VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Music and structures of identity at international expositions in the Americas, 1875-1915 [electronic resource]
Keywords: Music.

Although music was a prominent—and sometimes inescapable—feature of international expositions ("world's fairs"), studies rarely address the sonic elements of these large public occasions. Instead, historians have focused on exposition architecture, advertisement, and exhibits. Music, however, played a significant role in shaping the experience of many expositions. Administrators allocated relatively large budgets for musical activities and scrupulously planned the musical programming. Newspaper and witness accounts attest to the ubiquity of musical performances in exhibit halls, exposition thoroughfares, specially designed concert halls, and amusement zones. Yet music was not just physically present on fairgrounds; it often stood at the center of heated disputes over national representation among administrators, critics, and audiences. This dissertation analyzes the musical activities of four international expositions held in Santiago de Chile, Philadelphia, Buenos Aires, and San Francisco between 1875 and 1915, the "golden age" of international expositions. Using an interdisciplinary approach that engages with research in history, cultural studies, and musicology, I have examined how exposition music contributed to representations of identity on fairgrounds, particularly along lines of gender, ethnicity, nationality, and class. I account for the wide variety of musical production that occurred in and around exposition grounds, including (but not limited to) the mainstream musical events sponsored by exposition administrators. As one might expect, heavily publicized mainstream musical events usually reinforced dominant social hierarchies by presenting the music of middle- and upper-class white men as evidence of human advancement. This dissertation, however, argues that groups marginalized by official exposition events—including women, American Indians, and middle-class Argentines—also saw music as a powerful means of representation, and sometimes used musical events to provide alternative representations of themselves. At Latin American expositions, organizers used musical events to situate their nations as full members of the international community, counteracting the marginalization and exoticization that they often faced at expositions held in the United States and Europe.
Muslim healing, magic, and amulets in the twentieth-century history of the Southern Sahara [electronic resource]
Keywords: History.

This dissertation examines how economic and social changes during the colonial and postcolonial periods in Mauritania affected the social history of l'ḥjāb, or a potent secret Islamic wisdom of healing and protecting, and its experts in the twentieth-century. These experts provided safe sites for individuals in the region to articulate their anxieties and vent their frustrations, enter into agreements with local political powers, and protect positions of authority and power. Attending to the intellectual history of local religious knowledge in focusing on the various ways Muslim scholars coped with tensions related to l'ḥjāb, this research identifies the long history of the trans-Saharan slave trade, as well as notions of racial genealogy and Islamic doctrine, as producing nodes of ritually powerful activity. The dissertation builds on this history of colonial intervention in l'ḥjāb and the institution of slavery in the region to examine accusations of bloodsucking in desert oases. The phenomenon of bloodsucking accusations in Mauritania provides a lens through which scholars can explore the social world of oasis towns, domestic relationships between masters and slaves, notions of race, and the origin of evil. The author also addresses the history of the Ahl Guennar, a confederation of families known in Mauritania and Senegal for their mastery of the Islamic esoteric sciences. This extended family's ambiguous racial identity, shifting religious and occupational affiliations, enigmatic reputation and secrecy, and long history in the region make them a compelling case study for the role of Islamic esoteric knowledge in the mercurial political and cultural environment in which they situated themselves. This history of straddling racial and political categories speaks to the fluid nature of racial, religious, and occupational identities and strategies employed by communities to navigate and explain this flexibility. Finally, the dissertation illustrates how increased contact and concern with religious reform movements of the Islamic heartland of the Middle East led to efforts to make these esoteric healing and protective practices conform to more rigid interpretations of doctrinally-permitted techniques of managing misfortune. Religious reform movements, along with postcolonial politics aimed at constructing a modern nation-state, drove experts of l'ḥjāb to go underground, using new terminology to refer to older techniques, to alter the materiality of their prescriptions, and increase the invisibility of these already hidden sciences.
Muslim-American identity, integration, and government relations in the post-9/11 environment [electronic resource]
Keywords: Political Science.

How has the scrutiny faced by Muslim-Americans in the post-9/11 environment influenced their relationship with the U.S. government, and who in the community has it disaffected the most? The theoretical argument of this project focuses on the mediating role that a politicized Muslim-American identity-- formed in the face of threat by the government --has on a variety of political attitudes and behaviors, ranging from voluntary cooperation with law enforcement to support for violence against the state. The study argues that variation in perceived group threat is explained in part by an ``identity socialization'' process. Muslims' beliefs about the America government are shaped by their past experiences with government institutions in their country of origin and by their circumstances in the U.S. These experiences provide the lens through which they interpret their treatment as a group and the intents of the U.S. government. This study places the Muslim-American experience in an analytical framework that relates and directly compares their process of identity formation to other ethnic and racial groups in American society. Without such comparisons, the understanding of how different (or similar) Muslims are to other Americans remains open to interpretation and manipulation. The project has several important implications for Western counterterrorism and counter-radicalization policies, immigrant integration, and Muslim-government relations in the West. After empirically testing the theoretical argument, the project assesses which segments of the community trust U.S. law enforcement and how this affects their willingness to voluntarily cooperate with the police in criminal investigations involving Muslim suspects. Following chapters analyze various types of political engagement across the community, ranging from voting to support for political violence. The main findings are based on an original survey-- the Muslim-American National Opinion Survey (MANOS). As one the first and few nationally-representative surveys of Muslim-Americans, it provides a much-needed systematic investigation of Muslim-American beliefs and attitudes towards the U.S. government. Analogous surveys of non-Muslim Americans are used for comparison, and the survey data are supplemented with in-depth interviews and case studies from across the country.
Nano-enhanced microbial electrochemical cells for energy recovery from dilute organic matter [electronic resource]
Keywords: Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Microbial electrochemical cells (MECs) show great potential for energy recovery from dilute reservoirs of organic matter, such as domestic wastewater, marine sediment, waste biomass and methane hydrate. In order to enhance the performance of the MECs, this study focuses on applying materials science and nanotechnology to develop new MEC electrodes and configurations. First, a three-dimensional (3D) microbial bio-electrode design has been proposed and realized by conformally coating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or graphene on a macroscale porous substrate, such as textile or sponge. Such composite bio-electrodes provide a two-scale porous structure, a macroscale porous textile or sponge providing an open 3D space accessible for microbial growth and a microscale porous CNT or graphene layer showing strong interactions with the microbial biofilms. Compared with a widely used commercial carbon cloth anode, our composite bio-electrodes achieve significantly improved performance in maximum current density (3-fold), maximum power density (2-fold), energy recovery efficiency (3-fold), and long term stability as anodes in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). At the same time, the capital cost is at least one order of magnitude less. The next, a new oxygen reduction cathode for aqueous MFCs has been designed and obtained by electrochemically depositing Pt nanoparticles on a macroscale porous CNT-coated textile electrode. For this CNT-textile-Pt cathode, the electrochemical deposition method guarantees the electronic pathway to all of the catalyst, while the open and macroscale porous CNT-textile provides high specific catalyst-electrolyte interfacial surface area. The CNT-textile-Pt cathode shows two orders higher surface area utilization efficiency than that of a commercial carbon cloth cathode with Pt painting. An MFC equipped with the CNT-textile-Pt cathode achieves a higher power density (2-fold) with a lower Pt loading (20%). Last, a new MEC, referred as a "microbial battery (MB)", has been developed. The key difference of MBs to MFCs is the use of solid-state cathodes to replace the oxygen gas cathodes. The MBs overcome the major drawbacks of MFCs: voltage losses at oxygen cathodes and introduction of oxygen into the anode compartment. A bench-scale MB with silver-oxide as the solid-state electrode achieves an efficiency of electrical energy conversion of 49% based on the combustion enthalpy of the organic matter consumed or 44% based on the organic matter added. Electrochemical re-oxidation of the solid-state electrode decreases net efficiency to about 30%, but this (un-optimized) net efficiency of energy recovery is still about an order of magnitude higher than the energy recovery efficiencies achieved with MFCs, and comparable to methane fermentation with combined heat and power.
Nanomechanical actuation using molecular forces of amino azo benzene dye [electronic resource]
Keywords: Mechanical Engineering.

The emerging fields of nanomotors and optomechanics are based on the harnessing of light to generate force. However, our ability to detect the changes in material properties as a result of these forces (such as small surface stresses) is limited by temperature drift, environmental noise, and low-frequency flicker electronic noise. To addresses these limitations, we functionalized microfabricated silicon cantilevers with an azo dye, silane- based self-assembled monolayer. We developed a fast, one pot, simple, room-temperature linkage chemistry to connect methyl red (the actuator) to 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (a silicon attachment) to form (E)-2-((4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)diazenyl) -N- (3(triethoxysi- lyl)propyl)benzamide (MR-APTES). These molecules change their shape when exposed to light at specific wavelengths, enabling modulation of surface stress by light. Atomicforcemicroscopy, contactangleanalysis, ellipsometry, andX-rayphotoelectron spectroscopy verified successful assembly of molecules on the cantilever. Ultraviolet and visible spectra demonstrated optical switching of the synthesized molecule in solution. MR-APTES was then used to form a self assembled monolayer (1 nm thick) on surface ofasiliconcantileverof500µmlong100µmwideand1µmthick. Theoptical-mechanical actuation of cantilever surface stress was observed by exciting the MR-APTES with a 405 nm laser and optically monitoring tip deflection, allowing us to measure forces of approximately 0.3 pN per molecule. Cantilever tip deflection (3 nm) was measured with a Witec alpha atomic force microscope. By turning the laser on and off at a specific rate (1 Hz), we measured cantilever tip deflection via Fourier techniques, thus separating the signal of interest from the noise. This technique, which is similar to electronic lock-in techniques empowers the design of highly sensitive chemical sensors and forms the basis of a new class of nanomechanical actuators.
Nanoscale organization and function of proteins at the centriole-cilium interface [electronic resource]
Keywords: Biology.

Centrioles are conserved organelles comprised of nine-fold symmetric triplet microtubules. In animal cells, centrioles organize microtubule structures such as the mitotic spindle, the primary cilium and motile cilia. The primary cilium is required for proper cellular signaling. Motile cilia are involved in movement of extracellular material or cellular motility. While the ultrastructure of centrioles and cilia has been well studied using electron microscopy, the distribution of specific proteins at centrioles has been harder to investigate due to the small size of the centriole, near the diffraction limit of light microscopy. STED (stimulated emission depletion) and 3D- SIM (three dimensional structured illumination microscopy) super-resolution imaging was used to determine the nine-fold symmetric distribution of the centriolar distal appendage protein Cep164 and the organization of several other centriole distal end proteins involved in cilium function, including Cby1, Ahi1 and Ofd1. Cby1, which co- localizes in a centriolar subdomain with Ahi1 and Ofd1, was found to be required for efficient primary cilium formation and function. Loss of Cby1 results in cystic kidneys in a mouse model and reduced recruitment of the Joubert syndrome gene product Arl13b to the primary cilium. Localization of Ahi1, also a Joubert syndrome gene product, to the centriolar transition zone is impaired in cells lacking Cby1. These data suggest Cby1 is required for proper assembly of the transition zone, which is in turn required for efficient ciliogenesis and regulation of ciliary content. Cby1 likely represents a component of a molecular anchor at the mature centriole for the assembly of ciliary transition zone components.
Nanoscale spin reversal and magnetization growth in GdFeCo studied by ultrafast time-resolved X-ray diffraction [electronic resource]
Keywords: Applied Physics.

Advances in magnetic data storage technologies have been fueled by the continuous shrinking of magnetic bit sizes down to a few nanometers (nm), yet identifying deterministic switching mechanisms and speed limits remains a key obstacle to further progress. Current technologies which use magnetic fields or spin-polarized currents to reverse magnetic bits are limited to timescales of ∼100 picoseconds (ps). This apparent speed limit makes spin reversal by femtosecond (fs) optical laser pulses appealing. While fs optical pulses typically induce loss of magnetic order, or demagnetization, in ferromagnetic systems, they can induce macroscopic magnetization reversal in the ferrimagnetic thin film alloy GdFeCo. However, a microscopic picture of this magnetization reversal remains elusive. In this thesis, I will present ultrafast x-ray diffraction experiments with an x-ray laser that probe the nanoscale spin dynamics in GdFeCo following optical excitation. Our results show that the GdFeCo thin film is inhomogeneous, displaying chemical and magnetic structure at ∼10nm which affect the spin dynamics. We observe nanoscale Gd spin reversal after ∼1ps within chemically Gd rich areas of the thin film, despite macroscopic demagnetization. We observes this spin reversed region growing in size for several ps, suggesting that macroscopic switching is initiated within Gd rich nanoregions. The robustness of the spin reversal despite demagnetization indicates that this mechanism could be an effective tool for controlling laser-excited spins in nanostructured materials, opening the door to dramatically faster magnetic recording technologies.
Nanotechnology enabled biomedical fluorescence imaging in the second near-infrared window [electronic resource]
Keywords: Chemistry.

Fluorescence imaging in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 1.0-1.7 microns) has many salient advantages over the visible (400-750 nm) and the traditional near-infrared (NIR-I, 750-900 nm) windows owing to the reduced photon scattering and negligible tissue autofluorescence. However, NIR-II fluorescence imaging has been limited by the scarcity of materials with sufficient NIR-II fluorescence quantum efficiency, and single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) had been the only fluorophore for biological imaging in the NIR-II window. This work aims to enhance the intrinsic NIR-II fluorescence of SWNTs, apply SWNTs for in vivo imaging of real-world medical problems in animal models and develop new NIR-II fluorophores other than SWNTs. First, a plasmonic gold substrate is used to enhance the intrinsically low NIR-II fluorescence of SWNTs and to improve the sensitivity of cancer cell imaging using SWNTs as molecular targeting probes. The sensitive distance dependence of fluorescence enhancement of SWNTs is then exploited to probe the trans-membrane motion of single nanotube molecules and reveal the internalization pathway as receptor-mediated endocytosis. The biocompatible SWNTs are further applied to an in vivo animal model of lower limb ischemia, where we demonstrate microvascular imaging and hemodynamic measurement using NIR-II fluorescence, with improved spatial resolution over X-ray computer tomography (CT) and broader dynamic range of blood flowmetry than ultrasound. In a rationally chosen sub-region of NIR-II in the 1.3-1.4 micron range, chemically separated SWNTs allow for non-invasive brain vascular imaging through intact scalp and skull with sub-10 micron resolution at millimeter depth of penetration. Lastly, two new materials, Ag2S quantum dots (QDs) and conjugated copolymers are developed to expand the toolbox of NIR-II fluorophores. The Ag2S QDs afford in vitro targeted cancer cell imaging and in vivo mouse imaging with high tumor uptake. The high fluorescence quantum yield of the conjugated copolymer allows for ultrafast dynamic NIR-II imaging of the arterial blood flow with waveform cardiac cycles revealed in hemodynamic analysis. The many benefits of NIR-II fluorescence imaging demonstrated in this work based on the development of a handful of biocompatible NIR-II nanomaterials bode well for future biological research and clinical applications with this new imaging technique.
Natural disasters and social entrepreneurship [electronic resource] : three essays
Keywords: Business.

Why are some communities better able to organize for social entrepreneurship? On the one hand, the literature in social entrepreneurship engages the question from a behavioral and attitudinal standpoint. On the other hand, the literature in civil society posits entrepreneurial civic behavior as a consequence of engagement fostered through dense ties such as in the presence of voluntary associations. Yet, neither sentiment nor social closure can fully account for the process of entrepreneurship that creatively aims to solve the community's collective-goods problems. I ask: If we exogenously imposed a need for collective goods over and above the level endogenous to a community, what kinds of communities would be better at emerging with entrepreneurial responses? I suggest that the community's latent capacity to organize in response to exigencies rests on its richness of voluntary organizing models, such as in the variety (not density) of voluntary associations in the community. Greater associational diversity provides a richer repertoire of civic organizing solutions; such communities are more likely to respond to emergent collective-goods problems with social entrepreneurship, especially when these problems are novel or complex. In a panel study of social entrepreneurship after natural disasters in California in the period 1991-2010, I find strong evidence for this claim, net of observed demographics, political conditions, and unobserved fixed characteristics of location and time.
Navigating emerging challenges in marine aquaculture [electronic resource] : toxins, temperature, and new species
Keywords: Environment and Resources.

Global demand for seafood is increasing as a function of more people eating more fish. While catches from wild fisheries have stagnated or declined, aquaculture is poised to increase production to meet growing demand. First, I review emerging aquaculture production systems and technologies and evaluate their capacity to produce more seafood while at the same time minimizing negative environmental impacts. Marine aquaculture, where fish and other aquatic organisms are farmed in the ocean, is one of several promising means of meeting increasing demand for seafood. However, farming fish in the ocean presents novel problems for aquaculture enterprises. The ocean is an open system, meaning that farmers cannot easily control factors such as water quality or water temperature. I examine two specific challenges in marine aquaculture: 1) the effect of toxins from marine oil spills on juvenile fish and 2) the effect of temperature on digestion efficiency. Finally, marine aquaculture presents an opportunity to culture new species. I model the financial viability and resource intensity of two candidate aquaculture species, bluefin and yellowfin tuna, for which demand is likely to increase in the near future.