Il presente lavoro si pone l'obiettivo di fornire una rilettura filologica delle fonti numismatiche sui membri femminili della domus imperiale romana da Livia a Matidia Maggiore, supportata da una schedatura informatizzata del documento monetale. La compilazione è stata condotta tramite lo spoglio dei repertori di maggiore consultazione (RIC, BMCRE, BNCMER, HCC) e ha posto l'attenzione sia sugli elementi iconografici che su quelli epigrafici che vanno a comporre l'aspetto estrinseco della moneta. La scelta di tali elementi nelle emissioni imperiali è l'espressione di un vero e proprio linguaggio dotato di una logica comunicativa ben precisa e finalizzata a garantire la comprensibilità del messaggio. La sua decodifica consente di individuare possibili linee di definizione del ruolo pubblico e politico delle Auguste nel quadro dell'ideologia imperiale. A veicolare questo significato contribuiscono ugualmente gli elementi iconografici, con valore connotativo rispetto al soggetto raffigurato, e quelli epigrafici, con valore esplicativo ai fini della comprensione del dato visivo. La moneta rappresenta dunque un documento complesso, che necessita di una specifica metodologia di indagine volta a interpretarne tutti gli elementi. / This work aims to give a comprehensive survey of numismatic sources on Roman Imperial Women from Livia to Matidia the Elder, supported by a computerized census of the numismatic evidence.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2002. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.

Although the Global Position System (GPS) can help to navigate around the world, it cannot provide useful information in an indoor environment. I developed an indoor localization system using wireless sensor networks (WSNs). This system has two goals: (1) to make a system that runs for long duration without changing or charging batteries, and (2) to obtain more accurate position estimates of the target nodes using received signal strength indicator (RSSI) values than other localization systems using different localization algorithms. I chose ANT radio due to its lower power consumption. I applied a fingerprinting-based algorithm and used the parameters of the closest point to the estimated target node to calculate the final position of a target node. A local weighted k-Nearest Neighbour algorithm was proposed to estimate the position of a mobile node. I compared my system to other indoor localization systems to assess its performance. / February 2016

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-05-04Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:35:53Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 mendes_td_me_rcla.pdf: 1260898 bytes, checksum: d8e4401b270896087dab92f3d4269253 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / As formigas da tribo Attini apresentam como hábito comum o cultivo de fungos Basidiomicetos, com os quais mantêm uma associação simbiótica permanente e obrigatória. Para proteger o ninho da infecção pelo parasita Escovopsis spp. as formigas adotaram diversos mecanismos, entre eles a associação com a actinobactéria simbionte, Pseudonocardia spp. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana de actinobactérias isoladas da cutícula de formigas Attini. Na primeira parte do trabalho foi avaliada a atividade antagonista de actinobactérias isoladas de Trachymyrmex spp. sobre o parasita Escovopsis sp. e outros microfungos isolados de jardim de fungo. Admite-se que a bactéria simbionte pertença ao gênero Pseudonocardia, porém, mostramos neste trabalho que outras actinobactérias não-Pseudonocardia também estão presentes na cutícula destas formigas. Foram isoladas 38 estirpes de actinobactérias e todos apresentaram atividade inibitória sobre pelo menos uma das estirpes de Escovopsis sp. Os resultados mostraram ainda que actinobactérias não-Pseudonocardia apresentaram maior nível de inibição sobre o parasita. Contrariando a hipótese de que Pseudonocardia spp. produzem antifúngicos que atuam especificamente sobre Escovopsis spp., duas estirpes identificadas como do gênero Pseudonocardia, também apresentaram atividade sobre os microfungos. Num segundo momento, extratos das actinobactérias foram avaliados quanto à atividade antibacteriana e anti-Candida. Dentre os que apresentaram melhores resultados, o extrato do cultivo da estirpe ARTD080903-03A foi selecionado para estudos de isolamento e identificação do composto ativo. Esta estirpe foi identificada, por seqüenciamento da região 16S do rDNA, como uma possível nova espécie do gênero Streptomyces. Do extrato do meio de cultivo desta estirpe, foi isolada a antimicina rara Urauchimicina... / Attini ants have a common habit of cultivating Basidiomycetes, with which they maintain a permanent and obligatory symbiotic association. To prevent nest infection by the parasite Escovopsis spp. ants have adopted several mechanisms, including the association with the symbiont actinobacteria Pseudonocardia spp. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of actinobacteria isolated from the cuticle of attini ants. Firstly, to evaluate the antagonistic activity of actinobacteria isolated from Trachymyrmex spp. on the parasite Escovopsis sp. and other microfungi isolated from fungus garden. It is assumed that the actinobacteria symbiont belongs to the genus Pseudonocardia, however, the results showed that a range of non-Pseudonocardia actinobacteria are also associated with the cuticle of these ants. All isolates showed inhibitory activity on at least one of the strains of Escovopsis sp. The results also revealed that non-Pseudonocardia had a higher level of inhibition on the parasite. Two strains of the genus Pseudonocardia, showed activity against the microfungi, contrary to the hypothesis that Pseudonocardia spp. produce antifungal metabolites that act specifically on Escovopsis sp. Secondly, extracts of the actinobacteria were screened for antibacterial and anti-Candida properties. Among those showing the best results ARTD080903-03A strain was selected for isolation and identification of active compound. This strain was identified by sequencing of 16S rDNA, as possible new specie from genus Streptomyces. From the extract of the culture medium of this strain a rare antimycin Urauchimycin A was isolated. The extract also has several compounds... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Resumo: As formigas da tribo Attini apresentam como hábito comum o cultivo de fungos Basidiomicetos, com os quais mantêm uma associação simbiótica permanente e obrigatória. Para proteger o ninho da infecção pelo parasita Escovopsis spp. as formigas adotaram diversos mecanismos, entre eles a associação com a actinobactéria simbionte, Pseudonocardia spp. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana de actinobactérias isoladas da cutícula de formigas Attini. Na primeira parte do trabalho foi avaliada a atividade antagonista de actinobactérias isoladas de Trachymyrmex spp. sobre o parasita Escovopsis sp. e outros microfungos isolados de jardim de fungo. Admite-se que a bactéria simbionte pertença ao gênero Pseudonocardia, porém, mostramos neste trabalho que outras actinobactérias não-Pseudonocardia também estão presentes na cutícula destas formigas. Foram isoladas 38 estirpes de actinobactérias e todos apresentaram atividade inibitória sobre pelo menos uma das estirpes de Escovopsis sp. Os resultados mostraram ainda que actinobactérias não-Pseudonocardia apresentaram maior nível de inibição sobre o parasita. Contrariando a hipótese de que Pseudonocardia spp. produzem antifúngicos que atuam especificamente sobre Escovopsis spp., duas estirpes identificadas como do gênero Pseudonocardia, também apresentaram atividade sobre os microfungos. Num segundo momento, extratos das actinobactérias foram avaliados quanto à atividade antibacteriana e anti-Candida. Dentre os que apresentaram melhores resultados, o extrato do cultivo da estirpe ARTD080903-03A foi selecionado para estudos de isolamento e identificação do composto ativo. Esta estirpe foi identificada, por seqüenciamento da região 16S do rDNA, como uma possível nova espécie do gênero Streptomyces. Do extrato do meio de cultivo desta estirpe, foi isolada a antimicina rara Urauchimicina... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Attini ants have a common habit of cultivating Basidiomycetes, with which they maintain a permanent and obligatory symbiotic association. To prevent nest infection by the parasite Escovopsis spp. ants have adopted several mechanisms, including the association with the symbiont actinobacteria Pseudonocardia spp. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of actinobacteria isolated from the cuticle of attini ants. Firstly, to evaluate the antagonistic activity of actinobacteria isolated from Trachymyrmex spp. on the parasite Escovopsis sp. and other microfungi isolated from fungus garden. It is assumed that the actinobacteria symbiont belongs to the genus Pseudonocardia, however, the results showed that a range of non-Pseudonocardia actinobacteria are also associated with the cuticle of these ants. All isolates showed inhibitory activity on at least one of the strains of Escovopsis sp. The results also revealed that non-Pseudonocardia had a higher level of inhibition on the parasite. Two strains of the genus Pseudonocardia, showed activity against the microfungi, contrary to the hypothesis that Pseudonocardia spp. produce antifungal metabolites that act specifically on Escovopsis sp. Secondly, extracts of the actinobacteria were screened for antibacterial and anti-Candida properties. Among those showing the best results ARTD080903-03A strain was selected for isolation and identification of active compound. This strain was identified by sequencing of 16S rDNA, as possible new specie from genus Streptomyces. From the extract of the culture medium of this strain a rare antimycin Urauchimycin A was isolated. The extract also has several compounds... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Orientador: Fernando Carlos Pagnocca / Coorientador: Marta Cristina Teixeira Duarte / Banca: Lara Durães Sette / Banca: Hércules Menezes / Mestre

1) An investigation was undertaken into the various activity rhythms found in the larvae of Myrmeleon obscurus (Neuroptera, Myrmeleontidae). Pit construction was used as the criterion of activity. 2) The capacity sensitive electronic circuit used to monitor the daily pit building activity is described. 3) Various factors affecting the size of the pits constructed by ant-lion larvae were investigated. Pit size was found to be correlated with the size of the larvae, larger larvae constructing bigger pits. Population size was also shown to have an effect, since the more crowded the animals were the smaller and closer together their pits became. The death rate due to competition between the larvae also increased as the ant-lions became more crowded. 4) Feeding frequency also affected pit size. Ant-lions which were starved constructed very small pits. 5) Pit size was affected by the texture of the sand, maximal pit size being attained in sand with a grain size of between 353 μ and 211 μ. This was shown to be the most abundant grain size in sand from the natural habitat. In sand coarser or finer than this, pit size was reduced. 6) Generally smaller pits were constructed at lower temperatures, but this response depended largely on the lunar cycle. The upper and lower critical limits for pit construction were found to be 11° C and 42° C. Below and above these temperatures no pits were constructed, although the ant-lions remained alive. 7) Daily destruction of the pits decreased the pit size. 8) The existence of the daily pit building activity rhythm, which occurs at dusk, was demonstrated in individuals and in populations of ant-lion larvae. This rhythm was studied using the capacity sensitive circuit, and also by direct observation of groups of animals over a 24 hour period. 9) The daily activity rhythm appeared to be endogenous, since it continued for at least a month both in constant light and in constant dark. The rhythm was altered by reversals in the daily light-dark cycle, and it was concluded that light was the main phase setting factor. 10) An attempt was made to determine the location of the "clock" or "clocks" controlling the daily activity rhythm. This was investigated by chilling the heads of individual ant-lions with a fine copper wire, and also by chilling large groups of animals in the refrigerator. From these experiments no definite conclusions could be drawn about the location of the "clock". 11) The existence of a lunar pit building cycle was demonstrated in both field and laboratory populations of ant-lions. Maximal pit size was attained at full moon. Very low temperatures were found to suppress these lunar peaks. 12) The lunar pit building rhythm was shown to be endogenous, since it continued for at least two months in constant dark and one month in constant light. 13) The lunar pit building rhythm of very young larvae was investigated, and it was shown that while larvae which hatched in the field appeared to possess a lunar rhythm, larvae which were hatched in the laboratory did not have a rhythm. It was therefore concluded that the light of the moon was necessary to establish the lunar rhythm. 14) Some possible explanations for the lunar cycle were investigated experimentally. It was concluded that the lunar rhythm was not related to the number of prey present at various times of the lunar cycle or to the spacing of the animals in their habitat. The lunar rhythm was shown to be due to the combination of a lunar day activity rhythm and a solar day activity rhythm. 15) Some aspects of the daily rhythm are discussed, and this rhythm is compared with those found in other insects. Probable functional reasons for the rhythm are presented. Summary, p. 133-136.

The biology of southern African Myrmeleontidae and Nemopteridae (Neuroptera, Myrmeleontoidea) was studied with special emphasis on the nemopterid subfamily Crocinae. The superfamily Myrmeleontoidea is considered to be a monophyletic group derived from ancestors similar to the family Nymphidae. The Myrmeleontidae and Nemopteridae are the most highly evolved families, and the Nemopteridae have a sistergroup relationship with the other four myrmeleontoid families. Within the Nemopteridae, the Crocinae are considered more advanced than the subfamily Nemopterinae. An account of previous work on the two families is presented: literature relating to the Myrmeleontidae is catalogued in appendix 2 and publications dealing with the Nemopteridae are surveyed in the text . Biological and morphological information derived from the immature stages as well as the adults was used in the systematic study of the two families. The geographical distribution and phylogeny of the Myrmeleontoidea is discussed with particular reference to the Myrmeleontidae and Nemopteridae. The Myrmeleontidae have a world wide distribution whilst the Nemopteridae are more restricted, being limited to the arid and semi-arid regions of the world. It is concluded that the two families originated on Gondwanaland, and their present distribution is explained on the basis of evidence provided by plate tectonics. In southern Africa, the Myrmeleontidae show two distributional trends: there is a distinct western fauna including many endemics and an eastern fauna which comprises taxa with a wide distribution in central and east Africa, extending their ranges into the eastern parts of the subregion. The Nemopteridae occur predominantly on the western side of the subcontinent and over 90% of the species are endemic to southern Africa. A systematic revision of the southern African Crocinae is presented and summarized in a set of illustrated keys to the adults and larvae. There are now ten known crocin species in four genera from the subregion, four species being described for the first time in this thesis. The larvae of all ten species and the eggs of seven, have been correlated with the adults and are described. Two crocin genera, Concroce and Thysanocroce, have larvae with short prothoraxes, whilst those in Laurhervasia and Tjederia are elongated. Larvae of the first two genera live in plant detritus under rocks and in crevices whereas larvae of the latter two genera inhabit small dusty caves. These findings on the Myrmeleontidae and Nemopteridae are discussed in the context of general systematic theory, phylogeny and zoogeography.

From Introduction: Larvae of the families Myrmeleontidae, Neuroptera, (ant-lions) and Rhagionidae, Diptera, (worm-lions) all live in hot dry sand. Many of the ant-lion larvae and all the worm-lion larvae, construct small conical pits in the sand which are used for the capture of prey (Haub, 1942; Youthed and Horan, 1969a). Those ant-lion larvae which do not construct pits lie in wait for their prey just below the surface of the sand.

This diploma thesis deals with ant colony optimization for shortest path problems. In the theoretical part it describes Ant Colony Optimization. In the practical part ant colony optimization algorithms are selected for the design and implementation of shortest path problems in the Java.

An algorithm is presented that is capable of producing Pareto-optimal solutions for multi-objective infrastructure routing problems: the Multi-Objective Ant Colony Optimization (MOACO). This algorithm offers a constructive search technique to develop solutions to different types of infrastructure routing problems on an open grid framework. The algorithm proposes unique functions such as graph pruning and path straightening to enhance both speed and performance. It also possesses features to solve issues unique to infrastructure routing not found in existing MOACO algorithms, such as problems with multiple end points or multiple possible start points. A literature review covering existing MOACO algorithms and the Ant Colony algorithms they are derived from is presented. Two case studies are developed to demonstrate the performance of the algorithm under different infrastructure routing scenarios. In the first case study the algorithm is implemented into the Ice Road Planning module within the North Slope Decision Support System (NSDSS). Using this ice road planning module a case study is developed of the White Hills Ice road to test the performance of the algorithm versus an as-built road. In the second case study, the algorithm is applied to a raw water transmission routing problem in the Region C planning zone of Texas. For both case studies the algorithm produces a set of results which are similar to the preliminary designs. By successfully applying the algorithm to two separate case studies the suitability of the algorithm to different types of infrastructure routing problems is demonstrated.