VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Technological transfer in production of Majiayao-style pottery between Neolithic communities in northwest China
Keywords: pottery technology
ceramic petrography
prehistoric pottery analysis
Chinese archaeology
experimental archaeology
technological knowledge transfer
pottery analysis

This study investigates the transfer of technological knowledge in production of the Neolithic Majiayao-style pottery (5300-4000 cal yr BP) on the territories of the modern Chinese provinces Gansu and Qinghai. The Majiayao-style pottery includes fine painted ware and coarse cord-impressed ware. Both wares of the Majiayao style were widely distributed across different river valleys located hundreds of kilometres away from each other. This study investigates whether there are similarities in production technology of the Majiayao-style beyond the shape and decoration and addresses communication and connectivity of prehistoric people living in the Tao River, Huangshui River, and the Yellow River valleys.
The methods of macroscopic examination, ceramic petrography and experimental firing of raw materials were used to reconstruct the chaîne opératoire of the Majiayao-style pottery from sites in three river valleys. The results of this study revealed similarities in raw materials and techniques for making this pottery in different locations indicating common technological knowledge that could have been disseminated among potters. The combination of macroscopic and microscopic analyses has shown that there are patterns in connection between coarse and fine clay pastes with specific decoration and firing atmospheres. The observations suggest that beside the technological knowledge, the production of Majiayao-style pottery also required specific social knowledge to connect outer appearance of the Majiayao style with the production materials and techniques.
Accommodating a vision of diversity in different school contexts: "Unity-in-Diversity" in Indonesia
Keywords: Indonesia
religious education
multicultural education
case study
education and diversity
religious diversity

This thesis explores the ways in which schools accommodate the national vision of a multicultural society, specifically focusing on Indonesia’s national vision of “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” (Unity-in-Diversity). Employing a multiple-case-study research approach, it examines the ways head teachers, teachers, students, and parents from six state and private schools with different mixes of student ethnicity and religiosity promote this national vision in terms of educational practice. The research considers the perspectives of education stakeholders on the meanings of Unity-in-Diversity and their responses in promoting Unity-in-Diversity in schools and classrooms in contemporary Indonesia, drawing data from observations, interviews, photos, and documentary analysis.
Using multicultural education as a conceptual lens, this research finds that promoting religious diversity is key to achieving Unity-in-Diversity in religious and democratic Indonesia, and schools generally have demonstrated some commitment to promoting inter-religious harmony as mandated. Yet, it argues that the discourses of diversity, particularly of religious diversity, continue to be spaces of complex interpretation, rather than settled policy positions. In schools, this process of interpretation is manifested in the school policies, school cultures, and teaching across subjects in classrooms. The strong narratives of religiosity and piety in the current education system, which are found to privilege the dominant religious culture(s), have ramifications in the accommodation of Unity-in-Diversity in practice. In response to the different schools’ demographies, the nuanced accounts regarding the implementation of Unity-in-Diversity suggest the importance of considering identity and power dynamics, positionality, and contextuality in the school accommodation of the vision of diversity.
In light of this research, this thesis also presents the usefulness and challenges of applying a theory of multicultural education, which has focused mainly on ethnic and racial diversity, in researching the issue of religious diversity. Based in the largest Muslim country in the world, this thesis offers a critical insight into the complex role of education in the development of an inclusive, religious society.
Time and Tillich: re-examining salvation through the lens of relativity
Keywords: Science and Religion
Special Relativity
General Relativity
Philosophy of Religion
Salvation
Paul Tillich
Time

Time is often neglected in conversations between science and religion. As this thesis engages time and theology within the theological framework provided by Paul Tillich’s Systematic Theology, it is a step towards addressing this oversight. In this work I use Tillich’s method of correlation as my overarching structure, a theological methodology which is explicitly designed to encourage the continuous evolution of theology in dialogue with pressing questions from the culture in which that theology is to be received. My approach is fundamentally one of constructive engagement, meaning I am not concerned with proving or disproving any theological, philosophical, or scientific claims; rather, this thesis engages time and theology with the aim of fostering a constructive dialogue. The method of correlation involves locating specific cultural concerns, the so-called philosophical question, and providing a theological response, termed the theological answer. To this end, this thesis begins with the physics and metaphysics of time, especially Einstein’s Relativity Theories, and argues that these give good reason to accept a B-theory of time in which time does not pass and reality is comprised of a block universe. The philosophical question that arises is this: how can change be understood within this static temporal metaphysic? This question is highly important for any doctrine of salvation that requires a transformation in time. I then explore Systematic Theology, with a particular focus on Tillich’s treatment of salvation, time, and history, as these are the foundations of my theological answer. Finally, the thesis argues that given a B-theory of time, a salvation-transformation is best understood as a form of qualitative, phenomenological change, rather than a robust ontological change. I use concepts from the philosophy of temporal experience to make this argument, ultimately concluding that the individual’s transformation from fallen to saved is one of mind-dependent becoming.
Development of affinity and fluorescent probes to elucidate the mechanism of small molecule modulators of neurogenesis
Keywords: Neurogenesis
Affinity-based Protein Profiling
Chemical Probes
Chemical Proteomics
Target Identification

Neurogenesis is an endogenous neuroprotective mechanism that mainly occurs in two neurogenic niches of the adult mammalian brain. In neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, adult neurogenesis is often impaired. For these diseases, pharmacological stimulation of the de novo production of neurons in the stem cell niches of the brain is a promising regenerative therapy. OXS-N1 was previously identified as a hit neurogenic compound through an in vitro phenotypic screen. It increased neurogenesis in murine neural stem cells (NSCs) in vitro and in wild-type mice in vivo after oral administration. The aim of this DPhil work is to identify the molecular target(s) of OXS-N1 and the mechanism of its neurogenic activity through a chemoproteomics approach.
A series of affinity probes was synthesised to assess the molecular interactions of OXS-N1 through affinity-based protein profiling (AfBPP). Vimentin was identified as the molecular target of OXS-N1 through pull-down studies and mass spectrometry analysis. Using fluorescent-tagged OXS-N1 derivatives, OXS-N1 was found to localise primarily in the cytoplasm, correlating to the known subcellular localisation of vimentin. It was found to directly bind to vimentin in live NSCs, without causing significant disassembly or aggregation of vimentin filaments. The protein-ligand binding was further validated using waterLOGSY and intact protein mass spectrometry. Reported literature vimentin binders also increased neurogenesis in vitro, showing that vimentin modulation could be used in future neuroregenerative therapies.
Changing meanings of megalithic monuments in the Upper Baram, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo
Keywords: Archaeology
Megalith
Sarawak
Monument
Borneo

This thesis examines contemporary engagements with the megalithic monuments in the Upper Baram region of Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. It proceeds from the premise that over the long term, despite being objects that originated in the past, megalithic monuments are capable of accumulating new meanings as a result of their interactions with different groups of people in different times and contexts. Through a combination of archaeological, historical and anthropological investigations, this thesis identifies the various new meanings that the megalithic monuments in the Upper Baram have acquired since they were last erected traditionally around the middle of the 20th century, and further, how these meanings have changed over the years. Over the last seventy years, the megalithic monuments have transformed from being the outcomes of a living tradition of commemorating important people and events to being objects associated with the past, particularly in their association with pre-Christian or traditional (now abandoned) practices, and treatment as archaeological objects. Moreover, this thesis examines the megalithic monuments’ present-day significance as cultural heritage, and as objects that provide local communities − the Kelabit and the Sa’ban − with a sense of identity and belonging to the land. This thesis also shows the creation and recreation of the meanings of the megalithic monuments in the Upper Baram to be the products of historical and contemporary processes that are tied to the political, social, economic and environmental changes that the region and its inhabitants have experienced since colonial times to the present day. This thesis concludes that the meanings of the megalithic monuments in the Upper Baram are fluid and ever-changing. As social, political and economic constructs of particular times, the meanings of the megalithic monuments should further be regarded as an ongoing process that will continue into the near and distant future, for as long as the megalithic remains continue to exist, in the physical world, as well as in the minds of people. As a study that focuses on local and contemporary interactions with the megalithic monuments, this thesis has provided an up-to-date ethnography that broadens understanding of the social significance of megalithic monuments as multivalent objects, and contributes to the wider issue of how people relate to and make meanings of objects from the past.
The structural transformation of the military public sphere: war, knowledge, and military elites in West Germany, 1940-1989
Keywords: Second World War
Eastern Front
Federal Republic of Germany
Public Sphere

The history of the Federal Republic of Germany is generally told as one of liberalisation. Denazification and demilitarisation in the immediate post-war years were long regarded as having founded a new liberal-democratic state, worthy of “the West”. The armed forces, too, were said to have been cleansed of the old militaristic spirit and imbued with a new ethos. But repeated scandals suggest that military institutions were, and remain, resilient to civilian control. The thesis argues that this is the result of continued organising by networks of conservative soldiers. They dominated military and military-adjacent structures and organised various kinds of networks and associations to preserve their power over military decision-making and younger generations of officers. The thesis sketches the evolution of these networks over five decades and shows just how they organised for various political, social, and economic causes and thus preserved their influence. Military historical knowledge played a foundational role as old military elites initially organised for the purposes of distilling their war-time experiences, particularly that of the Eastern Front, which was to be mobilised for a coming war with the Soviet Union. Although they never mounted a fundamental challenge to the new political order, the networks endured for decades after this initial impetus, and the thesis follows them as they shift position and structure and compete for power and influence. The last two chapters in particular show how they pushed back against the emergence of more progressive voices from the 1970s onwards. The endurance of their power suggests that the story of strong liberal tendencies within the post-war West German armed forces is in urgent need of revision.
Investigating the role of BRCA2 in the maintenance of chromosomal stability
Keywords: BRCA2
chromosomal stability
centromere
kinetochore
human artificial chromosome (HAC)

Genetic information is preserved across cell divisions by the faithful transmission of chromosomes. Mutations in the BRCA2 gene predispose individuals to breast and ovarian cancers. BRCA2-deficient cells are characterised by an aberrant structure and number of chromosomes. The former phenotype has been generally explained by the BRCA2 function in the DNA repair, through the homologous recombination (HR) pathway mediated by RAD51 recombinase. However, it is not fully understood how BRCA2 deficiency leads to an abnormal number of chromosomes. Proper chromosome segregation in mitosis requires the orderly assembly of kinetochore components at specific DNA regions of chromosomes, called centromeres. Due to their complex structure, centromeres are particularly susceptible to DNA damage, which in turn can lead to abnormal chromosomal rearrangements. Despite the importance of maintaining centromere integrity, the mechanism protecting centromeric DNA remains largely unknown. Throughout my research, I explored the function that BRCA2 may play in the protection and formation of centromeres.
In this thesis, the role of BRCA2 at centromeres was investigated using three experimental approaches. Firstly, I utilised a previously established human HT1080 cell line carrying a small extra-chromosome, called the alphoid-tetO HAC, engineered from synthetic centromeric alphoid DNA arrays. Using this system, I showed that BRCA2 is important for the faithful transmission of the HAC during the cell division, whereas the same conclusion could not be drawn for other HR factors, such as RAD51. Interestingly, however, I observed that tethering the RAD51 binding motif of BRCA2, BRC4, to the HAC negatively impacted on the HAC maintenance. Secondly, the impact of BRCA2 depletion on endogenous centromeres was investigated in HeLa cells. Using immunofluorescence experiments, I found no clear evidence that BRCA2 protects centromeric DNA from damage, but unexpectedly observed that the removal of BRCA2 changed the chromatin status and the centromeres formation. Lastly, I generated CRISPR-modified HCT116 cell lines, in which endogenous BRCA2 is tandem tagged with a fluorescent protein and an auxin-inducible degron (AID). This cell line is a novel tool to study the localisation and functions of BRCA2 at every stage of the cell cycle. Using this system, I observed that BRCA2 partially localised at kinetochores and centromeres in interphase.
Based on the results presented in this thesis, I propose that BRCA2 may have a DNA-repair independent function at centromeres. BRCA2 may be important for chromatin remodelling, which can affect the centromere and kinetochore formation. These findings shed light on the BRCA2 function and suggest new ways by which BRCA2 may promote chromosome maintenance.
Laser-based high heat flux testing for power exhaust in fusion devices
Keywords: divertor
fusion
laser

One of the critical challenges in realizing fusion energy is the survival and cooling of the Plasma Facing Components (PFCs) in the extreme environment (>1000°C and constant neutron bombardment). In the DEMOnstration Power Plant (DEMO), the divertor must endure steady state loads of 10MWm2and transient thermal cycling up to 20MWm2. Novel target designs are needed to cope with this thermal load.
An optics system was designed to replicate the thermal environment in DEMO. A new facility, coined the Oxford Laser Heating Facility (OLAHF), has been established for laser-based heating tests. A Compound Parabolic Concentrator (CPC) was designed to focus the power from four laser modules to greater than 5MWm2 onto a target that absorbs 98.9% of the incident light. Numerical, thermomechanical studies on the steady-state performance confirmed that the deformation of the CPC does not exceed 0.4 mm and that the maximum temperature of the glass is less than 30°C.
A novel divertor target, termed the Spiral Plate Module (SPM), was designed to meet the fusion-relevant requirements. The geometry of the SPM was initially optimized by a one-dimensional model, the results of which showed a good correlation to Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) studies. The SPM achieved the lowest walloverheat (τs) and dimensionless mass flow rate (m∗) of any target design considered, and showed good hydraulic performance such that the power needed to pump the coolant is only 0.32% of the incident heat flux.
Lastly, a method was created to control the lasers and monitor the processes within OLAHF. Through a number of Labview panels, the operator can vary the laser power in time and record and store experimental data, and the program will send a warning or shut down all systems (depending on severity) if there is a possibility of harm to the hardware or users.
Neuropsychological deficits of visuospatial attention: subtypes, clinical utility, and underlying mechanisms
Keywords: Visual Neglect
Cognitive Impairment
Neuropsychology
Stroke
Attention

Visuospatial neglect is a common neuropsychological syndrome characterised by consis- tently lateralised spatial attentional deficits. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate patterns of heterogeneity within visuospatial neglect, to determine this syndrome’s underlying mechanisms, and to investigate the practical utility of considering this heterogeneity within clinical settings.
Chapter Two presents a critical analysis of common neglect assessment methods and in- vestigates the utility of neglect severity metrics which can be extracted from neuropsychological measures. Chapter Three analyses behavioural heterogeneity in neglect dyslexia to investigate the relationship between reading-related and domain-general neglect impairments. Chapter Four presents three case studies characterising representation-level neglect dyslexia in order to evalu- ate existing models of spatial attention. Chapter Five presents a detailed, lesion-mapping analysis of visuospatial neglect deficits aiming to determine whether right neglect is anatomically homolo- gous to left-lateralised neglect. Finally, Chapter Six analyses the relationship between the occur- rence of acute neglect and poor long term recovery outcomes to determine whether the specific behavioural phenotype of acute neglect impairment acts as a useful prognostic indicator.
The findings of these data chapters are then cumulatively discussed to extend fundamental understanding of the neglect syndrome, establish a novel conceptualisation of representation- level neglect dyslexia, evaluate current neglect-related clinical practices, and clarify the recovery outcome of stroke survivors exhibiting acute neglect impairment.
Modelling the neural coding of natural sounds in the auditory cortex
Keywords: decoding stimuli from neural responses
predicting neural responses
encoding models of neural responses
models of the auditory periphery
predicting the future inputs
neural network model of neural response
auditory cortex
predictive information in the brain
predicting responses to natural sounds
Marr’s levels of analysis

When neurons fire in the auditory cortex what do they represent? What is the form of transformation that sound stimuli go through in order to produce activity in the auditory cortex? Studying how neural activity changes in response to a stimulus parameter, e.g. the level or frequency of sound, has been a way to address such questions in the past. In more recent times, an alternative approach has been to measure the responses of cortical neurons to natural stimuli. Here, we investigate the responses of neurons in ferret auditory cortex, recorded using extracellular electrode probes, to a diverse collection of natural sounds using models that aim to capture many aspects of the information transformation process from the ear to the cortex. We use the method of encoding - whereby we build functional transformations that predict neural responses from the sound stimulus, and also of decoding - whereby we build functional transformations that estimate the stimulus from neural responses. Our primary goal has been to focus our modelling effort to produce mechanistic and interpretive insights into auditory processing in the brain. Firstly, we examine to what extent biological details matter in making a model of the auditory periphery that provides input to the cortex. Secondly, we study possible biological mechanisms underlying the temporal receptive fields of auditory cortical neurons. Thirdly, we ask whether neural populations in the auditory cortex represent the past or future of ongoing sound stimuli. We found that simple models are well suited for models of auditory encoding in the brain, and that stimulus history in linear receptive fields of auditory neurons can be explained by a dynamic network model, and also that a population of neurons might contain non-linearities that enable them to predict the future. These results will improve our understanding of some of the fundamental questions relating to neural coding in the auditory system.