Le rayonnement ultraviolet (UV) est un cancérigène pour lequel peu d’informations sur l’exposition des populations est disponible. L’intensité et les variations de l’exposition au rayonnement UV solaire, principale source d’exposition, a un impact sur la santé mais il est difficile de les surveiller. Le travail de cette thèse a permis de développer un outil pour une estimation quantitative de l’exposition individuelle à l’UV solaire pour l’épidémiologie. Nous avons créé un atlas des moyennes mensuelles d’irradiation journalière en Europe. Certaines données manquantes au niveau des pays nordiques en hiver ont dû être extrapolées. Nous avons vu que la saisonnalité est forte et que la répartition spatiale ne suit pas seulement le gradient de latitude. Par exemple, l’irradiation UV est plus élevée au sud des pays nordiques qu’au centre de l’Europe. Une enquête a été menée dans huit populations européennes afin d’estimer l’exposition individuelle. Ces populations ont des comportements différents vis-à-vis de l’exposition au soleil. Après une étape de modélisation pour estimer les données d’irradiation UV manquantes au nord de la Norvège sur l’ensemble de l’année, nous avons pu quantifier l’exposition chronique et l’exposition pendant les vacances dans trois populations (française, italienne et norvégienne). L’outil développé au cours de cette thèse pourra être utilisé pour de futures études épidémiologiques qui permettront de connaître l’exposition au rayonnement ultraviolet solaire de populations et de mieux comprendre son rôle dans l’étiologie de diverses maladies, telles que les cancers cutanés. / Ultraviolet radiation (UV) is a carcinogenic agent for which little information on human exposure is available. The intensity and the changes of solar UV exposure, which is the main source of exposure, have an impact on health but are difficult to monitor. The work of this thesis led to the creation of a tool for quantitative estimation of individual exposure to solar UV that can be used in epidemiological studies. We created an atlas of monthly average daily radiation across Europe. Some missing values from the Nordic countries during winter had to be extrapolated. We observed a strong seasonality and characteristics in the spatial distribution which does not always follow the gradient of latitude. For instance, UV radiation is higher in the southern area of the Nordic countries than in central Europe. A survey was conducted in eight European populations to estimate individual exposure. These populations have different behaviours regarding sun exposure. After a step of modeling to estimate missing values in northern Norway throughout the year, we quantified chronic and holiday exposure in three populations (France, Italy and Norway). The tool developed during this thesis will be used for future epidemiological studies that will contribute to improving the knowledge about UV exposure in populations and better understanding its role in the aetiology of various diseases, such as skin cancers.

Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram realizar uma análise exploratória da estrutura do componente arbóreo de uma floresta estacional de encosta, relacionando-a a variáveis ambientais, e avaliar os padrões bióticos nas síndromes de dispersão e estratégias de estabelecimento. O estudo foi conduzido no Parque Estadual de Itapuã, Viamão (RS), nas encostas do morro do Campista (30°12´06”S e 51°02´45”O). A análise de correspondência canônica aplicada às relações entre espécies o seu ambiente mostrou que há forte relação entre vegetação, exposição solar das encostas e variações edáficas. Três grupos de unidades amostrais foram determinados relativamente às faces de exposição solar. Observou-se que entre os grupos há diferenças estruturais relacionadas à exposição, tais como aumento da diversidade nas áreas com maior exposição solar e diminuição da área basal média, devido ao menor porte dos indivíduos. As diferentes estratégias de dispersão ocuparam posições distintas ao longo do espaço vertical, e as estratégias de estabelecimento demonstraram as tendências adaptativas das espécies às condições disponíveis no ambiente. As diferenças entre as estruturas florestais e entre as estratégias de estabelecimento das diferentes faces de exposição indicam que a exposição solar, juntamente com fatores edáficos, atua seletivamente sobre as espécies desta formação florestal. / In this study, we performed an exploratory analysis of the structure of the arboreal component of a hillside seasonal forest, in order to relate its structure to their environmental variables. In addition, we evaluated the biotic patterns of the dispersal syndromes and establishment strategies. We carried out the research at Parque Estadual de Itapuã, in the slopes of the Campista hill (30°12´06”S and 51°02´45”W). Canonical Correspondence Analysis was used to correlate the species to their environment. The results showed strong relationship among vegetation, solar exposure of the hillsides and edaphic variations. According to their solar exposure, three groups of sampling units were determined. Among these groups, we found structural differences related to solar exposure. In areas with higher exposure, a higher diversity was found, as well as individuals with lower mean basal area, due to their lower height. Different dispersal strategies occupied different positions along the vertical space, whereas the establishment strategies showed the species' adaptive tendencies to environmental available conditions. The differences in the forestry structure, as well as the ones in the species' establishment strategies due to solar exposure, demonstrate that solar exposure together with edaphic factors act selectively on the species in such forestry formations.

Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram realizar uma análise exploratória da estrutura do componente arbóreo de uma floresta estacional de encosta, relacionando-a a variáveis ambientais, e avaliar os padrões bióticos nas síndromes de dispersão e estratégias de estabelecimento. O estudo foi conduzido no Parque Estadual de Itapuã, Viamão (RS), nas encostas do morro do Campista (30°12´06”S e 51°02´45”O). A análise de correspondência canônica aplicada às relações entre espécies o seu ambiente mostrou que há forte relação entre vegetação, exposição solar das encostas e variações edáficas. Três grupos de unidades amostrais foram determinados relativamente às faces de exposição solar. Observou-se que entre os grupos há diferenças estruturais relacionadas à exposição, tais como aumento da diversidade nas áreas com maior exposição solar e diminuição da área basal média, devido ao menor porte dos indivíduos. As diferentes estratégias de dispersão ocuparam posições distintas ao longo do espaço vertical, e as estratégias de estabelecimento demonstraram as tendências adaptativas das espécies às condições disponíveis no ambiente. As diferenças entre as estruturas florestais e entre as estratégias de estabelecimento das diferentes faces de exposição indicam que a exposição solar, juntamente com fatores edáficos, atua seletivamente sobre as espécies desta formação florestal. / In this study, we performed an exploratory analysis of the structure of the arboreal component of a hillside seasonal forest, in order to relate its structure to their environmental variables. In addition, we evaluated the biotic patterns of the dispersal syndromes and establishment strategies. We carried out the research at Parque Estadual de Itapuã, in the slopes of the Campista hill (30°12´06”S and 51°02´45”W). Canonical Correspondence Analysis was used to correlate the species to their environment. The results showed strong relationship among vegetation, solar exposure of the hillsides and edaphic variations. According to their solar exposure, three groups of sampling units were determined. Among these groups, we found structural differences related to solar exposure. In areas with higher exposure, a higher diversity was found, as well as individuals with lower mean basal area, due to their lower height. Different dispersal strategies occupied different positions along the vertical space, whereas the establishment strategies showed the species' adaptive tendencies to environmental available conditions. The differences in the forestry structure, as well as the ones in the species' establishment strategies due to solar exposure, demonstrate that solar exposure together with edaphic factors act selectively on the species in such forestry formations.

Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram realizar uma análise exploratória da estrutura do componente arbóreo de uma floresta estacional de encosta, relacionando-a a variáveis ambientais, e avaliar os padrões bióticos nas síndromes de dispersão e estratégias de estabelecimento. O estudo foi conduzido no Parque Estadual de Itapuã, Viamão (RS), nas encostas do morro do Campista (30°12´06”S e 51°02´45”O). A análise de correspondência canônica aplicada às relações entre espécies o seu ambiente mostrou que há forte relação entre vegetação, exposição solar das encostas e variações edáficas. Três grupos de unidades amostrais foram determinados relativamente às faces de exposição solar. Observou-se que entre os grupos há diferenças estruturais relacionadas à exposição, tais como aumento da diversidade nas áreas com maior exposição solar e diminuição da área basal média, devido ao menor porte dos indivíduos. As diferentes estratégias de dispersão ocuparam posições distintas ao longo do espaço vertical, e as estratégias de estabelecimento demonstraram as tendências adaptativas das espécies às condições disponíveis no ambiente. As diferenças entre as estruturas florestais e entre as estratégias de estabelecimento das diferentes faces de exposição indicam que a exposição solar, juntamente com fatores edáficos, atua seletivamente sobre as espécies desta formação florestal. / In this study, we performed an exploratory analysis of the structure of the arboreal component of a hillside seasonal forest, in order to relate its structure to their environmental variables. In addition, we evaluated the biotic patterns of the dispersal syndromes and establishment strategies. We carried out the research at Parque Estadual de Itapuã, in the slopes of the Campista hill (30°12´06”S and 51°02´45”W). Canonical Correspondence Analysis was used to correlate the species to their environment. The results showed strong relationship among vegetation, solar exposure of the hillsides and edaphic variations. According to their solar exposure, three groups of sampling units were determined. Among these groups, we found structural differences related to solar exposure. In areas with higher exposure, a higher diversity was found, as well as individuals with lower mean basal area, due to their lower height. Different dispersal strategies occupied different positions along the vertical space, whereas the establishment strategies showed the species' adaptive tendencies to environmental available conditions. The differences in the forestry structure, as well as the ones in the species' establishment strategies due to solar exposure, demonstrate that solar exposure together with edaphic factors act selectively on the species in such forestry formations.

In dieser Masterthesis wird erforscht wie der jetzige Kenntnisstand der Sicherheitsfachkräfte zu den Themen solare Exposition, Schutzmaßnahmen und die Akzeptanz der Schutzmaßnahmen durch die Mitarbeiter in den Mitgliedsbetrieben der BG ETEM ist. Diese Themen gewinnen an Bedeutung seit die Berufskrankheit Nummer 5103 in den Anhang 1 der Berufskrankheitenverordnung aufgenommen wurde und die BG ETEM nun für ihre Versicherten auch diesbezüglich präventiv tätig ist. Im Rahmen dieser Masterthesis wurde für die Erforschung des Kenntnisstands ein Fragebogen mit zugehörigem Interviewleitfaden selbst entwickelt. Die anschließenden Befragungen wurden durch den Ersteller in den teilnehmenden Unternehmen persönlich für die Masterthesis vorgenommen. Der Teilnehmerkreis beschränkt sich auf interne Sicherheitsfachkräfte, die in Unternehmen der Branche Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft beschäftigt sind. Erforscht werden neben allgemeinen und betrieblichen Angaben ihr Kenntnisstand zu den Themengebieten Gefährdungsbewusstsein, Gefährdungsbeurteilung, Schutzmaßnahmen und der Informations- und Fortbildungsbedarf. Die Antworten werden mit den eigenen Erwartungen verglichen und Rückschlüsse daraus gezogen. Für die BG ETEM werden die Ergebnisse dieser Masterthesis im Hinblick auf den Präventionsauftrag analysiert. Hierzu werden im Rahmen der Masterthesis auch Vorschläge zu diesen Maßnahmen gemacht. So sollen die Beratungen, Informationsmaterialien und Fortbildungen auf die Präferenzen sowie die vorhandenen Wissenslücken in den Unternehmen zugeschnitten werden, um hier berufsbedingte Neuerkrankungen durch solare Exposition langfristig weitgehend zu verhindern.

This project describes a technique for segmenting regions of sky in an image from the remainder of the image. This segmentation technique is part of a method for predicting the solar exposure at a location of interest from a set of photographs. Given the latitude and longitude of the position and the direction and field of view of the camera it is possible to calculate the position of the sun in the image at a particular time on a particular day. If that position is in a sky region of the image then the location will be exposed to the sun at that time. Critical to the success of this method for determining solar exposure is the image processing used to separate the sky from the rest of the image. This work is concerned with finding a technique which can do this for images taken under different weather conditions. The general approach to separate the sky from the rest of the image is to use the Canny edge detector and the morphology closing algorithm to find the regions in the image. The brightness and area of each region are then used to determine which regions are sky. The FloodFill algorithm is applied to identify all pixels in each sky region. An extensive empirical study is used to find a set of threshold values for the Canny edge detector, applied to the blue colour channel, which allow successful identification of the sky regions in a wide range of images. Tests using different camera filters show that they do not usefully increase the contrast between the sky and the rest of the image, when a standard compact camera is used. The work reported in this thesis shows that this approach of finding edges to identify possible sky regions works successfully on a wide range of images although there will always be situations, such as when the image is taken directly into the sun, where manual adjustment to the identified regions may be required.

In dieser Masterthesis wird erforscht wie der jetzige Kenntnisstand der Sicherheitsfachkräfte zu den Themen solare Exposition, Schutzmaßnahmen und die Akzeptanz der Schutzmaßnahmen durch die Mitarbeiter in den Mitgliedsbetrieben der BG ETEM ist. Diese Themen gewinnen an Bedeutung seit die Berufskrankheit Nummer 5103 in den Anhang 1 der Berufskrankheitenverordnung aufgenommen wurde und die BG ETEM nun für ihre Versicherten auch diesbezüglich präventiv tätig ist. Im Rahmen dieser Masterthesis wurde für die Erforschung des Kenntnisstands ein Fragebogen mit zugehörigem Interviewleitfaden selbst entwickelt. Die anschließenden Befragungen wurden durch den Ersteller in den teilnehmenden Unternehmen persönlich für die Masterthesis vorgenommen. Der Teilnehmerkreis beschränkt sich auf interne Sicherheitsfachkräfte, die in Unternehmen der Branche Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft beschäftigt sind. Erforscht werden neben allgemeinen und betrieblichen Angaben ihr Kenntnisstand zu den Themengebieten Gefährdungsbewusstsein, Gefährdungsbeurteilung, Schutzmaßnahmen und der Informations- und Fortbildungsbedarf. Die Antworten werden mit den eigenen Erwartungen verglichen und Rückschlüsse daraus gezogen. Für die BG ETEM werden die Ergebnisse dieser Masterthesis im Hinblick auf den Präventionsauftrag analysiert. Hierzu werden im Rahmen der Masterthesis auch Vorschläge zu diesen Maßnahmen gemacht. So sollen die Beratungen, Informationsmaterialien und Fortbildungen auf die Präferenzen sowie die vorhandenen Wissenslücken in den Unternehmen zugeschnitten werden, um hier berufsbedingte Neuerkrankungen durch solare Exposition langfristig weitgehend zu verhindern.