Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T15:37:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PedroZPMRM_DISSERT.pdf: 485516 bytes, checksum: 5e7cc13b6cdb53047d1dea3153509081 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-05-29 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient?fico e Tecnol?gico / Among placental mammals, primates are the only ones to present trichromatic color vision. However, the distribution of trichromacy among primates is not homogeneous: Old World primates shows an uniform trichromacy (with all individuals being trichromats) and New World primates exhibit a color vision polymorphism (with dichromatic males and dichromatic or trichromatic females). Visual ecology studies have investigated which selective pressures may have been responsible for the evolution of trichromacy in primates, diverging from the dichromat standard found in other mammals. Cues associated with foraging and the socio-reproductive status were analyzed, indicating a trichromatic advantage for the rapid detection of visually conspicuous objects against a green background. However, dichromats are characterized by an efficient capture of cryptic and camouflaged stimuli. These advantages regarding phenotype may be responsible for the maintenance of the visual polymorphism in New World primates and for the high incidence of color blindness in humans (standing around 8% in Caucasian men). An important factor that has not yet been experimentally taken into account is the predation risk and its effect on the evolution of trichromacy in primates. To answer this question, we prepared and edited pictures of animals with different coats: oncillas (Leopardus spp.), puma (Puma concolor) and ferret (Galictis cuja). The specimens were taxidermized and the photographs were taken in three different vegetation scenarios (dense forest, cerrado and grassland). The images of the predators were manipulated so that they fit into two categories of stimulus size (small or large). After color calibration and photo editing, these were presented to 40 humans (20 dichromats and 20 trichromats) by a computer program, which presented a set of four photos at a time (one picture containing the taxidermized animal amid the background vegetation and three depicting only the background vegetation) and recorded the response latency and success rate of the subjects. The results show a trichromatic advantage in detecting potential predators. The predator detection was influenced by the background, the predator species, the dimension of the stimulus and the observer s visual phenotype. As humans have a high rate of dyschromatopsias, when compared to wild Catarrhini or human tribal populations, it is possible that the increased rate of dichromats is a result of reduced pressure for rapid predator detection. Since our species came to live in more cohesive groups and resistant to attack by predators, with the advent of agriculture and the formation of villages, it is possible that the lower risk of predation has reduced the selection in favor of trichromats / Dentre os mam?feros placent?rios, os primatas s?o os ?nicos a apresentarem uma vis?o de cores tricromata. Contudo, a distribui??o da tricromacia dentre os primatas n?o ? homog?nea: primatas do Velho Mundo apresentam uma tricromacia uniforme (com todos os indiv?duos sendo tricromatas) e primatas do Novo Mundo apresentam um polimorfismo de vis?o de cores (com machos dicromatas e f?meas dicromatas ou tricromatas). Estudos em ecologia visual t?m investigado que press?es seletivas podem ter sido respons?veis pela evolu??o da tricromacia em primatas, divergindo do padr?o dicromata encontrado nos demais mam?feros. Pistas associadas ao forrageio e ao contexto s?cio-reprodutivo foram analisadas, indicando uma vantagem tricromata na detec??o r?pida de objetos visualmente consp?cuos no ambiente. Entretanto, dicromatas s?o caracterizados pela captura eficiente de est?mulos cr?pticos e camuflados. Estas vantagens relativas aos fen?tipos podem ser respons?veis pela manuten??o do polimorfismo visual em primatas do Novo Mundo e pelo alto ?ndice de daltonismo em humanos (situando-se em torno de 8% em homens caucasianos). Um importante fator que ainda n?o foi levado experimentalmente em conta ? o risco de preda??o e o seu efeito na evolu??o da tricromacia em primatas. Para responder esta pergunta, n?s preparamos e editamos fotografias de animais com pelagens distintas: gatos-do-mato (Leopardus spp.), puma (Puma concolor) e fur?o (Galictis cuja). Os exemplares estavam taxidermizados e as fotografias foram capturadas em tr?s diferentes cen?rios de vegeta??o (mata fechada, cerrado e campo aberto). As imagens dos predadores foram manipuladas para que eles se encaixassem em duas categorias de tamanho de est?mulo (pequenos ou grandes). Ap?s a calibra??o das cores e edi??o das fotos, estas foram apresentadas a 40 humanos (20 dicromatas e 20 tricromatas) por um programa de computador, o qual apresentava um conjunto de quatro fotos por vez (uma foto contendo o animal taxidermizado em meio ? vegeta??o de fundo e outras tr?s contendo apenas a vegeta??o de fundo) e registrava a lat?ncia de resposta e a taxa de acerto dos sujeitos. Os resultados apontam uma vantagem tricromata na detec??o de potenciais predadores. A detec??o dos predadores foi influenciada pelo cen?rio de fundo, pelo tipo de predador, pela sua dimens?o e pelo fen?tipo visual do observador. Como os humanos apresentam uma elevada taxa de discromatopsias, quando comparados com popula??es selvagens de outros Catarrhini ou mesmo popula??es humanas tribais, ? poss?vel que o aumento no ?ndice de dicromatas seja resultado de uma press?o reduzida de detec??o r?pida de predadores. Uma vez que nossa esp?cie passou a viver em grupos mais coesos e resistentes aos ataques de predadores, com o advento da agropecu?ria e a forma??o de vilas, ? poss?vel que o menor risco de preda??o tenha relaxado a sele??o a favor de tricromatas

AFRIKAANS: Die Antieke ruimtevaarder-teorie stel voor dat wesens uit die ruimte die Aarde in die antieke verlede besoek het. Hierdie wesens was betrokke by die vroeë geskiedenis van die planet. Hulle het bewoonbare toestande geskep asook menslike intelligensie deur 'n proses van genetiese ingenieurswese. Hul besoeke is opgeteken en deur mense oorgelewer in godsdienste, mitologieë en antieke legendes. Hul teenwoordigheid is ook nog waarneembaar in antieke fisiese oorblyfsels. Voorstanders van die Ruimtevaarderteorie bied dit aan as 'n wetenskaplike hipotese en as die "mees perfekte algemene noemer van alle tye" wat 'n moderne verklaring vir die oer-godsdiens bied. Afdeling A van die studie bied 'n oorsig oor die teorie en die bewyse wat daarvoor aangebied word. Daar word aangetoon dat, hoewel die meeste van die postulate nie deur die moderne wetenskap as "onsinnig" beskou word nie, dit nie oortuig as 'n werkbare wetenskaplike teorie nie. Omdat daar weinig verskille tussen die basiese onderneming van die wtenskap en die godsdiens bestaan (beide vertrek vanaf onbewysbare aannames om waargenome data te verklaar) word daar vermoed dat die Antieke ruimtevaarder-teorie eerder funksioneer op die vlak van religieusiteit. Hierdie tese word ondersoek in Afdeling B van die studie: Daar word voorgestel dat die Fenomenologiese metode van godsdienswetenskaplike ondersoek, wat poog om 'n fenomeen te verstaan nie soos dit manifesteer nie, maar op die dieper vlak van die funksie en betekenins daarvan, die mees paslike metode vir die ondersoek is. (p> Met gebruikmaking van die insigte van 'n Fenomenologiese benadering, word aangedui dat die Antieke ruimtevaarder-teorie funksioneer as 'n godsdienstige beweging met eienskappe van 'n kulte en 'n nieu-mitologie. Die aanvaarbaarheid van die teorie vir die vele volgelinge daarvan, en die gepaardgaande groei van die bcweging wat dit propageer, word verklaar uit 'n kombinasie van sosiologiese en psigologiese faktore wat aan die werk is in die moderne Westerse beskawing. Vanuit 'n fenomenologiese gesigspunt word gekonkludeer dat die Ruimtevaardcrteorie baie suksesvol op religieuse vlak is. Dit slaag daarin om die Bybel weer "geloofwaardig" te maak en skep weer 'n "kosmiese raamwerk" vir die betekenis van die menslike bestaan. Die teorie kan ook beskou word as 'n prysenswaardige poging tot die sintetisering van godsdiens en die modeme wetenskap vir die aanhangers daarvan, en om die geestelike behoeftes van mense in 'n verwarrende en verwarde wêreld aan te spreek. In 'n slotafdeling word die bevindinge van die studie teologies oorweeg en word die waarde daarvan vir die Chrislelike godsdiens aangetoon. ENGLISH: The Ancient astronaut theory proposes that beings from outer space came to Earth in the distant past. These beings were involved in the early history of the planet: They created habitable conditions and human intelligence by genetic engineering. Their visits were recorded and handed down by humans in their religions, mythologies and ancient legends. Their presence is also visible in ancient physical remains. Proponents present the Astronaut theory as a scientific hypothesis and as "the most perfect common denominator of all time", allowing a modem explanation for old-time religion: Section A of the study provides an overview of the theory and the evidence presented in support of it. It is shown that, although many of the postulates are being accepted by modem science as "not unreasonable", it is not convincing as a workable scientific theory. Since there is little difference between the basic enterprises of science and religion (both departing from unproven suppositions to explain perceived data) it is suspected that the Astronaut theory rather functions on a level of religiosity. This thesis is investigated in Section 8 of the study: It is proposed that the Phenomenological method of studying religion, which attempts to understand a phenomenon not in the way it manifests itself, but on the deeper level of its function and meaning, is the most appropriate for this investigation. Using the insights of a Phenomeno!ogical approach, it is shown that the Ancient astronaut theory functions as a religious movement with attributes of a cult and a new-mythology. The acceptability of the theory for its many followers and the resulting growth of the movement that proposes it, is explained from a combination of social and psychological factors at work in Western society. From a phenomenological point of view it is concluded that the Astronaut theory may be considered very successful on a religious level: It succeeds in making the Bible "respectable" again and it recreates a "cosmic framework" for the meaning of human existence. The theory may also be considered a praiseworthy attempt to synthesise religion and modem science for its supporters and to address the spiritual needs of man in a confusing and confused world. In a final section of the study, the results are being considered theologically and their value. being shown for Christianity. / Thesis (PhD (Science of Religion))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Science of Religion and Missiology / unrestricted

(AJ) The main aim of this diploma thesis is to analyze the learning tasks related to the topic of the origin and development of the human species in textbooks and workbooks for the second grade of primary school. Textbooks and workbooks of biology and history were selected for analysis. The learning tasks were categorized into individual categories of Tollinger taxonomy and Bloom's original taxonomy. The results of this classification were used to compare older and newer editions of selected textbooks and workbooks. I also found out the difficulty of tasks in each publications. This analysis revealed that teaching tasks from lower taxonomic categories (for both taxonomies), which do not high demands of cognitive operations, are more represented. Furthermore, this work deals how extent the topic in individual publications. Further analyzes revealed that teaching tasks of the origin and development of human species are more represented in the textbooks and workbooks of history. The results of this work could help teachers to find way in the offer of available textbooks and workbooks and help select a suitable publication to teach the topic of the origin and development of the human species. Key words: analysis, biology, Bloom's taxonomy, history, human evolution, Tollinger's taxonomy, textbooks, workbook

Cette thèse examine l'évolution du concept d'esprit dans la lignée humaine, en comparaison du développement de ce concept chez l’enfant, afin de déterminer quand les êtres humains auraient commencé à penser aux autres et à eux-mêmes en tant qu’esprit dans un corps. Une revue de la littérature sur le concept au travers l’histoire a permis de le définir comme un outil cognitif désignant les agents intentionnels ayant une influence sur la matière. Compte tenu de cette définition, le concept d'esprit est donc un précurseur du sens de l’agentivité et de la faculté cognitive permettant d'attribuer l'esprit à autrui, également appelée Théorie de l'Esprit (TdE). Il est suggéré que l’agentivité et la TdE se développent en trois stades dans la lignée, de la même manière qu’on l’observe chez l’enfant : 1) la conscience de soi et des autres, 2) l’attention conjointe et 3) la présence d'émotions sociales complexes telles que la compassion. Une revue systématique a ensuite été réalisée dans le but de sélectionner, sans biais, des données archéologiques infirmant ou confirmant cette hypothèse. La revue est basée sur l’impact annuel moyen des textes (nombre de citations) et utilise des combinaisons de mots-clés en lien avec les manifestations probable du concept de l’esprit, de l’agentivité et de la TdE durant la préhistoire. Les résultats de l'analyse portent à croire que : 1) l’agentivité et la TdE1 (conscience de soi et des autres) existeraient au moins depuis Homo habilis, mais probablement depuis l’ancêtre commun à Pan et Homo; 2) la TdE2 (attention conjointe) serait présente au moins depuis Homo erectus/ergaster, mais probablement depuis l’ancêtre commun à Pan et Homo si nous supposons que les trois stades ont évolué de manière consécutive tel qu’observé chez l’enfant; et 3) la TdE3 serait présente au moins depuis Homo erectus/ergaster mais probablement depuis l’ancêtre commun de Pan et Homo. Finalement, on peut aussi conclure que : 4) le volume du néocortex semble avoir augmenté en parallèle à la maîtrise et au développement de l’agentivité et de la TdE, et ce depuis au moins le début de la lignée Homo. Le rôle de l’esprit dans la complexité sociale et les raisons de son émergence sont explorés en détails dans la conclusion. / This thesis examines the evolution of the concept of mind in the human lineage, in comparison with the development of this concept in children, to determine when humans would have started to think of others and of themselves as a spirit in a body. A review of the literature on the concept throughout history has made it possible to define it as a cognitive tool enabling intentional agents to have an influence on matter. Given this definition, the concept of mind is therefore a precursor to the sense of agency and the cognitive ability to attribute mind to others, also known as Theory of Mind (ToM). It is proposed that agency and ToM evolve in three stages along the Homo line, like what is seen in children: 1) awareness of self and others, 2) joint attention, and 3) the presence of complex social emotions such as compassion. A systematic review was then carried out with the aim of selecting, without bias, archaeological data invalidating or confirming this hypothesis. The review was based on the average annual impact of the articles (number of citations) and used combinations of keywords related to the likely manifestations of the concept of mind, agency, and ToM during prehistory. The results of the analysis suggest that: 1) Agency and ToM1 (awareness of self and others) existed at least since Homo habilis, but probably since the common ancestor to Pan and Homo; 2) ToM2 (joint attention) was present at least in Homo erectus/ergaster, but probably since the common ancestor between Pan and Homo, if we assume that the three stages evolved consecutively as observed in children; and 3) the ToM3 (compex social emotions) was present at least since Homo erectus/ergaster but probably already in the common ancestor of Pan and Homo. Finally, we can also suggest that: 4) the volume of the neocortex seems to have increased in parallel with the mastery and development of agency and ToE, and this being the case since at least the beginning of the Homo lineage. The role of the mind in social complexity and the reasons for its evolution are explored further in the conclusion.

Erythrocytes infected by mature forms of the Plasmodium falciparum parasite adhere to other components of the vascular space, a behavior considered critical to the pathogenesis of severe malaria. Adhesion is mediated by the P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1), a highly variant antigen expressed by the parasite and subject to switching during the course of an infection. The host ligands of PfEMP1 include CD36, ICAM-1 and the ABO antigens. By employing a series of population- and family-based association studies from multiple African populations, we examined whether variation in the genes underlying these molecules affects susceptibility to severe malaria. Our results suggest that a common frameshift mutation in the ABO glycosyltransferase, responsible for blood group O, is associated with protection from severe malarial phenotypes (P=2x10⁻⁷), particularly severe malarial anaemia. However, we found no significant disease associations with variation in either the ICAM1 or CD36 genes. We focused on two particular functional polymorphisms, the missense ICAM-1Kilifi and the CD36 nonsense mutation T1264G. We genotyped both markers in around 10,000 individuals, but neither demonstrated an association with severe malarial phenotypes. Malaria has been a profound selection pressure shaping human genetic diversity. The last decade has seen the development of several haplotype-based methods to detect signatures of recent positive evolutionary selection. These techniques are potentially invaluable tools in our hunt for genetic variants that protect from life threatening malaria. We used simulations and empirical data from the International HapMap Project to demonstrate the validity of searching for long regions of haplotype homozygosity, as an approach to finding alleles undergoing selective sweeps. We analysed genetic data from a range of populations, particularly those utilized by HapMap, to investigate whether our candidate genes were associated with signals of recent positive selection. We characterized the distribution of a selection event associated with the CD36 1264G allele, focused in Central-West Africa, and demonstrated a novel signal of low population differentiation at the ABO gene, suggestive of longstanding balancing selection. Our work confirms that variation in the host ligands of PfEMP1 modulates severe malaria susceptibility, and highlights the value of using signals of selection, along with functional experiments and genetic association studies, to dissect the biology of severe malaria.

xvii, 149 p. : ill. (some col.), maps / The ranging behavior of an animal can reveal much about the social and ecological conditions it faces. Food availability, feeding competition, population pressures, metabolic requirements and human influences can all influence the ranging behavior of individuals. For modern humans, the manner in which we move about our world is limited only by access to technology and other cultural factors. Of course, it has not always been that way. Based on recent fossil discoveries, our earliest bipedal ancestors more closely resembled the living great apes in morphology. Consequently, studies of great ape behavior have been used to reconstruct scenarios of early hominin behavior. And while much has been written about chimpanzee ( Pan troglodytes ) ranging in this regard, less is known about bonobos (Pan paniscus ). Along with chimpanzees, bonobos are our closest phylogenetic relative, existing today as a descendant of a common ancestor the Homo and Pan genera shared sometime around six million years ago. Despite their close taxonomic relationship, however, there are a variety of behavioral differences between bonobos and chimpanzees. The aim of this dissertation is to better understand these differences within the context of ranging and social behavior and apply the results to models of early hominin behavior. More specifically, I used a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) approach to examine general bonobo ranging data, the differences in ranging behavior between males and females, and the manner in which neighboring groups interact. Compared with chimpanzees, bonobos at Lomako range over a much smaller total area, are not territorial, and differ in the composition of social parties. In general, female bonobos are more gregarious and cohesive, moving in semi-stable groups I call "cliques", while males are less aggressive and more likely to move independently. These results likely reflect the high levels of food availability for bonobos at Lomako, reducing the level of feeding competition, and emphasizing social and mating strategies in group formation. Consequently, the spectrum of potential early hominin ranging behavior must be expanded from the current chimp-centric perspective. / Committee in charge: Frances White, Chairperson; Stephen Frost, Member; Larry Sugiyama, Member; James Schombert, Outside Member

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Seven human alcohol dehydrogenase genes (which encode the primary enzymes involved in alcohol metabolism) are grouped into classes based on function and sequence identity. While the Class I ADH isoenzymes contribute significantly to ethanol metabolism in the liver, Class IV ADH isoenzymes are involved in the first-pass metabolism of ethanol. It has been suggested that the ability to efficiently oxidize ethanol occurred late in primate evolution. Kinetic data obtained from the Class I ADH isoenzymes of marmoset and brown lemur, in addition to data from resurrected ancestral human Class IV ADH isoenzymes, supports this proposal--suggesting that two major events which occurred during primate evolution resulted in major adaptations toward ethanol metabolism. First, while human Class IV ADH first appeared 520 million years ago, a major adaptation to ethanol occurred very recently (approximately 15 million years ago); which was caused by a single amino acid change (A294V). This change increases the catalytic efficiency of the human Class IV enzymes toward ethanol by over 79-fold. Secondly, the Class I ADH form developed 80 million years ago--when angiosperms first began to produce fleshy fruits whose sugars are fermented to ethanol by yeasts. This was followed by the duplication and divergence of distinct Class I ADH isoforms--which occurred during mammalian radiation. This duplication event was followed by a second duplication/divergence event which occurred around or just before the emergence of prosimians (some 40 million years ago). We examined the multiple Class I isoforms from species with distinct dietary preferences (lemur and marmoset) in an effort to correlate diets rich in fermentable fruits with increased catalytic capacity toward ethanol oxidation. Our kinetic data support this hypothesis in that the species with a high content of fermentable fruit in its diet possess greater catalytic capacity toward ethanol.

[IT] Negli ultimi 200.000 anni, la specie umana si è diffusa in tutta la Terra, adattando la sua morfologia e fisiologia a un'ampia gamma di habitat. Lo scheletro umano ha quindi registrato i principali effetti ambientali e di conseguenza i reperti scheletrici assumono grande importanza nell'indagine dei processi evolutivi. Oggi le moderne tecniche di indagini quantitative delle principali caratteristiche morfologiche consentono di metterle in relazione con la variabilità genetica. La posizione geografica della Sicilia, l'isolamento e la sua lunga e dinamica storia di colonizzazione (diversi e numerosi contributi culturali e biologici) hanno creato un contesto peculiare che consente uno studio antropologico unico, utile per sottrarre informazioni importanti sul “Flusso Migratorio” e il conseguente "Influenza delle Popolazioni" sui resti scheletrici umani. Questo progetto si basa sull'analisi antropologica delle ossa umane provenienti da diverse popolazioni (indigene e colonizzatori) distribuite dal Paleolitico all'Età Contemporanea. Le più moderne tecniche di Analisi Geometria Morfometrica (ricostruzione 3D) e di Analisi Statistica Multivariata sono state applicate su tre diversi caratteri scheletrici (Denti, Crani e Statura). L'obiettivo del progetto è quello di eseguire un'ampia analisi della Biodiversità Umana Siciliana al fine di: - Analizzare i dati odontometrici 2D con tecniche multivariate per esplorare le relazioni tra i popoli nel corso dei secoli. - Usare modelli 3D e la morfometria cranio-facciale per studiare la complesso variabilità morfologica relativa alle influenze dei flussi migratori. - Valutare il Secular Trend della Statura. - Usare questi tre caratteri per fornire una panoramica generale della Biodiversità Umana in Sicilia. Il nostro lavoro denota l'affidabilità dei metodi impiegati e come in uno studio sulla biodiversità diversi caratteri sono indispensabili per comprendere il processo evolutivo. I dati forniti dimostrano anche la correlazione tra i caratteri morfologici XI e l'influenza esercitata (non solo dai fattori ambientali) dal flusso umano sul fenotipo. I risultati mostrano chiaramente come tutti i caratteri valutati siano coinvolti allo stesso tempo nello stesso processo di diversificazione. Le variazioni morfologiche mostrano una generale diminuzione del prognatismo mascellare e una leggera mesocefalizzazione con il cranio che diventa più stretto e leggermente e meno allungato e il viso che diventa più largo e più corto. Considerando sempre l’influenza del rapporto dimensione/composizione sia l'analisi statistica canonica che quella multivariata, supportano la teoria che i coloni del Paleolitico superiore di San Teodoro potrebbero ragionevolmente essere la prima prova di colonizzazione umana in Sicilia (questa teoria è anche supportata dai campioni Mesolitici che clusterizzano separati dai primi). Significativi sono i periodi del Bronzo della transizione Bronzo/Ferro nei quali assistiamo ad importanti cambiamenti morfologici (Denti, Crani e Stature) dovuti a “Flussi Migratori” costanti e numericamente significativi. Questa variazione coincide esattamente con i primi “Afflussi di Popolazione” stabili conseguenti alle migrazioni umane dal continente. Tuttavia i campioni preistorici di alcune popolazioni, conservano alcuni caratteri arcaici anche dopo l'Età del Ferro (Era Storica) mentre la "Continuità di Popolazione" (conseguente alla convivenza e agli alternamenti delle diverse colonizzazioni) dall'Antichità al Medioevo ha prodotto un progressivo aumento della variabilità senza grandi variazione tra Eignevalue e Componenti Principali. L'assenza di relazione interna causata dall'intricato periodo di colonizzazione è invece presente sul campione preistorico sul quale si riscontra una netta variazione tra i PC. Le correlazioni tra "Afflusso di popolazione" e Variabilità sono osservabili anche nell'influenza dei coloni islamici sugli indigeni durante il Medioevo. Tuttavia, l'ampia variabilità e il morfospazio omogeneo mostrano che dopo questi gruppi (fino ai Contemporanei) sono riconoscibili popolazioniben definite. / [ES] Durante los últimos 200.000 años, la especie humana se ha extendido por toda la Tierra, adaptando su morfología y fisiología a una amplia variedad de hábitats. Por tanto, el esqueleto humano ha registrado los principales efectos ambientales. Hoy las modernas técnicas de investigaciones cuantitativas de las principales características morfológicas nos permiten relacionarlas con la variabilidad genética. La posición geográfica de la Sicilia, su aislamiento y su larga y dinámica historia de colonización han creado un contexto peculiar que permite un estudio antropológico único, útil para extraer información importante sobre el "Flujo Migratorio" y "Influencia Población". Este proyecto se basa en la análisis antropológica de huesos humanos de diferentes poblaciones (indígenas y colonizadoras). Las técnicas de Análisis de Geometría Morfométrica y Análisis Estadístico Multivariante se han aplicado en tres caracteres esqueléticos diferentes (Dientes, Cráneos y Estatura). El objetivo del proyecto es realizar un análisis amplia de la Biodiversidad Humana Siciliana con el fin de: - Analizar datos odontométricos 2D con técnicas multivariadas para explorar las relaciones entre pueblos entre los siglos. - Utilizar modelos 3D y la morfometría craneofacial para estudiar la compleja variabilidad morfológica relacionada con los flujos migratorios. - Evaluar la tendencia secular de la estatura. - Utilizar estos tres caracteres para proporcionar una descripción general de la Biodiversidad Humana en Sicilia. Esto trabajo denota la confiabilidad de los métodos utilizados y, como en un estudio de la biodiversidad, varios caracteres son indispensables para comprender el proceso evolutivo. Los datos también demuestran la correlación entre los caracteres morfológicos y la influencia (no solo por factores ambientales) de los flujos humanos sobre el fenotipo. Los resultados muestran claramente que todos los caracteres evaluados están involucrados al mismo tiempo en el mismo proceso de diversificación. Las variaciones morfológicas muestran una disminución general del prognatismo maxilar y una ligera mesocefalilización con el cráneo que se convierte en más estrecho y ligeramente y menos alargado y la cara más ancha y corta. Siempre considerando la influencia de la relación tamaño/composición, de la muestra, tanto el análisis estadístico canónico como multivariado apoyan la teoría que la población del Paleolítico Superior de San Teodoro podría ser razonablemente la primera evidencia de colonización humana en Sicilia (esta teoría también es apoyada de la muestra Mesolítica que se agrupa separada). Son significativos los periodos de el Bronce y de la transición Bronce/Hierro en los que asistimos a importantes cambios morfológicos (Dientes, Cráneos y Estatura) debido a los constantes y numéricamente significativos "Flujos Migratorios". Esta variación coincide exactamente con los primeros "Flujos de Población" estables como consecuencia de las migraciones humanas desde el continente. Sin embargo, las muestras Prehistóricas de algunas poblaciones conservan algunas características arcaicas incluso después de la Edad del Hierro (Era Histórica) mientras la "Continuidad de la Población" (resultante de la coexistencia y alternancia de la colonización) desde la Antigüedad hasta la Edad Media produjo una mayor progresiva variabilidad sin pero mayor variación entre Eignevalue y Componentes Principales. La ausencia de relación interna causada por el intrincado período de colonización está presente en la muestra prehistórica en la que hay una clara variación entre las Componentes Principales. Las correlaciones entre la "Afluencia de Población" y la Variabilidad también se pueden observar en la influencia de los colonos Islámicos sobre los indígenas durante la Edad Media. Sin embargo, la amplia variabilidad y el morfoespacio homogéneo muestran que poblaciones bien definidas no son reconocibles después de estos grupos (hasta los contemporáneos). / [EN] During the last 200,000 years, human species has spread throughout Earth, adapting their morphology and physiology to a wide range of habitats. The human skeleton has therefore, recorded the main environmental effects. Nowadays modern quantitative investigations of the main morphological features permit us to relate them with the genetic variability. The Sicilian geographic position, isolation and its long and dynamic history of colonization) made a peculiar context that allows a unique anthropological study, useful to sign-out important information about the "Migratory Flow" and the consequent "Populations Influx". This project is based on the Anthropological Analysis of the human bones coming from different populations distributed from Paleolithic to the Contemporary Age. The techniques of Morphometric Geometric analysis and Multivariate Statistic Analysis were applied over three different catchers (Teeth, Skulls and Stature). The project aim is to perform a wide analysis of the Sicilian Human Biodiversity in order to: - Analyze 2D odontometrics data with multivariate techniques to explore the relationships between the peoples over the centuries. - Use 3D models and skull-facial morphometry to study the complex morphological variability concerning the "Populations". - Evaluate the "Stature's Secular Trend". - Use these three characters to provide a general overview of the human biodiversity in Sicily. Our work denotes the reliable of the methods employed underlying as in a study of biodiversity several characters are indispensable to understand the evolutionary process. Data also provided to demonstrate the correlation between the morphological characters and the influence carried (not only by the environmental factors) by the human flow on the phenotype. Results clearly shows as all the characters evaluated are at the same time involved in the same process of diversification. Morphological variations show a general decrease of Maxilla Prognathism and a soft Mesocephalization with the skull that becomes tighter and slightly and less elongated and the face that become wider and shorter. Always considering simple size/composition both Canonical and Multivariate Statistics Analysis display, as the Upper-Paleolithic Würm-Settlers of San Teodoro could reasonably be the first evidence of human colonization in Sicily (this theory is supported by the Mesoltitch Hunter-Gatherers specimens clustered separated from the first one). Meaningful is the periods of Bronze/Iron transition in we assist to the prime plainness of morphological changes (teeth, skulls and statures) due to the constant and numerically significative "Migratory Flows". This variation exactly coincides with the first "Population Influx" consequent of the human migrations from the continent. Instead, Prehistorical samples of some populations, keep some archaic characters after Iron Age (Historical Era) the "Population Continuity" (consequent of the cohabitation and alternations of the several Mediterranean populations) from Antiquity to Middle Ages produced a progressive increase of variability without big variation among Eigenvalue and Principal Component. The absence of internal relationship caused by the intricate colonization period is on the contrary present on Prehistorichal sample on which we can find a clear variation between the PC. Correlations between "Population Influx" and Variability are also observable on the influence of Islamic settlers on the Indigenous during the Middle Ages. However, the wide variability and the homogenous morphospace showed by these groups and the Contemporary resulted in no well-defined populations. / [CA] Durant els últims 200.000 anys, l'espècie humana s'ha estés per tota la Terra, adaptant la seua morfologia i fisiologia a una àmplia varietat d'hàbitats. Per tant, l'esquelet humà ha registrat els principals efectes ambientals. Hui les modernes tècniques d'investigacions quantitatives de les principals característiques morfològiques ens permeten relacionar-les amb la variabilitat genètica. La posició geogràfica de la Sicília, el seu aïllament i la seua llarga i dinàmica història de colonització han creat un context peculiar que permet un estudi antropològic únic, útil per a extraure informació important sobre el "Flux Migratori" i "Influència Població". Aquest projecte es basa en l'anàlisi antropològica d'ossos humans de diferents poblacions des del Paleolític fins a l'Edat Contemporània. Les tècniques d'Anàlisis de Geometria Morfomètrica (reconstrucció 3D) i Anàlisi Estadística Multivariante s'han aplicat en tres caràcters esquelètics diferents (Dents, Cranis i Alçada). L'objectiu del projecte és realitzar una anàlisi àmplia de la Biodiversitat Humana Siciliana amb la finalitat de: - Analitzar dades odontométricos 2D amb tècniques multivariades per a explorar les relacions entre pobles entre els segles. - Utilitzar models 3D i la morfometria craniofacial per a estudiar la complexa variabilitat morfològica relacionada amb els fluxos migratoris. - Avaluar la tendència secular de l'alçada. - Utilitzar aquests tres caràcters per a proporcionar una descripció general de la Biodiversitat Humana a Sicília. Això treball denota la confiabilitat dels mètodes utilitzats i, com en un estudi de la biodiversitat, diversos caràcters són indispensables per a comprendre el procés evolutiu. Les dades també demostren la correlació entre els caràcters morfològics i la influència (no sols per factors ambientals) dels fluxos humans sobre el fenotip. Els resultats mostren clarament que tots els caràcters avaluats estan involucrats al mateix temps en el mateix procés de diversificació. Les variacions morfològiques mostren una disminució general del prognatisme maxil·lar i una lleugera mesocefalilización amb el crani que es converteix en més estret i lleugerament i menys allargat i la cara més ampla i tala. Sempre considerant la influència de la relació grandària/composició, de la mostra, tant l'anàlisi estadística canònica com multivariat donen suport a la teoria que la poblacion del Paleolític Superior de Sant Teodoro podria ser raonablement la primera evidència de colonització humana a Sicília (aquesta teoria també és secundada de la mostra Mesolítica que s'agrupa separada). Són significatius els períodes del Bronze i de la transició Bronze/Ferro en els quals assistim a importants canvis morfològics (Dents, Cranis i Alçada) a causa dels constants i numèricament significatius "Fluxos Migratoris". Aquesta variació coincideix exactament amb els primers "Fluxos de Població" estables com a conseqüència de les migracions humanes des del continent. No obstant això, les mostres Prehistòriques d'algunes poblacions conserven algunes característiques arcaiques fins i tot després de l'Edat del Ferro (Era Històrica) mentre la "Continuïtat de la Població" (resultant de la coexistència i alternança de la colonizacion) des de l'Antiguitat fins a l'Edat mitjana va produir una major progressiva variabilitat sense però major variació entre Eignevalue i Components Principals. L'absència de relació interna causada per l'intricat període de colonització està present, en contrero, en la mostra prehistòrica en la qual hi ha una clara variació entre les Components Principals. Les correlacions entre l' "Afluència de Població" i la Variabilitat també es poden observar en la influència dels colons Islàmics sobre els indígenos durant l'Edat mitjana. No obstant això, l'àmplia variabilitat i el morfoespacio homogeni mostren que poblacions ben definides no són recognoscibles després d'aquests grups (fins als contemporanis). / Thanks to: Dr. Francesa Spatafora (Archaeological Museum “A. Salinas”, Palermo, Sicily, Italy), Dr. Maria Grazia Griffo (Archaeological Museum “Baglio Anselmi”. Marsala, Sicily, Italy) , Dr. Maria Amalia Mastelloni (Archaeological Museum “Bernabò-Brea", Aeolian Island, Sicily, Italy) and Dr. Carolina Di Patti (Geological University Museum of Palermo “Gemmellaro”, Sicily, Italy) for the authorization to study the materials. Thanks to Prof. Armando González Martín, Prof. Oscar Cambra-Moo Laboratorio de Poblaciones del Pasado (LAPP), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain) for the invaluable help. Thanks to the Laboratorio de Ecología Evolutiva Humana (LEEH) - Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNCPBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina), to all the laboratoy directors to provide the modern specimens of reference sample. Thanks to the Mayor Mr. Domenico Giannopolo, the council member of cultural heritage Mrs. Nieta Gennuso and Dr. Filippo Ianni (Municipality of Caltavuturo, Sicily, Italy) for the excavation seasons and the authorization to study the materials. To the Museum of Mozia. (Sicily, Italy), The Whitaker foundation and Dr. Pamela Toti for the authorization to study the materials. To the Soprintendenza BB.CC.AA. di Palermo. (Sicily, Italy) Dr. Stefano Vassallo and Dr. Maria Grazia Cucco for the opportunity of the excavations in Caltavuturo and authorization to study the materials. Thanks to the Soprintendenza BB.CC.AA. di Trapani. (Sicily, Italy), Soprintendente and Dr. Rossella Giglio, Township Museum of Mussomeli. (Sicily, Italy), and Prof. Erich Kistler and Dr. Nicole Mölk (University of Innsbruck, Austria, Innsbruck) for the authorization to study the materials. / Lauria, G. (2020). The Human Biodiversity in the Middle of the Mediterranean. Study of native and settlers populations on the Sicilian context [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/159789

Vom Standpunkt des Physikers aus gesehen, ist die Erde ein dynamisches System von großer Komplexität. Funktionale Netzwerke werden aus Beobachtungs-, und Modelldaten abgeleitet oder aufgrund theoretischer Überlegungen konstruiert. Indem sie statistische Zusammenhänge oder kausale Wirkbeziehungen zwischen der Dynamik gewisser Objekte, z.B. verschiedenen Sphären des Erdsystems, Prozessen oder lokalen Feldvariablen darstellen, bieten funktionale Netzwerke einen natürlichen Ansatz zur Bearbeitung fundamentaler Probleme der Erdsystemanalyse. Dazu gehören Fragen nach dominanten, dynamischen Mustern, Telekonnektionen und Rückkopplungsschleifen in der planetaren Maschinerie, sowie nach kritischen Elementen wie Schwellwerten, sogn. Flaschenhälsen und Schaltern im Erdsystem. Der erste Teil dieser Dissertation behandelt die Theorie komplexer Netzwerke und die netzwerkbasierte Zeitreihenanalyse. Die Beiträge zur Theorie komplexer Netzwerke beinhalten Maße und Modelle zur Analyse der Topologie (i) von Netzwerken wechselwirkender Netzwerke und (ii) Netzwerken mit ungleichen Knotengewichten, sowie (iii) eine analytische Theorie zur Beschreibung von räumlichen Netzwerken. Zur Zeitreihenanalyse werden (i) Rekurrenznetzwerke als eine theoretisch gut begründete, nichtlineare Methode zum Studium multivariater Zeitreihen vorgestellt. (ii) Gekoppelte Klimanetzwerke werden als ein exploratives Werkzeug der Datenanalyse zur quantitativen Charakterisierung der komplexen statistischen Interdependenzstruktur innerhalb und zwischen distinkten Feldern von Zeitreihen eingeführt. Im zweiten Teil der Arbeit werden Anwendungen zur Detektion von dynamischen Übergängen (Kipppunkten) in Zeitreihen, sowie zum Studium von Flaschenhälsen in der atmosphärischen Zirkulationsstruktur vorgestellt. Die Analyse von Paläoklimadaten deutet auf mögliche Zusammenhänge zwischen großskaligen Veränderungen der afrikanischen Klimadynamik während des Plio-Pleistozäns und Ereignissen in der Menschheitsevolution hin. / The Earth, as viewed from a physicist''s perspective, is a dynamical system of great complexity. Functional complex networks are inferred from observational data and model runs or constructed on the basis of theoretical considerations. Representing statistical interdependencies or causal interactions between objects (e.g., Earth system subdomains, processes, or local field variables), functional complex networks are conceptually well-suited for naturally addressing some of the fundamental questions of Earth system analysis concerning, among others, major dynamical patterns, teleconnections, and feedback loops in the planetary machinery, as well as critical elements such as thresholds, bottlenecks, and switches. The first part of this thesis concerns complex network theory and network-based time series analysis. Regarding complex network theory, the novel contributions include consistent frameworks for analyzing the topology of (i) general networks of interacting networks and (ii) networks with vertices of heterogeneously distributed weights, as well as (iii) an analytical theory for describing spatial networks. In the realm of time series analysis, (i) recurrence network analysis is put forward as a theoretically founded, nonlinear technique for the study of single, but possibly multivariate time series. (ii) Coupled climate networks are introduced as an exploratory tool of data analysis for quantitatively characterizing the intricate statistical interdependency structure within and between several fields of time series. The second part presents applications for detecting dynamical transitions (tipping points) in time series and studying bottlenecks in the atmosphere''s general circulation structure. The analysis of paleoclimate data reveals a possible influence of large-scale shifts in Plio-Pleistocene African climate variability on events in human evolution.

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