A vulnerability-based approach for delineating groundwater protection zones around springs in fractured media has been developed to implement Swiss water-protection regulations. It takes into consideration the diversity of hydrogeological conditions observed in fractured aquifers and provides individual solutions for each type of setting. A decision process allows for selecting one of three methods, depending on the spring vulnerability and the heterogeneity of the aquifer. At the first stage, an evaluation of spring vulnerability is required, which is essentially based on spring hydrographs and groundwater quality monitoring. In case of a low vulnerability of the spring, a simplified method using a fixed radius approach (“distance method”) is applied. For vulnerable springs, additional investigations must be completed during a second stage to better characterize the aquifer properties, especially in terms of heterogeneity. This second stage includes a detailed hydrogeological survey and tracer testing. If the aquifer is assessed as slightly heterogeneous, the delineation of protection zones is performed using a calculated radius approach based on tracer test results (“isochrone method”). If the heterogeneity is high, a groundwater vulnerability mapping method is applied (“DISCO method”), based on evaluating discontinuities, protective cover and runoff parameters. Each method is illustrated by a case study.

Press wheels were designed to improve soil-seed contact, thus promoting good seed germination and emergence of plantules. The present investigation was aimed at studying the influence of three models of press wheel, three sowing depths and three load levels on soil temperature and moisture contents. The experiment was carried out in Uberaba, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in split-plot desing, 27 treatments and four repetitions. Results have shown that press wheels with bigger soil contact area provide the highest values of average soil moisture an temperature. However, load level on the press has shown no effect on soil temperature and moisture contents. | As rodas compactadoras das semadoras-adubadoras têm como principal função, propiciar o bom contato entre o solo e a semente para garantir a germinação das sementes e a emergência das plântulas. Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, estudar a influência de três modelos de rodas compactadoras, três profundidades de semeadura e três níveis de carga sobre a roda compactadora sob a temperatura e o teor de água do solo. O trabalho foi desenvolvido na pista de ensaios de semeadura, localiza em Uberaba, MG, em Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, utilizando-se o delineamento experimental de parcelas sub-subdivididas, com 27 tratamentos e quatro repetições. As rodas com maior área de contato com o solo proporcionaram maiores valores do teor médio de água e da temperatura do solo. O nível de carga sobre a roda compactadora não afetou a temperatura e o teor de água do solo.

El propósito del presente estudio fue comprobar si han ocurrido cambios, después de 16 años, en los patrones de abundancia, distribución espacial y estructura de talla de la almeja de agua dulce Diplodon chilensis en sustratos arenosos y areno-pedregosos del sector Chauquén del Lago Panguipulli. Los resultados indican que las almejas en 1987 y 2003 presentan una distribución espacial agregada en ambos sustratos y con una mayor fuerza de la agregación en los sustratos areno-pedregosos que arenosos. La densidad fue significativamente mayor en sustrato areno-pedregoso, tanto en 1987 (P < 0,001) como en el 2003 (0,001< P < 0,01). No se presentaron diferencias significativas (P > 0,05) en densidad entre los distintos años dentro de un mismo tipo de sustrato. La estructura de talla en ambos sustratos y periodos estudiados no varió mayormente, registrándose sin embargo en 2003 juveniles en ambos sustratos, lo que indicaría que ha ocurrido reclutamiento. Se discuten estos resultados en relación al rol que desempeñan estos bivalvos en el ecosistema y en su potencial uso en la evaluación ecológica de ambientes lacustres.<br>The purpose of the present study was to verify eventual changes in spatial distribution, density and size structure in a population of Diplodon chilensis inhabiting sandy and sand-gravel substrates in the Lake Panguipulli after 16 years of studies carried out in the mentioned population. Results indicate that mussels show in 2003 an aggregated spatial distribution in both substrates and a more aggregated distribution in sand - gravel than sandy substrate as in 1987. As in 1987, density was significantly higher in sand - gravel substratum in 2003 (P < 0.01). There were not significantly differences in density within the period elapsed in the same type of substratum. Size structure of population did not show much changes. Nonetheless, young were registered in both substrates in 2003, indicating that recruitment occurred. The results are discussed in relation to the role of these bivalves in the ecosystem and their potential use in ecological evaluation of lacustrine environments.

As rodas compactadoras das semadoras-adubadoras têm como principal função, propiciar o bom contato entre o solo e a semente para garantir a germinação das sementes e a emergência das plântulas. Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, estudar a influência de três modelos de rodas compactadoras, três profundidades de semeadura e três níveis de carga sobre a roda compactadora sob a temperatura e o teor de água do solo. O trabalho foi desenvolvido na pista de ensaios de semeadura, localiza em Uberaba, MG, em Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, utilizando-se o delineamento experimental de parcelas sub-subdivididas, com 27 tratamentos e quatro repetições. As rodas com maior área de contato com o solo proporcionaram maiores valores do teor médio de água e da temperatura do solo. O nível de carga sobre a roda compactadora não afetou a temperatura e o teor de água do solo.<br>Press wheels were designed to improve soil-seed contact, thus promoting good seed germination and emergence of plantules. The present investigation was aimed at studying the influence of three models of press wheel, three sowing depths and three load levels on soil temperature and moisture contents. The experiment was carried out in Uberaba, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in split-plot desing, 27 treatments and four repetitions. Results have shown that press wheels with bigger soil contact area provide the highest values of average soil moisture an temperature. However, load level on the press has shown no effect on soil temperature and moisture contents.

Con el fin de estudiar el efecto de la espesura de la cubierta forestal en la disponibilidad de luz y agua para las plantas y su supervivencia, se plantaron brinzales de dos savias de Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl. (roble albar) y Quercus pyrenaica Willd. (melojo) en el interior de un pinar de Pinus sylvestris L. (pino albar) situado en el NE de la provincia de Madrid sometido previamente a tres tratamientos: clara del 33% de la densidad original, clara del 50% y ausencia de clara. Se midió la humedad volumétrica del suelo con un TDR y la disponibilidad de luz en el sotobosque por medio de fotografías hemisféricas. La supervivencia se midió al final del primer año y al comienzo del verano de los dos años siguientes. La reducción de la densidad del dosel incrementó la luz disponible en el sotobosque, la humedad de los primeros 10 cm de suelo y la supervivencia de las plantas de melojo, aunque no se apreció un efecto diferente según la intensidad de la clara aplicada. La mortalidad de las plantas de roble albar fue elevada en todos los tratamientos, y superior a la del melojo. Estos resultados apuntan a la necesidad de reducir la espesura del pinar albar en la zona de estudio antes de llevar a cabo plantaciones con melojo en su interior. | Information of tree-nurse shelterwood effects on survival of underplanted seedlings is particularly scant in Mediterranean forest ecosystems. To study light and water resources availability and survival associated to overstory density, two-year-old seedlings of Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl. (sessile oak) and Quercus pyrenaica Willd. (pyrenean oak) were planted in the understory of an even-aged Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) plantation located in central Spain, which had been previously assigned to three density treatments: uncut, 33% thinned and 50% thinned of the original density, each replicated four times. Soil moisture was measured with a TDR during the first growing season after planting. Light conditions were estimated by hemispherical photography. Survival was measured at the end of the first growing season in the field and at the beginning of the next two growing seasons. The reduction in density after thinning had a positive effect on light availability and on near-surface soil moisture. Pyrenean oak had higher survival rates than sessile oak, which showed similarly high mortality rates in all three overstory treatments. Thinning had a positive effect on the survival of pyrenean oak, though irrespective of the intensity. Overall, these results point to the necessity to reduce canopy tree density in Mediterranean mountain pinewoods before carrying out enrichment plantations beneath.

Dissertação de Mestrado em Saúde Pública Veterinária | Com este estudo pretende-se melhorar o conhecimento existente, na Região Autónoma da Madeira (RAM), sobre a epidemio-infecciologia de Taenia saginata. Os objectivos específicos foram: estimar a prevalência de T. saginata na população madeirense, recorrendo à pesquisa de ovos por microscopia e à pesquisa de antigénio nas fezes; identificar possíveis focos de infecção para o ser humano e para os bovinos relacionando os resultados parasitológicos humanos com os achados em matadouro, por área geográfica; relacionar a presença de Cysticercus bovis nas carcaças com as movimentações efectuadas pelos animais. Para a prossecução do primeiro objectivo, projectámos um conjunto de acções junto dos utentes do Centro de Saúde do Faial, do C. S. de Santo António da Serra e do C. S. da Serra de Água, as quais, releva-se, mereceram uma adesão de 76,22%. Foram efectuadas análises coprológicas pela Técnica de Ritchie a 509 utentes não tendo sido encontrados ovos de Taenia spp. Por razões de carácter logístico, não foi possível realizar a pesquisa de coproantigénio. Num levantamento retrospectivo de casos de Taenia spp. detectados pelo laboratório do Serviço Regional de Saúde, E.P.E. (2000-2006) temos a assinalar 48 casos na RAM, das quais 20,83% ocorreram em habitantes do concelho de São Vicente, 18,75% em habitantes do concelho do Funchal, 16,67% em habitantes do concelho de Santana e distribuindo-se os restantes 43,75% pelos outros concelhos. A par, desenvolveu-se um levantamento dos arquivos da inspecção sanitária em bovinos abatidos na RAM, abrangendo os anos de 2005 e 2006. Neste período foram abatidos 16 316 bovinos e detectados 825 casos de C. bovis (prevalência=5,06%), que deram origem a 93 rejeições totais e 732 parciais (órgãos e/ou massas musculares). A análise destes casos em relação ao local de nascimento e o momento presumível em que ocorreu a infecção dos animais corrobora a existência de C. bovis na RAM bem como na população bovina oriunda da Região Autónoma dos Açores (RAA). A contaminação dos bovinos na RAM aparenta estar relacionada com a inexistência de instalações sanitárias disponíveis aquando do desenvolvimento de actividades ao ar livre, a não disponibilização de rede de saneamento básico a toda a população, à existência de tratadores parasitados, e ao acesso dos bovinos a comida e água contaminadas com ovos de T. saginata. Assim sendo, conclui-se que urge serem tomadas medidas coordenadas pelas entidades responsáveis de Saúde Pública, de ambas as Regiões Autónomas, de forma a combater e eliminar esta zoonose, envolvendo os meios e as populações neste desiderato. | ABSTRACT: With this study we intended to improve the existing knowledge on the epidemio - infecciology of Taenia saginata in the Autonomous Region of Madeira (ARM). The specific objectives were: to estimate the prevalence of T. saginata in population from Madeira, using the search of eggs per microscopy and the search of antigen in faeces; reconnecting parasitological results in humans with the findings in slaughterhouse, by geographic area; linking the presence of Cysticercus bovis in carcasses with the movements made by the animals. In furtherance of the first goal, we outlined a series of actions among users of the Health Centre of Faial, the H. C. of Santo António da Serra and H. C. of Serra de Água, which, pertinently, deserved an accession of 76.22%. Coprology analyses were made by the Ritchie’s Technique on 509 persons were examined and no eggs of Taenia spp. were found. For reasons of logistical nature, it was not possible to search for copro-antigens. In a retrospective review of cases of Taenia spp. detected by the Laboratory of the Regional Health Service (2000-2006) there were referenced 48 events in ARM of which 20.83% occurred in people of São Vicente county, 18.75% in inhabitants of Funchal county and 16.67% in inhabitants of Santana county and distributing up the remaining 43.75% by other counties. Moreover, it has been developed an inventory of the archives of health inspection in cattle slaughtered in ARM, which covers the years 2005 and 2006. In this period 16 316 cattle were slaughtered and detected 825 cases of C. Bovis (prevalence = 5.06%), giving rise to 93 condemnations of the carcass and 732 partial disapprovals (organs and / or muscle mass). The analysis of these cases in relation to the place of birth and the presumed moment where the infection of animals occurred confirms the existence of C. bovis in ARM as well as in the cattle population that come from the Autonomous Region of the Azores (ARA). The contamination of cattle in ARM appear to be related to the lack of sanitary facilities available during the development of outdoor activities, the non availability of wastewater network to the whole population, the existence of infected workers in farms and the access of cattle to the food and water contaminated with eggs of T. saginata. Therefore, it is concluded that urgent measures have to be taken and coordinated by the entities responsible of Public Health, in both Autonomous Regions, in order to combat and eliminate this zoonosis, involving the means and the populations in this desideratum. | Dissertação realizada com o apoio do Centro de Ciências e Tecnologia da Madeira pelo Programa Operacional Plurifundos da Região Autónoma da Madeira II através de financiamento do Fundo Social Europeu

The hypothesis that abnormal fluid pressure is generated in basins under tectonic compression is tested. The study site, between the Main Karakoram Thrust (MKT), Main Mantle Thrust (MMT), Main Central Thrust (MCT), Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) and Salt Range Thrust (SRT) in northwest Pakistan, is experiencing a tectonic compression of 90 MPa. The Peshawar basin is a broad, oval depression comprising a thick sequence of lacustrine, deltaic and fluvial sediments overlain by loess and alluvial deposits dated at 2.8–0.6 Ma. It is surrounded by the Precambrian and Tertiary intrusive and metamorphic rocks on the north and sedimentary rocks of Paleogene and Neogene to the south. The basin was divided into four hydrostratigraphic units for numerical simulations using the three-dimensional finite-element model FEMWATER within groundwater modeling system (GMS) ver. 5.1. Simulated pressure head data have been compared with the field measurements of hydraulic heads. Transient simulations indicate that topography alone is not sufficient to induce the pressure heads observed in the field, generating consistently positive residuals 0.98–2.90 m over the topography-driven flow. The residuals disappeared after inclusion of the elastic properties of the four hydrostratigraphic units in the model, suggesting the effect of tectonic compression.