VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
The politics of social assistance in emerging market economies: on the interplay of electoral and contentious politics
Keywords: social assistance
political economy
protests
India
social protection
Turkey
social policy
emerging markets welfare
politics of policy reform
social movements
quantitative methods

This dissertation contributes to the literature on the politics of social assistance in Emerging Market Economies. It builds upon existing theoretical frameworks across several academic fields and offers empirical evidence on the influence of politics in the expansion and distribution of social assistance programs. Paper 1 provides a novel contribution to existing political explanations of social assistance expansion by theorizing and testing how electoral competition and contentious politics mediate each other’s effect on social assistance spending on a global scale. The analysis finds this election-contention-nexus to influence social assistance spending in Middle-income countries in particular. Paper 2 offers a longitudinal analysis of the influence of the interaction of protests and electoral competition on social assistance in Turkey to uncover how the election-contention-nexus plays out at the national level. In addition, due to the available micro-data, it assesses the targeting of programs to characterize who receives benefits as a response to political factors. The results suggest that this co-occurrence can lead to higher levels of coverage of social assistance benefits among the poor in Turkey. Paper 3 introduces a framework to examine differences in the distributional logic used by governments across different social assistance types to provide a systematic understanding of political distribution of benefits that goes beyond aggregate spending or single flagship programs. The results suggest that the main benefit types that are used for political purposes in Turkey are meager cash and in-kind benefits that I classify as poverty mitigating social assistance. Further, the type of challenging party is found to have differential effects on the distribution of social assistance programs. Lastly, Paper 4 examines the role of federal politics in India to explain stark differences in unmet demand for the world’s largest public works program. It finds that state-level party strategy and party alignment across levels of government are important factors that can explain unmet demand in the program. Further, it highlights that one benefit can be utilized by many political actors across levels of governments for different purposes. Surprisingly, district-level economic or political dynamics are not found to influence rationing rates of the public works program.
Structural and functional studies with native mass spectrometry — insights into membranes and glycoproteins
Keywords: glycoproteins
native mass spectrometry
rhodopsin
disc membrane

The membrane is a boundary between extracellular and intracellular environments or separates intracellular spaces. It also plays a vital and irreplaceable role in hosting membrane protein and is a matrix or media to exchange material and information in and out of the cell. Hence understanding the protein structure, tracing the signalling and investigating active ligands are essential. This thesis studies the structure details of glycoproteins, molecular events of rhodopsin in disc membrane, and the endogenous ligands of voltage-dependent potassium ion channel beta subunits. Native mass spectrometry (native MS) monitors the photoactivation and regeneration of rhodopsin in membrane in Chapter 3. The retinal isomerisation and hydrolysis process are slower than in the detergent environment. It is also discovered that the membrane component, N-ret-PE is a source of cis-retinal for rhodopsin regeneration. This pathway is independent of other cells and does not require conversion between retinal and retinol, which may improve the efficiency of vision persistence. Later in Chapter 4, the phototransduction of rhodopsin in membrane is further studied with native MS. The GDP release from the transducin is directly observed on transducin when it couples with rhodopsin. Hence the activated Gtα-PDE6 hydrolyses and releases cGMP. This detection of photoactivation and transduction in the membrane can be used for rhodopsin-targeting compounds. These provide insights into the regulation of rhodopsin-base active ligands for rhodopsin signalling. Apart from the static observation of protein structure, employment of native MS reveals occupancy of N- and O-glycans, LacNAcs, GlcNAc branches on N-glycans and linkage of glycans applied in transferrin, fetuin, epoetin and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein in Chapter 5. In Chapter 6, native MS detects cofactor and active ligands that monitor Kvβ2, both aldo-keto reductase and potassium ion channel beta subunit. An endogenous inhibitory ligand is likely to be an inhibitor of Kvβ2, maintaining an increasing redox state in the ratio of NADPH/NADP+. The finding of a small ligand may result in a possible drug prototype for sleep rhythm. This thesis shows that the new application of native MS providing detailed information in structural, functional and metabolomic biology studies. Together these studies by the means of native MS advance the understanding in protein structure and functions.
The development of partially coherent X-ray beam ptychography and adaptable optics for the study of nanomaterials
Keywords: optics
ptychography
imaging
partially coherent
CDI
X-ray

Advances in synchrotron and X-ray free electron laser (XFEL) sources have led to ptychography emerging as a powerful tool in X-ray microscopy. Ptychography uses overlapping diffraction patterns scanned across a sample and computational techniques to reconstruct the complex probe and sample transmission functions with spatial resolutions beyond the image forming optics. Ptychography's ability to reconstruct the complex probe has seen it widely adopted as a metrology technique, particularly as focal sizes approach ever smaller length regimes. However, most sources do not yet produce completely coherent beams, which had previously restricted ptychography to specialised, high-coherence beamlines. Including a multi-modal probe in the reconstruction algorithm developed in the presented study has alleviated this requirement, making it more widely accessible. As sources have evolved, so has the need for high-quality X-ray optics for focussing. Aberrations introduced during fabrication degrade the performance of X-ray optics and their ability to achieve diffraction limited focusing. Corrective optics are a new method that can counteract these errors by introducing controlled wavefront modifications before the optic, which cancels out the distortions.
This thesis consolidates a range of work centred on improving the understanding of partially coherent ptychography. This includes successfully implementing partially coherent ptychography as an imaging and X-ray optic metrology technique developed for the B16 Test beamline at Diamond Light Source. And then its subsequent development into an at-wavelength metrology technique for characterising fabrication aberrations of X-ray optics. A new class of dynamic corrective optics is demonstrated and characterised using the aforementioned ptychography technique. The results will apply to a wide variety of high numerical aperture X-ray optics aiming to achieve diffraction limited focusing. Finally, some typical applications of partially coherent and regular ptychography are presented as case studies of nanomaterials. Gold nanoparticles are used to validate the imaging capabilities of the partially coherent ptychography technique and discuss how other decoherence effects can be accounted for, such as fly-scan ptychography. The processing steps of a typical ptychotomography experiment studying silica diatoms are presented, and the associated coherent properties are examined.
Data-driven algorithms for multi-agent optimization and games
Keywords: uncertain coalitional games
multi-agent optimization
multi-agent games
statistical learning
data-driven algorithms
scenario approach

Multi-agent optimization and game theory constitute fundamental frameworks for modelling a plethora of engineering problems. In some systems, agents cooperate to optimize a collective cost, thus giving rise to multi-agent optimization programs. In other cases, agents act as selfish entities wishing to minimize their own individual cost subject to local or global constraints. To model such behaviour, non-cooperative game theory is required. Finally, agents though selfish can opt towards the formation of coalitions such that they receive a higher payoff. Such systems are studied under the lenses of cooperative game theory. One of the most crucial challenges in such problems is finding solutions that are robust against the effects of uncertainty. Uncertainty represents our lack of knowledge about how the underlying system behaves and usually originates from unmodelled dynamics or external factors. Its significance is apparent in modern applications such as the electric vehicle charging problem, the optimal power flow problem with power generation from renewable energy sources, transportation and social networks. Following a data-driven approach, this thesis builds a theoretical framework for the provision of robustness certificates for solutions to multi-agent optimization problems and non-cooperative games with an arbitrary cost function and uncertainty in the constraints. The theoretical tools developed allow the provision of collective certificates for sets (and subsets) of solutions that do not necessarily need to be optimal. Focusing on the class of aggregative games, agents’ deviations from an equilibrium solution and uncertain constraints are considered. A data-driven equilibrium seeking algorithm is then proposed such that tunable collective guarantees can be provided for all possible feasible deviations from the equilibrium. Shifting our attention towards a particular class of optimization programs with uncertain cost, prevalent in practical applications, we provide probabilistic guarantees for the randomized optimizer that do not depend on the number of agents but only on the size of the decision vector of each agent. As such, the probabilistic guarantees provided are scalable as the number of agents increases. Finally, a data-driven theoretical framework is established for multi-agent cooperative games with uncertain value functions. Collective stability guarantees for the entire core set, a fundamental concept in cooperative game theory, are provided based on data from the value functions in a probably approximately correct learning fashion. The case where the core can be empty is considered and a methodology to accompany allocations in a relaxed core with stability certificates is proposed.
The role of TIRR in DNA damage and repair
Keywords: DNA Damage
53BP1
TIRR
DSB Repair

The integrity of our DNA genetic code is constantly under threat from a variety of different endogenous and exogenous sources. Failure to accurately repair damage to our DNA can lead to the development of diseases such as cancer. In order to maintain genomic stability, cells possess a network of highly regulated cellular processes which act together to repair DNA, known as the DNA damage response. Many different factors contribute to the repair of DNA lesions, including different proteins and RNA species. A central player in the repair of DNA double strand breaks, a particularly toxic type of DNA damage, is a protein known as 53BP1. The recruitment of 53BP1 to double strand breaks is a highly regulated process, and 53BP1 is constitutively bound by the inhibitor protein TIRR. When a double strand break occurs, TIRR and 53BP1 dissociate, allowing 53BP1 to engage chromatin at the break and function in repair. In Chapter 3 of this thesis, we explore the mechanism of this dissociation, identifying a role for RNA which is transcribed at double strand break itself. We also further characterise the role of TIRR in the wider DNA damage response, firstly in Chapter 4, where we explore the function of TIRR RNA binding in the regulation of RNA processing, and in Chapter 5, where we perform a proximity labelling experiment to identify novel interactors of TIRR. Taken together, this thesis characterises the function of the DNA repair factor TIRR, both as a 53BP1 negative regulator, and as an RNA-binding protein.
Scalable learning for expanding robot vision
Keywords: Domain shift in computer vision
Image synthesis and transformation for extending existing datasets to cover new environmental conditions
Domain adaptation for robotic perception
Synthetic data for robotics vision

Vision is hard, but the rewards for cracking the problems that stand between us and robust robot vision more than make up for the arduous journey. This work aims to guide the reader through some ideas and concepts that try to make robot vision better under difficult conditions. We tackle the shortcomings of robot vision from three different directions: domain adaptation, image de-noising and finally training data generation. However, the boundaries between these categories are fluid, allowing for complementary operation.
Throughout this work, we successfully demonstrate domain adaptation for localisation across any weather and appearance using generative adversarial networks (GANs), and subsequently extend this to an unsupervised setting that generalises to more than one task. Similarly, we show that convolutional neural networks are a suitable choice for image de-noising - in the context of de-raining and inverse perspective mapping - and present data and ground-truth collection strategies that make this possible. Finally, we tackle the scarcity of training data via data generation. We propose an improvement to cycle-consistency GANs, and a very simple method for collecting images affected by adherent droplets complete with a clear ground-truth. Scene synthesis and randomization techniques are used for improved semantic segmentation models, finishing with an investigation of a collision mitigation system that leverages data created using a simulator.
The techniques described lead to significant gains under difficult conditions such as low illumination, large changes in appearance (domain shift) and noisy data, as well as allowing machine learning models to be trained using data that would normally be very hard, expensive or impossible to obtain.
Optical and electronic studies of new materials for perovskite multijunction photovoltaics
Keywords: spectroscopy
perovskite
solar
multijunction
wide bandgap
tandem
photovoltaic
physics
semiconductors
renewables
modelling

Hybrid perovskite semiconductors have recently emerged as ideal candidates for multijunction photovoltaics due to their tunable bandgap. This thesis examines some key issues limiting the development of such next-generation photovoltaic technology.
A key problem is that mixed-halide devices fail to deliver the expected increase in quasi-fermi level splitting when the bromide fraction is increased. Here, spectroscopy along with detailed balance calculations is used to quantify the voltage loss resulting from halide segregation. Our results indicate that, contrary to popular belief, the primary loss mechanism in wide-bandgap cells is high trap state densities in the bulk and at the interfaces. We thus identify that focussing on maximising the initial radiative efficiency of the mixed halide films and devices is more important than attempting to suppress phase segregation.
The thesis also investigates loss mechanisms in wide-bandgap double perovskite Cs2AgBiBr6, which has shown promising stability and optoelectronic properties. Experiment and modelling are combined to reveal that short electron diffusion length underpins the poor short-circuit current seen in such devices. Our findings point to an important materials issue that must be attended to with priority to bring Cs2AgBiBr6 solar cells on track towards maturity.
Finally, optical modelling is used to analyse what is arguably the largest optical loss mechanism in all-perovskite tandems today: a large refractive index mismatch at the recombination layer. This loss is quantified, and the thesis demonstrates that replacing ITO with an intermediate refractive index material, such as Nb doped TiO2, can significantly enhance light incoupling into the low bandgap cell, boosting the PCE by upto 1% absolute. Interestingly, index matching also has the unintended consequence of making cell performance less sensitive to thickness variation during manufacturing.
National heritage in private hands: the political and cultural status of country houses in Britain, 1950-2000
Keywords: country houses
historic houses
arts funding
inheritance tax
heritage industry
property taxation
capital transfer tax
modern British history

This study examines the role of privately owned country houses in political and cultural discourse in Britain between 1950 and 2000. It expands existing scholarship on how and why policy affecting country houses has developed, and contextualises these developments broadly within cultural and political changes of the late-twentieth century.
The thesis situates privately owned country houses within the broader history of the rise of the ‘heritage industry’ and heritage preservation policy in Britain. It utilises the Historic House Association’s (HHA’s) archives, and the personal archives of some of its key figures, which have not been studied by researchers before. This approach contributes unprecedented detail to the study of built heritage preservation policy changes, and particularly to our understanding of how aristocrats have influenced modern politics via the heritage sector.
Existing accounts of the country house’s “survival” in twentieth-century Britain are predominantly cultural. This perspective in isolation obscures critical dynamics within governments, and between governments and lobbyists. Relationships between country house lobbyists and Treasury and Inland Revenue officials, which long outlasted individual governments, were essential in the development of crucial taxation exemptions for heritage. The conditional exemption of heritage properties from Capital Transfer Tax in 1975/76, under Wilson’s government, set a critical precedent for the special treatment of historic houses under taxation, which was expanded during the 1980s. This became the foundation of the cross-party political principle that country houses are best maintained in private hands, although Wilson’s cabinet had not truly resolved their objections to granting country house owners financial privileges. Governments’ subsequent expansion of public aid for privately owned houses and collections was rooted in this political principle. During the 1980s and 1990s, the importance of “saving” country houses and their collections was taken for granted by both the public and governments—even under the allegedly heritage-averse New Labour.
Narratives of love: emotional morality in five Mamluk-era treatises on love
Keywords: Islam
Sexuality
Arabic Literature
Love
Emotions
Morality

This thesis examines five treatises on love from fourteenth-century Cairo and Damascus, all of which have been categorised by Giffen as pertaining to the “love theory” tradition. Fourteenth-century Cairo and Damascus, by this time the two centres of knowledge production in Arabic, is the only context in which we see multiple treatises being written in this tradition on the subject of love by authors who knew each other, read each other’s near-contemporaneous works and responded directly to each other in their own writing, making this a dynamic and intertextual corpus of materials. Moreover, that five of the same kind of treatise are written in the century, more so than at any other time, suggests that this kind of treatise, and the questions these treatises explore, had some currency in the period under investigation. These treatises are Shihāb al-Dīn Maḥmūd al-Ḥalabī’s (d.725/1325) Manāzil al-aḥbāb wa-manāzih al-albāb, the third chapter of the first section of the second book of Shihāb al-Dīn ibn ʿAbd al-Wahhāb al-Nuwayrī’s (d.733/1333) Nihāyat al-arab fī funūn al-adab, Mughulṭāy ibn Qilīj’s (d.762/1361) al-Wāḍiḥ al-mubīn fī man ustushhida min al-muḥibbīn, Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah’s (d.751/1350) Rawḍat al-muḥibbīn wa-nuzhat al-mushtāqīn, and Ibn Abī Ḥajalah’s (d.776/1375) Dīwān al-ṣabābah.
The contribution of this thesis to the emerging field of the history of emotions in pre-modern Arabic literature is an analysis of the compilers’ approach to moral questions that derive from the experience of same-sex love, drawing from religious, medical, literary, historiographical and legal sources of knowledge. In particular, there is considerable focus on the psychology of same-sex love and desire and on the compilers’ depiction of the psychological and emotional conflict that derives from the condemnation of same-sex sexual intercourse in the individual’s experience of love. The thesis is broken into four chapters, which each survey different aspects of the compilers’ approach to moral questions. Starting with an examination of the proscription of same-sex intercourse, the thesis then examines the ways in which that prohibition has ramifications on the life of the moral subject, the idealised reader of the compilation; the thesis examines in turn the morality of gazing upon phenomenal beauty, chaste same-sex relationships and the ways in which women’s same-sex desire could be controlled by men. The thesis demonstrates that same-sex lovers are faced with very specific demands and expectations in their navigation of their experience of love. By zoning in on the particular contour of moral questions that arise within the same-sex relationship, we begin to see how the compilers understand love to be inflected by its personal circumstances.