VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Theorising the relationship between kalām and uṣūl al-fiqh: the theological-legal epistemology of Saʿd al-Dīn al-Taftāzānī (d. 792/1390)
Keywords: manṭiq
kalām
uṣūl al-fiqh
Taftāzānī

This thesis examines the appropriation and naturalisation of philosophical theology (kalām) and Arabic logic (manṭiq) into Islamic legal hermeneutics (uṣūl al-fiqh) in the 8th/14th century in the works of the Persian theologian cum jurist Saʿd al-Dīn al-Taftāzānī (d. 792/1390). By the 5th/11th centaury, uṣūl al-fiqh works across madhhabs contained an extensive introduction on epistemology. This practice brought two main questions: the first is concerning the classification of the sciences and their hierarchy (whether this epistemological introduction pertains to an Islamic science, kalām, or a non-Islamic science, logic). The second is concerning the status and function of uṣūl al-fiqh as a key contributor to the late-classical rational sciences. This thesis offers an original contribution to answering these two questions. It studies the development of uṣūl al-fiqh as a source of epistemology through investigating its relationship to kalām and Arabic logic. More specifically, it investigates the so-called theological principles (al-mabādi’ al-kalāmiyya) as they appear in the above three sciences from the 11th to the 14th centuries. The analysis in this thesis shows that these mabādi’ play an epistemological role, insofar as they deal with the objects and classification of knowledge (ʿilm and ẓann), the character and typology of epistemic indication (dalāla), and the nature of theoretical investigation (naẓar). The main features of these theories, this study shows, are their occasionalist and foundationalist concerns, developed through three centuries of debates. This thesis also offers new insights on the features of Taftāzānī’s intellectual project, concluding that the originality of Taftāzānī’s thought is best seen in his concern with scholastic verification (taḥqīq), spurning madhhab-affiliations.
Investigating the spectrum of atoms in multiple-radiofrequency dressed potentials for coherent splitting of quantum gases
Keywords: Non-equilibrium physics
radiofrequency spectroscopy
multiple-frequency interaction
radiofrequency-dressed potentials
Bose-Einstein condensation

This thesis presents experimental work to investigate the properties of ultracold rubidium atoms in multiple-radiofrequency dressed potentials and detailed theoretical calculations to understand this system. The use of multiple frequencies rather than a single dressing frequency increases the complexity of the spectrum, and we present theoretical calculations that predict all possible transitions as well as the corresponding strengths. Extensive measurements for dressing with a single and multiple frequencies have verified these predictions, observing transitions up to tenth order in the probe field. We observe previously unknown transitions even for the single-frequency case and have uncovered further transitions which we explain by the non-linearity of the Zeeman effect even at our small field strengths.
These results are used to understand the absorption spectrum as the potential transforms from a single to a double well in order to split a Bose-Einstein condensate. This is important for applications since spurious noise leads to atom loss if it is resonant with a transition between eigenstates. We present a new method of splitting, replacing adiabatic ramps with a projection, that reduces the duration of the ramps as well as the spectrum of resonances throughout the ramps, thus reducing losses.
The new experimental techniques will allow observation of the thermalisation of a two-dimensional quantum system using ultracold gases. We discuss how multiple-radiofrequency dressed potentials can be used to confine ultracold atoms in two dimensions, and subsequently split the trapped cloud into two parallel sheets. After a varying hold time, the atoms can be released and overlapped to produce interference fringes. Analysis of the fringes determines how the relative phase between the two sheets thermalises. Information can be accumulated to determine the probability distribution of the integrated contrast, which can then be compared to the equilibrium distribution to determine if and how the relative phase thermalises. This promises to answer key questions in non-equilibrium physics.
Variations on the theme of zeta functions of groups and rings
Keywords: Group Theory

In recent years the study of zeta functions of groups and rings has been expanded rapidly. Many new zeta functions enumerating different subobjects have been introduced and studied. However, we still encounter difficulties when one wants to explicitly compute them.
This thesis comprises three parts. The first part contains the computation of ideal zeta functions for low dimensional, class-2 nilpotent Lie rings. In addition, we discuss connections to Higman's PORC conjecture. The second part, which is the main part of the thesis, consists of the various approximations of zeta functions of groups and rings, namely: graded ideal zeta functions (Chapter 3 and 4), finite zeta functions enumerating subalgebras (or ideals) of finite Lie Fp-algebras over Fp (Chapter 5), and the i-th partial zeta functions of groups and rings (Chapter 6). We provide explicit calculations in many cases, where the classic subgroup/normal subgroup zeta functions are not available. In addition we study properties of the zeta functions obtained, such as uniformity properties or the existence of functional equations. In the final part of the thesis we are concerned with the connection between the study of zeta functions of groups and the study of finite p-groups. In particular we show how our methods from zeta functions of groups and rings can be adapted to study finite p-groups. With these new approaches we end our thesis with several interesting conjectures.
Most of the explicit calculations in this thesis have been checked and verified with computer algebra system MAGMA.
Dynamics and topology of active and passive liquid crystals
Keywords: Active matter
Liquid crystals

We study the interplay between flow, structure, and topology in liquid crystals, in both passive and active materials. Liquid crystals are fluids, but at the same time structurally anisotropic and strongly influenced by their topology. They exhibit long-range orientational order, with characteristics between those of simple isotropic fluids and those of crystalline solids. Active materials extract energy from their surroundings at the single particle level and convert it to mechanical work.
First, we consider the elongation of passive nematic droplets suspended in their own isotropic phase, i.e. tactoids, under the influence of an electric field, and show that a tenfold elongation is due to strong anchoring of the directors to the interface. Building on this, we introduce more complicated internal structures in the tactoids, and demonstrate that cholesteric tactoids and two-dimensional blue phase tactoids correspond to a wealth of droplet morphologies. Application of a perpendicular electric field produces structures very similar to chiral rafts, with directors normal to the plane of the tactoid in the centre, but twisting away from the normal at the edge.
Secondly, we turn to active liquid crystals. Here the interaction between topology, structure, and flow is perhaps even more pronounced, with motile +1/2 topological defects accompanied by large stresses. We study an active two-dimensional blue phase, and show that it is stable for contractile activity, with the active instability screened by the cholesteric pitch length. Extensile activity, on the other hand, leads to dissociation of the double-twist cylinders and causes active turbulence. An alternative method to screen the active instability is introducing substrate friction. We simulate extensile rod-like active nematics and show that anisotropic friction can give rise to a laning state with antiparallel flow. The transition is strongly sensitive to the strength of the anisotropy. Anisotropic friction is an effective way to control active turbulence and to direct the flow in a well-defined fashion.
Finally, we introduce a framework for continuum simulations of active nematics on deformable membranes. We demonstrate that long protrusions driven by motile topological defects are formed in three dimensions on deformable shells. This has potential implications for morphogenetic processes such as the regeneration of Hydra. Our results show that changes in the animal body shape can occur from solely mechanical cues.
Dynamics and stability of a thin liquid lithium flow within a tokamak divertor
Keywords: Hydrodynamics
Magnetohydrodynamics

Nuclear fusion has the potential to be the reliable, clean, safe, and fuel-abundant source of baseload power necessary to meet the ever-increasing global energy demand. One technological roadblock is dealing with the heat load that escapes the core confinement region and must be exhausted within the vessel on a component known as the divertor, without causing it excessive damage. A thin liquid metal film covering a solid divertor substrate is one promising direction that may be capable of sustaining the predicted heat loads. It is therefore of great scientific and industrial interest to study the dynamics and stability of a thin liquid metal film within a tokamak (toroidal plasma confinement device).
In this thesis we develop a model of the liquid-metal divertor. We derive the equations governing the flow of a liquid metal on a substrate in the presence of a strong magnetic field. Focusing on the asymptotic limit in which the film is thin compared to its length, and the induced magnetic fields are relatively weak, we derive a generalised thin-film equation governing the film thickness and study the stability of such flows in configurations not previously analysed.
We extend the model to capture the transfer of heat and momentum to the fluid film as the core plasma is exhausted onto the divertor. This allows us to study how the free surface of the fluid is displaced, and whether it may be maintained in a sufficiently stable state. In particular, we analyse the effect on the liquid film of an oscillating plasma jet, and determine how operating parameters may be tuned to minimise the resulting free-surface displacements. We also show how the cooling channels within the divertor may be designed so as to minimise displacements.
Understanding the structural and electrochemical behavior of high energy density layered oxide cathodes for sodium and lithium ion batteries
Keywords: Battery
Z-phase
Layered transition metal oxide
Na-ion battery
Operando XRD
Oxygen Redox
High voltage
Cathode
Sodium Ion battery
P2
Lithium Ion Battery
Li-ion battery

The world’s crucial need for energy storage has provoked intense interest in cheaper, more sustainable battery chemistries, such as Na-ion. One of the main bottlenecks toward the utilization of Na-ion batteries, however, is the lack of an optimal cathode material. In this thesis, the class of cathode compounds known as layered transition metal oxides are investigated because of their ability to reversibly intercalate (insert/extract) a relatively large quantity of Na and Li-ions (i.e. high capacity).
P2-Na2/3[Ni1/3Mn2/3]O2 is first investigated to probe its utility as a cathode but is demonstrated to possess certain drawbacks including Na deficiency in the as-synthesized state, unsatisfactory cyclability, and a strong driving force for Na-ion ordering. These obstacles are shown to be sufficiently overcome by means of partial metal substitution of Fe as well as a new pre-treatment process using Na-naphthalide to intercalate extra Na-ions into the pristine structure.
Attention is then turned to the mechanism by which partial Fe substitution improves cyclability. It is found that this enhancement largely stems from an altered structural transition at high voltages (i.e. "Z"-phase) resulting in less overall volume changes. The true structural identity of the "Z"-phase is then resolved for the first time as an evolving P2:O2 intergrowth.
Finally, the possibility of using oxygen (instead of heavier transition metals) as a redox center is examined for a collection of layered transition metal oxide materials. It is discovered that oxygen-redox can be activated in the presence of Mg in P2-Na2/3[Mg0.28Mn0.72]O2 and is reversible over hundreds of cycles in O3- Li[Li1/5Ni1/5Mn3/5]O2. Moreover, through investigation of P2-Na3y[LiyMn1−y]O2 (y = 1/5, 1/4), it is determined that the discharge voltage of oxygen-redox compounds strongly depends on cation ordering within the transition metal layer.
In total, the aim of this thesis is to communicate new fundamental insight into the nature of layered transition metal oxide cathodes in order to provide a platform for their further development.
An archaeological typology of 10,000 Aegean and Anatolian fibulae c. 1200 - 400 BC
Keywords: Classical
Fibulae
Classification
Typology
Network Analysis
Archaeology
Aegean
Anatolia
Diversity

Archaeology involves the comparison of one thing with another, using intuition or measurements to distinguish variation at different levels of detail. This thesis makes the case for the centrality of typology, the relations between things, to archaeological theory, advancing a multi-layered typology designed to analyse different kinds of question. I define three levels: the ‘variant’, useful to study production, the ‘group’, meaningful for consumption, and the ‘super-group’, relevant to identity. By contrast, traditional typologies, fixed and mono-level, tend to mask information they render impossible to analyse. My typology replaces the seminal work of Blinkenberg (1926) Fibules Grecques et Orientales as well as combining several regional Prähistorische Bronzefunde typologies (Caner 1983; Kilian 1975; Sapouna-Sakellarakis 1978) into one scheme. The work incorporates 10,000 fibulae from the Aegean and Anatolia into 1,202 variants, 259 groups, and 53 super-groups from the 12th to the 5th century BC.
The first half of the thesis presents the historiography of fibula study, the new typology, and the nominal data. Notable is the dramatic increase in fibula count and diversity in the 8th and 7th century, as well as shift from cemetery to sanctuary dedications, followed by their all but total disappearance by the 6th century. The second half is concerned with style, degrees of similarity, and what stylistic variation is for. A network analysis of shared-presence is shown to be subject to serious flaws; whilst an export network based on a manufacture test is much more promising. A diversity analysis of site assemblages and profile-group variation is employed to reveal divergences of use, practice, and dress style. Why the variety in the 8th and 7th century? An argument is advanced that variety is produced to achieve humankind’s ends as loci of distributed personhood and cognition. I end with positing the part fibulae played in the various subsystems of extended minds.
The linguistic relationships between Greek and the Anatolian languages
Keywords: Hittite
Greek dialects
Ancient Greek
Luwian
Anatolian languages
Language contact

This thesis investigates the issue of prehistoric and historical language contact between speakers of Greek and speakers of the Anatolian languages. It is the first systematic attempt to understand to what extent Greek and the languages belonging to the Anatolian branch of Indo-European (Hittite and Luwian in primis) influenced each other between the second and the first millennium before our era, and in particular how much of early Greek language can be traced back to Anatolian models. This has been carried out through a case-to-case analysis of real or presumptive contact phenomena in the domains of phonology, morphosyntax, and lexicon (ch. 2-5). The introduction (1) offers an outline of the linguistic landscape of the Graeco-Anatolian area, together with some reflections on language phylogeny and contact. The final chapter (5) focuses on the dialect of Pamphylia, which is used as a control sample to check the ways in which a variety of Greek historically in contact with Anatolian dialects could be affected by language contact.
I have offered a stratigraphy of possible contacts between Greek and the Anatolian languages, by disentangling linguistic borrowings from independent innovations, areal features from Indo-European archaisms. I have argued that several of the presumptive similarities between Greek and one or the other Anatolian language are either attributable to reasons different from contact, or need to be rejected because the alleged similarity was based on wrong premises or insufficient grounds. Any scenario envisaging diffused bilingualism is very difficult to uphold before the classical era. A certain degree of cultural contact is however undeniable. Since our evidence is very often partial and since absence of evidence is not evidence of absence, one should raise a firm caveat against any type of hyper-sceptical approach.
The political values of early Whig drama and poetry by women
Keywords: Susanna Centlivre
Sarah Fyge Egerton
Catharine Trotter

This thesis examines women writers’ contributions to the development of Whig literary culture in the bitterly partisan era known as ‘The Rage of the Party’. It takes as its focus the drama and poetry of three contemporaneous female authors – Catharine Trotter, Susanna Centlivre, and Sarah Fyge Egerton – a circle of self-confident female wits, who emerged in the decades after the Glorious Revolution, and wrote in support of Whig ideology and aesthetics. This project, then, challenges the received notion that Toryism was more conducive to early modern women’s public voice. It also contributes to the study of Whig cultural formation, which has hitherto focused on male writers and the genre of poetry. Pioneering scholarship on literary Whiggism has revealed the existence of a dynamic Whig literary culture long occluded by a ‘Scriblerian’ notion of literary history. Through the recovery of female interventions in Whig public discourse, this study modifies our view of early Whig culture, revealing a richer, more complex picture of the breadth and variety of the Whig cultural programme than previously conceived. A major focus of my research is the significance of the post-Revolution stage as an important site of Whig cultural production and a vital source of support for women writers, who capitalized on the patronage and industry networks of the theatre to enable and support their literary careers.
This study’s engagement with female responses to partisan debates produces some surprising results. Trotter’s identity as a Catholic did not preclude her from articulating vigorous support for the tenets of the Revolution, nor did it prevent her from receiving the patronage of a number of Whig luminaries. This illuminates the richness and variety of early Whig culture, which accommodates surprisingly divergent religio-political positions. The focus on Egerton’s political poetry reveals a hitherto unacknowledged picture of her as a patriotic Whig poet, whose well-known feminist views are enabled and informed by the ideology and tropes of Whig verse. While readings of women’s Whiggish interest have largely focused on their concerns with marriage and a Lockean social contract, my research illustrates how Whiggish women’s political identities are more often articulated through their attitudes to partisan national issues: war, peace, martial heroism, commerce, speculation and religious toleration. Women engaged with these masculinist themes in explicit dialogue with their male contemporaries, refashioning the norms of the dominant culture, and alerting us to the nature and extent of female political agency.
Geometric morphometric exploration of the skull phenotypic matrix of Columbimorphae (Pteroclidiformes, Mesitornithiformes and Columbiformes): Allometry, heterochrony, ecological factors, modularity, biomechanics, diet, and domestication
Keywords: Domestication
Allometry
Evolution
Macroevolution
Modularity
Columba livia
Intrgration
Fancy pigeons
Heterochrony
Pezophaps solitaria
Lines of least evolutionary resistance
dodo
Columbiformes
Geometric morphometrics

This thesis deals with the interplay between developmental constraints and ecomorphological factors in the skull shape evolution in Columbimorphae. Columbimorphae is a group of birds that includes the Mesitornithiformes (mesites), Pteroclidiformes (sandgrouses), and Columbiformes (pigeons and doves). Columbiformes have a wide geographical distribution, exhibit a wide range of body sizes, and have high ecological and morphological diversity. It includes iconic species like the dodo (Raphus cucullatus), the Rodrigues solitaire (Pezophaps solitaria), and the passenger pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius).
This diversity shown in Columbiformes, along with their well resolved phylogenetic relationships makes this clade a good study system to perform macro-evolutionary research. This thesis is focussed on a pluralistic view of phenotypical evolution. For this reason, I tested ecological factors (distribution, body size, centroid size, feeding strategy and biomechanical performance) and developmental factors (allometry, heterochrony, modularity, integration) to examine the skull evolution.
My research sheds light into various evolutionary phenomena, showing that the dodo and the Rodrigues solitaire follow allometry and heterochrony; that modularity and integration are not sufficient to explain the columbiform skull shape; that ecomorphological factors have shaped the pigeon skull; that differences in biomechanical performance are associated with different feeding strategies; that domestication does not only increases the amount of morphological disparity using existent axes of variation but successfully explores and incorporates new axis of variation; and that different phenotypic matrices are not usually comparable and generalizable because matrices of wild Columbiformes, domestic (Columba livia) and feral individuals (C. livia) are unequal and do not share the same axes of variation.
My overall results suggest that both ecomorphology and development influenced the evolution of the pigeon skull. My research also warns against the generalization of species patterns of constraints (modularity and integration) across taxonomic scales.