The education sector is at high risk for information security (InfoSec) breaches and in need of improved security practices. Achieving data protections cannot be through technical means alone. Addressing the human behavior factor is required. Security education, training, and awareness (SETA) programs are an effective method of addressing human InfoSec behavior. Applying sociobehavioral theories to InfoSec research provides information to aid IT security program managers in developing improved SETA programs. The purpose of this correlational study was to examine through the theoretical lens of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) how attitude toward the behavior (ATT), subjective norm (SN), and perceived behavioral control (PBC) affected the intention of computer end users in a K-12 environment to follow InfoSec policy. Data collection was from 165 K-12 school administrators in Northeast Georgia using an online survey instrument. Data analysis occurred applying multiple linear regression and logistic regression. The TPB model accounted for 30.8% of the variance in intention to comply with InfoSec policies. SN was a significant predictor of intention in the model. ATT and PBC did not show to be significant. These findings suggest improvement to K-12 SETA programs can occur by addressing normative beliefs of the individual. The application of improved SETA programs by IT security program managers that incorporate the findings and recommendations of this study may lead to greater information security in K-12 school systems. More secure school systems can contribute to social change through improved information protection as well as increased freedoms and privacy for employees, students, the organization, and the community.

Esta dissertação de mestrado analisa a seta como símbolo gráfico universal da comunicação visual, reconhecido por diferentes povos em diversas épocas e culturas. A pesquisa apresenta a seta como transmissora de informações essenciais por meio de seus vários significados e funções facilitando as interações sociais no mundo contemporâneo, diminuindo as dificuldades geradas por especificidades linguísticas e auxiliando na possibilidade de uma rápida interpretação das mensagens comunicadas, ainda que dentro de limites culturais. O estudo mostra que este símbolo gráfico é utilizado desde os tempos mais remotos, nas pinturas rupestres, até os dias atuais, com usos distintos em vários campos do conhecimento. O objetivo da análise é identificar os significados mais notáveis do símbolo gráfico seta, além de sua função direcional básica e como eles se desenvolveram em três modalidades de aplicação: (1) a seta nos sistemas de sinalização, orientando e dirigindo o fluxo do tráfego humano e suas variantes nos pictogramas e na sinalização viária, algumas vezes com significados distintos como o de \"encontro\", \"indicação\" ou \"localização\"; (2) a seta nos sistemas de esquematização em várias áreas do conhecimento, da vida cotidiana às representações científicas, empregada com diferentes funções, dependendo da intenção da mensagem a ser transmitida, entre elas: \"ação\", \"causa-efeito\", \"foco\", \"geração\", \"identificação\", \"intensidade\", \"limite\", \"relação\", \"sequência\", \"tempo\", \"transferência\" e \"transformação\"; (3) a seta nos sistemas de identidades visuais, representando empresas ou produtos visualmente e de forma ordenada, com novos significados vindos de associações semânticas relacionadas às situações específicas de cada marca e aos setores de mercado aos quais elas pertencem, como por exemplo: \"cobertura\", \"satisfação\", \"simpatia\", \"saúde\", \"crescimento\", \"desenvolvimento\", \"rapidez\", \"centralização\", \"prazer\" e \"suavidade\". É uma pesquisa qualitativa que pretende, com a análise e a interpretação das variáveis dos fenômenos particulares a cada campo de estudo, entender de forma ampla, partes das dimensões semântica e pragmática do símbolo gráfico em questão. Este estudo aprofundado pretende contribuir para o melhor entendimento e utilização da seta por comunicadores e designers, com maior conhecimento e propriedade, permitindo sua aplicação mais clara e efetiva nos sistemas de sinalização de grandes espaços, de esquematização da informação visual e de identidades visuais. / This thesis analyzes the arrow as a universal graphic symbol in visual communication, one recognized by different people in different times and cultures. The research presents the arrow as a transmitter of critical information through its various meanings and functions, facilitating social interactions in the contemporary world, lessening the difficulties caused by linguistic specificities and assisting in the possibility of a rapid interpretation, though still within cultural limits, of the messages communicated. The study shows that this graphic symbol has been used since ancient times, from cave paintings to the present day, with different uses in various fields of knowledge. The goal of the analysis is to identify the most notable meanings of the arrow graphic symbol, besides its basic directional function, and how these meanings developed into three types of applications: (1) the arrow in signage systems, guiding and directing the flow of human traffic and its variants in pictograms and road signs, sometimes with different meanings like \"meeting\", \"indication\" or \"location\"; (2) the arrow in diagrams in various areas of knowledge, from everyday life to scientific representations, used with different functions, depending on the intent of the message to be transmitted, including: \"action\", \"cause and effect\", \"focus\", \"generation\", \"identification\", \"intensity\", \"boundary\", \"relationship\", \"sequence\", \"time\", \"transfer\" and \"transformation\"; (3) the arrow in corporate identity systems, representing companies or products visually and in an orderly fashion, with new meanings coming from semantic associations related to the specific circumstances of each brand and market sectors to which they belong, such as: \"covering\", \"satisfaction\", \"sympathy\", \"health\", \"growth\", \"development\", \"speed\", \"centralization\", \"pleasure\", and \"softness\". This qualitative research seeks, with analysis and interpretation of the variables of phenomena specific to each field of study, to broadly understand parts of the semantic and pragmatic dimensions of the graphic symbol in question. This is in-depth study which aims to contribute to a better understanding and use of the arrow by communicators and designers, with greater knowledge and propriety, allowing for its clearer and more effective application in signage systems in large spaces, diagrams of visual information, and corporate identities.

Organizations, which have established an effective technical layer of security, continue to experience difficulties triggered by cyber threats. Ultimately, the cybersecurity posture of an organization depends on appropriate actions taken by employees whose naive cybersecurity practices have been found to represent 72% to 95% of cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities to organizations. However, employees cannot be held responsible for cybersecurity practices if they are not provided the education and training to acquire skills, which allow for identification of security threats along with the proper course of action to mitigate such threats. In addition, awareness of the importance of cybersecurity, the responsibility of protecting organizational data, as well as of emerging cybersecurity threats is quickly becoming essential as the threat landscape increases in sophistication at an alarming rate. Security education, training, and awareness (SETA) programs can be used to empower employees, who are often cited as the weakest link in information systems (IS) security due to limited knowledge and lacking skillsets. Quality SETA programs not only focus on raising employee awareness of responsibilities in relation to their organizations’ information assets but also train on the consequences of abuse while providing the necessary skills to help fulfill these requirements. The main goal of this research study was to empirically assess if there are any significant differences on employees’ cybersecurity countermeasures awareness (CCA) and cybersecurity skills (CyS) based on the use of two SETA program types (typical & socio-technical) and two SETA delivery methods (face-to-face & online). This study included a mixed method approach combining an expert panel, developmental research, and quantitative data collection. A panel of subject matter experts (SMEs) reviewed the proposed SETA program topics and measurement criteria for CCA per the Delphi methodology. The SMEs’ responses were incorporated into the development of two SETA program types with integrated vignette-based assessment of CCA and CyS, which were delivered via two methods. Vignette-based assessment provided a nonintrusive way of measurement in a pre- and post-assessment format. Once the programs had been reviewed by the SMEs to ensure validity and reliability, per the Delphi methodology, randomly assigned participants were asked to complete the pre-assessment, the SETA program, and then the post-assessment providing for the qualitative phase of the study. Data collected was analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to address the proposed research hypothesis. Recommendations for SETA program type and delivery method as a result of data analysis are provided.

Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / This study was driven by a need that was identified within a sectoral training authority in South Africa to modify its talent management strategy in order to better deliver on its mandate. The need to modify its talent management strategy was identified as a result of a review of the Sector Education and Training Authorities (Setas) on their functioning and management commissioned by The National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac). The aim was to identify critical challenges affecting their ability to deliver on their mandate and to develop recommendations to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness The review exercise was completed and report submitted to the office of the presidency. The report notes that due to the largely negative publicity Setas have received, their ability to source, attract and retain talent for effective and efficient functioning is severely restricted. It also highlights the fact that high attrition rates have resulted in a lack of institutional knowledge and understanding of the purpose of the skills development legislation and policies. It further recommends that an audit of current Seta human resources procedures be conducted, as well as the development of standard competency profiles for senior managers to inform recruitment, performance management, training and development, assessment of current capacity and the development of a generic induction programme. It concludes by recommending the implementation of various interventions to support Seta management, including executive coaching, mentoring and other organisational development support. This study was therefore focused on two parts: the development of a broad talent framework based on the latest literature on the subject of talent management, and secondly, the evaluation of the training authority's current talent management practice based on employee perceptions. The initial part of this study describes the development of a talent management evaluation with a broad talent management framework addressing the themes of planning, development and training, performance management, reward management as well as the related sub- themes. This objective was achieved by means of a literature search supported by input from industry practitioners. The questionnaire consists of 35 statements subdivided into eight categories contextualised under different talent management sub themes. The sample consisted of 44 employees, six of which were at management level and 38 were at non managerial level. Thirty-five questionnaires were returned of which three could not be used. The questionnaire was then administered to examine the perceptions of the 35 employees who provided usable feedback on the training authority‟s performance, based on eight themes of talent management practices. The empirical results revealed that the training authority did not have strategies to ensure that there is a pool of talent to draw from in order to meet current and future needs. Concerns were raised on the training authority's ability to retain talented employees within the organisation. Issues relating to the creation and modification of roles and job descriptions to help individuals realise their career aspirations were raised. Employees were also concerned about the training authority's inability to provide resources for the support of individuals' career plans. Employees further raised transparency issues on expected behaviour, development and factors identifying individual's potential as major concerns. Reward and compensation were found to have a weak link to performance and market offering. Managers were found to have limited flexibility in distributing their pay budget.

M. Tech. Business Administration / The study aims to probe into the SANDFs strategic purpose for implementing the MSDS and whether the learners acquire the skills they regard declared as essential. The study will also investigate whether the MSDS fulfils the learners career aspirations and further asses their view regarding the programme.

Magister Artium - MA / This research paper investigates the extent to which the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is implemented in the Real Estate industry within the Johannesburg Metropolitan area. The Real Estate industry is an ideal industry to assess the prior learning of real estate agents since there is no doubt that such a workplace has been recognized as an effective and efficient learning environment which allows workers to take part in an ever-changing work environment (Le Clus, 2011). Despite the availability of resources from different entities, i.e. the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA), RPL centres, Umalusi, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Estate Agency Affairs Board (EAAB), and so on (OECD, 2010) there seems to be incompatibility between the existing policy and the implementation of such policy in the Real Estate industry. Hence, to paraphrase a common theme within the literature (Cameron and Miller, 2004) there is a gap between the promise and rhetoric of RPL and the actual reality, and a disjuncture between policy formulation and implementation of RPL. Also, most research (Cameron and Miller, 2004) reveals that RPL has neither fulfilled its promised potential of encouraging the previously disadvantaged groups to access formal education and training, nor achieved its goal as a mechanism for social inclusion. The two primary research questions for this research paper were: Why are potential RPL candidates not taking the RPL route to obtain their certification? What are the barriers that obstruct efficient RPL implementation within the Real Estate industry? The research design was exploratory within a qualitative framework employing focus group interviewing, individual interviewing and the distribution of questionnaires that consisted of open-ended questions. The research sample comprised nineteen participants that included eight estate agents, four principals, five RPL Centers‟ representatives, one representative from the Services SETA and one representative from the Estate Agency Affairs Board. Master of Education in Adult Education and Global Change - Dissertation [University of the Western Cape] The research findings show that there are serious issues with the implementation current RPL policy within the real estate industry. Many scholars (Colardyn and Bjørna°vold, 2004; Bjørna°vold, 2000) indicate that RPL comes with its challenges, for instance that of the role it can play and the extent to which it can address the twin goals of increasing educational level of participation and employment rates. RPL also takes much time, as Anderson, Fejes and Ahn (2004) stress, to transform non-formal and informal learning into more or less formal learning that is ratified in the form of officially acknowledged certificates. Elements such as lack of or insufficient learner support by advisors and language barriers, have contributed significantly to the dropping out of most candidates. The strength of RPL is that unaccredited knowledge and skills can be brought into the open for everyone to see and, in a sense, come into use (Berglund and Anderson, 2012). This was made evident by the candidates who made it through RPL. RPL has also contributed to social equity and redress by admitting candidates as recognised agents and principals who previously were about to be excluded from the industry due to lack of recognised qualifications.

A wheeled mobile robot (WMR) will move on uneven terrain without slip if the length of the axle connecting two wheels can change or for a fixed length axle the wheels are allowed to tilt in a lateral direction. In this work, we consider a three-wheeled mobile robot with torus shaped wheels capable of lateral tilting. Due to the requirement of lateral tilting a two degree of freedom (DOF) suspension, one for maintaining contact with terrain and one for lateral tilting, is assumed to connect the wheels to the WMR body. Six concepts of two DOF suspension mechanisms are proposed. A WMR with these suspension mechanisms are modeled and two kinds of simulations, namely, direct kinematic analysis and inverse kinematic analysis are performed on several uneven terrains with and without suspension. Slip velocity, the path followed and the lateral tilt angle are estimated as a function of time. The force-angle stability measure is used to check the tip-over instability of the WMR on uneven terrain. It is shown that without the two DOF suspensions and with the wheels not allowed to tilt laterally, the WMR is not capable of traversing uneven terrains without large slip. When the wheels are allowed to tilt laterally with a two DOF suspension, the wheeled mobile robot slips very little. Based on least slip and less deviation from desired path, it is shown that the two best possible suspension mechanisms are the SFTA suspension and D4Bar suspension. Two prototype of three-wheeled mobile robot with these suspensions are fabricated using some components from a readily available commercial kit and with especially designed and manufactured wheels with the two degrees of freedom suspension. Simulations on an uneven terrain verify that the three-wheeled mobile robot can traverse uneven terrains with very little slip for three representative paths, namely a straight line, a circular arc and a path representing a lane change. Experiments with the two prototypes on physically constructed uneven terrain, very similar to the one used for simulation, confirm that the slip is significantly reduced with the two degree of freedom suspensions. The path of the centre of mass of the WMRs, projected on uneven surface, and the error from the desired path is presented for all the three representative paths. The simulation and experimental results clearly show that the three wheeled mobile robot with the novel two DOF suspension mechanisms can traverse uneven terrain with low slip.

Masters of Commerce / Local governments worldwide are invariably faced with challenges of human capacity constraints, corruption, lack of operating transparency and accountability, dysfunctional ward committees, poor public participation, non-compliance with legislation and by-laws, poor prioritisation of community needs, unaligned budget processes, unauthorised and wasteful expenditure, tensions between politicians and administrators, as well as weak financial viability. A strong legal framework, clearly defining authority and accountability, backed by relevant skills development training, are necessary foundations for service delivery; however, without the appropriate training, staff performance could remain inadequate. Various countries have reached varying levels of local government effectiveness; however, all too often municipalities do not have the adequate skills required, to deliver the services needed, to ensure community development. Despite being well structured, South Africa’s institutional arrangements are often deeply flawed, while local government still needs to transform from passive service provider to proactive facilitator. Skills development legislation forms part of government policies to enable transformation; however, many local municipalities are burdened by poor service delivery, corrupt staff, and no accountability. Therefore, there is a desperate need to explore the best way of addressing local government challenges and skills shortcomings of their human resources. In this current study, the researcher conducted a case study to explore varying aspects of local government skills development, particularly the implementation of a training programme in a rural municipality. Data collection was conducted with key informants, as well as trainees, through in-depth, individual, semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data, present the findings relevant to the strategies, as well as make recommendations on the required enhancements, for improved implementation of local government skills development initiatives.

Thesis (M. Tech. (Human Resource Management, Dept. of Management Sciences))--Vaal University of Technology, 2009. / Key skills shortages, coupled with high levels of unemployment are well documented in South Africa. Learnerships, which are meant to reduce the skills shortage, are not addressing this problem as the SETAs have failed to communicate the benefits of learnerships aggressively to companies. Thus, the purpose of this research is to determine organizational perspectives of learnerships within the MERSETA organizations in the Sedibeng district municipal area. A literature study of learnerships and applicable legislation in South Africa was undertaken in order to contextualize the South African skills development initiative. The empirical portion of the study involved conducting a survey using a self-administered questionnaire designed to elicit perspectives of learnerships within small, medium and large organizations (n=150) that fall under the MERSETA and that are situated in the industrial areas of Vanderbijlpark, Vereeniging and Meyerton, within the Sedibeng district municipal area. The data obtained indicate that although almost two-thirds of the researched organizations do currently implement learnerships, these organizations experienced several barriers and challenges when taking on learnerships. It was found that the MERSETA organizations within the study area also lack understanding and familiarity with the learnership system and their perceptions towards learnerships are for the most part, negative. Based on the findings of this study, recommendations, targeted at the National Skills Authority, the Department of Labour, the MERSETA and the SETAs, are made to assist organizations in various areas to overcome the identified barriers and challenges emanating from learnership implementation. / Central Research Committee (Vaal University of Technology)

Hace 13.800 millones empezó el Universo teniendo como origen el Bing Bang. Todo tiene ahí su principio, el tiempo, el espacio y el material del que está todo formado también. Compartimos con las estrellas el material que forma nuestro cuerpo. Empezó con una Arquitectura inorgánica, que pasó a orgánica, en lo que hemos acuñado como “Arquitectura somática”, la que forma un cuerpo (por muy diminuto que sea).Pero el siguiente paso fue la “Arquitectura exosomática”, la que se realiza fuera del cuerpo. En este sentido, hubo una revolución arquitectónica y social hace 130 millones de años, la revolución realizada por los insectos sociales en el Cretácico. He aportado un aspecto hasta hoy no realizado, equivalencias culturales humano-insectos. El Paleolítico, de cazadores-recolectores humanos, equivale al género de hormigas Eciton que viven de una forma semejante. Pero he acuñado un nuevo término, el Paleolítico Superior Cerámico, ya que ha aparecido en China cerámica 8000 años antes que en Próximo Oriente (que tomamos como referente), ahí entraría la avispa alfarera que es cazadora pero fabrica su cerámica. Un Neolítico Precerámico A (8000- 7000) con los géneros de hormigas Lasius Feliginosus y Atta, con sus campos de “hongos”, su agricultura subterránea. Un Precerámico B (7000-6000) con la ganadería y sus establos de las hormigas del género Crematogaster pilosa y Acropyga maribensis. Puede aducirse que no hay edad de los metales, pero la araña puede realizar material más duro que el acero sin fusión. Seguidamente, la civilización egipcia y mesopotámica, tan recientes en el tiempo, las primeras muestras de avance social humano de grandes proporciones, quedan atrás en muchos aspectos comparados con el mundo de las abejas, avispas y termitas que abruman con su arquitectura, jerarquía y organización social, pero todo en armonía con su ecosistema, perdurabilidad durante millones de años, al contrario que la frágil sociedad humana. Estas últimas, por su lapso de tiempo existente como tales, su éxito de dispersión y sus características como sociedades son un rival, cuestionan nuestro liderazgo como especie. Las hormigas esclavistas del Amazonas del género Polyergus y las españolas de Sierra Nevada, del género Rossomyrmex minuchae, que ataca los nidos de Proformica longiseta, recuerdan a la sociedad esclavista que llega al siglo XVIII pero que tiene en las épocas de la Antigüedad sus más claros ejemplos. He añadido más términos arquitectónicos, Arquitectura “genética” y Arquitectura “cerebral”. Estas sociedades de insectos complejas, como la abeja melífera (Apis mellifera), no estudian arquitectura ni agricultura,etc, cosa que en los humanos “que pueden estudiar” absorve mucho tiempo vital. Estos insectos, tienen un corto tiempo de vida, y suplen eso, naciendo con lo más importante aprendido. Se sabe que el “cuerpo central” existente en la cabeza del insecto, es el “disco duro” de estos insectos, por lo que puedo decir que desde que nacen, lo hacen aprendidos, su arquitectura y sociedad, es genética. El cuerpo seta del insecto, corpora pedunculata en latín también en la cabeza, se centraría en el comportamiento y el aprendizaje, un equivalente de córtex en los humanos y otros vertebrados, algo secundario, pero que en nosotros es el cerebro, de este modo, nuestra arquitectura es “cerebral”, aprendida por unos pocos durante mucho tiempo, algo que supone realmente una desventaja. En los alrededores de Valencia, los primeros restos de “Arquitectura exosomática” serían los nidos que tuvieron los hadrosaurios de Tous, hace 70 millones de años. Para los humanos, debemos esperar a un humanoide, el homo erectus, cuyos restos aparecen a 25 km al sur de Valencia, en Sueca, en la parte del lago de l'Albufera, que empleó cuevas y que pudo realizar estructuras perecederas vegetales, hace más de medio millón de años. Hubo gente de la edad del bronce en Valencia y en el siglo VII-VI a.C, recibieron contactos comerciales por parte de griegos y fenicios, como prueban las cerámicas importadas, tanto de territorio griego como fenicio. El fragmento cerámico del pintor de Aqueloos,encontrado en l'Almoina (centro de Valencia) que se encuentra entre los más destacados del “Grupo de Leagros”, el último y más destacado grupo de pintores de grandes vasos de figuras negras entre el 520 y el 500 a.C o la máscara fenicia de la orilla norte del río, son prueba de ello. Estas importaciones hablan de dos santuarios en Valencia, uno en la orilla sur y otro en la norte, donde indígenas y foráneos intercambian productos y ideas. Edeta, centro político y económico más cercano a Valencia, utiliza Valencia como su puerto. El solar de Valencia sería aprovechado como campos de silos de grano, como sucede en toda la costa catalana y del sur de Francia, alrededor de la órbita de Ibiza, portaviones económico del control fenicio-púnico que hace girar como satélites las poblaciones ibéricas del litoral. En Valencia, alrededor de la mitad del siglo III a.C, se construye el templo-santuario ibérico. Este templo domina el entramado portuario y ideológico. La empalizada de la calle cisneros, también debemos relacionarla con este siglo, pero en época alrededior de la Guerra Púnica . Arse-Saguntum, lleva la delantera comercial y acuña moneda, teniendo incluso armadores que comercian con los griegos ampuritanos. Edeta se siente amenazada en sus intereses y choca en el siglo IV a.C, como demuestra el Tos Pelat fortaleza arrasada en este momento, en el que Arse- Sagunt se fortifica. Este malestar llegará al siglo III a.C, en el que he aportado un elemento clave, el que Edeta fue la ciudad que Anibal ayudó (y no una ciudad lejana ciudad indígena andaluza), para que con sus agravios manipulados, poder destruir Arse-Sagunt. En el 205 a.C (cosa hasta ahora nunca dicha tampoco), es destruida Edeta como venganza. Los edetanos ibéricos son obligados a bajar a Valencia, de ahi su nombre de Valencia de los edetanos. Algo destacable también son las tres necropolis ibéricas de Valencia, junto con sus ustrina para quemar los huesos. También he reconstruido el ritual, la evolución y las creencias funerarias ibéricas desde la prehistoria gracias a la iconografía y los restos materiales, que también aparecen en Valencia ciudad. La guerra en Italia contra Aníbal termina y vienen a nuestro territorio gente de allí, de dos ciudades, Valentia y Turia, que darán nombre a nuestra ciudad y río, así como la iconografía de las monedas republicanas de Valencia. Esta iconografía se relaciona además con Quintus Máximus Fabius Cunctator, que expulsó a Anibal de Italia, defendió a Arse-Sagunt ante el senado cartaginés antes de su destrucción, y después recibió a la embajada saguntina que agradeció la destrucción de su enemiga, Edeta. Los que ayudaron a Aníbal en Italia fueron traidores, y sus cadáveres aparecen echados como perros en la necrópolis de Valencia, y los gratos a Roma los encontramos en hipogeos ricos en ofrendas. De este modo, las cerámicas, tesoros de monedas ibéricas en la ciudad que muestran temor, y los hechos históricos muestran que los itálicos que se establecieron en Valencia, lo hicieron en la década del 180 a.C, no en el 138 a.C que tan dañino ha sido para la historia de Valencia por su errónea interpretación. Sin olvidar el paralelo como asentamiento que es Ca l'Arnau en Cataluña, que ofrece unas termas gemelas de Valencia de la primera mitad del siglo II a.C y un urbanismo equivalente al nuestro, asentamiento que no prosperaría. En el 146 a.C con la destrucción de Cartago, coincide con la destrucción del templo ibérico cuyas piedra serán reaprovechadas para convertirlo en lo que hoy se considera granero (horreum). También se aportan los datos de la verdadera localización del muelle romano imperial de Valencia , de su puente, y del cardo (o eje principal que recorría la ciudad de Norte a sur hasta hoy también equivocado). Destaca también la reconstrucción y rectificación de los recorridos de los acueductos romanos de Valencia y Saguntum, aportándose pruebas hasta hoy olvidadas, algunas de ellas monumentales, como la del nacimiento del acueducto sur de Sagunt que empezaba en el río Túria, concretamente en Vilamarxant (Valencia) y que es el precedente de la Acequia Real de Moncada. Es decir, los romanos, crearon el sistema hidráulico valenciano, que los musulmanes adaptaron a sus propias necesidades, seguidos por los cristianos. Relacionado con esto, la destrucción de estos acueductos, vitales para la vida de las ciudades romanas, como razón de gran peso, provocaron la huida de la población saguntina en el siglo V d.C hacia un nuevo lugar, Almenara, donde hay agua fresca, creando el Punt del cid, la nueva Sagunt, donde se acuña moneda con el nombre de Saguntum y se levantan murallas con restos de la desaparecida Saguntum romana , ahora Murus veteris o muros antiguos. Al mismo tiempo se levanta un lugar religiosos en los Estanys d'Almenara. Valencia, con la llegada bizantina, se recupera en el siglo VI momentáneamente, saliendo un tiempo de una crisis brutal que se observa en la arqueología de la ciudad. Ese siglo ofrece la creación de edificios religiosos monumentales, abase del saqueo d ellos mejores bloques de edificios romanos abandonados y también vemos la presencia del rey visigodo Leovigildo , en el 583 d.C, que arrebata Valencia a los bizantinos y hace matar a su hijo, autoproclamado rey católico, Hermenegildo, en Cullera (Valencia) donde se ha refugiado con su mujer e hijo pequeño, confundiéndose esto con el mito de San Vicente Martir, cuyo cadáver se dice apareció también en Cullera. De todo esto se ofrece la reconstrucción de los hechos. También de esta cronología de la segunda mitad del siglo VI d.C, vemos la aparición de una nueva ciudad amurallada, Valencia la vella, en Ribarroja del Túria, 24 km al este de Valencia cauce arriba del río. La antigua Valencia no tiene murallas en esta época, la gente vive entre escombros romanos y hacinados en la única muralla existente, el circo romano abandonado. Se decide desplazarse cerca de donde nacen los acueductos, hay defensa, comida y vías naturales ganaderas. El abandono de Valencia ciudad, coincide con el abandono bizantino de la Península (620). En la segunda mitad del siglo VII d.C, Valencia es un cadáver solo acompañado de un puñado de familias marginales, y así, en este siglo vemos aparecer la sustituta de la Valencia religiosa, el Plà de Nadal, un edificio que aglutina la mayor colección d piezas de época visigoda valenciana y de carácter religioso, también en Riba-rroja. La presencia musulmana evita las nuevas ciudades de desplazados del Punt del Cid y Valencia la Vella. Abd-al-Rahman al-Balansí (el valenciano), con la construcción de una Ruzafa en el casco abandonado de Valencia a finales del siglo VIII, ofrece los primeros síntomas de recuperación del casco urbano. El siglo IX es el momento cuando se construye un nueva acequia de agua (primero desde la caída de la ciudad, la acequia de Rovella), un molino (el más antiguo musulmán hasta ahora catalogado en España, una noria, empezando así a recuperarse el sistema hidráulico . En el 929-920, el punt del Cid y Valencia la Vella, son destruidos por Abd-al-Rahman III, obligando a esa población cristiana (o conversa ya), a desplazarse a los nuevos centros islámicos, esto es, a la nueva ciudad de Almenara, y a la antigua ciudad de Valencia, viéndose ya la recuperación de Valencia (la del llano) como ya se observa en elementos de lujo como el capitel de marmol valenciano encontrado en el Palacio Real de Valencia. De época cristiana, un adn perfecto para poder reconstruir ese período a nivel constructivo lo tenemos el Archivo de la ciudad de Valencia, que puede competir con los mejores del mundo en el tema de la construcción medieval, gracias al detallismo con que se encuentran escritos todos los materiales y personas. Las canteras de diferentes tipos de piedra con sus importantes particularidades también quedan señaladas, así como las procedencias de otros materiales como la cal, esparto (para capazos y cuerdas), etc, y los nombres de miles de personas, su sexo, religión y procedencia, así como los días de trabajo, descubriéndose que la mayoría de la gente que trabajaba en una obra, especialmente los obreros sin otra preparación, solo estaban un dia o pocos más . Se puede reconstruir la población masculina de las morerías de muchos pueblos valencianos, o de canteros de piedra de diferentes lugares de la Península incluso extranjeros. Aportándose además, como en el año 1380, las trabajadoras en la obra como obreras cobraron lo mismo que los hombres, algo que cuestiona la imagen de discriminación de la mujer que teníamos y que muestra signos de mayor modernidad en ese aspecto. Acaba la tesis con las esférulas, concreciones minerales que he hallado en el río Palancia de hace 250 millones de años, del triásico inferior y que tienen sus paralelos más cercanos en Utah (EEUU) y el planeta Marte. Estas aparecen también como piedra de construcción en construcciones romanas y medievales al norte de Valencia, especialmente alrededor de Sagunt, y es el material más antiguo en nuestro territorio, ofreciendo relaciones paralelas geológcas con otros lugares del planeta y situándose, por ahora, como las esférulas más antiguas del planeta Tierra, emparentadas en muchos aspectos con las encontradas en el planeta Marte. Así, empieza la tesis en el espacio infinito y acaba en él. / Martí Matias, MR. (2014). El genoma de una ciudad: Valencia. (Bioarquitectura, orígenes hasta época foral) [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/43591