The Numidian Flysch Formation is a regionally extensive series of deep marine sandstones and mudstones which crop out in Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Sicily, and southern mainland Italy. The formation is dated as Oligocene to mid Miocene and represents an approximately linear series of submarine fans characterised by a quartz rich petrofacies. Their unique regional extent is nearly twice the length of the Angolan margin although issues surrounding provenance and basin context have hampered understanding. The Numidian Flysch Formation was deposited into the Maghrebian Flysch Basin (MFB) which was a foreland basin remnant of the neo-Tethys ocean in the western portion of the present day Mediterranean Basin. The basin was bordered to the north by an active margin which consisted of a southward verging accretionary prism, underlain by European crustal blocks which rode above northwards subducting oceanic crust. To the south, the African margin formed a passive-margin to the basin.The huge amount of geophysical and outcrop data which is becoming increasingly available suggests that submarine slope systems are more complex than previously thought, including topographically complex slopes, a wide variety of density flow types, and flow transformations. This thesis aims to review the sedimentology of the Numidian Flysch Formation in Sicily and Tunisia in light of these developments. Constraining the provenance and basin context of the formation is therefore of paramount importance, and this is also addressed.Commonly used evidence for the provenance of Numidian Flysch sandstones include its quartz rich petrology, an Eburnian and Pan-African age detrital zircon suite, its structural position within the foreland fold and thrust belt, and complex palaeocurrent orientations. when reviewd in their entirety and placed in context of other basin successions, the Numidian Flysch is constrained to a depositional location in the south of the basin, with polycyclic sediment sourced from African basement. The Numidian Flysch Formation is therefore a 'passive margin' sequence as opposed to a flysch sensu stricto. The timing of Numidian Flysch deposition is also coincidental with uplift of the Atlas chain in North Africa, during a period of significantly wetter conditions. A switch from carbonate to clastic deposition results from these conditions, and the Numidian Flysch Formation is considered an offshore extension of this regional sedimentation.Characterisation of outcrops in Sicily and Tunisia shows remarkably similar lithofacies and depositional elements. Sinuous upper slope channel complexes are entrenched within slope deposits to a depth of 100 m and occur within channel systems up to 5.7 km in width. They are filled predominantly with massive ungraded sandstones interpreted to aggrade through quasi-steady turbidity currents, interbedded with normally graded turbidites. Channel elements are subseismic in scale, are nested within complexes and show sinuosity. Coupled with lateral offset stacking, this strongly affects the architecture and facies heterogeneity of channel complexes. When compared to globally reviewed data, the thickness of channel elements as shown through their frequency distribution also suggests a fundamental control upon the degree of slope incision which is as yet unconstrained.In lower slope settings, channel complexes stack aggradationally with a width of over 1000 m. They are also predominantly filled with massive sandstones in fining upwards cycles, and show heterogeneous margins and large scale slumping. In central Sicily, large channel complexes are overlain by a stacked lobe complex, in turn overlain by a channel lobe transition zone. This progression coupled with palaeocurrent variability suggests intraslope deformation strongly impacts transiting flows through changes in flow capacity. Salt tectonics, present in Algeria and Tunisia is a possible forcing mechanism.Taken in context, the sections in Sicily record a proximal to distal palaeogeographic trend which is reconstructed towards the north/northeast once well constrained tectonic rotations are taken into account. Given regional similarities, controls upon slope architecture are interpreted to be similar throughout the basin, and deposits in Sicily therefore provide a good analogue for the remainder of the basin. These results therefore allow for a better constrained fan architecture, along with the allogenic controls upon them. Given the continental extent of this formation, the Numidian Flysch Formation provides a unique opportunity to study controls upon fan architecture once provenance and intraslope topography is factored in.

Sardinia was an island with a history of a malarious environment until eradication efforts were conducted from 1946 to 1950. While historic documents suggest the disease was introduced from North Africa around 500 BC, no study has been conducted to test for the presence of malaria in prehistoric native populations, such as the Nuragic people of the Bronze Age. However, it has been suggested that aspects of the Nuragic culture, for example the stone structures found throughout the island, are adaptations to a malarious environment. The purpose of this dissertation is to test the hypothesis that malaria was present in prehistoric Sardinia. In addition, the value of applying anthropology, pertaining specifically to prehistoric investigations, to understand and combat malaria is supported. To test for the presence of malaria, multiple lines of evidence were used to analyze human skeletal remains from a Middle Bronze Age tomb. Because malaria does not result in a specific pattern of bony responses that can be identified through a gross analysis of the remains, additional lines of evidence were used. These included an osteological analysis for the possible presence of conditions related to malaria (e.g., inherited hemolytic anemias) and the collection of bone samples to test for ancient malaria DNA, Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein II, and the malarial pigment hemozoin. In addition, a review of the literature pertaining to the ecology and history of Sardinia were used with archaeological data to evaluate if it was possible the malaria parasite was affecting humans on the island during prehistory. While it was interpreted that conditions were favorable for malaria to infect individuals during this time, and possible cultural adaptations were noted, no conclusive evidence was found by analyzing skeletal remains. More work is needed to diagnose malaria better in human remains and understand the health of populations in Sardinia during the Bronze Age. Considering the coevolution of malaria parasites, humans, and mosquitoes is a necessary step in developing methods to combat malaria as the parasite and disease vector become more resistant to medicine and insecticides. In particular, applying anthropological methods and theories shows promise for fighting this disease.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / For a long time, fire dynamics has been misunderstood and viewed as either a destructive force or an ecological necessity. The Western Cape Province in South Africa experiences the frequent occurrence of fires, due to the prevailing Mediterranean climatic conditions. This climate is known for its hot and dry summers and its cold and wet winters, which, along with the highly flammable indigenous flora of the Western Cape, provide suitable conditions for the occurrence of fires. However, the local environmental and ecological variables that influence the occurrence of fires and that could assist with fire management practices remain poorly understood. The development of an integrated operational monitoring framework is therefore imperative for detecting and mapping the occurrence of fires in the Western Cape, South Africa.

Ce travail de recherche se proposait d’étudier le XVIIIe siècle dans un petit espace méditerranéen comme les Présides de Toscane, en en faisant le point de départ pour étudier cette mer et ses transformations profondes.La perspective adoptée est celle d’une Méditerranée des petits espaces, c’est à dire d’une Méditerranée dans laquelle les petites entités territoriales comme les Présides sont considérées comme des éléments d’une stratégie complexe, des composantes d’un cadre plus large d’échanges et de connexions.En concernant en détail les Présides, à partir du 1557, ils ne sont à aucun moment une entité indépendante et souveraine. On peut dire, donc, que l’État des Présides n’a jamais eu en réalité les caractéristiques propres d’un État. On peut parler des Présides de Toscane comme d’un espace urbain, réglé par des statuts datant du XIIe siècle et, pour cette raison, semblable aux espaces urbains italiens du Moyen-Âge. Ce territoire se caractérise immédiatement par la dichotomie entre un espace militaire et un espace urbain. La cohabitation entre ces deux réalités séparées n’est pas toujours aisée.L’administration du territoire des Présides de Toscane est confiée à un gouverneur militaire. On constate son ingérence dans la gestion administrative mais aussi dans la justice. Les populations locales sont entièrement cooptées par le système d’assistance fourni par les garnisons. L’économie et les politiques économiques sont conditionnées dans leur presque totalité par des logiques militaires.La structure sociale est héritée de la féodalité médiévale. Les sources archivistiques et les journaux des voyageurs décrivent une économie simple, destinée presque exclusivement à satisfaire les besoins de la population locale.Pendant tout le XVIIIe siècle, les Présides sont l’objet d’un jeu de diplomatie superposé, dans lequel se croisent des canaux formels et informels, dans un entrelacement d’affaires et de relations qui dépasse le cadre de vie paisible d’un petit espace méditerranéen. Plusieurs chancelleries étrangères s’intéressent aux Présides pour des raisons différentes, en trouvant à Naples un interlocuteur toujours intéressé à discuter. Grand-duché de Toscane, République de Gênes, Autriche, Russie, France post révolutionnaire : tous ces États, à un moment donné, discutent avec le secrétariat d’État de Naples du sort des Présides de Toscane.Les Présides soi-dit de terre ferme (Orbetello, Talamone et le Mont Argentario) subissent une lente et inexorable intégration au domaine royal, en se transformant progressivement en une province« normale » : ce processus est achevé avec leur suppression administrative en 1796.Avant ce tournant, toutefois, ce part des Présides devient une possible monnaie d’échange dans les négociations internationales : elle est en effet à plusieurs reprises au cours du XVIIIe siècle un objet de négociations entre Naples et les chancelleries européennes, d’abord avec l’Autriche dans les années1760, ensuite avec la France après la dissolution de la république de Venise. Entre ces deux moments, il y a aussi un improviste intérêt russe, auquel Naples ne paraît opposer aucune résistance.Au cours du XVIIIe siècle les Présides perdent progressivement leurs privilèges et leur statut particulier, faillissent changer domination plusieurs fois, voient l’effondrement de leur système économique, se transforment en un centre de trafics illégaux avec un groupe d’indépendantistes rebelles (les Corses de Pascal Paoli), et subissent le siège des troupes françaises pendant les guerres napoléoniennes.Malgré tous, ils restent un espace que change son importance selon l’observateur, mais qui conserve, indépendamment du cadre (local ou global) une certaine importance. Du local au global et vice-versa, ce petit espace méditerranéen et de frontière continue, pendant tout le XVIIIe siècle à entrer dans les traités internationaux, à être un pion d’échange qui fait encore envie aux grandes et petites puissances. / This research work proposed to study the eighteenth century in a small Mediterranean area like thePresìdi of Tuscany, making it the starting point to study this sea and its profound transformations.The perspective adopted is that of a Mediterranean of small spaces, that is to say of a Mediterranean inwhich the small territorial entities like the Presìdi are considered as elements of a complex strategy,components of a broader framework of exchanges and connections.Regarding in detail the Presìdi, from 1557, they are at no time an independent and sovereign entity. Itcan be said, therefore, that the State of the Presìdi has never in fact had the characteristics proper to aState. The Presìdi of Tuscany can be described as an urban space, governed by statutes dating back tothe 12th century and, for this reason, similar to the Italian urban spaces of the Middle Ages. Thisterritory is immediately characterized by the dichotomy between a military space and an urban space.The cohabitation between these two separate realities is not always easy.The administration of the territory of the Presìdi of Tuscany is entrusted to a military governor. It showsits interference in administrative management but also in justice. The local people are fully co-opted bythe assistance system provided by the garrisons. The economy and economic policies are conditionedalmost entirely by military logics.The social structure is inherited from medieval feudalism. Archival sources and travellers’ journalsdescribe a simple economy, almost exclusively for the needs of the local population.Throughout the eighteenth century, the Presìdi are the object of a game of superimposed diplomacy, inwhich formal and informal channels intersect, in an interweaving of business and relationships thatexceeds the peaceful life of a small Mediterranean space. Several foreign chancelleries are interested inthe Presìdi for different reasons, finding in Naples an interlocutor always interested in discussing. GrandDuchy of Tuscany, Republic of Genoa, Austria, Russia, post-revolutionary France: all these states, at agiven moment, discuss with the Naples State Secretariat the fate of the Presìdi of Tuscany.The so-called land Presìdi (Orbetello, Talamone and Monte Argentario) undergo a slow and inexorableintegration into the royal domain, gradually turning into a «normal» province: this process is completedwith their administrative abolition in 1796. Before this turning point, however, this share of the Presídibecame a possible bargaining chip in international negotiations: it was in fact during the eighteenthcentury a subject of negotiations between Naples and the European chancelleries, first with the Austriain the 1760s, then with France after the dissolution of the Republic of Venice. Between these twomoments, there is also a sudden Russian interest, to which Naples does not seem to oppose anyresistance.During the eighteenth century the Presìdi gradually lose their privileges and their special status, fail tochange domination several times, see the collapse of their economic system, turn into a centre of illegaltrafficking with a group of rebel independents (the Corsicans of Pascal Paoli), and suffered the siege ofFrench troops during the Napoleonic wars.In spite of all, they remain a space that changes its importance according to the observer, but whichpreserves, regardless of the frame (local or global) a certain importance. From the local to the global andvice versa, this small Mediterranean and frontier space continues, throughout the eighteenth century toenter international treaties, to be a pawn of exchange that still envy large and small powers.

To secure the growing energy demand due to the rise in population and technological advancements, countries worldwide are looking for alternatives or complementary generation sources to support the existing grid infrastructure and power generating system. The increase in global temperature and climate change forces each country to switch to clean energy production.  Among the renewable energy sources, the Floating Photovoltaic (FPV) market is flourishing in various countries. It is a good source of power generation avoiding land constraint issues and adding extra benefits like cooling of panels and reducing evaporation and algal bloom problems of water sources where it is installed. In fact, as a part of a complementary generation, the idea of using unused reservoir water surface of reservoir for the deployment of photovoltaic (PV) is a considerable solution for meeting energy demand.  As hydropower and PV are dispatchable and non-dispatchable sources of energy, they can complement each other well. The floating PV and hydropower basics and factors that complement their mutual operation are discussed in this research work with a literature review. Case studies of tropical and mediterranean climatic countries like Myanmar and Albania are analyzed using HOMER Pro. The various challenges associated with this hybrid hydro-floating PV project are evaluated using risk analysis, and the highest risk elements are identified.

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This thesis consists of three manuscripts, which are presented in chapters 2, 3 and 4. The first manuscript (chapter 2) is a protocol for systematic review which outlines the steps used to systematically analyze the literature with regards to the primary objective of reviewing available evidence. The second manuscript (chapter 3) is the presentation of systematic review and meta-analysis in the form of a manuscript to be submitted for peer-review by fall 2020. The third manuscript (chapter 4) summarizes an analysis of CHILD study data that assesses the association of dietary patterns with infant wheeze and asthma through age 3. In chapter 5, the thesis concludes by summarizing study limitations, epidemiological implications, clinical relevance of these findings and future directions. Appendices are also included to highlight research methodology and describe comprehensively all data analyses. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / This paper-based thesis includes my graduate research work to satisfy the requirements for a masters in science (M.Sc.) degree in the Medical Sciences department. The focus of this thesis is to contribute an important study of the role of maternal and infant nutrition in the development of asthma and wheeze in children. My research findings are presented as original manuscripts of a systematic review protocol, systematic review, and a primary analysis of data collected as part of the CHILD longitudinal birth cohort study. At present, the first 2 manuscripts are under review by scientific journals; and the third will be submitted for peer-review in October 2021.

The project examines the construction of state space and the contestation of the EUropean borderscape through the work of non-state actors in the Mediterranean Sea. In response to the precarity of irregularized migrant journeys, there has been a rise in Search and Rescue (SAR) NGOs committed to assisting people on the move through upholding the basic human rights and dignity of migrants. Increasingly, NGOs are criminalized for providing basic necessities like food, water and shelter to migrants passing through the peripheral spaces of the state. Not only does irregular migration through the borderlands of the Global North directly confront state efforts to exclude through violent bordering practices, but NGO acts of solidarity also transform the harsh environment of the sea into contested spaces of political action. The lifesaving actions of NGOs operating in the Mediterranean directly challenge state authority and governance at sea while laying bare the violence inherent in state bordering practices. Conversely, the disruptive politics of these NGOs serve as a form of resistance to these same bordering practices and operate as a means of contesting state exclusion. Situating NGO SAR operations within the wider context of the securitization of borders, the repression and criminalization of solidarity in the Mediterranean highlights state efforts to reassert sovereign authority over the sea. This ongoing research contextualises the spatial politics of the Mediterranean borderscape at the intersections of migration governance and acts of solidarity by European NGOs. The research conducted for my doctoral project was driven by an ethnographic methodology that included six months working with SAR NGOs active in the Central Mediterranean while gathering over 50 interviews with activists working in the region. More directly, this also involved three months living and working alongside the German SAR organization, Sea-Watch, in France and Italy during periods of legal and administrative detention. My work bridges the opportunity to write about these movements and resistance efforts, with direct involvement in these struggles for rights, recognition, and freedom of movement, in solidarity with people on the move. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)