Search

This paper investigates the implementation of the Extended-Matsuoka-Nakai yield criterion on Limit Analysis formulation under plane strain conditions. The current approach is based on a three-field mixed finite element model and the Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers optimization algorithm. For this purpose, an equivalence between the classical Mohr-Coulomb criterion and the Extended-Matsuoka-Nakai is established and explored. Three numerical applications are presented to test and to illustrate the capabilities of this approach. The results are confronted with other authors’ solutions or experimental data.

With the largest genomic dataset to date of Bantu-speaking populations, including newly generated data of modern-day and ancient DNA from previously unsampled regions in Africa, we shed fresh light on the expansion of peoples speaking Bantu languages that started ∼4000 years ago in western Africa. We have genotyped 1,740 participants, including 1,487 Bantu speakers from 143 populations across 14 African countries, and generated whole-genome sequences from 12 Late Iron Age individuals. Our results show that Bantu speakers received significant gene-flow from local groups in regions they expanded into. We show for the first time that genetic diversity amongst Bantu-speaking populations declines with distance from western Africa, with current-day Zambia and the DRC as possible crossroads of interaction. Using spatially explicit methods and correlating genetic, linguistic and geographical data, we provide cross-disciplinary support for a serial founder migration model. Finally, we discuss the utility of our dataset as an exhaustive modern-day African comparative dataset for ancient DNA studies. These new findings and data will be important to a wide range of disciplines from science and humanities as well as to the medical sector studying human genetic variation and health in African and African-descendant populations.One-sentence summaryA comprehensive genetic analysis of the expansion of people speaking Bantu languages reveals a complex history of serial founder events, variable levels of contact with local groups, and spread-over-spread events.

Analysis of microbial data from archaeological samples is a rapidly growing field with a great potential for understanding ancient environments, lifestyles and disease spread in the past. However, high error rates have been a long-standing challenge in ancient metagenomics analysis. This is also complicated by a limited choice of ancient microbiome specific computational frameworks that meet the growing computational demands of the field. Here, we propose aMeta, an accurate ancient Metagenomic profiling workflow designed primarily to minimize the amount of false discoveries and computer memory requirements. Using simulated ancient metagenomic samples, we benchmark aMeta against a current state-of-the-art workflow, and demonstrate its superior sensitivity and specificity in both microbial detection and authentication, as well as substantially lower usage of computer memory. aMeta is implemented as a Snakemake workflow to facilitate use and reproducibility.

The southern African indigenous Khoe-San populations harbor the most divergent lineages of all living peoples. Exploring their genomes is key to understanding deep human history. We sequenced 25 full genomes from five Khoe-San populations, revealing many novel variants, that 25% of variants are unique to the Khoe-San, and that the Khoe-San group harbors the greatest level of diversity across the globe. In line with previous studies, we found several gene regions with extreme values in genome-wide scans for selection, potentially caused by natural selection in the lineage leading to Homo sapiens and more recent in time. These gene regions included immunity-, sperm-, brain-, diet-, and muscle-related genes. When accounting for recent admixture, all Khoe-San groups display genetic diversity approaching the levels in other African groups and a reduction in effective population size starting around 100,000 years ago. Hence, all human groups show a reduction in effective population size commencing around the time of the Out-of-Africa migrations, which coincides with changes in the paleoclimate records, changes that potentially impacted all humans at the time.

Each region of the world, and the human groups living in them, have unique histories of migration, genetic mixing (admixture) and adaptation that have shaped their past. While archaeology has been of extreme value in elucidating this complex, multifaceted past, the genesis of DNA studies has enriched their story, and now ancient DNA (aDNA) has helped answer even more questions surrounding our prehistory. aDNA offers a unique opportunity to access genetic variation of past populations and enables us to contextualize past populations in present-day genetic variation. By linking the past to the present in this way, we now have a deeper understanding of our prehistory, and how our genetic landscape has changed from the past to the present. However, the study of aDNA is complex and there are various factors that need to be considered to yield successful aDNA results.

Humans living in the Andes Mountains have been historically exposed to arsenic from natural sources, including drinking water. Enzymatic methylation of arsenic allows it to be excreted more efficiently by the human body. Adaptation to high-arsenic environments via enhanced methylation and excretion of arsenic was first reported in indigenous women in the Argentinean Andes, but whether adaptation to arsenic is a general phenomenon across native populations from the Andes Mountains remains unclear. Therefore, we evaluated whether adaptation to arsenic has occurred in the Bolivian Andes by studying indigenous groups who belong to the Aymara-Quechua and Uru ethnicities and have lived in the Bolivian Andes for generations. Our population genetics methods, including genome-wide selection scans based on linkage disequilibrium patterns and allele frequency differences, in combination with targeted and whole-genome sequencing and genotype-phenotype association analyses, detected signatures of positive selection near the gene encoding arsenite methyltransferase (AS3MT), the main arsenic methylating enzyme. This was among the strongest selection signals (top 0.5% signals via locus-specific branch length and extended haplotype homozygosity tests) at a genome-wide level in the Bolivian study groups. We found a large haplotype block of 676 kb in the AS3MT region and identified candidate functional variants for further analysis. Moreover, our analyses revealed associations between AS3MT variants and the fraction of mono-methylated arsenic in urine and showed that the Bolivian study groups had the highest frequency of alleles associated with more efficient arsenic metabolism reported so far. Our data support the idea that arsenic exposure has been a driver for human adaptation to tolerate arsenic through more efficient arsenic detoxification in different Andean populations.

Background Mitochondrial haplogroup assignment is an important tool for forensics and evolutionary genetics. African populations are known to display a high diversity of mitochondrial haplogroups. In this research we explored mitochondrial haplogroup assignment in African populations using commonly used genome-wide SNP arrays. Results We show that, from eight commonly used SNP arrays, two SNP arrays outperform the other arrays when it comes to the correct assignment of African mitochondrial haplogroups. One array enables the recognition of 81% of the African mitochondrial haplogroups from our compiled dataset of full mitochondrial sequences. Other SNP arrays were able to assign 4–62% of the African mitochondrial haplogroups present in our dataset. We also assessed the performance of available software for assigning mitochondrial haplogroups from SNP array data. Conclusions These results provide the first cross-checked quantification of mitochondrial haplogroup assignment performance from SNP array data. Mitochondrial haplogroup frequencies inferred from most common SNP arrays used for human population analysis should be considered with caution.

Southern African indigenous groups, traditionally hunter-gatherers (San) and herders (Khoekhoe), are commonly referred to as “Khoe-San” populations and have a long history in southern Africa. Their ancestors were largely isolated up until ∼2,000 years ago before the arrival of pastoralists and farmers in southern Africa. Assessing relationships among regional Khoe-San groups has been challenging due to admixture with immigrant populations that obscure past population affinities and gene flow among these autochthonous communities. We re-evaluate a combined genome-wide data set of previously published southern Africa Khoe-San populations in conjunction with novel data from Khoe-San individuals collected in Xade (Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana) prior to their resettlement outside the reserve. After excluding regions in the genome that trace their ancestry to recent migrant groups, the genetic diversity of 20 Khoe-San groups fitted an isolation-by-distance model. Even though isolation-by-distance explained most genetic affinities between the different autochthonous groups, additional signals of contact between Khoe-San groups could be detected. For instance, we found stronger genetic affinities, than what would be explained by isolation-by-distance gene flow, between the two geographically separated Khoe-San groups, who speak branches of the Kx’a-language family (ǂHoan and Ju). We also scanned the genome-wide data for signals of adaptive gene flow from farmers/herders into Khoe-San groups and identified a number of genomic regions potentially introduced by the arrival of the new groups. This study provides a comprehensive picture of affinities among Khoe-San groups, prior to the arrival of recent migrants, and found that these affinities are primarily determined by the geographic landscape.

Ancient DNA (aDNA) has played a major role in our understanding of the past. Important advances in the sequencing and analysis of aDNA from a range of organisms have enabled a detailed understanding of processes such as past demography, introgression, domestication, adaptation and speciation. However, to date and with the notable exception of microbiomes and sediments, most aDNA studies have focused on single taxa or taxonomic groups, making the study of changes at the community level challenging. This is rather surprising because current sequencing and analytical approaches allow us to obtain and analyse aDNA from multiple source materials. When combined, these data can enable the simultaneous study of multiple taxa through space and time, and could thus provide a more comprehensive understanding of ecosystem-wide changes. It is therefore timely to develop an integrative approach to aDNA studies by combining data from multiple taxa and substrates. In this review, we discuss the various applications, associated challenges and future prospects of such an approach.

Summary Multiple lines of evidence show that modern humans interbred with archaic Denisovans. Here, we report an account of shared demographic history between Australasians and Denisovans distinctively in Island Southeast Asia. Our analyses are based on ∼2.3 million genotypes from 118 ethnic groups of the Philippines, including 25 diverse self-identified Negrito populations, along with high-coverage genomes of Australopapuans and Ayta Magbukon Negritos. We show that Ayta Magbukon possess the highest level of Denisovan ancestry in the world—∼30%–40% greater than that of Australians and Papuans—consistent with an independent admixture event into Negritos from Denisovans. Together with the recently described Homo luzonensis, we suggest that there were multiple archaic species that inhabited the Philippines prior to the arrival of modern humans and that these archaic groups may have been genetically related. Altogether, our findings unveil a complex intertwined history of modern and archaic humans in the Asia-Pacific region, where distinct Islander Denisovan populations differentially admixed with incoming Australasians across multiple locations and at various points in time., Highlights • Comprehensive analyses of archaic ancestry among 118 Philippine ethnic groups • Ayta Magbukon display ∼30%–40% greater Denisovan ancestry than Australopapuans • The model is explained by a distinct admixture event into Negritos from Denisovans • Prior to modern humans, Islander Denisovans may have been present in the Philippines, Larena et al. reveal Philippine Ayta to possess the highest level of Denisovan ancestry in the world—∼30%–40% greater than that of Australopapuans—consistent with an independent admixture event into Negritos from Denisovans. The Philippine archipelago is thus likely inhabited by multiple archaic groups prior to the arrival of modern humans.

Significance A key link to understand human history in Island Southeast Asia is the Philippine archipelago and its poorly investigated genetic diversity. We analyzed the most comprehensive set of population-genomic data for the Philippines: 1,028 individuals covering 115 indigenous communities. We demonstrate that the Philippines were populated by at least five waves of human migration. The Cordillerans migrated into the Philippines prior to the arrival of rice agriculture, where some remain as the least admixed East Asians carrying an ancestry shared by all Austronesian-speaking populations, thereby challenging an exclusive out-of-Taiwan model of joint farming–language–people dispersal. Altogether, our findings portray the Philippines as a crucial gateway, with a multilayered history, that ultimately changed the genetic landscape of the Asia-Pacific region., Island Southeast Asia has recently produced several surprises regarding human history, but the region’s complex demography remains poorly understood. Here, we report ∼2.3 million genotypes from 1,028 individuals representing 115 indigenous Philippine populations and genome-sequence data from two ∼8,000-y-old individuals from Liangdao in the Taiwan Strait. We show that the Philippine islands were populated by at least five waves of human migration: initially by Northern and Southern Negritos (distantly related to Australian and Papuan groups), followed by Manobo, Sama, Papuan, and Cordilleran-related populations. The ancestors of Cordillerans diverged from indigenous peoples of Taiwan at least ∼8,000 y ago, prior to the arrival of paddy field rice agriculture in the Philippines ∼2,500 y ago, where some of their descendants remain to be the least admixed East Asian groups carrying an ancestry shared by all Austronesian-speaking populations. These observations contradict an exclusive “out-of-Taiwan” model of farming–language–people dispersal within the last four millennia for the Philippines and Island Southeast Asia. Sama-related ethnic groups of southwestern Philippines additionally experienced some minimal South Asian gene flow starting ∼1,000 y ago. Lastly, only a few lowlanders, accounting for

Background Suicidal ideation is an important mental health issue among homeless people. Despite the fact that spirituality and religiousness (S/R) have been associated with lower levels of suicide behavior, there is little evidence on this relationship among homeless individuals. Thus, this study aims to investigate the association between S/R and suicidal ideation among homeless people living in a large Brazilian city. Methods This cross-sectional study included 456 homeless individuals living in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Logistic and linear regression models were used to determine the role of religious and spiritual beliefs (Duke Religion Index, FACIT SP-12 and Brief-RCOPE) on suicidal ideation, after adjustements. Results Most participants were male (75%) with a mean age of 44.53(SD 12.62) years. A total of 49.6% had significant depressive symptoms and the prevalence of suicidal ideation was 29.8%. In the adjusted logistic regression, higher levels of religiousness (organizational, nonorganizational and intrinsic), positive religious/spiritual coping, peace and meaning were associated with a lower suicidal ideation. The same results were found when using linear regression models. Limitations Long questionnaires can be factors of inhibition and fatigue for the participants. Suicidal ideation was based on a single question. Conclusion Our results revealed a high prevalence of suicidal ideation and depression in our sample. Religiousness and spirtuality were important factors in the life of homeless individuals, being negatively associated with suicidal ideation. These results could make healthcare professionals aware of the importance of addressing S/R issues in this vulnerable population.

Introdução: Os dispositivos intrauterinos (DIU) são excelentes métodos contraceptivos, denominados LARCs (Long-Action Reversible Contraception). O DIU de cobre é um método contraceptivo muito utilizado, com alta eficácia (índice de Pearl de 0,2‒0,4), e tem excelente custo-benefício, podendo ser obtido e inserido na rede pública de saúde. Há alguns profissionais de saúde e pessoas leigas que advogam se a nuliparidade é um fator impeditivo para o uso do DIU, por haver maior dificuldade na inserção e maior taxa de expulsão da cavidade endometrial. Objetivos: Avaliar se a nuliparidade está associada ao maior desconforto na inserção e à taxa de sucesso quando realizada ambulatorialmente. Além disso, o estudo visou analisar a taxa de satisfação e continuidade do uso dos DIU entre mulheres com e sem filhos. Pacientes e Métodos: Estudo descritivo por meio da aplicação de formulário on-line (Google Forms®), não validado e desenvolvido pelos pesquisadores. O formulário foi distribuído em grupos específicos das redes sociais e do WhatsApp®, estando disponível para respostas entre os meses de abril e maio de 2020. Só participaram do estudo mulheres que afirmaram ter mais de 18 anos e que usam ou já utilizaram DIU de cobre. Para a análise do desconforto durante a inserção foi utilizada a escala visual analógica (EVA). Os dados foram inseridos no programa Microsoft Office Excel 2016®. Para identificar a homogeneidade da amostra, foram utilizados o programa GraphPad InStat v. 3.0 para Windows 10, GraphPad Software, San Diego California USA, e o teste de Kolmogorov-Smirnov; para variáveis categóricas, foi utilizado o teste χ2 ou de Fisher; e para variáveis contínuas, o teste de Mann-Whitney ou Kruskall-Wallis. Para significância estatística dos resultados, foi adotado p0,05). Conclusões: A nuliparidade está associada ao maior desconforto durante a inserção do DIU, mas as taxas de sucesso da inserção ambulatorial são iguais entre nuligestas e mulheres com filhos. As taxas de continuidade e reações adversas são similares entre os grupos estudados. A nuliparidade não é fator impeditivo para uso do DIU.

Introdução: Há dois tipos de dispositivos intrauterinos disponíveis no Brasil: com cobre (DIU T Cobre ou Multiload) e com levonorgestrel (Mirena® ou Kyleena®). Apesar da possibilidade do longo tempo de uso, não depender da mulher para ter efeito contraceptivo e ter poucas contraindicações, deve-se levar em consideração se as usuárias desses dispositivos estão satisfeitas com o método. Objetivos: Analisar a taxa de satisfação e continuidade do uso dos dispositivos intrauterinos de cobre e com levonorgestrel; identificar os principais efeitos adversos dos dispositivos intrauterinos responsáveis pela desistência do método contraceptivo. Pacientes e Métodos: Estudo descritivo por meio da aplicação de formulário on-line (Google Forms®), não validado e desenvolvido pelos pesquisadores. O formulário foi distribuído em grupos específicos das redes sociais e do WhatsApp®, estando disponível para respostas entre abril e maio de 2020. Só participaram do estudo mulheres acima dos 18 anos e que usam ou já utilizaram dispositivos intrauterinos. Os dados foram inseridos no programa Microsoft Office Excel 2016®. Para identificar a homogeneidade da amostra, foram utilizados o programa GraphPad InStat v. 3.0 para Windows 10, GraphPad Software, San Diego California USA, e o teste de Kolmogorov-Smirnov; para variáveis categóricas, foi utilizado o teste χ2 ou de Fisher; e para variáveis contínuas, o teste de Mann-Whitney ou Kruskall-Wallis. Para significância estatística dos resultados, foi adotado p

The history of human populations in Africa is complex and includes various demographic events that influenced patterns of genetic variation across the continent. Through genetic studies of modern-day, and most recently, ancient African genetic variation, it became evident that deep African history is captured by the relationships among hunter-gatherers. Furthermore, it was shown that agriculture had a large influence on the distribution of current-day Africans. These later population movements changed the demographic face of the continent and descendants of farming groups today form the majority populations across Africa. Ancient DNA methods are continually evolving, and we see evidence of this in how research has advanced in the last decade. With the increased availability of full genomic data from diverse sets of modern-day and prehistoric Africans we now have more power to infer human demography. Future ancient DNA research promises to reveal more detailed stories of human prehistory in Africa.

The Afrikaner population of South Africa are the descendants of European colonists who started to colonize the Cape of Good Hope in the 1600’s. In the early days of the colony, mixed unions between European males and non-European females gave rise to admixed children who later became incorporated into either the Afrikaner or the “Coloured” populations of South Africa. Ancestry, social class, culture, sex ratio and geographic structure affected admixture patterns and caused different ancestry and admixture patterns in Afrikaner and Coloured populations. The Afrikaner population has a predominant European composition, whereas the Coloured population has more diverse ancestries. Genealogical records estimated the non-European contributions into the Afrikaners to 5.5%-7.2%. To investigate the genetic ancestry of the Afrikaner population today (11-13 generations after initial colonization) we genotyped ~5 million genome-wide markers in 77 Afrikaner individuals and compared their genotypes to populations across the world to determine parental source populations and admixture proportions. We found that the majority of Afrikaner ancestry (average 95.3%) came from European populations (specifically northwestern European populations), but that almost all Afrikaners had admixture from non-Europeans. The non-European admixture originated mostly from people who were brought to South Africa as slaves and, to a lesser extent, from local Khoe-San groups. Furthermore, despite a potentially small founding population, there is no sign of a recent bottleneck in the Afrikaner compared to other European populations. Admixture among diverse groups during early colonial times might have counterbalanced the effects of a founding population with a small census size.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTAfrikaners are a southern African ethnic group primarily descended from colonial settlers (population ~2.8–3.5 million). Genome-wide studies might offer interesting insights into their ancestry, not the least due to South Africa’s history of segregationist laws known as “apartheid”, resulting in an expectation of low levels of admixture with other groups. Originating from a small founder population, their genetic diversity is also interesting. In our genome-wide study of 77 Afrikaners we found their majority ancestry (average 95.3%) came from Europeans, but almost all Afrikaners had admixture from non-Europeans (Africans and Asians). Despite their small founding population, we found no signs of decreased genetic diversity. Admixture among diverse groups during colonial times might have counterbalanced effects of a small founding population.

Southern Africa is consistently placed as a potential region for the evolution of Homo sapiens . We present genome sequences, up to 13x coverage, from seven ancient individuals from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The remains of three Stone Age hunter-gatherers (about 2000 years old) were genetically similar to current-day southern San groups, and those of four Iron Age farmers (300 to 500 years old) were genetically similar to present-day Bantu-language speakers. We estimate that all modern-day Khoe-San groups have been influenced by 9 to 30% genetic admixture from East Africans/Eurasians. Using traditional and new approaches, we estimate the first modern human population divergence time to between 350,000 and 260,000 years ago. This estimate increases the deepest divergence among modern humans, coinciding with anatomical developments of archaic humans into modern humans, as represented in the local fossil record.

Scandinavia was one of the last geographic areas in Europe to become habitable for humans after the last glaciation. However, the origin(s) of the first colonizers and their migration routes remain unclear. We sequenced the genomes, up to 57x coverage, of seven hunter-gatherers excavated across Scandinavia and dated to 9,500-6,000 years before present. Surprisingly, among the Scandinavian Mesolithic individuals, the genetic data display an east-west genetic gradient that opposes the pattern seen in other parts of Mesolithic Europe. This result suggests that Scandinavia was initially colonized following two different routes: one from the south, the other from the northeast. The latter followed the ice-free Norwegian north Atlantic coast, along which novel and advanced pressure-blade stone-tool techniques may have spread. These two groups met and mixed in Scandinavia, creating a genetically diverse population, which shows patterns of genetic adaptation to high latitude environments. These adaptations include high frequencies of low pigmentation variants and a gene-region associated with physical performance, which shows strong continuity into modern-day northern Europeans.

Arctic populations live in an environment characterized by extreme cold and the absence of plant foods for much of the year and are likely to have undergone genetic adaptations to these environmental conditions in the time they have been living there. Genome-wide selection scans based on genotype data from native Siberians have previously highlighted a 3 Mb chromosome 11 region containing 79 protein-coding genes as the strongest candidates for positive selection in Northeast Siberians. However, it was not possible to determine which of the genes might be driving the selection signal. Here, using whole-genome high-coverage sequence data, we identified the most likely causative variant as a nonsynonymous G>A transition (rs80356779; c.1436C>T [p.Pro479Leu] on the reverse strand) in CPT1A, a key regulator of mitochondrial long-chain fatty-acid oxidation. Remarkably, the derived allele is associated with hypoketotic hypoglycemia and high infant mortality yet occurs at high frequency in Canadian and Greenland Inuits and was also found at 68% frequency in our Northeast Siberian sample. We provide evidence of one of the strongest selective sweeps reported in humans; this sweep has driven this variant to high frequency in circum-Arctic populations within the last 6–23 ka despite associated deleterious consequences, possibly as a result of the selective advantage it originally provided to either a high-fat diet or a cold environment.

A presente dissertação procura entender o arquitecto francês Fernand Pouillon como definição de uma via alternativa aos dogmas estabelecidos pelo Movimento Moderno perante os desafios com que os arquitectos se confrontavam na primeira metade do século XX. Pouillon, céptico em relação ao ensino da arquitectura assente na tradição Beaux-Arts e as condições que estavam a definir a actividade de arquitecto, revelaria uma atitude perante a arquitectura comprometida com a prática e a experiência. A influência exercida pelos seus mestres no início da sua carreira seria representativa da sua compreensão da história da arquitectura como ferramenta de entendimento da cidade e da construção. Ainda, da conjuntura vivida no período pós-guerra, Fernand Pouillon revelaria a sua concepção da responsabilidade social do arquitecto em resposta aos desafios sociais colocados. Argel, então colónia francesa, representava a par de outros países no território norte-africano um laboratório de experimentação para as políticas coloniais. Da crise de habitação daí resultante surgia um interesse por parte dos arquitectos modernos para a aplicação das suas pesquisas sobre a cidade e o habitar. No entanto, a insuficiência das soluções por eles encontradas na resolução da problemática da habitação levaria a municipalidade da capital argelina a convidar Fernand Pouillon para a construção de três cités de habitação social entre 1953 e 1957. Ali, revelando um entendimento de um contexto específico como suporte de projecto, evidenciado pela cité Climat de France, manifestaria a sua postura perante a arquitectura na afinidade entre o habitar e o construir. O interesse em recuperar para o presente a prática de Fernand Pouillon em Argel prende-se com o facto de, através da sua obra, sermos confrontados com a consciência da fabricação de cidade como produção de espaço em estreita relação com o homem e os seus valores. This dissertation seeks to understand the French architect Fernand Pouillon as a definition of an alternative way to the dogmas established by the Modern Movement towards the challenges faced by the architects in the first half of the 20th century. Pouillon, sceptical to the architectural teaching based on the Beaux-Arts tradition and the conditions defining the architects’ activity would reveal a stance to architecture compromised with practice and experience. The influence exerted by his masters at the beginning of his career would be representative of his comprehension of the architecture history as a tool to understand the city and the city-building. Nevertheless, from the circumstances lived in the post-war years, Fernand Pouillon would reveal his notion of the architect social responsibility in response to the societal demands. Algiers, at that moment a French colony, represented in parallel with other countries in the north-African territory an experimental laboratory for the colonial policies. From the housing crisis resulting from that situation emerged an interest in the modern architects to put in practice their researches on urban-planning and dwelling. However, the lack of the solution effectiveness in the resolution of the housing demands would led the Algerian capital municipality to invite Fernand Pouillon to build three large-scale housing blocks between 1953 and 1957. There, revealing an understanding of a specific context as project material, emphasised by the cité Climat de France, Pouillon would express his stance to architecture in the affinity between dwelling and building. The interest in bringing to the present the practice of Fernand Pouillon in Algiers is lied on the fact that, through his oeuvre, we are faced with the consciousness of the city-building as production of space in proximity to the man and his values.

Mestrado em Contabilidade, Fiscalidade e Finanças Empresariais O cumprimento de obrigações fiscais por parte dos contribuintes é uma grande preocupação do governo, porque desse cumprimento depende o equilíbrio das contas públicas. Se existem contribuintes que são honestos, pois cumprem as suas obrigações fiscais na íntegra, existem outros que não o são. Neste contexto, entender as razões que levam os contribuintes assumirem o risco de não cumprir as suas obrigações fiscais tornou-se essencial. Este estudo teve como amostra 154 estudantes universitários de Portugal, através de um questionário, cujo objetivo foi entender a sua relação com a AT. Foi utilizado o ?software? estatístico SPSS 22 para o tratamento e a análise de dados. As conclusões deste trabalho sugere que ter a confiança dos contribuintes é importante para o cumprimento fiscal. Em relação ao nível de moral tributária dos estudantes universitários este apresenta-se baixo, isto porque não existe grande perceção que a fraude seja ilegal. Quanto à perceção do serviço, os estudantes universitários acham que não estão a ser bem tratados pela administração fiscal. Por último, em relação ao poder exercido pela administração fiscal, este quando se encontra aliado à confiança dos contribuintes na administração fiscal é suficiente para que não se entre em fuga aos impostos. Tax compliance by taxpayers is an important concern for most governments for it is vital to attain balanced or even controlled budgets. While compliant taxpayers do exist, others are not so much. In this context, understanding why would a taxpayer take the risk associated with non-compliance is essential for governments. The current study analysed a sample of 154 Portuguese university students and through a questionnaire, we tried to understand their relationship with Portuguese tax authorities. The software used to analyse the data was SPSS. The results suggest that a relationship of trust between tax authorities and taxpayers is essential for tax compliance to be actually prevalent. When it comes to tax morale, it appears to be low among the sample analysed, many not considering tax avoidance to be illegal. The perception of service among students is negative, many perceiving tax authorities as treating then poorly or having so in the past. At last, the power wielded by tax authorities, when associated with trust, seems to be enough to attain tax compliance.

It is commonly thought that human genetic diversity in non-African populations was primarily shaped by a recent out-of-Africa dispersal. Here we present a large geographical Y chromosome study using 459 high coverage sequences, including 302 newly reported here. We date the Y chromosomal Most Recent Common Ancestor (MRCA) in Africa at 254 (95% CI 192- 307) kya and differentiation of African and non-African lineages 52-121 kya. The age estimates for major non-African founder haplogroups cluster closely in a narrow time interval at 47-52 kya, consistent with a rapid initial colonization model of Eurasia and Oceania after the out-of-Africa bottleneck. We find that the highest basal Y chromosome diversity outside Africa has been preserved in South and Southeast Asians while extant Y chromosome diversity in Europe and the Near East stems from a small number of mid-Holocene founders. In contrast to demographic reconstructions based on mtDNA, we infer a second strong bottleneck, followed by a fast recovery in Old World populations dating to the last 10 ky. We hypothesize that this bottleneck is caused by cultural changes affecting variance of reproductive success among males.

Bantu speech communities expanded over large parts of sub-Saharan Africa within the last 4000-5000 years, reaching different parts of southern Africa 1200-2000 years ago. The Bantu languages subdivide in several major branches, with languages belonging to the Eastern and Western Bantu branches spreading over large parts of Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa. There is still debate whether this linguistic divide is correlated with a genetic distinction between Eastern and Western Bantu speakers. During their expansion, Bantu speakers would have come into contact with diverse local populations, such as the Khoisan hunter-gatherers and pastoralists of southern Africa, with whom they may have intermarried. In this study, we analyze complete mtDNA genome sequences from over 900 Bantu-speaking individuals from Angola, Zambia, Namibia, and Botswana to investigate the demographic processes at play during the last stages of the Bantu expansion. Our results show that most of these Bantu-speaking populations are genetically very homogenous, with no genetic division between speakers of Eastern and Western Bantu languages. Most of the mtDNA diversity in our dataset is due to different degrees of admixture with autochthonous populations. Only the pastoralist Himba and Herero stand out due to high frequencies of particular L3f and L3d lineages; the latter are also found in the neighboring Damara, who speak a Khoisan language and were foragers and small-stock herders. In contrast, the close cultural and linguistic relatives of the Herero and Himba, the Kuvale, are genetically similar to other Bantu-speakers. Nevertheless, as demonstrated by resampling tests, the genetic divergence of Herero, Himba, and Kuvale is compatible with a common shared ancestry with high levels of drift, while the similarity of the Herero, Himba, and Damara probably reflects admixture, as also suggested by linguistic analyses. Copyright: © 2014 Barbieri et al., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

ResumoA doença cerebrovascular oclusiva crônica (doença de Moyamoya) é patologia de etiologia desconhecida, em princípio considerada afecção restrita às pessoas de origem japonesa. Tratase de uma doença incomum, mas importante causa de acidente vascular cerebral.Apresentamos o caso de um paciente com 38 anos de idade, de descendência japonesa, que apresentou a forma isquêmica da doença, embora a forma mais encontrada em adultos seja a hemorrágica. Chamamos a atenção para a inclusão dessa patologia no diagnóstico diferencial das neuropatologias vasculares.

A empresa da era moderna, desempenha o papel de líder da nova identidade confrontada não apenas com a necessidade de produção de bens e serviços para satisfação dos clientes como também, de participar activamente no desenvolvimento da comunidade, através de programas ou investimentos económicos com enfoque social, aprendizagem organizacional contínua, criação de condições que propiciem a protecção do meio ambiente, em contraposição ao protagonismo assumido pelo Estado até aos princípios da segunda metade do século XX. Esta nova abordagem, assenta na responsabilidade social empresarial (RSE), novo paradigma de gestão. A empresa deve tomar a dianteira na resolução dos problemas da sociedade e, por essa via, levar a cabo grandes projectos de investimento em prol do desenvolvimento da comunidade, sem descurar o papel do Estado focalizado na regulação da actividade económica, das relações sociais e criação de um ambiente favorável (Stewart, 2002; Cohendet e Llerna (2001); Zadek et al., 2005). Esta forma de estar, implica uma revolução das preocupações empresariais apontando para um novo papel do gestor, que não se limita ao aumento da produtividade e do lucro, uma vez que a estratégia de actuação da empresa moderna deve necessariamente se mostrar comprometida com a causa social, pautar pela avaliação dos compromissos com os stakeholders considerando os aspectos éticos e sociais, pilares da RSE, que hoje têm primazia no negócio. Na procura de equilíbrio social, a RSE assume um sentido concreto, ganha espaço na resposta às pressões externas, tornando-se numa variável da avaliação da eficácia e efectividade das empresas no seio da comunidade. A nova postura centrada no respeito pelos princípios éticos e morais, fazendo com que as prioridades para a excelência da empresa não sejam apenas as económicas, devendo incorporar também apreciações sociais e ambientais, questionar os modelos clássicos de gestão que não atendem à dimensão sócio cultural e nem promovem a aprendizagem organizacional (Ashley, 2005; Matten e Moon, 2004; Harris et al., 2004; Zadek, 2004). Nesta discussão, ganha também substância o questionamento sobre os efeitos prejudiciais que historicamente a empresa causa à sociedade, onde novos desafios são colocados, reclamando-se um papel mais aberto da empresa o que requer uma significativa transformação no modo como faz o negócio e se relaciona com o mundo, devendo tornar-se co-responsável pelo desenvolvimento da sociedade, através de promoção de políticas sociais viradas para o desenvolvimento, promovendo uma cultura responsável para com o meio ambiente e cultivando o conhecimento através da aprendizagem de grupo e individual, dinamizando as particularidades da economia moderna e cada vez mais globalizada. A revisão da literatura permitiu verificar o trabalho desenvolvido relativamente à evolução do conceito e dos modelos de avaliação das práticas de RSE e a sua relação com o desempenho e resultados, culminando com a definição do modelo MARSE, específico para a prossecução desta investigação, operacionalizado através de um questionário, administrado no campo prático, resultando na obtenção de respostas 432 respostas válidas, em 102 empresas abarcando todas as zonas geográficas do país (norte, centro e sul), submetidas a análise e tratamento estatístico, cujo resultado confirmara a robustez e consistência do modelo. O tema RSE tem capitalizado bastante interesse, tanto entre académicos, como no seio dos empresários, gestores públicos e outros stakeholders. Com frequência assinalável, artigos sobre o tema são publicados e vários encontros são organizados, ainda assim, apesar de todo esse interesse e esforço em torno da sua abordagem, o exame da literatura específica sugere que a própria ideia, o conceito de RSE, características fundamentais, operacionalização e consequências para o mundo económico e social ainda são controversos. The company's modern era, plays the leading role of the new identity not only confronted with the need to produce goods and services for customer satisfaction but also to participate actively in community development through programs focusing on economic or social investment, continuous organizational learning, creation of conditions for the protection of the environment, in contrast to the role assumed by the state until the beginning of the second half of the twentieth century. This new approach, based on corporate social responsibility (CSR), new management paradigm. The company should take the lead in solving the problems of society and, thereby, to undertake major investment projects for development of the community, without neglecting the role of the state focused on the regulation of economic activity, social relations and creating a favorable environment (Stewart, 2002; Cohendet and Llerna (2001), Zadek et al., 2005). This way of living, implies a revolution in business concerns by pointing to a new role of manager, which is not limited to increased productivity and profit, since the action strategy of the modern enterprise must necessarily show committed to social cause, guided by the assessment of commitments to stakeholders considering the ethical and social pillars of CSR, which take precedence in the business today. By seeking to balance social, CSR assumes a concrete sense, is gaining ground in response to external pressures to become a variable in assessing the efficiency and effectiveness within the business community. The new approach focused on respect for ethical and moral principles, so that the priorities for the excellence of the company are not only economic but must also incorporate social and environmental assessments, questioning the classical models of management that does not meet the socio cultural and or promote organizational learning (Ashley, 2005; Matten and Moon, 2004, Harris et al. 2004; Zadek, 2004). In this discussion, also gains substance questioning about the harmful effects that historically the company cause to society, where new challenges are posed, claiming to be a more open company which requires a significant transformation in the way it does business and relates with the world, should become co-responsible for the development of society through the promotion of social politics facing the development, a culture promoting responsible for the environment and cultivating knowledge through group and individual learning, fostering the peculiarities of the modern economy based on globalization. The literature review has shown the work on the evolution of the concept of evaluation models and practices of CSR and its relationship to performance and results, culminating in the model definition MARSE, specific for pursuing this research, operational through A questionnaire administered in the practical field, resulting in obtaining responses 432 valid in 102 companies covering all geographical areas of the country (north, central and south), and subjected to statistical analysis, which confirmed the robustness and consistency of the model. The theme of CSR has capitalized enough interest, both among academics and within the entrepreneurs, public administrators and other stakeholders. With remarkable frequency, on the topic are published and several meetings are organized, yet despite all this interest and effort around its approach, the specific examination of the literature suggests that the very idea, the concept of CSR, key features , operations and consequences for the economic and social world are still controversial.

Three glacial episodes are identifi ed in Upper Devonian and Mississippian strata in South America using sedimentologic, stratigraphic, paleontological, bore hole, and outcrop data. The fi rst glacial episode is of late Famennian (“Strunian”) age and is interpreted from strata in basins of Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru, where ice sheets and alpine glaciers reached coastal and marine settings. Biostratigraphically, these strata correspond to the Biostratigraphically, these strata correspond to the Retispora lepidophyta–Indotriradites explanata or LE Zone and the Retispora lepidophyta–Verrucosisporites nitidus or LN Zone. Spore zones of Western Europe. The second glacial episode occurred during the late middle to early late Tour naisian and is recorded in the subsurface of the Solimoes Basin (Jurua and Jandiatuba subbasins) of northwestern Brazil and possibly in Bolivia and Argentina. The third glacial episode is of late Visean age and is currently identifi ed in basins of Brazil and possibly in the area of the former Acre Basin shelf, but data are poor. In Bolivia and Peru, the Ambo Group also displays glacially infl uenced sediments as well as strata in central western Argentina. These glacial episodes may also have occurred in Africa, but data are still scarce, and the ages of potentially coeval strata are not well constrained. Indirect evidence of these Paleozoic glacial events in Gondwana is suggested by researchers in Western Europe, Asia, and in the United States on the basis of geochemical, stratigraphic, sedimentologic, paleontologic, and eustatic data.

This paper addresses the problem of developing a simulation model to aid the operational decision-making of scheduling activities in a real-world pipeline network. Basically, the simulation model should represent three different behaviors: production, transport and demand of oil derivatives. Batches are pumped from (or pass through) many different areas and flow through pipes which are the shared resources at the network. It is considered that different products can flow through the same pipe and each oil derivative has its proper tankfarm at refineries, terminals or harbor. The simulator makes use of an optimal scheduling sequence of batches that balance demand requirements to the production planning, considering inventory management issues and pipeline pumping procedures. The simulation model represents a real-world pipeline network designed to aid typical activities of an operator such as inventory management at different and batch performance analysis by visualization tank levels and pipe utilization rate.

Although the human Y chromosome has effectively shown utility in uncovering facets of human evolution and population histories, the ascertainment bias present in early Y-chromosome variant data sets limited the accuracy of diversity and TMRCA estimates obtained from them. The advent of next-generation sequencing, however, has removed this bias and allowed for the discovery of thousands of new variants for use in improving the Y-chromosome phylogeny and computing estimates that are more accurate. Here, we describe the high-coverage sequencing of the whole Y chromosome in a data set of 19 male Khoe-San individuals in comparison with existing whole Y-chromosome sequence data. Due to the increased resolution, we potentially resolve the source of haplogroup B-P70 in the Khoe-San, and reconcile recently published haplogroup A-M51 data with the most recent version of the ISOGG Y-chromosome phylogeny. Our results also improve the positioning of tentatively placed new branches of the ISOGG Y-chromosome phylogeny. The distribution of major Y-chromosome haplogroups in the Khoe-San and other African groups coincide with the emerging picture of African demographic history; with E-M2 linked to the agriculturalist Bantu expansion, E-M35 linked to pastoralist eastern African migrations, B-M112 linked to earlier east-south gene flow, A-M14 linked to shared ancestry with central African rainforest hunter-gatherers, and A-M51 potentially unique to the Khoe-San.

PETROBRAS - Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. Paleozoic basins in northern Brazil contain thick sequences of sedimentary rocks, including diamictites. Because several different geological environments may generate diamictites a study of tec-tonism, stratigraphy, paleoclimatology and paleogeography was made in order to deduce the processes involved in their origin. A large part of northern Brazil is underlain by metavolcanic and metasedimentary sequences steeply folded and metamorphosed during many tectonic events from about 3600 to 1000 m.y. ago. Northeast Brazil was also affected by the Brazilian tectonic cycle from about 700 to 450 m.y. ago. The pre-basin weak zones and resulting trends are responsible for the shape and geometry of 3 huge intracratonic basins developed during Paleozoic time: the Soliaes, Amazonas and Parna(ba basins. The three basins had a similar geologic development during Paleozoic times; from Ordovician to Early Carboniferous time only clastic rocks were deposited and from Late Carboniferous to Permian time carbonate and evaporites were laid down. Tectonism that affected basins is related to uplift and collapse that preceded the break up of Pangea and subduction activity along the Soliges basin, in the western side of the continent. Climate •has influenced the characteristics of each formation. Paleolatitudes based on paleoclimatic indicators such as tillites, eolian sands, coal, bauxite, red beds, evaporites, limestone, fauna and flora, changed from polar and circumpolar to equatorial during Phanerozoic times. Glaciation was recorded in Ordovician-Silurian, Late Devonian and Early Carboniferous times. A Late Devonian glaciation left a clear imprint as shown by sedimentary facies. Diamictites with striated, faceted and polished pebbles; rhythmites with dropstones; erratic boulders; striated pave-ments and deformed sandstones document glacial conditions. Study of the migration of glacial centers based on the available literature and new data from Brazil shows that they closely follow published paleomagnetic wander data and that there is a close rela-tionship between all Paleozoic glaciations and the Brazilian gla-ciations. Ice centers moved from northern Africa to southwestern South America from Late Ordovician to Early Silurian time. From Mid-Silurian to early Late Devonian time no record of glaciation is known. In Late Devonian time intermittent glaciation initiated again in central South America and, from Late Devonian to Late Permian time ice centers migrated toward Antarctica across South America and South Africa. The Devonian and Ordovician-Silurian glaciations together with the Permo-Carboniferous glaciations may all have primarily resulted from the shifting position of the Gondwana continent with respect to the South Pole.

Background Human population history in the Holocene was profoundly impacted by changes in lifestyle following the invention and adoption of food-production practices. These changes triggered significant increases in population sizes and expansions over large distances. Here we investigate the population history of the Fulani, a pastoral population extending throughout the African Sahel/Savannah belt. Results Based on genome-wide analyses we propose that ancestors of the Fulani population experienced admixture between a West African group and a group carrying both European and North African ancestries. This admixture was likely coupled with newly adopted herding practices, as it resulted in signatures of genetic adaptation in contemporary Fulani genomes, including the control element of the LCT gene enabling carriers to digest lactose throughout their lives. The lactase persistence (LP) trait in the Fulani is conferred by the presence of the allele T-13910, which is also present at high frequencies in Europe. We establish that the T-13910 LP allele in Fulani individuals analysed in this study lies on a European haplotype background thus excluding parallel convergent evolution. We furthermore directly link the T-13910 haplotype with the Lactase Persistence phenotype through a Genome Wide Association study (GWAS) and identify another genomic region in the vicinity of the SPRY2 gene associated with glycaemic measurements after lactose intake. Conclusions Our findings suggest that Eurasian admixture and the European LP allele was introduced into the Fulani through contact with a North African population/s. We furthermore confirm the link between the lactose digestion phenotype in the Fulani to the MCM6/LCT locus by reporting the first GWAS of the lactase persistence trait. We also explored other signals of recent adaptation in the Fulani and identified additional candidates for selection to adapt to herding life-styles.

CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior O estudo das fundações em engenharia civil é de grande relevância, uma vez que tais elementos constituem a base estrutural de praticamente toda edificação. As estacas são elementos de fundação profundos, cujo mecanismo de transferência de cargas ocorre, em muitos casos, quase totalmente pelo atrito lateral, que depende diretamente da área de contato entre estrutura e solo. É fato que sistemas ramificados naturais têm grandes áreas de superfície, como é o caso de árvores que usam suas raízes ramificadas como um sistema de ancoragem capaz de aumentar sua resistência à solicitações como peso próprio e ventos. Neste estudo, desenvolve-se um modelo de estrutura ramificada baseado na geometria fractal, proposto como solução alternativa para fundações. O objetivo da pesquisa consiste em comparar o desempenho de modelos ramificados com o de modelos convencionais de fundação por estaca, sob o ponto de vista de capacidade de suporte, tensões e deslocamentos. O estudo também busca avaliar a eficiência relacionada ao aumento do número de ramos nas estruturas, os impactos gerados pela adoção de diferentes ângulos de ramificação, além da eficiência associada a outros parâmetros de geração do modelo ramificado. Os modelos foram simulados no PLAXIS, software capaz de modelar o comportamento não linear do solo e simular a interface solo-estrutura. As simulações evidenciaram que uma estrutura ramificada comparada a uma estaca padrão de mesmo volume apresenta maior capacidade de carga e menores deslocamentos, sendo, portanto, mais eficiente em ambos os aspectos. A capacidade de carga é crescente quando se comparam modelos com mais ordens, entretanto, há um desaceleramento no crescimento para as estruturas mais ramificadas. O mesmo comportamento é observado no que diz respeito a redução dos deslocamentos. As simulações de estruturas com diferentes angulações mostraram que, até certo ponto, quanto maiores os ângulos de ramificação, maiores as capacidades de carga, porém, ângulos superiores a 60◦ apresentam um decaimento nas cargas máximas resistidas. Em linhas gerais, os estudos remetem ao conceito de projeto ótimo para estruturas ramificadas sob ambas as óticas, número de ordens ideal e ângulo de ramificação ideal, propondo a existência de uma estrutura otimizada, capaz de incrementar as propriedades resistivas do sistema solo-fundaçã sem necessitar uma geometria muito complexa. A eficiência dessas estruturas é verificada experimentalmente a partir de um estudo realizado com um modelo de fundação ramificado adaptado sem ângulo de ramificação (inspirado em estacas torpedo), através de ensaios e simulações computacionais, cujos resultados corroboraram a eficiência da utilização de geometrias ramificadas na otimização da resistência de fundações. De maneira geral, pode-se dizer que as estruturas ramificadas apresentam bom potencial para serem utilizadas como solução para o sistema de fundações de uma edificação. Study of foundations in engineering is very relevant since these elements form the basis of virtually any building. Piles are foundation elements that use, in many cases, basically lateral friction as a mechanism for transferring loads, which depends on the surface contact area between the structure and the soil. Branched natural systems have large surface areas, such as tree’s roots, that use its branched geometry as an anchor system to increase its ability to withstand requests, like self weight and wind loads. This research presents a branched structure model based on fractal geometry, that may be used as an alternative solution for foundations. The aim of this research is to compare the performance of branched foundation models against standard stake ones. The performance of each model will be discussed for its load capacity, stress levels and displacements. In addition to that, analyse the efficiency related to increasing the number of branches in the structures, the impact due the adoption of different branching angles and the efficiency related to other branched model generation parameters. The model was simulated using PLAXIS, a software capable of modeling the non-linear soil behavior and the interface between soil and structure. The results of the simulations evidence that a branched structure compared to a standard pile with same volume presents higher carrying capacity and lower maximum displacements, showing that this structures are more efficient in both aspects. On the other hand, the rate of increase of load capacity comparing different branched models declines for structures with higher number of branches. The same behavior is observed for the reduction of displacements analysis. Simulating structures with different branch angles shows that, until a certain point, the higher the branching angles the higher the load capacity, however, angles higher than 60◦ showed a decrease in its load capacity. In general lines, the study suggests the concept of an optimum design model for a branched structure in both parameters, number of branch orders and branch angle, proposing the existence of an optimized structure, capable of increase the soil-foundation mechanical resistance properties without using a very complex geometry. The efficiency of this structural systems was also verified through a study with an adapted branched model that has no branch angle (inspired by torpedo stakes), by using laboratory tests and computational analysis, whose results corroborate the efficiency of using branched geometries in optimizing the resistance of foundation systems. The studies showed that branched structures have a good potential to be used as a solution for edification foundation systems.

PROQUALI (UFJF) Aterro estaqueado reforçado, ou aterro estruturado, é uma técnica cada vez mais utilizada como solução para construção em solos moles. Constitui-se basicamente pela instalação de estacas, sobre as quais posiciona-se uma ou mais camadas de geossintético, seguido da construção do aterro. A estrutura apresenta vantagens relacionadas a custos, cumprimento de prazos e eliminação de recalques, resultando em uma construção estabilizada e, em muitos casos, viável economicamente. O fato de não haver normas nacionais que abordem os procedimentos de execução da estrutura, somado à existência de diferentes métodos de cálculo, apontam para a necessidade de conhecer melhor os mecanismos de tensão e deformação a ela relacionados, bem como o desempenho dos materiais trabalhando em conjunto. O presente trabalho visa estudar o aterro estaqueado reforçado através da análise de um modelo computacional, extraindo a distribuição de tensões verticais e ocorrência de recalques nos componentes da estrutura. O estudo permite analisar os principais parâmetros de projeto e o desempenho dos materiais empregados, contribuindo para a obtenção de dimensionamentos mais adequados. A validação do modelo se dá através da comparação dos resultados da modelagem com valores mensurados no aterro instrumentado da obra de ampliação da pista de pouso e decolagem do Aeroporto Salgado Filho – RS. A modelagem foi efetuada utilizando o software Abaqus/CAE, que se baseia no Método dos Elementos Finitos (MEF). A construção do modelo considerou as propriedades mecânicas dos materiais, de suas interações, bem como de fatores ligados à execução, como a construção do aterro em camadas. Os resultados indicam boa concordância entre modelo, literatura e obra instrumentada em termos de tensões verticais Reinforced piled embankment is an engineering technique that has been increasingly used as a solution for construction on soft soils. It consists basically by the installation of piles, on which one or more geosynthetics layers are placed, followed by the embankment construction. The structure presents advantages related to costs, deadline accomplishment and eliminating of the settlement, resulting in a stabilized and, in many cases, economically sustainable solution. The fact that there are no national standards for guiding the procedures for the structure implementation, added to the existence of different calculation methods, demonstrate the need of a better understanding about the stress and deformation mechanisms related to it. This research aims to study reinforced pile embankment through the analysis of a computational model, extracting the distribution of vertical stresses and the occurrence of settlement in the components of the structure. The study makes it possible to analyze the main design parameters and the performance of the materials used, contributing to obtain more adequate dimensions. The model is validated through a comparison between the modeling results and measurements from an instrumented reinforced piled embankment. The modeling was performed using the Abaqus / CAE software, which is based on the Finite Element Method (MEF). The model construction considered the the mechanical material properties, its interactions, as well as factors related to the execution. The results indicate good agreement between model, literature and instrumented work in terms of the vertical stresse.

Atualmente se dispõe de uma série de métodos computacionais (softwares) que proporcionam a retroanálise de estruturas de pavimento. A maioria destes softwares utilizam as medidas de deflexão como parâmetro de análise e fazem comparação entre os valores de deflexão medidos e calculados para a obtenção dos valores de módulo de resiliência (MR) das camadas do pavimento. Para a realização das análises são exigidos como dados de entrada a espessura da camada, o coeficiente de Poisson (ν) e os módulos de resiliência iniciais dos materiais. Mesmo com todas essas ferramentas, o problema não garante uma solução fechada (única), pois várias configurações estruturais podem resultar numa mesma bacia deflectométrica. Interferem diretamente nos cálculos os valores adotados para as espessuras e os valores escolhidos para módulo de resiliência inicial. Desta forma, esta pesquisa tem como objetivo analisar a variabilidade dos valores de módulo de resiliência obtidos de programas computacionais de retroanálise, tendo como dados de entrada valores distintos de módulos de resiliência iniciais (módulos sementes). Para isso, utilizou-se os dados obtidos por meio de avaliações estruturais não-destrutiva (Falling Weight Deflectometer - FWD) e destrutiva (retirada de amostras) em subtrechos de três regiões distintas (anel viário da UFJF e rodovias federais concedidas BR-116/RJ CRT e BR-040/GO/MG Via040). Com as amostras coletadas em campo, foram realizados ensaios triaxiais dinâmicos para a obtenção do MR em laboratório. As bacias de deflexão e os valores de módulo de resiliência iniciais foram utilizados como dados de entrada nos softwares de retroanálise Elmod e BackMeDiNa. Ao variar então o MR inicial de uma das camadas em 100% como dado de entrada dos programas, pesquisou-se as diferenças percentuais nos MR finais calculados para as camadas. Estudou-se também a condição de interface (aderida/não-aderida) entre as camadas, relações entre módulos obtidos em laboratório e em campo, comparações entre dois programas de retroanálise distintos e correlações entre parâmetros de bacia e os módulos retroanalisados. Após os resultados fornecidos pelos softwares de retroanálise para um dos trechos, estes foram inseridos no software MeDiNa de dimensionamento de pavimentos flexíveis para se analisar a influência da variabilidade dos módulos sementes no processo de dimensionamento de reforço de pavimento, por meio do parâmetro percentagem de área trincada (%AT). Verificou-se que os módulos sementes têm influência significativa nos módulos finais no processo de retroanálise, com diferenças percentuais de até 137%, principalmente para as camadas de base e sub-base do pavimento. Mesmo com as diferenças obtidas nos valores de MR a partir da variação dos MR iniciais, verificou-se que não houve impacto significativo no projeto de dimensionamento de reforço, uma vez os diferentes conjuntos modulares resultaram em uma mesma espessura da camada de reforço, sendo que a diferença percentual entre os trincamentos previstos para o revestimento do pavimento foi inferior à 7,2%. Currently, a series of computational methods (software) are available that provide the backcalculation of pavement structures. Most of these software uses the deflection measurements as an analysis parameter and compares the measured and calculated deflections values to obtain the resilience module (RM) of the pavement layers. In order to carry out the analyzes, the layer thickness, the Poisson's ratio (ν) and the initial resilient moduli are required as input data. Even with all these tools, the problem does not ensure a closed solution (unique), since several combinations may produce the same deflection basin. The thickness value and the moduli seed moduli interfere directly in the calculations. Therefore, this paper aims to analyze the variability of the resilient moduli obtained from backcalculation programs, having as input data different seed moduli. To this end, data obtained from non-destructive structural evaluation (Falling Weight Deflectometer - FWD) and destructive evaluation were used in three different regions (UFJF highway ring, BR-116RJ CRT and BR-040/GO/MG Via040 highway). With the samples collected in the field, dynamic triaxial tests were performed to obtain the RM in laboratory. Thereafter, the deflection basin values and the seed moduli were inputted into the two backcalculation software (ELMOD and BackMeDiNa). By varying the RM seed of one of the layers by 100%, the percentage differences in the final resilience moduli were calculated. The interface bonding between pavement layers, relations of between moduli obtained from laboratory and field, relations between two different backcalculation programs and correlations between deflection basin parameter and moduli were carried out as well. Besides, with the data provide from backcalculation software and crack monitoring, these were inputted into the flexible pavement design software (MeDiNa), to also analyze the influence of variability of seed moduli in the final result in the pavement reinforcement design, through the cracked area percentage parameter. Thus, it was found that the seed moduli have a high influence on the final moduli in the backcalculation processes, with percentage differences of up to 137%, mainly for the base and sub-base layers of pavement. Even with the difference obtained in the RM values from the variation of the initial RM, it was found that there was no significant impact on the reinforcement design, in which the percentage difference between the cracking predicted for the surface course was less than 7,5%.

FAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais As estruturas de solo grampeado são estruturas que viabilizam cortes verticais ou subverticais, permitindo um maior aproveitamento de espaço. Este tipo de estrutura mostra-se presente tanto no meio urbano quanto rodoviário e ferroviário, por exemplo. Através da inserção de grampos na massa de solo aumenta-se o fator de segurança contra a ruptura do talude e desta forma consegue-se manter cortes na condição subvertical ou mesmo vertical estáveis. Na técnica clássica os grampos são posicionados na posição sub-horizontal. No Brasil, recentemente algumas empresas vêm utilizando o procedimento de grampos na posição subvertical ou vertical próximos à face da estrutura. O intuito desta variante da técnica clássica é aumentar a estabilidade do maciço, diminuindo as deformações horizontais finais e durante a escavação e também aumentar o fator de segurança contra ruptura. Busca-se nesta pesquisa verificar a eficiência do uso de grampos verticais posicionados próximos à face, verificando se estes grampos contribuem para redução da tração gerada nos grampos sub-horizontais, redução das deformações horizontais da face e aumento do fator de segurança da estrutura. Para modelar as estruturas será utilizado o programa de elementos finitos Plaxis 2D e o Plaxis 3D. Para analisar o fator de segurança também será utilizado o programa Slide baseado em equilíbrio limite. Os resultados para algumas análises, algumas com rigidezes usuais e outras com rigidezes mais baixas, para verificar se um sistema menos rígido sofre alterações significativas com a introdução de grampos verticais, já que um sistema muito rígido pode tornar ineficiente o uso de grampos verticais. Constatou-se através dos resultados que houve ganhos significativos para a diminuição dos deslocamentos horizontais e da tração nos grampos sub-horizontais, porém, para isso foi necessário a utilização de um número muito alto de grampos verticais, o que pode não ser economicamente viável. Soil nailing structures are structures that enable vertical or sub-vertical cuts, allowing a greater use of space. This type of structure is present in urban, road and railways, for example. Through the insertion of nails in the soil mass increases the safety factor against the slope rupture and in this way it is possible to maintain cuts in the subvertical or even vertical stability. In the classic technique the nails are positioned in the sub-horizontal position. In Brazil, some companies have recently been used the procedure in the subvertical or vertical position near the face of the structure. The aim of this variant of the classical technique is to increase the stability of the massif, reducing the final horizontal deformations and during the excavation and also increase the safety fator against rupture. The aim of this research was to verify the efficiency of the use of vertical nails positioned close to the face, verifying if these nails contribute to reduction of the traction generated in the sub-horizontal nails, reduction of the horizontal deformations of the face and increase of the factor of safety of the structure. To model the structures will be used the finite element program Plaxis 2D and Plaxis 3D. To analyze the safety factor it will also be used the program Slide based on equilibrium limit. The results for some analyzes, some with usual rigidities and others with lower rigidities, to verify if a less rigid system undergoes significant changes with the introduction of vertical nails, since a very rigid system can make the use of vertical nails inefficient. The results showed that there were significant gains for the reduction of horizontal displacements and traction in the sub-horizontal nails, but for this it was necessary to use a very high number of vertical nails, which may not be economically feasible.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior O presente trabalho apresenta uma avaliação numérica, realizada através do software de elementos finitos Plaxis 2D, dos efeitos do afastamento da compactação pesada em relação à face nas tensões e deformações de muros de solo reforçado com geossintéticos (MSR). Apesar de vários trabalhos apresentarem a recomendação construtiva de que se deve manter um afastamento da compactação pesada em relação à face dos muros, com o objetivo de reduzir as deformações durante o processo de construção, em poucos trabalhos foram considerados esse afastamento. Nesta pesquisa, um solo residual jovem de gnaisse, de granulometria arenosa, foi submetido a ensaios para as estimativas dos parâmetros de resistência e deformabilidade. Este solo foi considerado como solo de aterro em seções hipotéticas de muros de solo reforçado, nas quais considerou-se a face composta por blocos pré-moldados de concreto, geogrelhas de três rigidezes distintas como elementos de reforço e quatro distâncias da compactação pesada em relação à face: 0 m, 0,25 m, 0,50 m e 1,00 m. Os resultados numéricos da magnitude e posição das máximas trações mobilizadas nos reforços foram comparados com os fornecidos por métodos encontrados na literatura. Os resultados obtidos colaboram para o melhor entendimento do comportamento dos MSR com geossintéticos, com avaliações mais próximas às condições reais de campo. É evidenciada a importância de se considerar nas análises numéricas a modelagem da compactação, assim como o afastamento da aplicação da compactação pesada em relação à face. Nas análises realizadas, ao aumentar a distância da compactação pesada em relação à face, têm-se as tendências de redução das trações nos reforços, deslocamentos dos pontos em que ocorrem as máximas trações para o interior do maciço e redução das deformações horizontais da face. Este tipo de avaliação mostra-se importante nas avaliações numéricas de MSR com geossintéticos, principalmente com relação aos deslocamentos dos pontos de máxima tração para o interior, que implicam em redução dos comprimentos de reforços na zona resistente e, consequentemente, redução do fator de segurança ao arrancamento. This work aimed to verify a numerical evaluation on the effects considering the distance of the heavy compaction in relation to the stress conditions and deformations of geosynthetics reinforced soil (GRS) walls, performed through 2D finite element software Plaxis. Although several works bring up the constructive recommendation that a distance from the heavy compaction should be maintained in relation to the face of the walls, in order to reduce the deformation during the construction process, in a few studies, this distance has been considered. In the present study, a young, sandy particle size residual soil was submitted to tests for the parameters of resistance and deformability parameters. The soil was considered as landfill soil in hypothetical sections of reinforced soil walls in which it was considered the face composed of precast concrete blocks, geogrids of three distinct stiffnesses as reinforcement elements and four distances* of heavy compaction relative to face: 0 m, 0,25 m, 0,50 m and 1,00 m. The numerical results of the magnitude and position of the maximal tractions mobilized in the reinforcements were compared with methods found in the literature. The results contribute to a better understanding of the GRS behavior with geosynthetics, with closer evaluations to actual field assessments. The results highlight the importance of considering the numerical analyzes to the compaction modeling, as well as the spacing application of the heavy compaction in relation to the face. In the analyzes performed, increasing the distance of the heavy compaction relative to the face, there are tension reduction tendencies in the reinforcements, points displacements in which the maximum tensions to the interior of the massif occur, and horizontal deformations reduction of the face. This type of evaluation is shown to be important in the numerical evaluations of GRS walls, mainly in relation to the displacements of the points of maximum traction to the interior, that result in reduction of the lengths of reinforcements in the resistant zone and, consequently, reduction of the safety factor to the pullout.

Submitted by Christianne Fontes de Andrade (cfontes@ct.ufrj.br) on 2020-04-03T01:27:03Z No. of bitstreams: 1 886858.pdf: 4136783 bytes, checksum: a9b2e9dc98d0c2f7e5b695d49b97fcbb (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2020-04-03T01:27:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 886858.pdf: 4136783 bytes, checksum: a9b2e9dc98d0c2f7e5b695d49b97fcbb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-10 O trabalho apresenta a caracterização geotécnica e ambiental de sedimentos superficiais e águas provenientes da lagoa da Tijuca que pertencente ao complexo lagunar de Jacarepaguá /RJ e necessita de dragagem. Neste contexto, produziu-se uma lama de dragagem representativa com teor de sólidos de 10% e efetuou-se o condicionamento com polímero para experimentação laboratorial em 09 mini Sistemas Geotêxteis Fechados. Os processos de enchimento manual e bombeado são discutidos à luz de parâmetros ambientais dos percolados gerados, bem como dos parâmetros ambientais e geotécnicos das tortas retidas. Constatou-se que o sistema geotêxtil fechado apresentou uma eficiência de retenção de sólidos suspensos maior que 98,7%. Os teores dos nutrientes, Fósforo e nitrogênio, presentes no percolado foram reduzidos em 94,1 e 55,1%, respectivamente. Parâmetros como pH, Eh e CEE aumentaram com relação à lama de origem, mas ficaram próximos às características da água da lagoa. Com relação às tortas retidas, observou-se uma resistência ao cisalhamento na ordem de 16,0 kPa após 40 dias, quando o teor de sólidos se encontrava superior a 40%, o que corresponde a uma umidade média de 150%. Correlações com graus aceitáveis de confiabilidade foram obtidas e podem ser utilizadas na concepção de anteprojetos com a tecnologia de sistemas geotêxteis fechados. This study presents a geotechnical and environmental characterization of sediments and waters from the Tijuca lagoon that needs to be dredged and belongs to the Jacarepaguá lagoon complex located in the coastal zone of Rio de Janeiro. Thereafter, a dredging mud with a solids content of 10% was produced and the polymer conditioning was performed for the laboratory experimentation in 09 mini Closed Geotextile Systems. The processes of manual and pumped filling are discussed through environmental and geotechnical parameters of the percolates generated and the sediment cakes retained. It was found that the closed geotextile system has a suspended solids retention efficiency greater than 98.7%. The nutrient, phosphorus and nitrogen, contents of the percolate were reduced by 94.1% and 55.1%, respectively. Parameters such as pH, Eh and CEE increased with respect to the original mud, but are close to the characteristics of the lagoon water. With respect to the sediment cakes retained, a shear strength of 16.0 kPa was observed after 40 days of the last filling cycle, when the solids content was higher than 40%, corresponding to an approximate moisture of 150%. Several correlations with acceptable levels of reliability have been obtained and can be used in the design of preliminary projects with closed geotextile systems technology.

Submitted by Christianne Fontes de Andrade (cfontes@ct.ufrj.br) on 2019-09-25T17:34:34Z No. of bitstreams: 1 882887.pdf: 4214782 bytes, checksum: 3eaa0e4c282b3dbf003a9edd004866a1 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2019-09-25T17:34:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 882887.pdf: 4214782 bytes, checksum: 3eaa0e4c282b3dbf003a9edd004866a1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-06 A execução de um aterro sobre colunas de brita em uma região de solos moles foi a alternativa escolhida para o tratamento do solo mole na região estudada. Com a finalidade de avaliar previamente o comportamento do conjunto aterro-fundação na região da Estação de Tratamento de Esgoto Alcântara (E.T.E), em São Gonçalo – RJ, foi selecionada a região com a maior espessura de solo mole. Esta região foi denominada de Aterro Experimental, o qual é o principal objeto do presente estudo. Esta área experimental foi monitorada desde a execução do aterro compactado com piezômetros e placas de recalque. Apresenta-se a descrição da sequência executiva do aterro e os resultados da investigação geotécnica realizada para o solo da região. Para avaliar os dados obtidos com a instrumentação foram utilizados métodos de análises: métodos analíticos, numéricos e de previsão de desempenho, que são apresentados na forma de sequência de cálculo. São apresentados e discutidos os valores de recalque, fator de melhoramento do solo e tempo de estabilização. Esses valores foram obtidos com os resultados dos métodos de análise e comparados com os resultados de instrumentação obtidos em campo. This work will present the execution of an embankment on stone columns as the alternative chosen for soil ground treatment in a soft soil region. In order to evaluate the behavior of the foundation and the embankment of this region, which is designed to be the Sewage Treatment Plant in São Gonçalo - RJ, a smaller area with the greatest thickness of soft soil was selected. This area was named: test-landfill, which is the main objective of this study. This experimental area was monitored with piezometers and settling plates since the beginning of the execution of the compacted landfill. This thesis presents a description of the execution sequence of this embankment and the results of the geotechnical investigation made for the soil of this region. To evaluate the data obtained from the instrumentation, a series of methods of analysis were used: analytical, numerical and performance prediction methods, which are all presented in a calculation sequence format. This work will present and discuss values obtained for settlement, improvement factor and stabilization time. All of these values were obtained through analytical methods and compared with the results seen in the field from instrumentation.

Submitted by Christianne Fontes de Andrade (cfontes@ct.ufrj.br) on 2019-09-20T14:11:11Z No. of bitstreams: 1 877325.pdf: 5269169 bytes, checksum: eb2a46b82190267db33eb68e5ca49045 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2019-09-20T14:11:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 877325.pdf: 5269169 bytes, checksum: eb2a46b82190267db33eb68e5ca49045 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-04 Analisa-se o comportamento de uma escavação monitorada em solo residual de gnaisse-migmatito com NSPT elevado. Este solo mantém a estrutura reliquiar da rocha de origem, com camadas intercaladas com resistência diversa, sendo uma delas bastante inferior às demais, e inclinação desfavorável à estabilidade da escavação. A contenção da escavação, prevista inicialmente em dois lances de cortinas ancoradas, apresentou inconformidade ao final da execução do primeiro lance. Verificaram-se deformações excessivas que levaram a uma trinca a montante da cortina de 30 m de extensão e 0,23 m de abertura. Um novo projeto considerando a presença das camadas de solo de baixa resistência foi elaborado para o avanço da escavação, utilizando a técnica de solo grampeado. Monitoraram-se movimentações do maciço e as cargas nos grampos e ancoragens em duas seções, que apresentavam diferentes alturas e inclinações das camadas reliquiares. Foram observados movimentos laterais significativos com padrão de deformação distinto dos comumente indicados na literatura. As cargas observadas nos grampos se aproximaram da correspondente à condição ativa, tomada a resistência pós-pico do solo. Devido menor inclinação das camadas, as maiores deformações e tensões se verificaram na seção de menor altura. As camadas reliquiares de solo tiveram importância fundamental no comportamento, que foi fortemente influenciado pela direção e inclinação destas em relação à face. The research analyzed the behavior of a monitored excavation in gnaissemigmatite residual soil with high NSPT. This soil maintains the reliquiae structure of the parent rock, with intercalated layers of diverse resistance and had an unfavorable inclination to the stability of the excavation. The resistance of one layer was considerably inferior to the others. The excavation was initially predicted in two levels of anchored walls, but presented nonconformity at the end of the construction of the first level. Excessive deformations were found leading to a crack parallel in the hilltop of the anchored wall, which measured 30 m of extension and 0.23 m of aperture. Considering the presence of low resistance soil layers, a new project was performed to accomplish the advance of the excavation with soil nailing. Soil mass movements and loads of nails and anchors were monitored in two sections, which had different heights and inclination of the reliquiae layers. Significant lateral movements were observed with different deformation patterns, which are generally not described in the literature. The loads observed in the nails approximated to the corresponding active condition, taking the post-peak resistance of the soil. Due to the smaller inclination of the layers, the greater deformations and tensions were verified in the section of smaller height. The reliquiae soil layers were fundamentally important in the behavior, which was strongly influenced by the direction and inclination of these layers in relation to the face.

CNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico