An environmental atlas of Albania

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geospatial Technologies

Visualization of clusters in geo-referenced data using three-dimensional self-organizing maps

Dissertação apresentada como requisito parcial para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Estatística e Gestão de Informação

Estimation of vegetation carbon stock in Portugal using land use/ land cover data

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geospatial Technologies

Exploratory geospatial data analysis using self-organizing maps

Dissertação apresentada como requisito parcial para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ciência e Sistemas de Informação Geográfica

Neural correlations during brain activation in arithmetical tasks – an approach using electroencephalographic data

Dissertação apresentada na Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologiea da Universidade Nova de Lisboa, para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Biomédica

Quaternary elephants in Portugal: new data

In this paper, a synopsis on the already known data, and the study of further specimens either new (*) or hither to undescribed are presented. The specimens dealt with have been collected at the Condeixa travertines; in the Tagus terraces near Carregado(*) and at Foz do Enxarrique(*); in the mousterian, about 31000 BP infilling from the Figueira Brava cave(*); and at Algar de Joao Ramos(*). Some specimens are ascribed to Elephas antiquus, the best represented form. Material from Figueira Brava cave and Algar de João Ramos is ascribed to Mammuthus primigenius, a species recognized here for the first time in Portugal.

Desenho e implementação de um sistema computacional para apoiar a gestão de projectos utilizando técnicas de data mining

Dissertação apresentada na Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Electrotécnica e de Computadores

Nouvelles données sur le Miocène moyen marin ("Sallomacien") de Gironde (Bassin d'Aquitaine-France) Approche des paléoenvironnements New data about the maine Middle Miocene ("Sallomacian") of Gironde (Aquitaine Basin); paleoecological outline

The Mid Miocene marine formations of Salles area (former "Sallomacian" stage) have been studied again from numerous outcrops and cores. The deep structural framework influences notably of the characteristics and distribution of the deposits, which are neritic. The stratigraphy is stated precisely thanks to the planktonic fauna and floradetailed examination (probably Serravallian zones NN6 - N12). Several paleobiofacies are reconstituted from the rich invertebrate faunas, which give also paleoclimatic data.

Palaeontological data about the climatic trends from Chattian to present along the Northeastern Atlantic frontage

Climatic changes that affected the Northeastern Atlantic frontage are analyzed on the basis of the evolution of faunas and floras from the late Oligocene onwards. The study deals with calcareous nannoplankton, marine micro- and macrofaunas, some terrestrial vertebrates and vegetal assemblages. The climate, first tropical, underwent a progressive cooling (North-South thermic gradient). Notable climatic deteriorations (withdrawal towards the South or disappearance of taxa indicative of warm climate and appearance of "cold" taxa) are evidenced mainly during the Middle Miocene and the late Pliocene. Faunas and floras of modern pattern have regained, after the Pleistocene glaciations, a new climatic ranging of a temperate type in the northern part.

Paleoambiental reconstruction based on mineralogical data of quaternary littoral deposits occuring at Cortegaça and Maceda beaches (Ovar, Portugal)

The main goal of the present work is the use of mineralogical data corresponding to sediment fine fractions (silt and clay) of Quaternary littoral deposits for the definition of a more detailed vertical zonography and to discriminate the most significant morphoclimatic changes concerned with sediment source areas and sediment deposition areas. The analysis of the available mineralogical data reveals a vertical evolution of the mineral composition. The following aspects deserve particular reference: 1) fine fractions (<38 nm) are composed of quartz and phyllosilicates associated to feldspars, prevailing over other minerals; however in certain sections iron hydroxides and evaporitic minerals occur in significant amounts; 2) clay fractions (<2 nm) show a general prevalence of illite associated with kaolinite and oscillations, in relative terms, of kaolinite and illite contents. Qualitative and quantitative lateral and vertical variations of clay and non clay minerals allow the discrimination of sedimentary sequences and the establishment of the ritmicity and periodicity of the morphoclimatic Quaternary episodes that occurred in the Cortegaça and Maceda beaches. To each one of the sedimentary sequences corresponds, in a first stage, a littoral environment that increasingly became more continental. Climate would be mild to cold, sometimes with humidity - aridity oscillations. Warmer and moister episodes alternated with cooler and dryer ones.

Miocene sediments from Foz da Fonte and Penedo sections (Lower Tagus basin): clay minerals and isotopic data

Eight depositional sequences (DS) delimited by regional disconformities had been recognized in the Miocene of Lisbon and Setúbal Peninsula areas. In the case of the western coast of the Setúbal Peninsula, outcrops consisting of Lower Burdigalian to Lower Tortonian sediments were studied. The stratigraphic zonography and the environmental considerations are mainly supported on data concerning to foraminifera, ostracoda, vertebrates and palynomorphs. The first mineralogical and geochemical data determined for Foz da Fonte, Penedo Sul and Penedo Norte sedimentary sequences are presented. These analytical data mainly correspond to the sediments' fine fractions. Mineralogical data are based on X-ray diffraction (XRD), carried out on both the less than 38 nm and 2 nm fractions. Qualitative and semi-quantitative determinations of clay and non-clay minerals were obtained for both fractions. The clay minerals assemblages complete the lithostratigraphic and paleoenvironmental data obtained by stratigraphic and palaeontological studies. Some palaeomagnetic and isotopic data are discussed and correlated with the mineralogical data. Multivariate data analysis (Principal Components Analysis) of the mineralogical data was carried out using both R-mode and Q-mode factor analysis.

Preliminary data on the ostracod fauna from the Lower Toarcian of Peniche

Preliminary results of the systematic and biostratigraphical study of the ostracods from the Lower Toarcian (Polymorphum and Levisoni Zones) of Peniche are presented. Most of the identified species are recognized in other European countries. Biodiversity and species abundance are high in the first Zone, decreasing dramatically in the second one.

Efeito da exposição às temperaturas extremas na população portuguesa - um contributo da epidemiologia

Backgroud: O International Panel on Climate Change prevê que o aumento da temperatura média global, até ao ano de 2100, varie entre 1,4 e 5,8ºC desconhecendo-se a evolução da adaptação da população a esta subida da temperatura. Em Portugal morre-se mais no Inverno que no Verão. Mas existem evidências de repercussões na mortalidade atribuíveis ao calor extremo. Este estudo procura conhecer os grupos etários e/ou populacionais que parecem revelar vulnerabilidade acrescida à exposição a temperaturas extremas e identificar indicadores de saúde apropriados para revelar esses mesmos efeitos. Métodos: Foram analisados dados de internamentos hospitalar e mortalidade por doenças cardiovasculares, respiratórias, renais, efeitos directos do frio e do calor, na população com 75 e mais anos de idade, nos distritos de Beja, Bragança e Faro, nos meses de Janeiro e Junho. Para os dados de morbilidade o período de análise foi 2002 a 2005 e para os de mortalidade de 2002 a 2004. Os dados meteorológicos analisados corresponderam aos valores da temperatura máxima e percentis da temperatura máxima, nos meses de Janeiro (P10) e Junho (P90). Os excessos de internamentos hospitalares, definidos como os dias em que ocorreram internamentos acima do valor da média mais 2 desvio padrão, foram relacionados com a distribuição das temperaturas extremas (frias abaixo do P10, quentes acima do P90.Os dias com óbitos acima do valor da média foram relacionados com a distribuição das temperaturas extremas (frias abaixo do P10, quentes acima do P90). Os indicadores propostos foram baseados em Odds Ratios e intervalos de confiança que sugeriam as estimativas mais precisas. Resultados: O grupo que revelou maior vulnerabilidade às temperaturas extremas foi o grupo dos 75 e mais anos, com doenças cardiovasculares quando exposto a temperaturas extremas, nos 3 distritos observados.O nº de dias de excesso de óbitos por doenças cardiovasculares relacionados com temperaturas extremas foi o mais elevado comparado com as restantes causas de morte. O grupo etário dos 75 e mais anos com de doenças respiratórias também é vulnerável, às temperaturas extremas frias, nos 3 distritos. Verificaram-se dias de excessos de internamentos hospitalares e óbitos por esta causa de morte, relacionados com a exposição às temperaturas extremas frias. Em Junho, não se verificou excesso de mortalidade associado à exposição a temperaturas extremas por esta causa, em qualquer dos distritos analisados. Apenas se verificou a associação entre os dias de ocorrência de internamentos hospitalares por doenças renais e o calor extremo, em Bragança. Conclusões: Foram encontradas associações estatísticas significativas entre dias de excesso de ocorrência de internamentos hospitalares ou óbitos por causa e exposição a temperaturas extremas frias e quentes possibilitando a identificação de um conjunto de indicadores de saúde ambiental apropriados para monitorizar a evolução dos padrões de morbilidade, mortalidade e susceptibilidade das populações ao longo do tempo.-------------------- Backgroud: International Panel on Climate Change estimates that the rise of mean global temperature varies between 1,4 e 5,8ºC until 2100, with unknowing evolution adaptation of populations. In Portugal we die more in Winter than in Summer time. But there are several evidences of mortality attributable to extreme eat. The proposal of this study is to know the age and/or populations groups that reveal more vulnerability to exposure to extreme temperature and identifying proper health indicators to reveal those effects. Methods: Data from hospital admissions and mortality caused by cardiovascular, respiratory, renal diseases and direct effects from direct exposure to extreme cold and heat, in population with 75 and more years, in Beja, Bragança and Faro districts, during January and June, were analysed. Analysis period for morbidity data was from 2002 to 2005 and form mortality was 2002 to 2004. Meteorological data analysed were maximum temperature and percentile of maximum temperature, from January (P10) and June (P90. Relationship between excess of hospital admission, defined as the days that occurred hospital admissions above mean value more 2 standards desviation and distribution of extreme temperatures were established (cold under P10 and heat above P90. Proposal indicators were based on Odds Ratios and confidence intervals, suggesting the most precises estimatives. Results: The most vulnerable group to extreme temperature were people with 75 or more years older with cardiovascular diseases, observed in the 3 districts. Number of days caused by excess cardiovascular mortality and extreme temperature were the most number of days between the other causes. The group with 75 or more years old with respiratory diseases is vulnerable too, especially to cold extreme temperature, in all the 3 districts. There were excess of days of hospital admissions and days with deaths, for this cause relating to extreme cold temperature. In June, does not funded excess of mortality associated to extreme temperature by this cause in any district of the in observation. Just was found relationship between days of hospital admissions caused by renal diseases in Bragança in days with extreme heat. Conclusions: Were found statistically significant associations between days of excess of hospital admissions or deaths and exposure to extreme cold and heat temperatures giving the possibility of identifying a core of environmental indicators proper to monitoring patterns and trends evolutions on morbidity, mortality and susceptibly of populations for a long time.

Palynologic data from Aquitaine (SW France) Middle Miocene Sables Fauves Formation. Climatic evolution

Climatic reconstructions based on palynological data from Aquitaine outcrops emphasize an important degradation phase during the Lower Serravallian. Climatic and environmental changes can be related to sea-level variations (Bur 5 / Lan 1, Lan 2 / Ser 1 and Ser 2 cycles). Transgressive phases feature warmer conditions and more open environments whereas regressive phases are marked by a cooler climate and an extent of the forest cover. From Langhian to Middle Serravallian, a general cooling is highlighted, with disappearance of most megathermic taxa and a transition from warm and dry climate to warm-temperate and much more humid conditions. Conclusions are consistent with studies on bordering areas and place the major degradation phase around 14 My. The palynologic data allow filling a gap in the climatic evolution of Southern France, as a connection between Lower and Upper Miocene, both well recorded. These results document, on Western Europe scale, latitudinal climatic gradient across Northern hemisphere while featuring a transition between Mediterranean area and northeastern Atlantic frontage.

4Sensing - decentralized processing for participatory sensing data

Trabalho apresentado no âmbito do Mestrado em Engenharia Informática, como requisito parcial para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Informática.