fp* (=fp×feff) and feff or some missing components (feff or view factors). The lowest differences between the new model and the RayMan model alter the net all-wave radiation estimate up to 29 Wm-2, which can be significant in the human thermal exchange model. For 3D computer estimation, a new human-urban radiation exchange simulation model was developed combining the new human radiation exchange model and improved urban area factors (i.e., albedos and view factors of sunny and shaded building, ground and vegetation surfaces). The results of the new computer model were compared with microclimatic data collected in Nanaimo, B.C., Canada and Changwon, Republic of Korea as well as with two other 3D computer simulation programs, RayMan Pro and ENVI-met 3.1. The differences between the collected data and the new model were very small. Their correlation was very strong, over 0.99 for total radiation. RayMan Pro and ENVI-met 3.1 programs had larger differences, and their correlations with measured data were weaker than the new model’s. Accurate meteorological and urban setting data should be obtained for better results. The new model will give planners and researchers a simple tool to estimate accurate radiation effects in complex urban areas. / Graduate

La modélisation numérique des structures composites à renfort fibreux de géométrie complexe constitue un axe de recherche majeur afin de prédire correctement leur comportement mécanique. Dans ce contexte, l’étude menée dans ce travail de thèse porte sur le développement de nouveaux éléments finis basés sur une approche numérique multi-échelle, appelée Approche de la Fibre Projetée (AFP). Cette approche a l’avantage de tenir compte de la présence des fibres au sein d’un espace matrice sans les discrétiser, ce qui limite considérablement la taille du système à résoudre. Pour analyser le comportement des structures composites, plusieurs éléments finis 2D et 3D ont été développés et implémentés dans le code ABAQUS via la routine UEL. Plusieurs cas tests de validation sont considérés pour tester la précision et l’efficacité des éléments finis proposés et les résultats obtenus sont globalement en bon accord avec les solutions de référence. De plus, l’intérêt de la nouvelle approche (AFP) est particulièrement mis en exergue en étudiant des structures composites complexe à renfort 3D : une plaque sandwich cousue et une plaque sandwich à âme creuse renforcée par des fibres en forme de « 8 ». / Numerical modeling of composite materials and structures with complex geometry of fiber reinforcement, such as stitched composites, constitutes a major research axis in order to correctly predict their mechanical behavior. Within this context, this study focuses on the development of new linear and nonlinear specific finite elements based on a multiscale numerical approach, called the Projected Fiber Approach (PFA). This numerical approach has the advantage of taking into account the presence of fi bers, long or short and distributed randomly or specifically, within a matrix space without discretizing them. Consequently, the obtained system of equations size is equivalent to that without reinforcement (matrix), which considerably reduces the computational cost. To analyze the linear and geometrically nonlinear behaviors of composite structures, two membrane finite elements, named PFT3 and PFQ4, and a 3D solid finite element, named PFH8, were developed and implemented into the commercial finite element code ABAQUS via the user element subroutine (UEL). Several numerical linear and nonlinear tests are considered to assess the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed composite finite elements, and the obtained results are globally in good agreement with the reference solutions. Moreover, the major interest of the PFA approach is particularly emphasized by studying two 3D complex reinforced composite structures: a stitched sandwich plate and a hollow core sandwich plate reinforced by "8" shape fibers.

A falta de dados hidrológicos é fator limitante da representação mais precisa do comportamento hídrico, comprometendo a gestão de bacias hidrográficas. Quando estas bacias são responsáveis pelo abastecimento publico a situação torna-se crítica. Este trabalho tem como objetivo desenvolver uma metodologia para avaliação da disponibilidade hídrica para o abastecimento, utilizando cenários adaptados ao clima do cerrado, mesmo com carência de dados hidrometeorológicos, sendo aplicada na Sub-bacia do Ribeirão Taquarussu Grande em Palmas-TO. A proposta de metodologia consiste na Estimava da Oferta Hídrica, onde propôs obter os dados de disponibilidade hídrica através dos Métodos de Proporção de Área, de Regressão e do modelo chuva-vazão Win_IPH II, posteriormente adotando a Q90 e a Q7,10 como as vazões de referência; na Estimativa da Demanda e Projeções, que identificou os usos consultivos e a taxa de crescimento da população urbana e rural, da criação animal e os seus respectivos consumos per capita, necessária para a projeção de demanda futura; nos Cenários Propostos, foram aplicadas simulações para atendimento do abastecimento publico no horizonte de 20 anos, considerando a variabilidade climática na região e/ou inserção de novos usuários, no qual a vazão de referência adotada foi cotejada com a curva de demanda, avaliando a disponibilidade hídrica e identificando a variação do máximo déficit. Os resultados obtidos foram que a metodologia proposta se mostrou adequada, como uma ferramenta de analise e tomadas de decisões no gerenciamento integrado dos usos dos recursos hídricos; observou que a Q90 e a Q7,10 anual adotada restringe o uso da água na maior parte do tempo, enquanto a Q90 e a Q7,10 mensal possui uma maior capacidade de disponibilizar água; o maior usuário da Sub-bacia do Ribeirão Taquarussu Grande é a população urbana do município de Palmas, sendo esta responsável por 98,5% do total consumido; nos cenários, o Caso 01 do Cenário 02, demonstrou ser a tendência futura no atendimento da demanda de 66% da população urbana (ETA 006) utilizando a Q90 mensal, tendo o déficit de 47,17% no ano de 2010. / The lack of hydrological data is a limitante factor of the most precise representation of the hydric behaviour, compromising the management of hydrological basins, when these basins are responsible for the publish supply the situation becomes critical.This paper proposes a methodology for assessment of watershed conditions in the supply scenarios adapted to the scarcity of hydrometeorological data, being applied in the sub-basin of the Great Stream Taquarussu Palmas-TO.The proposed methodology is the estimate of Water Supply, which aimed to obtain data on water availability through the methods of Area Ratio, Regression and model rainfall-runoff Win_IPH II, later adopting the Q90 and Q7,10 as the flow of reference; Estimation of the Demand and Projections, which identified the uses advisory and the growth rate of urban and rural population of the animal creation and their respective per capita, which is necessary for the projection of future demand, in the proposed scenario, simulations were applied to attend the public supply in the 20-year horizon, given the climate variability in the region and / or adding new users, in which the reference flow used was checked against the demand curve, assessing water availability and identifying the shift of the maximum deficit and Estimated Cost of Work, which has proposed alternatives to increase water availability by estimating the costs of these works. The results were that the proposed methodology was adequate as a tool for analysis and decision making in integrated management of water resources uses; noted that the Q90 and Q7,10 adopted restricts the annual water use in most of the time , While the Q90 and Q7,10 monthly has a greater capacity to provide water, the biggest user of the Sub-basin Taquarussu Ribeirão Grande is the Palmas city urban population which is responsible for 98.5% of total consumption, in the scenarios, the case 01 of Scenario 02, proved to be the future trend in meeting demand of 66% of urban population (ETA 006) monthly using the Q90, with the deficit of 47.17% in 2010.

Submitted by Estagiário SPT BMHS (spt@fgv.br) on 2012-01-17T13:00:33Z No. of bitstreams: 1 1425027.pdf: 13223856 bytes, checksum: 6fcd9d4ed8c783d39314ce0e657ddba5 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Estagiário SPT BMHS (spt@fgv.br) on 2012-01-17T13:00:50Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 1425027.pdf: 13223856 bytes, checksum: 6fcd9d4ed8c783d39314ce0e657ddba5 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Estagiário SPT BMHS (spt@fgv.br) on 2012-01-17T13:01:09Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 1425027.pdf: 13223856 bytes, checksum: 6fcd9d4ed8c783d39314ce0e657ddba5 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2012-01-17T13:01:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 1425027.pdf: 13223856 bytes, checksum: 6fcd9d4ed8c783d39314ce0e657ddba5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / This study is inserted in a topic that has current1y been calling much attention from financiaI literature. The main reason for this fact is that since the publication of the law number 1l.308 of July 13th , 2007 which made obligated the publication of cash flow instead of presenting the proof of origin as well as application of resources. The cash flow must be treated as a great management tool that allows identifying the way money circulates in the company, in other words, identifies the leveI of liquidity showing the financiaI position ofthe company in order to establish trends 00 eventual remaining or lack of resources. The cash flow is accomplished with the purpose of demonstrating how the ioputs and outputs of the company' s financiaI resources behaved in a given period. The careful study of the cash flow done not only enables the trend analysis but also works as base for projected cash flow planning. The main objective ofthe study is to analyze the amount of financiai losses over the period betweeo 1996 to 2008. The financiai losses that we have referred to occurred due to the late payment from the client making necessary an increase of the working capital, caused by the big difference in the term between the (ideal) projected cash cycle compared to the real cash cycle. The current work was accomplished in a large company in the civil construction sector. The work was performed aimed at comparing the projected cycle flow to the real cycle flow, determining, therefore, the amount of financiai losses which was of R$ 48,46 million updated for the end of the period that was analyzed representing a reduction in profitability of 3 %. Key words: Cash flow. Working capital. Projected cash cycle. Real cash cycle. / Este estudo está inserido num tópico que têm recebido muita atenção por parte da literatura financeira atualmente, principalmente porque, a partir da publicação da lei 11 .308 de 13 de julho de 2007, tomou obrigatorio a puplicação da demonstração do fluxo de caixa, em substituíçaõ da à demonstração das origens e aplicação dos recursos. O fluxo de caixa deve ser tratado como um grande instrumento gerencial que permite identificar a maneira como o dinheiro circula na empresa, ou seja identifica qual é o grau de liquidez, mostrando a posição financeira da empresa de maneira a estabelecer tendências sobre as eventuais sobras ou falta de recursos. A finalidade do fluxo de caixa realizado é mostrar como se comportaram as entradas e as saídas de recursos financeiros da empresa em detenninado penodo. O estudo cuidadoso do fluxo de caIxa realizado, além de propicIar análise de tendência, serve de base para o planejamento do fluxo projetado. O objetivo principal do estudo é fazer uma análise do volume de perdas financeiras ao longo do período compreendido entre 1996 a 2008. As perdas financeiras que nos referimos, ocorreram devido ao atraso de pagamento por parte do cliente gerando a necessidade de aumento do capital de giro, causado pela grande diferença de prazo entre o ciclo de caixa projetado (ideal) comparado ao ciclo de caixa real. O presente trabalho foi realizado em uma empresa de grande porte no setor da construção civil. O trabalho realizado foi o de comparar o ciclo de caixa planejado versus o ciclo de caixa real, determinando assim o montante de perdas financeiras que foi de R$ 48,46 milhões de reais atualizados para o final do período analisado, representando uma redução da rentabilidade em 3,26%. Palavras-chave: Fluxo de caixa. Capital de giro. Ciclo de caixa projetado. Ciclo de caixa real.

A falta de dados hidrológicos é fator limitante da representação mais precisa do comportamento hídrico, comprometendo a gestão de bacias hidrográficas. Quando estas bacias são responsáveis pelo abastecimento publico a situação torna-se crítica. Este trabalho tem como objetivo desenvolver uma metodologia para avaliação da disponibilidade hídrica para o abastecimento, utilizando cenários adaptados ao clima do cerrado, mesmo com carência de dados hidrometeorológicos, sendo aplicada na Sub-bacia do Ribeirão Taquarussu Grande em Palmas-TO. A proposta de metodologia consiste na Estimava da Oferta Hídrica, onde propôs obter os dados de disponibilidade hídrica através dos Métodos de Proporção de Área, de Regressão e do modelo chuva-vazão Win_IPH II, posteriormente adotando a Q90 e a Q7,10 como as vazões de referência; na Estimativa da Demanda e Projeções, que identificou os usos consultivos e a taxa de crescimento da população urbana e rural, da criação animal e os seus respectivos consumos per capita, necessária para a projeção de demanda futura; nos Cenários Propostos, foram aplicadas simulações para atendimento do abastecimento publico no horizonte de 20 anos, considerando a variabilidade climática na região e/ou inserção de novos usuários, no qual a vazão de referência adotada foi cotejada com a curva de demanda, avaliando a disponibilidade hídrica e identificando a variação do máximo déficit. Os resultados obtidos foram que a metodologia proposta se mostrou adequada, como uma ferramenta de analise e tomadas de decisões no gerenciamento integrado dos usos dos recursos hídricos; observou que a Q90 e a Q7,10 anual adotada restringe o uso da água na maior parte do tempo, enquanto a Q90 e a Q7,10 mensal possui uma maior capacidade de disponibilizar água; o maior usuário da Sub-bacia do Ribeirão Taquarussu Grande é a população urbana do município de Palmas, sendo esta responsável por 98,5% do total consumido; nos cenários, o Caso 01 do Cenário 02, demonstrou ser a tendência futura no atendimento da demanda de 66% da população urbana (ETA 006) utilizando a Q90 mensal, tendo o déficit de 47,17% no ano de 2010. / The lack of hydrological data is a limitante factor of the most precise representation of the hydric behaviour, compromising the management of hydrological basins, when these basins are responsible for the publish supply the situation becomes critical.This paper proposes a methodology for assessment of watershed conditions in the supply scenarios adapted to the scarcity of hydrometeorological data, being applied in the sub-basin of the Great Stream Taquarussu Palmas-TO.The proposed methodology is the estimate of Water Supply, which aimed to obtain data on water availability through the methods of Area Ratio, Regression and model rainfall-runoff Win_IPH II, later adopting the Q90 and Q7,10 as the flow of reference; Estimation of the Demand and Projections, which identified the uses advisory and the growth rate of urban and rural population of the animal creation and their respective per capita, which is necessary for the projection of future demand, in the proposed scenario, simulations were applied to attend the public supply in the 20-year horizon, given the climate variability in the region and / or adding new users, in which the reference flow used was checked against the demand curve, assessing water availability and identifying the shift of the maximum deficit and Estimated Cost of Work, which has proposed alternatives to increase water availability by estimating the costs of these works. The results were that the proposed methodology was adequate as a tool for analysis and decision making in integrated management of water resources uses; noted that the Q90 and Q7,10 adopted restricts the annual water use in most of the time , While the Q90 and Q7,10 monthly has a greater capacity to provide water, the biggest user of the Sub-basin Taquarussu Ribeirão Grande is the Palmas city urban population which is responsible for 98.5% of total consumption, in the scenarios, the case 01 of Scenario 02, proved to be the future trend in meeting demand of 66% of urban population (ETA 006) monthly using the Q90, with the deficit of 47.17% in 2010.

Esta tesis presenta un enfoque cuantitativo, explicativo y descriptivo, aporta un sistema de gestión de costos mediante la metodología del Resultado Operativo y las diferentes bondades que presenta para incrementar los niveles de control y planificación de obra. En el desarrollo de una obra existen diferentes factores que afectan a la utilidad planificada, como atrasos en el cronograma, derroche de insumos, compras excesivas y otros que a la larga pueden terminar con dicha utilidad. Por este motivo contar con un sistema de control se vuelve vital para ejecutar una obra. El objetivo de esta tesis fue implementar el método del Resultado Operativo a una obra civil, que permita tener en cuenta aquellos factores que afectan a la utilidad y así incrementar el control de la misma, por ello se presentó una base conceptual y el desarrollo de su metodología. La metodología propuesta permitió planificar las partidas según el cronograma de obra, optimizar los insumos, proyectar la utilidad a final de obra según Fases y Grupos de Control establecidos, orientar a tomar decisiones anticipadas y mejorar el control de la utilidad en el transcurso de obra. This thesis present a quantitative, explanatory and descriptive approach, with the aim to provide a management costs system by operating income methodology and its various benefits presented to increasing control levels and planning work. In developing a work there are different factors that affect the planned utility, as delays in the schedule, wasted inputs, excessive shopping and others who may eventually end up with this utility. Therefore having a control system becomes vital to perform any work, either smaller or larger work, requires a control. The objective of this thesis is to implement the operating result method to a civil work, to take account factors that affect the utility, in order to increase control of it, so a conceptual base and develop methodology are discussed. The proposed methodology allows scheduling the work’s steps to optimize inputs, and project the utility at the end of work according to Control Groups and Established Phases, in order to make advance decisions and improve the control of the utility in the work’s development.

A falta de dados hidrológicos é fator limitante da representação mais precisa do comportamento hídrico, comprometendo a gestão de bacias hidrográficas. Quando estas bacias são responsáveis pelo abastecimento publico a situação torna-se crítica. Este trabalho tem como objetivo desenvolver uma metodologia para avaliação da disponibilidade hídrica para o abastecimento, utilizando cenários adaptados ao clima do cerrado, mesmo com carência de dados hidrometeorológicos, sendo aplicada na Sub-bacia do Ribeirão Taquarussu Grande em Palmas-TO. A proposta de metodologia consiste na Estimava da Oferta Hídrica, onde propôs obter os dados de disponibilidade hídrica através dos Métodos de Proporção de Área, de Regressão e do modelo chuva-vazão Win_IPH II, posteriormente adotando a Q90 e a Q7,10 como as vazões de referência; na Estimativa da Demanda e Projeções, que identificou os usos consultivos e a taxa de crescimento da população urbana e rural, da criação animal e os seus respectivos consumos per capita, necessária para a projeção de demanda futura; nos Cenários Propostos, foram aplicadas simulações para atendimento do abastecimento publico no horizonte de 20 anos, considerando a variabilidade climática na região e/ou inserção de novos usuários, no qual a vazão de referência adotada foi cotejada com a curva de demanda, avaliando a disponibilidade hídrica e identificando a variação do máximo déficit. Os resultados obtidos foram que a metodologia proposta se mostrou adequada, como uma ferramenta de analise e tomadas de decisões no gerenciamento integrado dos usos dos recursos hídricos; observou que a Q90 e a Q7,10 anual adotada restringe o uso da água na maior parte do tempo, enquanto a Q90 e a Q7,10 mensal possui uma maior capacidade de disponibilizar água; o maior usuário da Sub-bacia do Ribeirão Taquarussu Grande é a população urbana do município de Palmas, sendo esta responsável por 98,5% do total consumido; nos cenários, o Caso 01 do Cenário 02, demonstrou ser a tendência futura no atendimento da demanda de 66% da população urbana (ETA 006) utilizando a Q90 mensal, tendo o déficit de 47,17% no ano de 2010. / The lack of hydrological data is a limitante factor of the most precise representation of the hydric behaviour, compromising the management of hydrological basins, when these basins are responsible for the publish supply the situation becomes critical.This paper proposes a methodology for assessment of watershed conditions in the supply scenarios adapted to the scarcity of hydrometeorological data, being applied in the sub-basin of the Great Stream Taquarussu Palmas-TO.The proposed methodology is the estimate of Water Supply, which aimed to obtain data on water availability through the methods of Area Ratio, Regression and model rainfall-runoff Win_IPH II, later adopting the Q90 and Q7,10 as the flow of reference; Estimation of the Demand and Projections, which identified the uses advisory and the growth rate of urban and rural population of the animal creation and their respective per capita, which is necessary for the projection of future demand, in the proposed scenario, simulations were applied to attend the public supply in the 20-year horizon, given the climate variability in the region and / or adding new users, in which the reference flow used was checked against the demand curve, assessing water availability and identifying the shift of the maximum deficit and Estimated Cost of Work, which has proposed alternatives to increase water availability by estimating the costs of these works. The results were that the proposed methodology was adequate as a tool for analysis and decision making in integrated management of water resources uses; noted that the Q90 and Q7,10 adopted restricts the annual water use in most of the time , While the Q90 and Q7,10 monthly has a greater capacity to provide water, the biggest user of the Sub-basin Taquarussu Ribeirão Grande is the Palmas city urban population which is responsible for 98.5% of total consumption, in the scenarios, the case 01 of Scenario 02, proved to be the future trend in meeting demand of 66% of urban population (ETA 006) monthly using the Q90, with the deficit of 47.17% in 2010.

A expansão agropecuária governa as mudanças no uso do solo no Brasil devido à alta demanda dos mercados interno e externo por alimento, fibra e energia. Entretanto, os efeitos e os processos decorrentes dessas alterações no ciclo hidrológico e na conservação do solo são pouco estudados de forma experimental em regiões de clima tropical e subtropical. No Estado de São Paulo, o uso do solo acontece de forma intensiva, as áreas de Cerrado nativo estão fragmentadas e pastagens vêm sendo substituídas por plantações de cana-de-açúcar devido à alta demanda por etanol e açúcar. Este trabalho tem como objetivo compreender as relações, trocas, variações e tendências das componentes do balanço hídrico e dos processos erosivos em potenciais mudanças no uso do solo que são encontradas no Sudeste do Brasil: de condições naturais (Cerrado sensu stricto) para pastagem, cana-de-açúcar e solo exposto. Para isso, foram monitorados, nos diferentes usos do solo, as condições meteorológicas, o escoamento superficial, a evapotranspiração, o conteúdo de água no solo, a erosão do solo e a flutuação do nível freático do aquífero. As alterações no uso do solo modificam significativamente o balanço hídrico, com aumento do escoamento superficial (pelo menos 14 mm ano-1) e diminuição da evapotranspiração (pelo menos 529 mm ano-1) quando o Cerrado sensu stricto é substituído por pastagem ou cana-de-açúcar. Entretanto, no Cerrado sensu stricto o volume de água disponível para percolação ao longo da zona não saturada e potencial recarga do aquífero tende a ser menor que em áreas agrícolas. As observações mostram que o solo exposto e a cana-de-açúcar possuem os maiores valores erosão do solo (16,00 ± 5,97 t ha-1 ano-1 e 0,64 ± 0,49 t ha-1 ano-1, respectivamente). Além disso, há semelhanças entre as taxas de perda de solo na pastagem (0,11 ± 0,04 t ha-1 ano-1) e no Cerrado sensu stricto (0,14 ± 0,06 t ha-1 ano-1). Devido às curtas séries de dados de escoamento superficial e erosão do solo, a adoção de modelos de base física como o WEPP (Water Erosion Prediction Project), é alternativa viável para simulações que considerem as variabilidades climáticas de regiões subtropicais. Projeções climáticas revelam que não ocorrerão alterações significativas nas respostas (escoamento superficial e erosão do solo) em relação ao clima base atual apesar do aumento significativo na precipitação nos cenários mais drásticos (entre 5% e 9%). Por fim, a manutenção do ciclo hidrológico e o controle da erosão do solo alcançados pelo Cerrado sensu stricto são benefícios que contrastam com a diminuição da recarga potencial do aquífero em áreas de vegetação densa. A cana-de-açúcar e a pastagem são usos do solo concorrentes e seus efeitos nos padrões hidrológicos e na erosão do solo se equilibram. / The agricultural expansion in Brazil drives land use changes due to the higher demand of internal and external markets for food, fiber and fuel. However, the effects and processes that result from these changes on hydrological cycle and soil conservation are not well explored in an experimental approach under tropical and subtropical climates. The land use is intense in the State of São Paulo, where the undisturbed woodlands in the Cerrado biome are fragmented and pasturelands are transformed in sugarcane plantations due to the higher sugar and ethanol demands. This thesis aims to comprehend the relations, trade-offs and variations of the water balance components and soil erosion processes under potential land use changes that can be found in southeastern Brazil: from natural landscapes (wooded Cerrado) to pastureland, sugarcane and bare soil. They were monitored in these different land uses: meteorological conditions, runoff, evapotranspiration, soil moisture content, soil erosion, and water table fluctuation. The land uses changes significantly influence the water balance, increasing the runoff (at least 14 mm yr-1) and decreasing evapotranspiration (at least 529 mm yr-1) when wooded Cerrado is substituted by pasture or sugarcane. Nevertheless, the soil water content available for deep percolation through the unsaturated zone and potential aquifer recharge in the wooded Cerrado tend to be smaller than in agricultural fields. Soil loss observations reveal that bare soil and sugarcane have the highest rates (16.00 ± 5.97 t ha-1 yr1 and 0.64 ± 0.49 t ha-1 yr-1, respectively). Additionally, there are similarities between the soil loss rates of pastureland (0.11 ± 0.04 t ha-1 yr-1) and wooded Cerrado (0.14 ± 0.06 t ha-1 yr-1). Due to the short-period observations of runoff and soil erosion, the use of a process-based model such as WEPP (Water Erosion Prediction Project) is a feasible alternative for simulations considering climatic variability under subtropical conditions. Projected climates reveal that in spite of significant increased rainfall (between 5% and 9%) in the most drastic scenarios, there are no significant changes on runoff and soil erosion rates in relation to the actual baseline climate. Finally, the hydrological stability and soil erosion control are benefits reached by the wooded Cerrado that contrast with the decrease in potential aquifer recharge in a dense vegetation area. Sugarcane and pasture are concurrent land uses and their effects on hydrological patterns and soil erosion are equivalent.

Doctoral thesis deals with dementia, which social, health and economic impacts are alarming worldwide. Expected dramatic increase in the number of people with cognitive impairment will put high demands on health and social care. Population aging and the increase of elderly persons aged 65+ evoked a need to address this issue, since age is the major risk factor for dementia. Conflicting conclusions of the European and international studies confirm the difficulty of quantifying the disease. Different definitions and measurement methods lead to different results. In the Czech Republic, in comparison with other developed European countries, there is no relevant research on the expected increase in the number of people with dementia or trends and determinants of severe cognitive impairment. Available estimates of the prevalence of dementia in the Czech Republic are based exclusively on the international prevalence studies EURODEM and Eurocode. Dissertation provides an estimate of the number of people with dementia in the Czech Republic to 2050 based on the construction of life tables for demented people. The thesis also includes analysis of risk factors of severe cognitive impairment based on socio-demographic and health variables. This knowledge is very important for the development and maintenance of effective policies and programs responsive to the needs of individuals living with cognitive impairment in the Czech Republic.

An innovative approach for characterization of one dimensional Photonic Band Gap structures comprised of metallic inclusions (i.e. subwavelength dipole elements or resonant ring elements) is presented. Through an efficient S- to T-parameters conversion technique, a detailed analysis has been performed to investigate the variation of the dispersion characteristics of 1-D PBG structures as a function of the cell element configuration. Also, for the first time, the angular sensitivity of the structure has been studied in order to obtain the projected band diagrams for both TE and TM polarizations. Polarization sensitivity of the subwavelength cell element is exploited to propose a novel combination of elements which allows achieving PBGs with simultaneous frequency and polarization selectivity. The proposed approach demonstrates that the dispersion characteristic of each orthogonal polarization can be independently adjusted with dipole elements parallel to that same polarization. Generally, the structure has potential applications in orthomode transducer, and generally whenever the polarization of the incoming signal is to be used as a means of separating it from another signal in the same frequency band that is of orthogonal polarization. The current distribution and the resonance behavior of the ring element is studied and the effect of resonance on dispersion characteristics of 1-D PBGs composed of rings is investigated for the first time, for both individual and coupled rings. Interestingly, it is observed that 1-D PBG composed of resonant elements consistently has a bandgap around the resonant frequency of the single layer structure.