Roman public libraries

This thesis aims to investigate the development and functions of public libraries in Rome and the Roman world. After a preface with maps of libraries in Rome, Section I discusses the precursors for public library provision in the private book collections of Republican Rome, and their transfer into the public domain with the first public libraries of Asinius Pollio and Augustus. Section II contains three 'case studies' of public libraries' different roles. The Augustan library programme is used in Ch.II.l to examine the role of imperial public libraries in literary life and the connections between Rome's libraries and those of Alexandria. Chapter II.2 concentrates on the libraries of Trajan's Forum to explore the intersection of imperial public libraries and monumental public architecture. This chapter responds to an important recent article by arguing for the continued identification of the Forum's libraries with twin brick buildings at its northern end, and suggests a series of correspondences between these libraries and its other monumental components. The conclusions of this chapter are important when considering the public libraries of the wider empire, several of which seem to have been inspired by the Trajanic libraries. Chapter II.3 considers imperial public libraries and leisure by looking at the evidence for libraries within bath-house complexes, concluding that their presence there is consistent with the archaeological and epigraphic evidence and fits in well with what we know of the intellectual and cultural life of these structures. Section III examines various aspects of the practical function of Roman public libraries: their contents (books and archives), division into Latin and Greek sections, provisions for shelving and cataloguing, staff, usership, architectural form, decoration, and housing of works of art. The picture that emerges is of carefully designed and functional buildings intended to sustain public, monumental, and practical functions. Section IV uses a variety of texts to examine the way in which libraries were viewed and used. Ch. IV. 1 discusses the evidence for use of libraries by scholars and authors such as Gellius, Galen, Josephus, and Apuleius. Ch. IV.2 examines parallels between library collections and compendious encyclopaedic elements within Roman literature and considers how library collections came to be canon-forming institutions and vehicles for the expression of imperial approval or disapproval towards authors. The channels through which this imperial influence flowed are investigated in Ch. IV.3, which looks at the directors and staff of the public libraries of Rome. The final section (V) of the thesis concerns public libraries outside the city of Rome. Provincial libraries provide a useful case study in 'Romanisation': they reveal a range of influences and are shown to embody local, personal, and metropolitan imperial identities. There follows a brief conclusion, and a bibliography. There are also five appendices of numismatic and epigraphic material discussed in the text. This material has not been adequately or completely gathered elsewhere and is intended to assist the reader; where appropriate it includes illustrations, transcriptions, and translations.

Towards an improved understanding of knowledge dynamics in integrated coastal zone management: a knowledge systems framework

Integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) is a complex undertaking that draws on a range of biophysical and social science disciplines, and involves a wide range of stakeholders operating through multiple processes, and crossing various levels  Conceptually, this means that ICZM represents a significant challenge in terms of improving the way in which different disciplinary ‘knowledges’ and different forms of knowledge (scientific, managerial, lay, and indigenous) inform decision making. Depending upon the circumstances, ICZM may be constrained by different knowledge deficits, including: uncertainty; science - policy gaps; and the ‘filtering’ of particular forms of knowledge relative to others. As a means for making sense of these knowledge dynamics, this paper considers the concept of knowledge systems and its potential for improving understanding of coastal management processes. The potential insights that can be gained from four analytical approaches (stakeholder, institutional, network, and discourse analysis) are then discussed, and used to develop an analytical framework for investigating coastal knowledge dynamics, which is based upon a generic coastal knowledge system and associated research questions. Finally, the utility of this framework is illustrated using a case study that examines the knowledge dynamics associated with debates about the establishment of marine protected areas in Victoria, Australia.

Hope for resurrecting a functionally extinct parrot or squandered social capital? Landholder attitudes towards the Orange-bellied Parrot (Neophema chrysogaster) in Victoria, Australia

In early 2010, after 27 years of recovery effort, the orange-bellied parrot (OBP; Neophema chrysogaster) was expected to be extinct in the wild within a few years. Shortly before the imminent wild extinction became evident, we surveyed landholders (114 responses of 783 surveys delivered) in part of the main non-breeding area, according to three classes of modelled habitat suitability ('high', 'medium', and 'low'). Predictions of the habitat models appear to correlate with landholder perceptions of the presence of OBP habitat on private land, thus the models appear a tractable way to identify key stakeholders worthy of priority consultation in relation to habitat works. Landholders were sympathetic to wetlands and birds, including OBPs (89.4% were aware of OBPs). Most indicated that they would be upset if the OBP went extinct and agreed that critical habitat should be protected; 80.7% were prepared to consider changes to the way they managed their land to benefit the species, and sought more information on how they could do so (64.0%). This study suggests that the habitat model usefully identified key stakeholders and the OBP enjoyed high awareness, concern, and engagement among many stakeholders, shortly before the species was considered functionally extinct. The maintenance of landholder support is likely to be critical if future attempts are made to reintroduce the species to the wild.

Weeds and wildlife: perceptions and practices of weed managers

Negative impacts of invasive plants or weeds on biodiversity have been well established yet their role in providing key habitats and resources for wildlife has been little understood. Weed removal thus has the potential to adversely affect wildlife but whether this is considered during weed management is poorly known. To determine the extent of this knowledge, we examined the perceptions of weed managers regarding wildlife and weed management in Victoria, Australia. We surveyed 81 weed managers of varying levels of experience from different types of organisations, including state and local government, community groups and private companies. We found 90% of managers had observed wildlife-weed interactions and that most (70%) adjusted management programmes to accommodate wildlife. Despite this, few (19%) had adopted the recommended practice of combining gradual weed removal with re-vegetation. While management programmes included monitoring of native vegetation, consideration of wildlife monitoring in weed management was rare. This highlights the need for management to better understand and respond to wildlife-weed relationships. If the improvement of wildlife habitat is included in the objectives of weed programmes, as it should be, then wildlife should also be incorporated in project monitoring. This would lead to a greater understanding of the role weeds and their management have in each situation and, ultimately, more informed decision making. Copyright: © Carlos et al. 2014.

Eficiência, sedimentabilidade e composição da microfauna de sistemas de lodos ativados de fluxo contínuo e em batelada, removendo nitrogênio

A crescente preocupação com o lançamento de nutrientes aos corpos d'água e seu impacto sobre a qualidade dos mananciais justifica o aprofundamento do estudo de técnicas de tratamenot de águas residuárias que promovam a remoção destes poluentes. Com a finalidade de estudar a remoção do nitrogênio, foram operados dois sistemas biológicos de tratamento de efluentes por lodos ativados em escala piloto. Esses sistemas apresentavam diferenças em relação a seu fluxo de operação, onde um deles trabalhava de forma intermitente (Reator Seqüencial em Batelada) enquanto o outro se caracterizava por apresentar um fluxo contínuo (Bardenpho). A pesquisa foi realizada no tratamento de esgoto doméstico e dividiu-se em duas etapas: na primeira, foi adotada uma idade de lodo de 10 dias como parâmetro operacional enquanto que, na segunda , adotou-se uma idade de lodo de 30 dias. O monitoramento dos processos foi realizado por meio de análises físico-químicas e também pela observação da microfauna presente no lodo, como um parâmetro adicional de controle dos sistemas. O RSB apresentou-se mais eficiente do que o sistema de fluxo contínuo ao longo das duas etapas da pesquisa Na primeira fase, o RSB apresentou remoções médias de 88, 86 e 59% para a DQO, nitrogênio total e ST, respectivamente, enquanto que, para o sistema em fluxo contínuo, essas remoções foram de 76, 56 e 50%, respectivamente. Na segunda etapa, o RSB apresentou uma remoção média de 88% para DQO, 88% para nitrogênio total e 50% para ST, enquanto que o sistema contínuo apresentou valores médios de 72,49 e 29%, respectivamente. Os sistemas de tratamento apresentaram boas condições de sedimentabilidade durante as duas etapas comprovadas através dos valores obtidos a partir do stestes do IVL e IVLA. Observou-se uma variação da composição da microfauna nos dois sistemas de fluxo contínuo e uma predominância de ciliados fixos no RSB. No RSB, a presença de ciliados fixos esteve associada a boas condiçôes de sedimentabilidade e de remoção de matéria orgânica enquanto que no sistema contínuo, esta associação deu-se com o gênero Euplotes sp. e com os metazóarios. Observaram-se relações entre a presença de amebas e a remoção de nitrogênio no RSB. A presença de ciliados rastejantes esteve associada à geração de um efluente com baixa concentração de SSV em ambos os sistemas de tratamento.

Sistemas baseados em conhecimentos : aplicações : tendências e implicações : um estudo exploratório em empresas brasileiras

Os sistemas baseados em conhecimento estão conquistando espaço entre as tecnologias de informação à medida que o hardware se desenvolve. No ambiente de acirrada competitividade presente nas empresas, esta tecnologia vem apoiá-Ias estrategicamente na agilização, principalmente, do processo decisório e na solução de diversos problemas considerados complexos. Este estudo faz uma investigação das aplicações potenciais da tecnologia de sistemas baseados em conhecimento - ou sistemas .especialistas, como comumente conhecidos -, examinando também as tendências da tecnologia e os impactos e implicações organizacionais provocados quando de sua implementação nas empresas. Um estudo exploratório em empresas brasileiras é acrescido ao perfil de uso e tendências dos sistemas baseados em conhecimento no âmbito nacional

Supplementation of Nellore young bulls on Marandu grass pastures in the dry period of the year

The objective of this study was to evaluate performance and daytime ingestive behavior of 84 Nellore young bulls in the post-weaning phase kept on Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu pastures during the dry season. Treatments were protein mineral supplementation (1 g/kg body weight) and protein+energy mineral supplementation (3 g/kg body weight). The experimental area comprised 12 paddocks in a total area of 27.36 ha, divided in two blocks of six paddocks each, having three replications per treatment in each block, with 42 animals/treatment. The data were subjected to variance analysis with repeated measures over time via procedure PROCMIXED of SAS (Statistical Analysis System, version 9.0) and means were compared by the Tukey test at 5% probability. The initial average weight of animals was 204.8 kg; final weights were 260.9 and 276.9 kg for animals that received protein and protein+energy supplement, respectively. The forage availability, sward height and stocking rate values did not differ with supplementation, but they showed difference between the experimental periods. The average time spent grazing during daylight of animals fed protein+energy supplement was shorter as compared with those which consumed protein supplement. Animals kept under the same pasture conditions during the dry season show better performance when they receive protein+energy supplement than protein supplement.

PHASE-TRANSITION IN A Q-DEFORMED LIPKIN MODEL

Assuming q-deformed commutation relations for the fermions, an extension of the standard Lipkin Hamiltonian is presented. The usual quasi-spin representation of the standard Lipkin model is also obtained in this q-deformed framework. A variationally obtained energy functional is used to analyse the phase transition associated with the spherical symmetry breaking. The only phase transitions in this q-deformed model are of second order. As an outcome of this analysis a critical parameter is obtained which is dependent on the deformation of the algebra and on the number of particles.

The application of thermally stimulated processes to the study of poly p-phenylene sulfide

The electrical properties of poly p-phenylene sulfide (PPS) samples sandwiched between metallic electrodes are studied as a function of the applied voltage, temperature, time, electrode materials, and sample thickness. Superlinear current-voltage characteristics are observed, which are explained in terms of Schottky effect and space-charge limited currents (SCLC). The conductivity data for variable-range hopping have also been studied, but the calculated values of density of states are approximately one order of magnitude higher than those obtained by SCLC measurements. From thermally stimulated polarization currents we observed a current peak around 80°C that was related with the glass transition temperature of PPS. © 1993.

Institutional and policy convergence with growth divergence in Latin America

Includes Bibliography

Development and validation of a microbiological agar assay for determination of orbifloxacin in pharmaceutical preparations

Orbifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, and belongs to the third generation of quinolones. Regarding the quality control of medicines, a validated microbiological assay for determination of orbifloxacin in pharmaceutical formulations has not as yet been reported. For this purpose, this paper reports the development and validation of a simple, sensitive, accurate and reproducible agar diffusion method to quantify orbifloxacin in tablet formulations. The assay is based on the inhibitory effect of orbifloxacin upon the strain of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 used as test microorganism. The results were treated statistically by analysis of variance and were found to be linear (r = 0.9992) in the selected range of 16.0-64.0 μg/mL, precise with relative standard deviation (RSD) of repeatability intraday = 2.88%, intermediate precision RSD = 3.33%, and accurate (100.31%). The results demonstrated the validity of the proposed bioassay, which allows reliable orbifloxacin quantitation in pharmaceutical samples and therefore can be used as a useful alternative methodology for the routine quality control of this medicine. © 2011 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Development and validation of a successful microbiological agar assay for determination of ceftriaxone sodium in powder for injectable solution

Ceftriaxone sodium is a cephalosporin with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and belongs to the third generation of cephalosporins. Regarding the quality control of medicines, a validated microbiological assay for the determination of ceftriaxone sodium in powder for injectable solution has not been reported yet. This paper reports the development and validation of a simple, accurate and reproducible agar diffusion method to quantify ceftriaxone sodium in powder for injectable solution. The assay is based on the inhibitory effect of ceftriaxone sodium on the strain of Bacillus subtilis ATCC 9371 IAL 1027 used as test microorganism. The results were treated statistically by analysis of variance and were found to be linear (r = 0.999) in the selected range of 15.0-60.0 μg/mL, precise with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of repeatability intraday = 1.40%, accurate (100.46%) and robust with a RSD lower than 1.28%. The results demonstrated the validity of the proposed bioassay, which allows reliable ceftriaxone sodium quantitation in pharmaceutical samples and therefore can be used as a useful alternative methodology for the routine quality control of this medicine. © 2012 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Estudo epidemiológico de ocorrência da má oclusão na dentição decídua de crianças da rede pública e privada do município de Belém-Pará

A literatura evidencia que a má oclusão pode se manifestar desde os estágios mais precoces do desenvolvimento oclusal, e, na maioria dos tipos morfológicos, não apresenta auto-correção nos estágios posteriores do desenvolvimento oclusal. Para que políticas públicas possam ser adotadas no sentido de incluir a ortodontia preventiva e interceptativa nos programa de saúde bucal, visando beneficiar principalmente a parte da população menos favorecida, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a prevalência da má oclusão na dentição decídua na cidade de Belém-PA, examinando crianças de escolas públicas e privadas, verificando a influência do nível sócio-econômico na manifestação da má oclusão. Para tanto, foram examinadas 652 crianças, de ambos os sexos, de 3 a 6 anos de idade, na fase de dentição decídua completa, matriculadas em préescolas da rede privada e da rede pública do ensino de Belém- Pará. Foi observada uma prevalência de 81,44% de má oclusão, sendo mais frequente nas crianças do gênero feminino da rede privada (p=0.01). A má- oclusão de Classe II foi mais prevalente, seguida da Classe I e da Classe III. Dentre os diferentes tipos morfológicos de má oclusão, a sobremordida e a mordida cruzada posterior foram mais prevalentes nas crianças da rede privada, em ambos os gêneros, enquanto o trespasse horizontal aumentado e a classe II, apresentaram uma maior ocorrência nas crianças da rede privada no gênero feminino. A má oclusão de Classe I e III foram mais freqüentes nas crianças do gênero feminino na rede pública. A mordida aberta anterior e a mordida cruzada anterior, mostraram comportamento semelhante nos dois grupos de escola, em ambos os gêneros. A perda precoce de dentes decíduos foi mais prevalente (p=0.000) nas crianças da rede pública em ambos os gêneros. Assim, pode-se concluir que a ocorrência da má oclusão na dentição decídua na cidade de Belém é muito alta; que o nível sócio-econômico exerce influência sobre a manifestação das más oclusões, pois essas foram mais freqüente nas crianças da rede privada do gênero feminino e que a ocorrência da perda precoce de dentes decíduos nas crianças da rede pública ainda apresenta um índice alarmante, decorrente provavelmente de uma política de saúde pública ineficiente, que atue em nível preventivo e interceptativo.

Rapid turbidimetric assay to determine the potency of daptomycin in lyophilized powder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)