VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
An empire of camps [electronic resource] : British imperialism and the concentration of civilians, 1876-1903
Keywords: History.

This dissertation looks to the origins of the concentration camp as a technology of British imperial rule. Concentrated civilian camps first emerged in British India in the 1870s and 1890s to care for and control famine refugees and plague "suspects." During the South African War (1899-1902) the technology of the camp was applied in a wartime setting. Forging imperial connections across the Indian Ocean, a group of "camp experts" traveled from India to South Africa to administer the camps. Concentration camps were afflicted with high rates of mortality that resulted in a political scandal, but British officials successfully reformed living conditions using the lessons of earlier episodes of encampment. In doing so, they helped legitimize the camp as a tenable procedure of imperial warfare and welfare.
Empirical studies of demand signal processing in supply chains [electronic resource]
Keywords: Business.

This dissertation studies "demand signal processing, " how demand information flows through supply chains. We begin with the bullwhip effect, the topic most commonly associated with demand signal processing. After, we study demand signal processing in new context: as a means to infer unobserved operational metrics. The bullwhip effect---a byproduct of demand signal processing---is the amplification of demand variability along a supply chain: a company bullwhips if it purchases from suppliers more variably than it sells to customers. We investigate the bullwhip effect in a sample of 4,689 public U.S. companies over 1974-2008. Overall, we find about two thirds of firms bullwhip. Decomposing the bullwhip by information transmission lead time, we find that demand signals firms observe with more than three quarters' notice drive 30% of the bullwhip, and those firms observe with less than one quarter's notice drive 51%. Demand signal processing, however, is broader than the bullwhip effect: it is a rich process that indicates much about supply chain operations. We develop an empirical supply chain model that enables empiricists to derive operational metrics from patterns in demand signal processing, and perform corresponding counterfactual analyses. The metrics illuminate previously-obscure supply chain aspects, and the counterfactuals permit related "what if" studies. We demonstrate our methodology with six studies and firm-level Compustat data, analyzing (1) whether firms consider their supplier's inventory costs, (2) the convexity of production cost functions, (3) the replenishment rate of depleted inventories, (4) the drivers of the bullwhip effect, (5) the degree to which supply chain alignment mitigates the bullwhip effect, and (6) whether demand forecast accuracy constitutes a supply chain externality.
End-to-End Text Recognition with Convolutional Neural Networks
Keywords: Computer Science.
Neural networks (Computer science)
Text processing (Computer science)
Thesis

Full end-to-end text recognition in natural images is a challenging problem that has recently received much attention in computer vision and machine learning. Traditional systems in this area have relied on elaborate models that incorporate carefully hand-engineered features or large amounts of prior knowledge. In this thesis, I describe an alternative approach that combines the representational power of large, multilayer neural networks with recent developments in unsupervised feature learning. This particular approach enables us to train highly accurate text detection and character recognition modules. Because of the high degree of accuracy and robustness of these detection and recognition modules, it becomes possible to integrate them into a full end-to-end, lexicon-driven, scene text recognition system using only simple off-the-shelf techniques. In doing so, we demonstrate state-of-the-art performance on standard benchmarks in both cropped-word recognition as well as full end-to-end text recognition.
Energy efficient floating-point unit design [electronic resource]
Keywords: Electrical Engineering

Energy-efficient computation is critical for increasing performance in power limited systems. Floating-point performance is of particular interest because of its importance in scientific computing, graphics and multimedia processing. For floating-point applications that have large amounts of data parallelism one should optimize the throughput/sqmm given a power density constraint. We present a method for creating a trade-off curve that can be used to estimate the maximum floating-point performance given a set of area and power constraints. These throughput optimized designs turn out to be different from latency optimized ones and more energy efficient. Looking at floating-point multiply-add units and ignoring register and memory overheads, we find that in a 90nm CMOS technology at 1W/sqmm, one can achieve a performance of 27 GFlops/sqmm single-precision, and 7.5 GFlops/sqmm double-precision. Adding register file overheads reduces the throughput by less than 50% if the compute intensity is high. Since the energy of the basic gates is no longer scaling rapidly, to maintain constant power density with scaling requires moving the overall floating-point architecture to a lower energy/performance point using lower supply voltage, shallower pipelines and more relaxed gate sizing. A 1W/sqmm design at 90nm is a "high-energy" design, so scaling it to a lower energy design in 45 nm still yields a 7x performance gain, while a more balanced 0.1W/sqmm design only speeds up by 3.5x when scaled to 45 nm. Performance scaling below 45 nm rapidly decreases, with a projected improvement of only 2-3x for both power densities when scaling to a 22 nm technology. On the other hand, some floating-point units employed for single threaded performance such as CPU designs are latency sensitive. For such designs a different optimization in the implementation of fused floating-point multiply-add operations can be utilized. By realizing that the average latency of all operations going through the unit is what matters most, an optimized cascade design can reduce the accumulation dependent latency by 2x over a fused design, at a cost of a 13% increase in non-accumulation dependent latency. A simple in-order execution model shows this design is superior in most applications, providing 12% average reduction in floating-point instructions stalls, and improves performance by up to 6%. Simulations of superscalar out-of-order machines show 4% average CPI improvement in 2-way machines and 4.6% in 4-way machines. This feat is achieved by a design architecture called cascade where the addition operation is cascaded after multiplication in comparison to traditional architectures. The cascade design has the same area and energy budget as a traditional FMA.
Energy recovery from waste nitrogen through N₂O decomposition [electronic resource] : the coupled aerobic-anoxic nitrous decomposition operation (CANDO)
Keywords: Mechanical Engineering

Human alteration of the global nitrogen cycle poses one of the greatest threats to the environment today. Anthropogenic production of reactive forms of nitrogen, namely ammonia (NH4+) via the Haber Bosch process, has nearly doubled the rate of terrestrial nitrogen deposition and resulted in an array of public health and environmental problems including ammonia toxicity to aquatic life, eutrophication of nutrient limited natural water bodies, oxygen depletion (hypoxia), and over 400 documented "dead zones" worldwide. As a result, dual pressures of increasingly stringent nitrogen discharge regulation and rising energy costs have made efficient removal of nitrogen polluted water streams one of the most pressing water quality issues facing treatment facilities. While many processes recover energy from waste organics, no known process recovers energy from waste nitrogen. This research work introduces a new process that improves the efficiency of nitrogen (NH4+) removal from wastewater by lowering energy inputs and enabling energy recovery from waste nitrogen itself. This process is termed the Coupled Aerobic-anoxic Nitrous Decomposition Operation (CANDO) and is based on three principal steps: (1) biological oxidation of NH4+ to NO2-; (2) biological or chemical reduction of NO2- to N2O gas; and (3) N2O conversion to N2 with energy recovery via decomposition or combustion with a fuel (biogas). The development of CANDO was inspired by prior research on the use of N2O as a "green" propellant in propulsion applications and the realization that N2O could be a renewable feedstock, generated by waste nitrogen. This research is presented in three parts: (1) development of thrusters based on N2O catalytic decomposition that achieve high performance and a self-sustaining reaction; (2) theoretical studies of N2O decomposition over Rh2O3 catalyst, using Density Functional Theory (DFT), that reveal high reactivity of stable surfaces of Rh2O3 and key N2O reaction mechanisms; and (3) experimental studies on the conversion of NO2- to N2O (the novel and previously unexplored step in CANDO) via two pathways - biotic partial denitrification by oxidation of intracellular polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), and abiotic chemical reaction driven by Fe(II).
Energy-efficient flow control for on-chip networks [electronic resource]
Keywords: Electrical Engineering

With the emergence of on-chip networks, the power consumed by router buffers has become a primary concern. Bufferless flow control has been proposed to address this issue by removing router buffers and handling contention by dropping or deflecting flits. In this thesis, we compare virtual-channel (buffered) and deflection (packet-switched bufferless) flow control. Our study shows that unless process constraints lead to excessively costly buffers, the performance, cost and increased complexity of deflection flow control outweigh its potential gains. To provide buffering in the network but without the cost and timing overhead of router buffers, we propose elastic buffer (EB) flow control which adds simple control logic in the channels to use pipeline flip-flops (FFs) as EBs with two storage locations. This way, channels act as distributed FIFOs and input buffers as well as the complexity for virtual channels (VCs) are no longer required. Therefore, EB networks have a shorter cycle time and offer more throughput per unit power than VC networks. We also propose a hybrid EB-VC router which is used to provide traffic separation for a number of traffic classes large enough for duplicate physical channels to be inefficient. These hybrid routers offer more throughput per unit power than both EB and VC routers. Finally, this thesis proposes packet chaining, which addresses the tradeoff between allocation quality and cycle time traditionally present in routers with VCs. Packet chaining is a simple and effective method to increase allocator matching efficiency to be comparable or superior to more complex and slower allocators without extending cycle time, particularly suited to networks with short packets.
Engineering cystine-knot peptides for molecular imaging of cancer [electronic resource]
Keywords: Bioengineering.

Proteins and peptides are an incredibly versatile class of biological molecules, with a vast array of naturally occurring functions. In cancer, the natural roles of proteins become incorrectly regulated, and the presence of cancer-related proteins on tumor cells can be detected and targeted for diagnosis and treatment. This thesis decribes novel engineered peptides for molecular recognition of cell surface receptors expressed in cancers, and application of these engineered peptides as diagnostic agents to identify solid tumors in mouse models. For this work. three different cystine-knot peptides were used for development and engineering: Agatoxin (AgTx), Agouti-related protein (AgRP), and Ecballium elaterium trypsin inhibitor-II (EETI). In addition, two protein receptors were employed as model tumor targets relevant for molecular imaging of cancer: carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) and tumor associated integrin receptors. New methods were developed towards engineering AgTx and AgRP to bind CA IX, and work to produce these peptides for further study and their limitations are described. In a parallel line of research, to further understand the promise of using knottin peptides in cancer imaging, the influence of amino acid loops on tissue biodistribution was examined using engineered AgTx, AgRP, and EETI peptides that bind tumor target integrins in mouse xenograft models. Finally, an engineered EETI knottin peptide that binds tumor-associated integrins was shown to specifically target and illuminate brain tumors in mouse models of medulloblastoma. Importantly, the protein engineering methods and molecular imaging applications described here have promise for influencing the clinical outcome of cancer patients through image-guided surgical resection, disease staging and management, and monitoring the effectiveness of therapeutic treatments.
Engineering of biosynthetic pathways to the type II polyketides frenolicin B and A-74528 [electronic resource]
Keywords: Chemistry

Polyketides are a large class of structurally diverse natural products which posses a wide range of biological activities. Unfortunately, despite the potential utility of these compounds in the clinic, large scale production of many of these natural products from their native hosts remains a challenge. Additionally, due to their complexity, engineering better pharmacokinetic properties by traditional synthetic means is often challenging. A better understanding of the biosynthetic machinery which produces polyketides allows for optimization of their production and paves the way for bioactivity-based pathway reengineering. This work begins with an introduction detailing attempts to unravel the biosynthetic underpinnings of two key natural product families, the tetracyclines and the thiostreptons, with an eye toward ultimately reengineering the pathways. Then, our efforts to reconstruct and reengineer the biosynthesis and biological activity of the type II polyketides frenolicin and A-74528 are detailed. Successful reconstruction of a chimeric biosynthetic pathway to frenolicin B and subsequent reengineering of that pathway to produce novel frenolicin analogs is described. Then, the biological activity of these compounds both in vitro against the parasites Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium falciparum is discussed. Additional studies against Plasmodium berghi in mice show that frenolicin B is an effective antiparastic agent in vivo. Following this, engineering of a biosynthetic pathway to the novel antiviral agent A-74528 from S. sp. SANK 61196 is presented and the impact of various tailoring enzymes on metabolite production are explored.
Enhancing career development agency in emerging adulthood [electronic resource] : an intervention using design thinking
Keywords: Education.

Career development is an important part of emerging adulthood, the period when 18- to 30-year-olds in modern societies explore possible roles, occupations and lifestyles (Arnett, 2000). To date, most theories and interventions have focused on career decision-making (Betz, 2007); however, for emerging adults embarking on the school-to-work transition, making a single, final career decision can be a source of anxiety and depression (Rottinghaus, Jenkins & Jantzer, 2009). This study investigated the effects of a course on career development for undergraduate juniors and seniors, which used an innovative "design thinking" curriculum to help students plan creatively for life after college. The intervention was hypothesized to increase students' career development agency, a new construct based on Bandura's (1989) theory of how individuals think and act intentionally. The intervention was also hypothesized to decrease participants' psychological distress related to career concerns. The study used a quasi-experimental approach with an intervention (treatment) condition and two comparison conditions, one consisting of college students who applied for the treatment but were waitlisted, and another drawn from the general student body. An online questionnaire was administered at the beginning and after the end of the ten-week academic quarter. A multivariate analysis of variance with repeated measures showed that class participants (n = 42) increased in career development self-efficacy, and moderately decreased in career-related negative affect. The comparison conditions (n = 62) did not show these outcomes. Students in the comparison conditions also reported a rise in dysfunctional career-related beliefs, which their peers in the class did not experience. Importantly, course participants' levels of career uncertainty did not change, on average, nor did they report changes in stressful life events or situations. The effect of the intervention was not to promote career decision-making, but rather to build self-confidence through productive action, and counteract common myths about career issues in emerging adulthood. Finally, regression analyses indicated that factors of career development agency (self-efficacy and contextual stressors) were more directly predictive of career-related negative affect than career uncertainty.
Epigenetic regulation of olfactory receptor gene expression by the Drosophila Myb-MuvB/dREAM complex [electronic resource]
Keywords: Genetics

In both mammals and insects an olfactory neuron will usually select a single olfactory receptor and repress remaining members of large receptor families. Here we show that a conserved multiprotein complex Myb-MuvB(MMB)/dREAM plays an important role in mediating neuron-specific expression of the CO2 receptor genes (Gr63a/Gr21a) in Drosophila. Activity of Myb in the complex is required for expression of Gr63a/Gr21a and it acts in opposition to the histone methyltransferase Su(var)3-9. Consistent with this, we observe repressive di-methylated H3K9 modifications at the receptor gene loci suggesting a mechanism for silencing receptor gene expression. Conversely, other complex members, Mip120 and E2F2, are required for repression of Gr63a in inappropriate neurons. Misexpression in mutants is accompanied by an increase in the H3K4me3 mark of active chromatin at the receptor gene locus. Nuclei of CO2 receptor-expressing neurons contain reduced levels of the repressive subunit Mip120 compared to surrounding neurons and increased levels of Myb, suggesting that activity of the complex can be regulated in a cell-specific manner. Our evidence suggests a model in which olfactory receptors are regulated epigenetically and the MMB/dREAM complex plays a critical role in specifying, maintaining and modulating the receptor-to-neuron map.
Equality and Redress in Education: Educator Allocation in Post-Apartheid South Africa
Keywords: Education
South Africa
Gauteng
Educators
Teachers
Equality
Redress
Western Cape
Teacher Characteristics
Class Size
Text
Thesis

After the democratic South African government came into power in 1994, the education system
faced the challenge to redress socioeconomic disadvantages inherited from apartheid. My
research examines one component of the new education system: the distribution of educators. I
use government data not publicly available to document educator distribution trends among
schools of different levels of poverty in two provinces, Gauteng and the Western Cape. The
quantity and level of qualifications of educators are measured, and the trends are linked to
student outcomes. The results are consistent across both provinces: Descriptive statistics and
regression analysis finds that, on average, schools with relatively less poverty experience a lower
pupil-educator ratio and have educators of higher qualifications. A contributor to this inequality
is the practice of local school governing bodies in relatively wealthier schools hiring additional
educators beyond what the state provides. State provision is itself a contributor to inequality in
some cases. The impact of the quantity of educators and of the level of qualifications on student
outcomes is unclear. Ultimately, my research suggests that the current distribution of educators
in South Africa falls short of the principles of equality and redress at the foundation of the post-
apartheid education system.
Equivariant algebraic k-theory of products of motivic circles [electronic resource]
Keywords: Mathematics

Fix an algebraically closed field k of characteristic zero. We describe a method which produces deloopings of K'(k) in the Gm(k)-direction via a homotopy limit over pth power maps, and examine the outcome of analogous constructions in an equivariant setting. These constructions provide a technique for studying actions of finite groups on motivic spheres which cannot be described by a usual smash product of Gm's with group action.
Essays in applied economics [electronic resource] : evidence from natural experiments
Keywords: Economics

I present 3 chapters that utilize natural and laboratory experiments to explain economic phenomena. In the first chapter, I use a natural experiment on the Yahoo! front page to identify the effectiveness of targeted advertising. The experiment randomizes users into seeing a test or a control ad and I can therefore estimate the search and clicks for the targeted and untargeted populations on both the test and control ad and can cleanly identify the effectiveness of targeting. In the second chapter, I look at a quasi natural experiment from the history of the territory of Utah. An economic crisis spawned some communities to form what was known as a United Order, or a communal type living situation. I analyze how this societal experiment influenced equality, production, and migration. Finally, in the third chapter, I investigate sequential versus simultaneous presentation of choices through a series of laboratory and field experiments.