Isabel Loupa Ramos

Coupling GIS with Hydrologic and Hydraulic Flood Modelling

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have been recognised as a powerful means to integrate and analyse data from various sources in the context of comprehensive floodplain management. As part of this comprehensive approach to floodplain management, it is very important to be able to predict the consequences of different scenarios in terms of flooded areas and associated risk. Hydrologic and hydraulic modelling plays a crucial role and there is much to gain in incorporating these modelling capabilities in GIS. This is still a rather complex task and research is being done on the full integration of these models. Interfacing between these models and GIS may be a very efficient way of overcoming the difficulties and getting very good results in terms of engineering practice. This paper presents results based on the use of Intergraph GIS coupled with Idrisi GIS. Using these two systems substantially increased the flexibility of using GIS as a tool for flood studies. A lumped (XSRAIN) and a distributed (OMEGA) hydrologic models were used to simulate flood hydrographs. The well known HEC-2 Hydraulic model was used to compute flooded areas. These models were applied in the Livramento catchment with very good results. The computation of flooded areas for different flood scenarios, and its representation in GIS, can be used in the assessment of affected property and associated damages. This is a very useful GIS-based approach to floodplain management.

Does umbilical vein catheterization to exchange transfusion lead to portal vein thrombosis

Abstract The aetiopathology of extrahepatic portal vein obstruction is unknown. In retrospective studies, umbilical vein cannulation and sepsis have been alleged to cause portal thrombosis. This prospective study was undertaken to detect whether thrombosis and consequent obstruction of the splenoportal venous system develops after umbilical vein catheterization for exchange transfusion in newborns using Doppler ultrasound. Forty children (M = 24; F = 16) who had undergone exchange transfusion for hyperbilirubinaemia were studied at school age. Maximal duration of the venous umbilical cannulation was 120 min and sepsis did not occur. Clinical, biological and sonographic examinations were normal, except in 3 children. In 2 the left branch of portal vein could not be identified (normal variant). Conclusion Our results show that, in these children, umbilical vein catheterization did not lead to development of portal vein thrombosis. However, when other risk factors such as umbilical infection, traumatic catheterization are associated, children should be screened for obstruction of the portal vein.

Floodplain Management in Urban Developing Areas. Part II. GIS-Based Flood Analysis and Urban Growth Modelling

In Part I of this article the very dynamic nature of floodplain management was discussed and the need for modelling the urban growth processes and formulating scenarios of urban development was emphasised. In this second part, the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for addressing those problems is presented. GIS have been recognised as a powerful means to integrate and analyse data from various sources in the context of comprehensive floodplain management. Adequate information and prediction capability is vital to evaluate alternative scenarios for flood mitigation policies and to improve decision making processes associated with flood management. A framework for the comprehensive evaluation of flood hazard management policies is also addressed in this article. This comprehensive approach to flood problems is more than an attitude or a philosophical starting point. It makes use of specific technological tools conceived to be used by different actors, some of them being nonexperts in flood analysis. These tools, based on GIS, are very appropriate for a participatory approach to flood policy formulation and floodplain management because they help communicating with the public in a scientifically correct and yet rather simple manner.

Floodplain Management in Urban Developing Areas. Part I. Urban Growth Scenarios and Land-Use Controls

Some of the most critical flood problems occur in urban areas where values at risk are higher and damages tend to be heavier. Fast urban developing regions raise very specific problems because of the unsteady situation of these regions in terms of catchment land-use and urban encroachment. A realistic approach to flood management in these situations requires the consideration of urban growth scenarios and the simulation of the corresponding flood conditions. Coastal towns are frequently located in floodplains and are subject to flood hazard. This is the case for many coastal areas in Southern Europe that are still developing fast due to migration of the population to these areas. In such cases, flood management cannot be dissociated from land-use management, and non-structural measures for flood control can play a crucial role. It is important to make an ex-post evaluation of these types of measures in areas where they have been adopted. These issues are addressed in two Portuguese catchments, representative of urban growth and related to flood problems in Portugal and other Southern European regions. The Laje catchment is used for the ex-post evaluation of nonstructural measures, and the Livramento catchment is used for the modelling of urban growth scenarios. Quantitative results and policy recommendations are presented based on these two case-studies. Floodplain management is better done with GIS, especially if it is linked to hydrologic and hydraulic modelling capabilities. The use of GIS for conducting these studies is presented in Part II of this article.

Improving Visual Attractiveness to Enhance City–River Integration—A Methodological Approach for Ongoing Evaluation

Abstract The relationship between rivers and cities has evolved from a natural coexistence and interdependence to a progressive relationship of segregation and disintegration. This article uses a planning experiment to explore and discuss some concerns about visual attractiveness of city–river landscapes in promoting spatial integration of cities and rivers. It presents a methodological approach integrating expert opinions and public perception questionnaires. This is a contribution to making operational an ongoing aesthetic assessment of different dimensions and viewpoints at the city scale. This approach is illustrated with a case-study in the Lisbon metropolitan area and its main assessment results are integrated in a city–river profile that can be useful in ongoing evaluation processes of river landscapes and urban planning practice.

‘Landscape Quality Objectives’ for Remote Rural Landscapes in Portugal: Addressing Experts’ and Stakeholders’ Perspectives on Future Developments

The European Landscape Convention calls for the definition of ‘Landscape Quality Objectives’ (LQOs) as ‘the formulation by the competent public authorities of the aspirations of the public with regard to the landscape features of their surroundings’. The Convention itself does not propose any specific approach to identify and integrate the aspirations of the public in the formulation of LQOs. There is thus a need to develop and test specifically adapted methodological approaches. As the identification of aspirations cannot be dissociated from an Open image in new window informed discussion about a desired future, it does not seem a straightforward task in remote rural landscapes that are being abandoned by people and consequently by their activities. This chapter aims at presenting the perspectives of stakeholders and experts towards the future of the landscape of Mertola (southeast Portugal) as it surfaced through the use of ‘exploratory landscape scenarios’ in the context of the methodological approach developed to address the formulation of LQOs.

Neonatal cerebral Doppler: arterial and venous flow velocity measurements using color and pulsed Doppler system.

Abstract Objective: To contribute to the establishment of reference values of blood flow velocity assessed by cerebral Doppler in healthy infants related to gestational age and birth weight during the first week of life. Methods: Five arteries and three veins were evaluated respectively in 120 (74 premature) newborns and in 100 70 preterm) infants. In a quarter of the latter three recordings at 5-minute intervals were made to assess reproducibility. The relation between flow measurements and gestational age was assessed by linear regression, means by analysis of variance (or Kruskall-Wallis test) and paired samples by Students t test. Results: There was a significant increase of arterial velocities with increasing gestational age and birth weight, but not for venous velocities. Significant higher values were found in the internal carotid artery followed by the medium cerebral artery. The venous velocities were highly reproducible and the main patterns observed were bandlike and sinusoid type. Conclusion: The knowledge of normal cerebrovascular physiology is essential to understand the pathogenesis of neonatal brain damage and can help pediatricians in an accurate interpretation of the flow profile in neurological pathology.

Public Perception of Flood Risk and Flood Defence Policies

Social and psychological dimensions associated with flood hazards are becoming increasingly recognised as important aspects of flood risk management. To understand how people evaluate and respond to natural hazards, such as floods, is relevant for the adoption of adequate and viable solutions, both in structural and non-structural terms. For this reason, engineering approaches and solutions must be associated and complemented with tools provided by the cognitive sciences, namely psychology and sociology.