My project takes place in Athens, address Lagoumitzi 15. The plan is to undertake and give life to the huge skeleton-like unfinished structure there. I transform the "skeleton" to a center for urban art, street art. My ambition is for the buidling to become the epicentre for street art in Athens. Since I am designing the building for a non-conformist group of people, graffiti artists, I choose to approach the project by trying to mimic the parasitic art form that is graffiti, in architecture. I wanted the building to radiate the same energy as the artform it is devoted to, and its intended users. The method I am working with is a parasitic method originally by Andrew Benjamin.

Five chapters of this dissertation concentrate on the characterization and cancellation of high frequency parasitic parameters in EMI filters. One chapter addresses the interaction between the power interconnects and the parasitic parameters in EMI filters. The last chapter addresses the characterization, evaluation and design of noise separators. Both theoretical and experimental analyses are applied to each topic. This dissertation tries to explore several important issues related to EMI filters and noise separators. The author wishes to find some helpful approaches to benefit the understanding and design of EMI filters. The contributions of the dissertation can be summarized below: 1) Identification of mutual couplings and their effects on EMI filter performance 2) Extraction of mutual couplings using scattering parameters 3) Cancellation of mutual couplings to improve EMI filter performance 4) Cancellation of equivalent series inductance to improve capacitor performance 5) Analysis of mode transformations due to the imperfectly balanced parameters in EMI filters 6) Analysis of interaction between power interconnects and EMI filters on filter high-frequency performance 7) Modeling and design of high-performance noise separator for EMI diagnosis 8) Identification of the effects of parasitics in boost PFC inductor on DM noise Although all topics are supported by both theory and experiments, there may still be some mistakes in the dissertation. The author welcomes any advice and comments. Please send them via email to shuowang@ieee.org. Thanks / Ph. D.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Plant-parasitic nematodes, consisting of a wide range of species, can cause severe economic losses in most agricultural food crops. Meloidogyne spp. (root-knot nematodes), Criconemoides xenoplax (ring nematode), Xiphinema index (dagger nematode) and Pratylenchus spp. (lesion nematodes) are some of the economically important plant-parasitic nematodes that pose a threat to viticulture and other perennial crops in South Africa. Worldwide there is ever-increasing pressure on pre-plant synthetic soil fumigants and post-plant nematicides. For sustainable nematode management, it is important to have a holistic approach; taking into consideration cultural, biological and chemical options as part of an integrated management approach. Biofumigation has the potential to fit into such an integrated management system and previous research indicates the positive response on soil-borne diseases, nematodes and weeds. Biofumigation occurs where certain plant species, containing glucosinolates (GSL) in the vacuole of the plant cells, come into contact (after cell maceration), with the enzyme myrosinase (MYR) situated in the cytoplasm of the cell, to form active compounds such as isothiocyanate (ITC). When this green manure is applied to infested soil, the ITC has the potential to have a direct suppressive effect on the soil-borne pathogens and there is also an indirect effect that can be expected after green manure soil amendment, because microbial activity is enhanced in the soil. Brassicas are known to possess GSL and MYR in their cells and thus have the potential to be utilized as biofumigation crops. There are, however, differences in the potential within the Brassicaceae family, based on different types and concentrations of GSL present in the different species. To ensure effective biofumigation it is important to use the correct brassica species and have a good understanding of the factors that have a positive impact on the biofumigation action. Laboratory bioassays were done to determine the potential of different cover crops to suppress Meloidogyne javanica and C. xenoplax, when applied as a green manure. The cover crops used for the bioassays included Oats (Avena sativa cv. Pallinup), White mustard (Sinapis alba cv. Braco), Canola (Brassica napus cv. AV Jade), Caliente 199 (Brassica juncea cv. Caliente 199) and Nemat (Eruca sativa cv. Nemat). The plant material was cut into small pieces and mixed with sterilised soil inoculated with either M. javanica or C. xenoplax. Results from the bioassays showed a significant suppression of M. javanica by the three biofumigation species: White mustard, Caliente 199 and Nemat. These results supported previous research, indicating the nematode suppressing effect due to the biofumigation action of certain brassica crops. Canola did not have the same suppressing impact on the M. javanica and gave comparable results to the control, indicating that Canola is not a good biofumigation crop for M. javanica suppression. In terms of biofumigation effect oats did not differ significantly from the control or the three brassicas: White mustard, Caliente 199 and Nemat. In the bioassays done for C. xenoplax no significant differences were found between the green manure treatments and the control. These results indicate that the different crops tested, including the three well known biofumigation crops, did not suppress the C. xenoplax at the applied biomass concentrations used in the bioassay. Crops can also be classified according to their host status for certain plant parasitic nematodes. Crop host trials were conducted to determine the crop host status of the five different cover crops, to M. javanica and C. xenoplax. The crops were planted in sterilised soil, inoculated with the latter plant-parasitic nematodes and left for 60 days, after which, a root gall index analysis was done for M. javanica and for 85 or 92 days after which C. xenoplax was extracted from the soil. All the crops evaluated had a significantly lower root gall index for M. javanica than the control. Nemat and Oats was classified as poor hosts for M. javanica. A visual inspection of the root systems of all the crops was performed to determine whether M. javanica managed to complete its lifecycle in the different root systems. On all root systems, M. javanica managed to form root galls and produce egg masses, from which (J2) juveniles emerged. This indicates that M. javanica did complete its lifecycle in the different root systems of the crops evaluated and that all the cover crops acted as hosts. The expression of the gall symptoms were, however, less severe on Nemat and Oats, compared to the others. In the C. xenoplax crop host trials, all except the Nemat treatment showed a significant difference, compared to the Tomato treatment, with lower C. xenoplax numbers being present in the other crops. The nematode numbers in the different crops, compared well with the control (only inoculated soil), indicating that the crops did not stimulate the reproduction of C. xenoplax. Canola had the lowest numbers of C. xenoplax present after the growing cycle and Caliente 199 also showed a declining trend. In South Africa, the use of annual cover crops in vineyards is an established soil cultivation practice. In a field study, Oats, White mustard, Canola, Caliente 199 and Nemat were established in a vineyard as cover crops for three growing seasons (2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12), and evaluated for their biofumigation impact, as well as their host impact on the suppression of certain economically important plant-parasitic nematodes. Two cover crop management practices, namely mechanical incorporation (MC) into the top soil and chemical removal of the cover crop (CC) were applied to the different cover crops. Nematode samples were taken in the work row and in the vine row at different times to determine the nematode status. These periods were April/May, before planting the cover crops, as well as 0, 15, 30 and 60 days after the management practices were performed. The crop biomass, measured as dry matter production (DMP) in tons/ha, differed significantly between the different crops, but also showed substantial increases during the three cover crop growing seasons for most crops. During the three consecutive seasons, Canola (CC) and Caliente 199 (CC) showed a constant reduction in the C. xenoplax population in the vine row based on the 60 day analysis. This trend was also observed for the total plant-parasitic nematode population in the vine row for the three seasons, based on 60 day analysis. The same trend took place during the three-year trial period for all the different sampling periods (0, 15, 30 and 60 days). The results can be attributed to the host status of these crops and not primarily because of the biofumigation effect. Both the Canola (CC) and the Caliente (CC) had a substantial increase in DMP during the three growing seasons that might have played a role in this trend. White mustard (CC and MC) showed a significant increase in the C. xenoplax population in the vine row, over the three year period, based on the 60 day analysis. The same trend was found Nemat (CC) and weeds and nematicide (CC) measured at the same period. A positive result from the Meloidogyne sp. analysis was that there was no significant increase in the Meloidogyne sp. in the vine row during the three growing seasons based on the 60 day analysis. This trend was seen in all the different treatments. The results from this study opens the possibility to apply these cover crops as part of a crop rotation programme without expecting an increase in the Meloidogyne sp. population to occur in the vine row through time. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Plantparasitiese nematodes, wat bestaan uit 'n wye verskeidenheid van spesies, kan lei tot ernstige ekonomiese verliese in die meeste landbou gewasse. Meloidogyne spp. (knopwortel nematode), Criconemoides xenoplax (ring nematode), Xiphinema index (dolk nematode) en Pratylenchus spp. (letsel nematode) is van dié belangrikste plantparasitiese nematodes wat 'n bedreiging inhou vir wingerd en ander meerjarige gewasse in Suid-Afrika. Wêreldwyd is daar tans toenemende druk op die uitfasering van voor-plant chemiese grondberoking middels en so ook op nauitplant nematisiede. Vir volhoubare nematode bestuur, is dit belangrik om 'n holistiese benadering te volg, in ag genome kulturele, biologiese en chemiese maatreëls as deel van 'n geïntegreerde benadering. Bioberoking het die potensiaal om deel uit te maak van so 'n geïntegreerde benadering en baie vorige navorsing bevestig hierdie positiewe reaksie, in terme van onderdrukking, wat bioberoking op grond-gedraagde siektes, nematodes en onkruid kan hê. Bioberoking kan beskryf word as die reaksie, wat plaasvind wanneer glukosinolaat (GSL), wat teenwoordig is in die vakuool van die plantselle, in kontak kom met die ensiem mirosinase (MYR), nadat selbreking plaasgevind het en die aktiewe verbinding isothiosianaat (ITC) en ander sekondêre metaboliete gevorm word. Wanneer hierdie groen plantmateriaal in die grond ingewerk word, kan ʼn direkte onderdrukkings effek, as gevolg van die ITC, asook ʼn indirekte onderdrukkings effek as gevolg van die stimulasie van mikrobe aktiwiteit, verwag word. Brassica gewasse is bekend daarvoor dat daar GSL en MYR in die plantselle teenwoordig is en hulle besit dus die potensiaal om ITC te vorm. Daar is egter verskille in hierdie potensiaal binne die Brassicaceae familie, wat gebaseer is op verskillende tipes en konsentrasies GSL. Die keuse van ʼn brassica spesie is dus belangrik, tesame met ʼn verskeidenheid van ander faktore, om optimale bioberoking te verseker. Laboratorium biotoetse is gedoen om die bioberokings effek van verskillende dekgewasse op Meloidogyne javanica en C. xenoplax, wanneer dit aangewend word as groenbemesting, te bevestig. Die dekgewasse wat gebruik is sluit in: Hawer (Avena sativa cv. Pallinup), Wit mosterd (Sinapis alba cv. Braco), Canola (Brassica napus cv. AV Jade), Caliente 199 (Brassica juncea cv. Caliente 199) en Nemat (Eruca sativa cv. Nemat). Die plantmateriaal is fyn opgesny en ingewerk in gesteriliseerde grond wat met onderskeidelik M. javanica en C. xenoplax geïnokuleer is. Resultate van die biotoetse vir M. javanica toon dat die drie gewasse; Wit mosterd, Caliente 199 en Nemat, wat alombekend is vir hul bioberoking potensiaal, ʼn betekenisvolle onderdrukkings op M. javanica tot gevolg gehad het. Hierdie biotoetse ondersteun vorige navorsing, waar effektiewe onderdrukking van sekere Meloidogyne spesies as gevolg van bioberoking verkry is. Die resultate dui ook aan dat Canola nie ʼn goeie opsie is vir effektiewe bioberoking om M. javanica onderdrukking te verkry nie. Die Hawer behandeling het nie betekenisvol van die kontrole of van die ander bioberokings gewasse verskil nie. Daar is geen betekenisvolle verskille verkry tussen die kontrole en die ander gewasse tydens die C. xenoplax biotoetse nie. Die resultate dui aan dat die dekgewasse, insluitende die drie bekende bioberokings gewasse, nie C. xenoplax onderdruk teen die toegediende biomassa konsentrasies nie. Gewasse kan ook geklassifiseer word op grond van hul gasheer status vir sekere nematode. Gasheer toetse is gedoen om die gasheer status van die verskillende dekgewasse vir M. javanica en C. xenoplax te bepaal. Dieselfde vyf verskillende dekgewasse is geplant in grond, wat vooraf onderskeidelik met M. javanica en C. xenoplax geïnokuleer is. Plante is gelos om vir `n spesifieke periode te groei waarna ʼn galindeks evaluasie is gedoen om die gasheer status vir M. javanica te bepaal en ʼn nematode ontleding gedoen is om die gasheer status vir C. xenoplax te bepaal. In die M. javanica gasheer toetse was die galindeks van al die gewasse betekenisvol laer as die kontrole. Nemat kan geklassifiseer word as ʼn swak gasheer vir M. javanica en het betekenisvol minder galle as al die ander gewasse, behalwe die Hawer, waarvan dit nie betekenisvol verskil het nie. Nemat pas dus goed in ʼn dekgewas program waar die doel is om die M. javanica populasie te onderdruk tydens die groei van die gewas. ʼn Visuele inspeksie van die wortelstelsels is ook gedoen ten einde te bepaal of die lewensiklus van M. javanica voltooi is. Wortelgalle en eiersakkies was teenwoordig in die wortels van al die verskillende gewasse en larwes het uit die eiers uitgebroei. Dit dui aan dat M. javanica daarin geslaag het om sy lewenssiklus op al die dekgewasse suksesvol te voltooi. Daar was aansienlik minder eiersakke by Nemat en Hawer; wat hul swak gasheer status bevestig. In die biotoetse vir die gasheerstatus van C. xenoplax het al die gewasse, behalwe Nemat, betekenisvol laer C. xenoplax getalle, in vergelyking met die Tamatie behandeling, tot gevolg gehad. Die nematode getalle was soortgelyk aan die kontrole (slegs geïnokuleerde grond), waar geen gewas in medium geplant is nie, en dui dus aan dat die getalle op die verskillende gewasse nie vermeerder het nie. Die Canola behandeling het die laagste C. xenoplax getalle gehad, gevolg deur Caliente 199. Hierdie gewasse toon dus die meeste potensiaal om aangewend te word in 'n rotasie stelsel of dekgewas program, waar die doel is om die C. xenoplax populasie te onderdruk. In Suid-Afrika is die aanwending van spesifieke eenjarige gewasse, as dekgewasse in wingerde, reeds ʼn standaard praktyk met verskeie voordele. In veldproewe oor ʼn tydperk van drie jaar (2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12) is Hawer, Wit mosterd, Canola, Caliente 199 en Nemat aangeplant as dekgewasse in ʼn wingerd proefperseel. Die doel van die veldproewe was om die effek van dekgewasse op die plantparasitiese nematodes, wanneer dit aangewend word as bioberokings gewasse, te bepaal. Die gasheer status van die gewasse is ook ondersoek om te bepaal wat die effek sal wees op die nematode getalle. Twee dekgewas bestuurspraktyke is toegepas; meganiese inwerk van die dekgewasse in die bogrond (MC) en chemiese beheer van die dekgewasse (CC) en nematode monsters is op verskillende tye in die werksry en in die wingerdry geneem. Hierdie periodes sluit in April/Mei, voor die vestiging van die dekgewasse en 0, 15, 30 en 60 dae nadat die bestuurspraktyk toegepas is. Die dekgewas se biomassa produksie is, op grond van die droë massa produksie (DMP), in ton/ha gemeet, wat betekenisvol verskil het vir die verskillende dekgewas. Daar het ook `n duidelike toename in DMP plaasgevind oor die drie seisoene vir meeste gewasse. Gedurende die drie jaar periode het die Canola (CC) en Caliente 199 behandelings, gemeet 60 dae na die bestuurspraktyk, ʼn konstante afname getoon in die C. xenoplax in die wingerd ry. Dieselfde tendens het ook voorgekom gedurende hierdie periode in die totale plantparasitiese nematodes teenwoordig in die wingerd ry. Daar is ook ʼn geleidelike afnemende tendens in die C. xenoplax in die wingerd ry, oor die verskillende periodes 0, 15, 30 en 60 dae vir die drie opeenvolgende seisoene, waargeneem. Hierdie resultate kan primêr toegeskryf word aan die gasheer status van die dekgewasse, wat in die gasheer proewe as swak gashere vir C. xenoplax aangetoon is. Nog ʼn faktor wat hier ʼn rol speel is die feit dat beide die Canola (CC) en die Caliente 199 (CC) ʼn toename in DMP van meer as 2 ton, gedurende die drie jaar periode, gehad het; wat op sigself ook ʼn bydraende rol kon speel. Wit mosterd (CC en MC) het oor die drie seisoene ʼn betekenisvolle verhoging in die C. xenoplax populasie tot gevolg gehad, gebaseer op die 60 dae ontleding. Dieselfde tendens is ook opgemerk vir die ander behandelings, onder andere Nemat (CC) en die onkruid en aalwurmdoder (CC) behandeling. ʼn Baie positiewe resultaat na afloop van die drie seisoene is die feit dat daar nie ʼn betekenisvolle verhoging in die Meloidogyne sp. populasie in die wingerdry, op grond van die 60 dae onledings, plaasgevind het nie. Dit was ook die geval vir al die ander behandelings. Hierdie resultate ondersteun die moontlikheid om hierdie bioberokings gewasse deel te maak van ʼn geïntegreerde dekgewas benadering, sonder om in die proses die Meloidogyne sp. in die wingerd ry te verhoog.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Within South Africa (SA) parasites have received variable attention with limited research conducted on mites within the family Trombiculidae. They are regarded as temporary parasites with only the larval stage or “chigger” being parasitic. The present study investigated the diversity, ecology and distribution of chiggers associated with small mammal hosts (rodents and insectivores) across SA, with a focus on the Cape Floristic Region (CFR). The study supports the existence of seasonal occurrence of chiggers in a temperate region. Chiggers that occurred on a generalist rodent host were most prevalent during the warm dry months of the year as opposed to wet cold months. Total counts conducted on the bodies of several co-occurring rodent species in the CFR recorded a diverse assemblage of chigger species. The findings support previous studies in that chiggers are host generalist, though there does appear to be a preference for the most abundant host species, Rhabdomys pumilio, in the biotype. Host species were parasitized by multiple chigger species of which Leptotrombidium muridium was the most abundant species. The study recorded and described three new chigger species (Austracarus n. sp., Microtrombicula n. sp. and Schöngastiella n. sp.). Chigger abundances were found to be higher on reproductively active as opposed to non-active hosts. Twelve chigger species were recorded across SA and the individual species showed variation in extent of their geographic range. On-host distribution of chigger species recorded a preference for the tail area of the host, which was shared by the three most abundant chigger species. This pattern may explain the higher co-occurrence of chigger species than expected by chance that was recorded on R. pumilio. It is evident that chiggers of small mammals are a diverse group that vary spatially and temporary across the landscape. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die verskeie parasiet taksa wat in Suid Afrika (SA) voorkom het ongelyke aandag ontvang tydens parasitologie studies tot dusver. Trombiculidae myte is een van die parasiet groepe wat baie min aandag ontvang het. Die groep myte word beskou as tydelike parasiete, weens die feit dat slegs die larf stadium (ook verwys as “chigger”) van die myt parasities is. Die studie het die diversiteit, ekologie en geografiese verspreiding van chiggers bestudeer wat geassosieer word met klein soogdiere binne SA, met ‘n fokus op die Kaapse Floristiese Ryk (KFR). Die studie het bevind dat chiggers ‘n seisoenale voorkoms het, hul was meer volop tydens die warm droë maande in vergelyking met nat en koel winter maande, soortgelyke resultate is aangeteken in ander dele van die wêreld. Die studie het ook gevind dat die myte wat in die KFR nie gasheer spesifiek was nie, maar dat hul wel ‘n voorkeur getoon het vir die gasheer wat die volopste was, Rhabdomys pumilio. Die verskeie gasheer spesies wat ondersoek was was deur verskillende chigger spesies geparasiteer waarvan Leptotrombidium muridium die mees volopste was. Drie nuwe chigger spesies is beskryf tydens die studie (Austracarus n. sp., Microtrombicula n. sp. and Schöngastiella n. sp.). Die resultate van die studie het ook gedui dat gashere wat reproduktief was hoër getalle myte gehad het wat op hul geparasiteer het in vergelyking met gashere wat nog nie reproduktief aktief was nie. Twaalf chigger spesies was tydens die studie aangeteken, hul het verskil in terme van hul geografiese verspreidings. Die verspreiding van die myte op die gasheer se lyf was ook bestudeer en daar was bevind dat die myte ‘n voorkeur toon vir die stert area van die gasheer. Die verskillende chigger spesies het ook saam voorgekom op ‘n spesifieke aanhegtings plek op die muis se lyf en geen uitsluitings-kompetisie was gevind nie. Die gevolgtrekking van die studie is dat chiggers wat klein soogdiere parasiteer in SA ‘n baie diverse groep is wat verskil ten opsigte van hul geografiese verspreiding asook in terme van in hul seisoenale teenwoordigheid binne die landskap.

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) in the families Heterorhabditidae and Steinernematidae, and their bacterial symbionts, have been studied intensively because of their role as natural mortality factor for soil-dwelling arthropods, and their potential as biological control agents for belowground insect pests. Moreover, EPN are recognized as key players in regulating soil food webs and triggering trophic cascades. However, most studies of interactions with EPN have been conducted under laboratory setting and simplified conditions, without consider the dynamic of the EPN and their interactions with other soil components in a wider context. In this respect, knowledge of the effect that other soil organisms or human induced factor may have on EPN dynamic and life cycle in the soil may contribute to improve tactics for their implementation and success as natural regulators of herbivores. The present investigation focused on the interactions of EPN with a selection of insecticides, and biotic (saprobic fungus and plant parasitic nematodes) elements that may be present in the soil, and may potentially interact with EPN. Specifically, I investigated how these factors may affect the life cycle (host search behavior, virulence and reproduction) of EPN. Appendix A shows the effect that a group of selected synthetic and biological insecticides have on EPN virulence and reproduction. The results obtained from this study revealed that most combinations of EPN and insecticides under study increased the mortality of the insect host. However, it was also found that some of these combinations reduced the nematode progeny production and emergence of IJs from the insect cadaver. In contrast in Appendix B, when examining the effect of the saprobic fungus Fusarium oxysporum in the life cycle of the EPN Heterorhabditis sonorensis, it was found that this fungus negatively affected the virulence and reproduction of the EPN in the insect host. In the third study of this dissertation (Appendix C) the interactions studied considered the effect of two EPN on an organism of a different trophic guild, the plant parasitic nematode Tylenchulus semipenetrans. This plant parasitic nematode causes serious diseases in citrus plants by infecting their roots and defoliating their branches. Previous studies have shown that some EPN species may negatively affect the life cycle of plant parasitic nematodes by reducing the damage produced by this plant parasite. Results from this study confirm the antagonistic effect between the selected EPN and the citrus nematode. Specifically, it was found that the presence in the soil of both EPN reduced the survival of infective juveniles of the citrus nematode and their penetration to the root. Moreover, the presence of EPN had an antagonistic effect in the production of eggs of T. semipenetrans females.

The purpose of this study was to focus attention on the physiology of the bdellovibrio-host interaction and to determine the metabolic requirements for this reaction. Since bdellovibrio is an aerobic organism, direct measurements of respiration, turbidity, and viable cell counts are reliable indications of the metabolic activity of the cells. It was determined that the metabolic requirements for the parasitic interaction are constituents from either metabolically active host cells or cells which are capable of at least some metabolic activity. The nutritional requirements of host-independent bdellovibrios suspended in buffer are not met by the presence or absence of viable or nonviable Enterobacter aegnes. Unlike the HD bdellovibrios, the HI bdellovibrios lack the ability to make economical use of their self-digesting processes.

The twisted-wing parasites (Strepsiptera) are entomophagous insect order with cosmopolitan distribution. There are about 600 known species up to date. In spite of this, they have very broad host spectrum. Strepsiptera parasites in seven insect groups (Thysanura, Blattodea, Mantodea, Orthoptera, Hemiptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera). The mutual relationship between genera or even between species are not known, except for the species list and the host specification. Moreover, there is an anambiguous use of their species concept. Some authors consider Strepsiptera as the specialists and they match almost every host species with one separate strepsipteran parasite. The opposite concept is to consider strepsiptera as the generalists. The presence of the crypctic species also affect our understanding of the diversity of Strepsiptera. Therefore, the knowledge of Strepsiptera phylogeny provide us the important information about species diversity of studied group as well as about their coevolution with their hosts. On the basis of molecular analyses of three genes constructed the phylogeny genus Stylops. This genus has the wider spetrum of the host species from other strepsipterans of Stylopidae, It is obvious, that strepsipterans of genus Stylops are mainly specialised on their host subgenus. There was detected two...

Two compact planar crossed-dipole antennas loaded with near-field resonant parasitic (NFRP) elements are reported. The NFRP and crossed-dipole elements are designed for the desired circularly polarized (CP) radiation. By placing the NFRP element over the driven element at angles of 0 degrees and 45 degrees, respectively, dual-band and broadband CP antennas are realized. All radiating elements of antennas are 35 mm x 35 mm x 0.508 mm (0.187 lambda(0) x 0.187 lambda(0) x 0.0027 lambda(0) at 1.6 GHz) in size. The dual-band CP antenna has a measured vertical bar S-11 vertical bar < -10-dB bandwidth of 226 MHz (1.473-1.699 GHz) and measured 3-dB axial ratio (AR) bandwidths of 12 MHz (1.530-1.542 GHz) and 35 MHz (1.580-1.615 GHz) with minimum AR CP frequencies of 1.535 GHz (AR = 0.26 dB) and 1.595 GHz (AR = 2.08 dB), respectively. The broadband CP antenna has a measured vertical bar S-11 vertical bar< -10-dB bandwidth of 218 MHz (1.491-1.709 GHz) and a 3-dB AR bandwidth of 145 MHz (1.490-1.635 GHz). These compact antennas yield bidirectional electromagnetic fields with high radiation efficiency across their operational bandwidths.

Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment; School of Electrical and Information System; MSC Dissertation / In this paper, the Electronically Steerable Parasitic Array Radiator (ESPAR) antenna, developed by the Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute (ATR) in Japan was analyzed to determine its feasibility as a low cost direction finding (DF) system. Simulations of the antenna were performed in SuperNEC and Matlab was used to determine the direction of arrival (DOA) using the Reactance Domain multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithm. Results show the ideal configuration has 6 parasitic elements with a diameter of 0.5 . Up to 5 periodic, uncorrelated signals spread 360° in azimuth and above 45° elevation produce sharp peaks in the MUSIC spectra. Azimuth separations of only 2° at 40 dB are resolvable while signals arriving with 25% full power are still detectable. For the DOA to be resolved the radiation pattern should be asymmetrical and hence the reactance set should have a range of unequal values. Comparative results show that the 6 element ESPAR offers excellent overall performance despite the reduction in cost and is comparable in performance to the 6 element uniform linear array.

O gênero Brachyteles, endêmico do Brasil, é constituído por duas espécies, B. arachnoides e B. hypoxantus, e estudos recentes demonstraram que suas populações selvagens podem estar seriamente reduzidas. Na tentativa de reverter a situação atual, esforços têm sito realizados visando a conservação dos muriquis, no entanto, dados relativos à condição sanitária de Brachyteles são extremamente escassos. Sabe-se, que o estabelecimento de protocolos adequados de manejo é condição necessária para a manutenção das espécies em cativeiro, sobretudo as ameaçadas e/ou criticamente ameaçadas, como é o caso dos atelídeos em questão. Desse modo, o presente trabalho de pesquisa almejou investigar as principais alterações anátomo-patológicas e correspondentes causas de morte de 18 (10M:8F) espécimens de B. arachnoides, B .hypoxantus e híbridos mantidos em cativeiro junto ao Centro de Primatologia do Rio de Janeiro (CPRJ). Os animais foram necropsiados entre os anos de 1988 e 2010 sendo utilizados fragmentos de órgãos e tecidos colhidos e fixados em solução de formalina a 10%, sendo 9 exemplares de B. arachnoides, 3 B hypoxantus e 4 híbridos, totalizando 16 indivíduos pertencentes ao acervo do CPRJ/FEEMA, e 2 B. arachnoides pertencentes ao Parque Municipal Quinzinho de Barros (FZQB). Destes, 2 (11,1 %) eram neonatos, 2 (11,1%) jovens, 13 (72,2%) adultos e 1 (5,6%) idosos. O peso dos B. arachnoides, B. hypoxantus e B. híbridos adultos, jovens e neonatos variou de 0,5 Kg até 14 Kg. O peso médio dos adultos foi 5,6 Kg. O peso médio dos adultos foi de 2,8 Kg para os caquéticos, 5,9 Kg para os magros, 8,25 Kg para os bem nutridos. Dados de histórico clínico, reprodutivo, comportamentais e análises clínicas foram avaliados visando auxílio na obtenção da causa de morte (CM). A diarréia foi a alteração clínica mais consistente observada no grupo pesquisado sendo que cinco mortes (27,8%) foram causadas por quadros de sepses, quatro por infecção viral (22,2%), três (17%) por pneumonias, dois (11%) por parasitismo. Distúrbio metabólico, peritonite e eutanásia decorrente de retrovirose foram responsáveis por 1 óbito cada (5,5%). Não foi possível determinar a CM de um (5,5%) neonato em avançado estado de putrefação. Destes 18 casos de óbito, três (17%) foram decorrentes das conseqüências da infecção por um agente viral da família Retroviridae. A análise histomorfométrica mostrou que a taxa de hemossiderose hepática (THH) variou entre 0.2% e 41.7%, não havendo diferenças significantes entre as THHs quando comparados os parâmetros sexo, idade, tempo de cativeiro, espécies e peso. A análise estatística revelou correlação entre as áreas de hemossideorse e reticulina pelo teste de Sperman com (P=0,0326, r= -0,5048) No entanto, não observou-se correlação ao avaliar a morfometria da reticulina e as graduações histopatológicas de necrose (P=0,1009, Sperman, r= 0,3991). O mesmo padrão foi observado ao avaliar a correlação entre as áreas de reticulina e os casos sépticos e não sépticos com (P= 0,6126, Mann-Whitney test). Os agentes etiológicos diagnosticados através de imuno-histoquímica, análise ultra-estrutural e/ou molecular foram: Herpes simplex, Vírus respiratório sincicial (RSV), vírus compatíveis com a família Retroviridae, Toxoplasma gondii, Entamoeba spp., Strongyloides spp., Candida spp. e Helicobacter pylori. O potencial zoonótico dos agentes infecciosos identificados reflete a importância da implantação de medidas preventivas rigorosas com o objetivo de preservar a saúde da comunidade humana e dos muriquis. Uma monitoração sanitária através de exame clínico e colheita de material biológico também foram realizadas em 10 espécimes cativos de muriquis. Pretende-se, de forma pioneira representar a sistematização de processos patológicos envolvendo espécimes do gênero Brachyteles cativos, contribuindo para a manutenção destes espécimens em cativeiro, assim como indiretamente na conservação destes em vida livre, sugerindo protocolos sanitários preventivos e favorecendo a reprodução e manutenção das populações. / The Brachyteles genus is endemic in Brazil, comprises two species, B. arachnoides and B. hypoxantus, and recent studies have shown that their wild populations can be seriously reduced. In an attempt to reverse the current scenario, efforts have been made to promote the conservation of muriquis, however, data on the sanitary condition of Brachyteles are extremely scarce. It is known that the establishment of appropriate management protocols is a prerequisite for the maintenance of the captive species, especially threatened and / or critically endangered, as is the case in question, atelids. Thus, the present research aimed to investigate the main anatomic-pathological and related causes of death in 18 (10M:8F) specimens of B. arachnoides, B. hypoxantus and hybrids in captivity at the Centro de Primatologia do Rio de Janeiro (CPRJ). The animals were autopsied between 1988 and 2010, being used fragments of organs and tissues removed and stained in formalin solution 10%, and 9 individuals of B. arachnoides, 3 B. hypoxantus and 4 hybrids, a total of 16 individuals belonging to the collection of CPRJ / FEEMA, and 2 B. arachnoides belonging to the Parque Municipal Quinzinho de Barros (FZQB). Of these, 2 (11.1%) were neonates, 2 (11.1%) youth, 13 (72.2%) adults and 1 (5.6%) elderly. The weight of adults, newborns and young B. arachnoides, B. hypoxantus and B. hybrid ranged from 0.5 kg to 14 kg average weight of adults was 5.6 kg average weight of adults was 2.8 kg for cachectic 5.9 kg for lean, 8.25 kg for well-nourished. Data from clinical history, reproductive, behavioral and medical tests were assessed for assistance in obtaining the cause of death (CD). Diarrhoea was the most consistent disease observed in this group and five deaths (27.8%) were caused by sepsis boards, four viral infection (22.2%), three (17%) for pneumonia, two ( 11%) of parasitism. Metabolic disorder, euthanasia and peritonitis resulting from a retrovirus were responsible for one each death (5.5%). We were unable to determine the CD of one (5.5%) neonate in an advanced state of putrefaction. Of these 18 deaths, three (17%) resulted from the consequences of infection by a viral agent of the family Retroviridae. Histomorphometric analysis showed that the hepatic hemosiderosis rate (HHR) ranged between 0.2% and 41.7%, with no significant differences between the HHR compared the parameters sex, age, time in captivity, species and weight. Statistical analysis revealed a correlation between areas of reticulin hemossideorse and with the Spearman test (P = 0.0326, r = -0.5048). However, no correlation was seen when evaluating the morphometry of reticulin and histopathological grades of necrosis (P = 0.1009, Spearman r = 0.3991). The same pattern was observed to evaluate the correlation between areas of reticulin and cases with septic and non septic (P = 0.6126, Mann-Whitney test). The etiologic agents diagnosed by immunohistochemistry, ultrastructural analysis and molecular were: Herpes simplex, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), consistent with the virus family Retroviridae, Toxoplasma gondii, Entamoeba spp., Strongyloides spp., Candida spp. and Helicobacter pylori. The zoonotic potential of the infectious agents identified reflects the importance of strict implementation of preventive measures in order to preserve the health of human communities in contact with the muriquis. A health monitoring by clinical examination and collection of biological material were also performed in 10 specimens of captive muriquis. We aim, in a pioneering way, represent the systemization of processes involving pathological specimens of the genus Brachyteles captives, contributing to the maintenance of these specimens in captivity, as well as indirectly on the conservation of these in the wild, suggesting preventive health protocols and encouraging the breeding and maintenance of populations