VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Battery management systems with active loading and decentralised control
Keywords: BMS
MOSFET
Battery management system
MMC

This thesis presents novel battery pack designs and control methods to be used with battery packs enhanced with power electronics. There are two areas of focus: 1) intelligent battery packs that are constructed out of many hot swappable modules and 2) smart cells that form the foundation of a completely decentralised battery management system (BMS). In both areas, the concept of active loading/charging is introduced. Active loading/charging balances the cells in a battery pack by loading each cell in proportion to its capacity. In this way, the state of charge of all cells in a series string remain synchronized at all times and all of the energy storage potential from every cell is utilized, despite any differences in capacity there may be. Experimental results from the intelligent battery show how the capacity of a pack of variably degraded cells can be increased by 46% from 97 Wh to 142 Wh using active loading/charging.
Engineering design challenges of building a practical intelligent battery pack are addressed. Start up and shut down procedures, and their respective circuits, were carefully designed to ensure zero current draw from the battery cells in the off state, yet also provide a simple mechanism for turning on. Intra-pack communication was designed to provide adequate information flow and precise control. Thus, two intra-pack networks were designed: a real time communication network, and a data communication network.
The decentralised control algorithms of the smart cell use a small filtering inductor as a multi-purpose sensor. By analysing the voltage across this filtering inductor, the switching actions of a string of smart cells can be optimised. Experimental results show that the optimised switching actions reduce the output voltage ripple by 83% and they synchronize the terminal voltages of the smart cells, and by extension, their states of charge. This forms the basis of a decentralised BMS that does not require any communication between cells or with a centralised controller, but can still achieve cell balancing through active loading/charging.
How can the topic of electricity be taught in a way that engages Year 10 girls with GCSE Physics?
Keywords: MLT2017
Science
MLT

The aim of this action research project is to develop and teach a series of electricity lessons, using tasks which engage Year 10 GCSE physics students in a highly academic girls’ school.
It builds on the work carried out in Part 2, where focus groups were carried out across four year groups to ascertain student perceptions of physics. Electricity was a topic perceived as particularly disengaging. The post-16 uptake of physics in my school is aligned with the national trend; the number of students choosing to study physics is significantly lower than the number choosing to take biology and chemistry. This study argues that increasing student engagement with electricity may be valuable to increasing the uptake of physics post-16.
This study begins with a literature review to set out what is meant by engagement, outlining the problems with the current research in the area and highlighting ways in which engagement can be increased. The use of modelling to increase engagement is thoroughly examined.
A survey of 144 Year 10 students was carried out to elicit students' views of engaging electricity teaching. Seven electricity intervention lessons were taught and their success was evaluated using Grounded theory to systematically analyse audio recordings from a Year 10 focus group of four students. Following the focus group, the intervention lessons were adapted to develop an electricity revision lesson for Year 11 students. The success of this lesson was similarly evaluated using a focus group followed by Grounded theory analysis.
The main findings of this study suggest that girls' engagement can be increased by ensuring that tasks are designed to include elements of synthesis of prior physics knowledge or opportunities for collaboration with peers. Girls were not engaged when tasks were perceived to have no relevance to their everyday experiences. Due to the level of abstraction inherent in much of the topic, it was found that the personal relevance of each task could not always be explicit.
Mapping the uncertainties in internet-based clinical trials: a systematic review and qualitative study
Keywords: Qualitative research
Randomised controlled trials
Participant experience
Researcher experience
Internet

This thesis maps the growth of the use of internet technologies in randomised controlled trials in health care and public health, and explores the methodological and ethical issues that arise from their use from the perspective of researchers and participants. Online clinical trials are growing in number, and claim to offer benefits for researchers and participants, providing solutions to some of the inherent problems associated with traditional trials. However, little is known about how many internet-based trials have been conducted, what methodological research has been undertaken, or what impact the new technologies might have on researcher or participant experience.
The thesis followed a step-by-step approach, using information science, research synthesis, and qualitative methods. The creation of a database of internet-based clinical trials established that they have grown rapidly in number, use internet technologies primarily to deliver an intervention, predominantly in behavioural, mental health, or life-style public health settings. A two-stage systematic review, comprising a descriptive map and a qualitative synthesis, established what is known about the methods, conduct or participant experience in internet-based trials. A qualitative primary study was then carried out, based on the findings of the review, to further explore the views, attitudes and experiences of researchers, participants and the public, into the motivations, benefits or barriers to taking part in internet-based clinical trials.
Themes emerging from the research suggest complex interactions between design and technology, particularly in the area of participant characteristics and choice; convenience versus intrusion; impact of time and place; the pace of change and impact of societal changes in the use of technology. A range of ethical considerations emerged, including the nature of informed consent, ethical approval, and the need for a systematic approach to patient and public involvement. Recommendations are made to help inform and improve research practice in the digital age.
The impact of extra-curricular activities on student engagement: in what ways does participation in symposium affect higher prior attaining students' engagement in English?
Keywords: English curriculum
MLT2017
MLT

During my second year of teaching, the OFSTED report specified that my school needed to develop its provision for higher ability students. Even though they are a small group of the whole school cohort (12%), they were not being challenged adequately in the classroom or beyond. In addition to the whole school initiatives I formed as a part of my new leadership role as Higher Prior Attaining (HPA) Lead Teacher, I collaborated with a Deputy Head teacher at another school within the county to create Symposium.
Symposium is an extracurricular activity comprised of six 1.5-hour sessions taught by a variety of speakers. This culminates into a final presentation evening held at an Oxford University College, led by the students. In this project, I seek to explore the impact Symposium has on high ability students from a deprived area – more specifically on their engagement within the classroom. Even though most of the research on extracurricular activities has been carried out using quantitative methods, I have used qualitative methods to gain a deeper insight into the ten students' perspectives.
American researchers dominate this area of research. American research into the impact of extracurricular activities explores the overarching impact a combined range of extracurricular activities has on the student's social, behavioural and academic development. In contrast, I have narrowed this focus by investigating the efficacy of Symposium as an academic extracurricular activity.
Due to the small group of participants, it is difficult to generalise. There are groups of students who seem to be excluded from the benefits I will explore, for example the lower prior attaining deprived students and the students who do not hold a strong enough interest in English Language, Literature or Media prior to their participation. However, significant findings include the importance of the school's role to developing deprived students' cultural capital; the impact extracurricular activities have on students' interest and confidence within lessons, which subsequently help them to engage more in lessons and the social benefits that can also be accrued. The development of students' relationships with both their peers and their teachers, seems to increase their sense of belonging within the school, which also seems to filter down into their classroom engagement.
Ultimately, this project seeks to explore whether extracurricular provision can begin to meet the needs of disadvantaged, higher ability students. In light of this research, I hope that Symposium can be offered across all subject areas within the school, so that a greater number of higher ability students can be selected to partake in and benefit from this challenging academic project.
Biotagging, a genetically encoded toolkit in the zebrafish, reveals novel non-coding RNA players during neural crest and myocardium development
Keywords: neural crest
gene regulatory network
non-coding RNA
enhancer
zebrafish
in vivo biotinylation

Complex multicellular organisms are composed of at least 200 cell types, which contain the same DNA "black box" of genetic information. It is the precise regime according to which they express their genes, exquisitely controlled by gene regulatory circuits, that defines their cellular identity, morphology and function. We have developed an in vivo biotinylation method that uses genetically encoded components in zebrafish, termed biotagging, for genome-wide regulatory analysis of defined embryonic cell populations. By labelling selected proteins in specific cell types, biotagging eliminates background inherent to analyses of complex embryonic environments via highly stringent biochemical procedures and targeting of specific interactions without the need for cell sorting. We utilised biotagging to characterise the in vivo translational landscape on polysomes as well as the transcriptional regulatory landscape in nuclei of migratory neural crest cells, which intermix with environing tissues during their migration. Our migratory neural crest translatome presented both known and novel players of the neural crest gene regulatory network. An in depth look into the active nuclear transcriptome uncovered a complex world of non-coding regulatory RNAs that potentially specify migratory neural crest identity and present evidence of active bidirectional transcription on regions of open chromatin that include putative cis-regulatory elements. Analysis of our transcribed cis-regulatory modules functionally links these elements to known genes that are key to migratory neural crest function and its derivatives. We also identified a novel cohort of circular RNAs enriched at regions of tandem duplicated genes. Last but not least, we recovered developmentally regulated long non-coding RNAs and transcribed transposable elements. To functionally dissect the biological roles of these factors, we have built two Ac/Ds-mediated in vivo toolkits for efficient screening of putative enhancers and for CRISPR/Cas9-based transcriptional modulation. Overall, our methods and findings present a comprehensive view of the active coding and non-coding landscapes of migratory neural crest on a genome-wide scale that refine the current regulatory architecture underlying neural crest identity.
DNA programmed assembly of active matter at the micro and nano scales
Keywords: Active matter
Single-molecule biophysics
Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy
Nanomotors
Self-diffusiophoresis
Self-Assembly
Reaction-diffusion
DNA nanotechnology
Microswimmers
Dynamic Light Scattering

Small devices capable of self-propulsion have potential application in areas of nanoscience where autonomous locomotion and programmability are needed. The specific base-pairing interactions that arise from DNA hybridisation permit the programmed assembly of matter and also the creation of controllable dynamical systems. The aim of this thesis is to use the tools of DNA nanotechnology to design synthetic active matter at the micro and nano scales.
In the first section, DNA was used as an active medium capable of transporting information faster than diffusion in the form of chemical waves. DNA waves were generated experimentally using a DNA autocatalytic reaction in a microfluidic channel. The propagation velocity of DNA chemical waves was slowed down by creating concentration gradients that changed the reaction kinetics in space.
The second section details the synthesis of chemically-propelled particles and the use of DNA as a “programmable glue” to mediate their interactions. Janus micromotors were fabricated by physical vapour deposition and a wet-chemical approach was demonstrated to synthesise asymmetrical catalytic Pt-Au nanoparticles that function as nanomotors. Dynamic light scattering measurements showed nanomotor activity that depends on H2O2 concentration, consistent with chemical propulsion. Gold nanoparticles/Origami hybrids were assembled in 2D lattices of different symmetries arranged by DNA linkers.
The third section details the design process and synthesis of nanomotors using DNA as a structural scaffold. 3D DNA Origami rectangular prisms were functionalised site- specifically with bioconjugated catalysts, i.e. Pt nanoparticles and catalase. Enzymatic nanomotors were also conjugated to various cargoes and their motor activity was demonstrated by Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy.
In the final section, control mechanisms for autonomous nanomotors are studied, which includes the conformational change of DNA aptamers in response to chemical signals, as well as a design for an adaptive dynamical system based on DNA/enzyme reaction networks.
Choosing from the ‘menu of manipulation’: evidence from Ghana
Keywords: Ghana
Africa
Electoral manipulation
Elections

This thesis explores the patterns of electoral manipulation in Ghana. Inspired by Andreas Schedler's essay, The Menu of Manipulation, in which he provides a "list of electoral sins" (Schedler 2002, 45), the thesis asks the following research question: how do African politicians choose from the menu of manipulation?
To answer this question, the thesis develops a theory about the costs and benefits of electoral manipulation. The theory is based on three arguments: first, that in addition to the direct benefits of electoral manipulation, meaning the increased chance of winning, there are important indirect benefits that drive some politicians to rig, even when victory is guaranteed or entirely beyond reach; second, that electoral manipulation is expensive and that the direct costs, meaning what politicians spend, discourage them as much as the indirect costs, i.e. the risk of getting caught; and, third, that different types of electoral manipulation have different cost-benefit profiles, allowing politicians to tailor their rigging strategies.
The thesis tests this theory against original data from Ghana. First, drawing on a dataset, containing information about every, regular, constituency-level parliamentary election over the 2008 and 2012 electoral cycles, it shows that different types of electoral manipulation have different patterns, caused by their different cost-benefit profiles; that not all types are driven by electoral uncertainty; and that there are trade-offs between the direct and indirect costs of rigging. Second, drawing on participant observations from two parliamentary constituencies in eastern Ghana, the thesis shows that consider both their electoral prospects and clientelistic networks, when they choose between different types of electoral manipulation, and that they revert to riskier types only as a last resort: when there are no other options available on the menu of manipulation.
The thesis contributes to the academic literature in two ways. First, it adds to the growing body of work pointing to the direct costs and the indirect benefits of electoral manipulation. Second, it proposes a framework for approximating the properties of different types of electoral manipulation and making predictions about their patterns.
Modelling HIV dynamics and evolution: prospects for viral control
Keywords: Mathematical modelling
Anti-retroviral therapy
Infection and immunity
HIV
Latency
Post-treatment control
Virus evolution
Disease dynamics
Epidemiology

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic is far from over. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is effective at suppressing viral replication within a patient but it must be taken daily and is life-long. Therefore, the development of a therapy that could induce drug-free remission or constitute a functional cure is a key focus of HIV research. In this thesis I explore three mechanisms which could lead to more individuals being able to control their viraemia in the absence of ART: (1) T-cell immunity, (2) early initiation of ART, and (3) viral evolution. Firstly, a strong HIV-specific T-cell response has been linked to rare cases of spontaneous viral control, but the extent to which this arm of the immune response contributes to viral control is debated. Several types of data are used to answer this question, including the rate at which the virus evolves to escape the CD8+ T-cell response. I study the frequency of incident immune escape in the largest cohort used for this purpose to date. Secondly, some patients, with characteristics dissimilar to spontaneous HIV controllers, are able to control the virus for years after the interruption of ART that was initiated early in infection. I use mathematical models to investigate a new hypothesis for the differing outcomes of early- and late- initiated ART. Thirdly, since HIV is a relatively new infection of humans it is still adapting to its new host. Recent studies suggest that the virus could be evolving towards decreased virulence at the population level. I study whether the widespread administration of ART has the potential to alter the course of virulence evolution and might result in a further attenuated virus. I conclude by discussing the implications of these results for viral control at the individual level and also for population level epidemic control.
What is religious education for? A study of independent secondary school views on the aims of religious education and how this could impact on the preparatory schools curriculum design
Keywords: Religious Education
MLT
MLT2017

This research aims to establish whether there needs to be a change in the epistemological groundings for RE at preparatory schools, and therefore a change in curriculum design and examination syllabus. My research reviews the vast amounts of literature on the aims of Religious Education and begins with an exploration of the history of the subject in England from the confessional model and the important impact of the 1870 Elementary Education Act on Religious Education. It goes onto an analysis of the non-confessional approaches including modern, post-modern and liberal approaches of the 60s,70s and 80s right through to RE in contemporary England. I use Gearon's paradigmatic framework for understanding the nature of Religious Education. By using the 'paradigms' to investigate a 'paradigm-shift' I will answer my research question of what is Religious Education for, whilst focusing on the implications on curriculum design in Prep Schools. I use qualitative research methodology to build a strong case to describe the current system in place at Prep schools as being inadequate to fulfill the subject's social aims. I examine government reports on the Prevent agenda and schools' role in combating radicalization.
The findings of the research demonstrate that in order for RE to achieve its aims, it must go through the paradigmatic-shift. This will be from the confessional model, typical of Prep Schools, to one that is more philosophical-conceptual and socio-cultural in outlook. This is in order to help pupils become positive and tolerant members of our liberal and multi-faith society.
'Educational adventure' or 'problematic paradigm shift'? An exploration into the effects on teachers of pupil consultation in an independent secondary school
Keywords: MLT
MLT2017

The aim of the study was to conduct research within an independent secondary school into how pupil consultation affects teachers, and the reasons for these effects. Five volunteer members of staff each undertook a four-week pupil consultation programme with Year 10 pupils. The research into teachers' experiences of consulting pupils ran parallel to this intervention and sought to generate both quantitative and qualitative data via: a schedule of one-to-one interviews with the staff; weekly surveys; the application of an instrument designed to measure teacher self-efficacy. The data gathered suggest that pupil consultation can increase both teacher self-efficacy and teacher satisfaction, though in some circumstances it can also decrease both teacher self-efficacy and teacher satisfaction. The data further suggest that the method of consulting pupils and the frequency with which consultation is carried out can affect teachers' perception of the effectiveness of the practice.
An investigation into the impact of student questions on formative assessment in flipped sixth form biology lessons
Keywords: MLT
Science
MLT2017
Formative assessment

This investigation aimed to determine whether formative assessment (AfL) in flipped Sixth Form Biology lessons can be made more inclusive by encouraging student questions through various teaching strategy innovations.
The literature review suggests student questions could play an important role in AfL. However, many studies suggest students ask few questions in lessons, for a number of reasons.
The following research questions explored which factors encouraging or inhibiting student questions might be relevant to the selected student cohort, to develop innovations:
1. Which Sixth Form students ask few questions over the course of two or three flipped Biology lessons?
2. What encourages and discourages Sixth Form student questions in lessons in this school?
Five Sixth Form Biology teachers, from the same school, participated in the research and, of the students in their classes, 56 completed tally sheets, monitoring the number of questions they asked in flipped lessons, and questionnaires, determining their perception of the quality of AfL taking place. 11 students participated in focus group interviews before the innovations, to help develop them, and after the innovations, to evaluate their success.
The following research questions were used to evaluate the innovations' success:
3. To what extent can changes in teaching strategy, based on the focus group interview data, affect the median number and statistical range of student questions asked in flipped Biology lessons?
4. To what extent can changes in teaching strategy, based on the focus group interview data, affect student perceptions of AfL in flipped Biology lessons?
5. To what extent does the number of questions asked by students correlate with their perception of AfL in flipped Biology lessons?
There is some evidence of partial success of some teaching strategies implemented in encouraging student questions. Evidence suggesting the innovations resulted in more inclusive AfL was weak. An unexpected, weak negative correlation between the number of questions asked by students in flipped lessons and their perceptions of the quality of AfL taking place within these lessons was revealed.