VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Wittgenstein, criteria and the ineffability of consciousness
Keywords: philosophy of language
consciousness
MR Baker
Ludwig Wittgenstein
philosophy of cognitive science
John Searle
PMS Hacker
philosophy of mind
Ned Block

The present discussion seeks to determine the scope and nature of Wittgenstein's opposition to some prominent approaches to consciousness in contemporary philosophy of mind and cognitive science. We begin with some general remarks about this opposition, and in Chapter 1 appraise some prominent contemporary exemplars: Hacker & Bennett's (2003, 2007) Wittgensteinian critiques of attempts to study and define consciousness, and Searle (2007) and Block's (2007) opposing views. Their dispute hinges on whether Wittgenstein's notion of criteria yields a prima facie opposition to the distinction between consciousness and language (the 'being'/'saying' distinction) and more generally whether his later view is opposed to the ineffability of consciousness. We will demonstrate that while Wittgenstein's notion of criteria, properly understood, does provide a prima facie case against the 'being'/'saying' distinction (Chapters 2 and 3), there is an alternative sense in which Wittgenstein's view may endorse a notion of 'ineffable consciousness' importantly similar to that endorsed by Block (2007) and others. As such, Wittgenstein's position concurs neither with attempts by Block, Searle and others to distinguish consciousness from language, nor with claims such as Hacker and Bennett's which suggest a wholesale opposition to consciousness or its ineffability.
Improving GPs' knowledge of the benefits and harms of treatment to support decision making in multimorbidity: qualitative research and co-design of a novel electronic information resource
Keywords: primary care
multimorbidity
polypharmacy
shared decision-making

Background
General practitioners (GPs) regularly prescribe prolonged treatments for long-term conditions. However, GPs may benefit from further understanding of the absolute benefits and harms of these treatments, enhancing their ability to engage in shared decision-making and manage multimorbidity and polypharmacy.
Aim
To produce and evaluate a website to provide information on the benefits and harms of treatments for long-term conditions in a way that can be understood by GPs and potentially integrated into their practice.
Methods
The study consisted of three parts. First, a qualitative interview study and framework analysis with GPs exploring their attitudes to and understanding of the quantitative benefits and harms of treatments. Second, a participatory co-design process to design the website, coupled with a pragmatic approach to evidence collation to provide clinical content. Finally, an exploratory evaluation study of the website using online focus groups.
Results
The interview study reported findings on GPs’ understanding of quantitative information on the benefits and harms of treatments which informed the co-design research. The co-design research resulted in the creation of a website, www.gpevidence.org, which presents complex scientific information on treatment effect sizes and the nature and quality of the relevant clinical evidence.
The evaluation study showed that participating GPs were able to understand the clinical information on GP Evidence, and that in hypothetical scenarios this might change their prescribing practice. Some participants found some information confusing. There was limited evidence that this new information could be integrated into complex decision-making for multimorbidity and polypharmacy.
Conclusion
The aim of producing a website able to deliver information on the benefits and harms of treatments for long-term conditions to GPs was achieved. Further research is needed to evaluate the effect of GP Evidence in real-world practice.
Benchmarking the Union post-Brexit: analysing the impact of Brexit on Scottish voters' attitudes towards independence
Keywords: economic evaluations
Brexit
secessionism
public opinion
survey experiment
benchmark theory
Scottish independence

Brexit has both complicated and reignited the Scottish independence debate but its effect on public opinion is uncertain. This study seeks to address this empirical question and further our understanding of support for Scottish independence by assessing the over-time effect of Brexit on independence attitudes during the Brexit negotiation period. To do this, it exploits British Election Study panel data and uses a series of change-on-change and fixed effects models to estimate the relationship between voters’ Brexit evaluations and independence attitudes over the Brexit process period. In so doing, it also investigates heterogeneity between sub-groups of Scottish voters. Its findings suggest that voters’ assessments of Brexit’s success/failure (particularly regarding its economic consequences) did influence their independence attitudes over this period. They also show that Brexit mattered most to those voters whose support in a future independence referendum will prove decisive – i.e., previously uncertain and unattached voters. This thesis attributes these findings to the “benchmarking” approach which conceptualises public opinion about constitutional change in rational, relational and dynamic terms. Using BES panel data to look through the lens of relative government performance assessments and an original online survey experiment to look through the lens of relative economic performance evaluations, it demonstrates that the “benchmarking” mechanism can be applied to the Scottish setting. Thus, it argues that the “benchmarking” approach not only serves as a useful theoretical tool to better understand the dynamics of independence support but also provides a plausible explanation for the link between Brexit and independence attitudes. In so doing, this thesis contributes to the literature on Brexit and Scottish nationalism, fills a gap in the literature regarding sub-group heterogeneity and, by applying ‘benchmark’ theory to the sub-national context, speaks to the larger literature on the dynamics of support for separatist movements within multinational states.
Investigating the behavioural significance of the claustrum
Keywords: in vivo calcium imaging
sensory neuroscience
neuroscience
behavioural neuroscience
claustrum

Sequestered deep beneath the cortex, the claustrum is the most densely connected structure in the brain. This tantalizing anatomy has spawned a wide range of hypotheses regarding the function of the claustrum, but technological and biological constraints have hindered research. In this thesis, I have investigated the activity and behavioural function of the claustrum. I developed a novel preparation for recording claustrum activity using two-photon calcium imaging of claustrum axons in dorsal cortex. I show that claustrum axons display stimulus-locked changes in activity following uni- and multimodal sensory stimuli. While some axons were selective to one sensory modality, most were promiscuously responsive to multiple sensory modalities. I then investigated the behavioural consequences of silencing the claustrum. I detected no effects of claustrum silencing on home-cage activity, circadian behaviour, or a battery of tests assessing a wide range of behavioural domains. Finally, I investigated the impact of claustrum silencing on two behavioural tasks. While I detected no effects on a reversal learning task, I found that claustrum silencing reduced animals’ sensitivity to multimodal stimuli in a classical conditioning-like paradigm. Collectively, these results support the hypothesis that the claustrum may be involved in processing multimodal information and highlight the need for more research into the function of the claustrum.
Classical texts, quotations and allusions in Christian literature of the first two centuries
Keywords: the apologists
Clement of Alexandria
the apostolic fathers
2nd century miscellanists
importance of LXX in early Christian centuries
Justin Martyr
use of quotations in classical writers
an examination of the perceived classical texts and allusions in the New Testament -especially Pauline literature

The genesis of this study was the iambic trimeter quoted by Paul in 1 Corinthians. It rapidly expanded to cover classical quotations and allusions in early Christian literature to the end of the 2nd century CE, employing a linear approach. The first part (NT and Apostolic Fathers) re-examines de novo the perceived quotations and allusions, arguing that they have been too frequently seen through the lens of 5th and 4th century BCE literature, that has been mostly studied in schools and universities, and which may not always reflect the social and educational circumstances of the first Christians.
The following parts explores the classical material and quotations in the Apostolic Fathers, Justin Martyr, the apologists and Clement of Alexandria which have too often been overlooked in favour of their philosophical background. From a tentative start in Justin – the first to name classical authors – to Clement, who quoted prolifically, the study analyses the increasing confidence in classical quotation. Though the writers may have had different assessments of the material they quote, there is an assurance that this can play a part in Christian discourse, reflecting a greater awareness of the paideia enkyklios and involvement of those with a literary “elite” background.
In the case of Clement – with some 1,700 quotations - it was not feasible to examine them in detail; instead, the study examines Clement in the context of contemporary miscellanists, such as Aulus Gellius and Athenaeus, and explores the use of hypothetical florilegia in the 2nd century context, arguing that the writers were their own florilegists, and their effective use of texts in quotations implies a knowledge of the original sources. (Philology plays an important part in this study.) It leads to the conclusion that this more confident use of classical literature reflects a growth in the Christian community of those more appreciative of this heritage.
High-precision scattering amplitudes for LHC phenomenology
Keywords: multiloop integrals
LHC phenomenology
scattering amplitudes
high-energy physics

In this work, we consider scattering amplitudes relevant for high-precision Large Hadron Collider (LHC) phenomenology. They provide the most fundamental representation of the quantum probability amplitude for the scattering of elementary particles. As such, they are a necessary ingredient of theoretical predictions for hadronic differential cross section distributions for any process. Our predictions rely on the Quantum Field Theory of the Standard Model (SM) of Elementary Particles. Any confirmed deviation found between theoretical predictions and experimental measurements would yield the discovery of New Physics.
We analyse the general structure of amplitudes, and we review state-of-the-art methods for computing them. We discuss advantages and shortcomings of these methods, and we point out the bottlenecks in modern amplitude computations. As a practical illustration, we present frontier applications relevant for multi-loop multi-scale processes.
We compute the helicity amplitudes for diphoton production in gluon fusion and photon+jet production in proton scattering in three-loop massless Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). We have adopted a new projector-based prescription to compute helicity amplitudes in the 't Hooft-Veltman scheme. We also rederived the minimal set of independent Feynman integrals for this problem using the differential equations method, and we confirmed their intricate analytic properties. By employing modern methods for integral reduction, we provide the final results in a compact form, which is appropriate for efficient numerical evaluation.
Beyond QCD, we have computed the two-loop mixed QCD-electroweak amplitudes for Z+jet production in proton scattering in light-quark-initiated channels, without closed fermion loops. This process provides important insight into the high-precision studies of the SM, as well as into Dark Matter searches at the LHC. We have employed a numerical approach based on high-precision evaluation of Feynman integrals with the modern Auxiliary Mass Flow method. The obtained numerical results in all relevant partonic channels are evaluated on a two-dimensional grid appropriate for further phenomenological applications.
Teachers' beliefs and classroom rules in early childhood education in India
Keywords: teacher beliefs
cultural context
early childhood
classroom rules

The study explores early childhood education (ECE) teachers’ beliefs about the classroom rules (CR) as one of the regular practices in pre-schools in India. The study aims to highlight the (local) teachers’ own belief underneath the practice of the classroom rules. What do they mean when they say rules? Why do they feel a need to have these classroom rules? The study incorporates qualitative research methods. The thesis builds on participants' recorded interviews (in Hindi language) for which the vignettes are used as a tool for the research. The interviews were rigorously transcribed in local language with word-word translation in english. The data is analysed using NVivo. The themes emerged have informed the study i.e. teacher’s beliefs about the classroom and its relevance to child development. The findings mention rules as moral educational values like making distinction between right and wrong, not stealing for building character. Rules are also about hygiene like, cutting nails, combing hair, cleaning bag, wearing neat uniform etc. Overall, the teachers presented heterogeneous beliefs about practiced classroom rules which were constructed and implemented by themselves.
Essays on microenterprise growth and financial inclusion
Keywords: women-led firms
financial inclusion
savings
India
digitalization
Kenya
dynamic
microenterprise
technology adoption
credit

This thesis consists of three essays on microenterprise growth and financial inclusion. I focus on two key channels to achieve financial inclusion: (i) encouraging digital technology adoption and (ii) easing frictions in financial markets.
Chapter 1 investigates the extent to which learning barriers limit the adoption of productive digital technologies by firms. I leverage a novel digital technology that overcomes financial management issues that arise due to informality and randomly vary the extent to which learning costs are subsidized. Amongst a sample of microenterprises in India I find that temporarily subsidizing learning costs leads to significant increases in adoption. Firms significantly improve business management (through better financial and marketing practices), and in the process learn about the true profitability of their firm, which dampens adoption. Using a dynamic structural model I highlight the need for a multi-dimensional approach to sustain adoption.
Chapters 2 and 3 focus on easing financial frictions to increase firm productivity. In Chapter 2 my co-authors and I study whether other financial market frictions — in particular, lack of access to a safe place to save — might limit the benefits of credit. Working with Kenyan farmers, we cross-randomize access to a simple savings product with a harvest-time loan. We find increased farm investment and household consumption amongst those who were offered a savings product in addition to a loan offer. In Chapter 3 my co-authors and I study whether a big push microequity contract can generate firm-level and household-level gains while also recovering the initial investment amount for future investments. Working with women-led microenterprises in India we randomize access to performance contingent microequity contracts and document high demand for this novel financial product and sustained improvements in business performance.
Genetic lineage tracing in clonal haematopoiesis and myeloproliferative neoplasms
Keywords: genetic lineage tracing
platelet
twin study
myeloid neoplam
PLT-biased clonal haematopoiesis
molecular analysis
clonal haematopoiesis (CH)
myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN)
PLT-restricted clonal haematopoiesis
precision medicine
pathogenesis
megakaryocyte
triple-negative MPN

Clonal haematopoiesis (CH) is a common age-related condition in which somatic mutations accumulate in haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), leading to the clonal expansion of mutated cells. This process has been causatively linked with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and related complications, while it has also been associated with an increased risk of development of myeloid neoplasms, including myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). This DPhil thesis aimed to investigate the pathogenesis of CH and MPNs utilising genetic lineage tracing. I initially focused on the study of granulocytes (as the most abundant type of myeloid cells) against germline DNA through a twin study in a pair of monozygotic twins who presented with adult-onset CALR mutant MPN. I aimed to investigate the origin of their premalignant clones and their subsequent molecular evolution. Lineage tracing of the MPN clone by whole genome sequencing revealed a common clonal origin of the MPN clone, which occurred in utero followed by twin-to-twin transplacental transmission and subsequent similar disease latency. In the next part of the project, I focused on the study of granulocytes against platelets as a surrogate of the megakaryocyte lineage. The aim of this part of my work was to assess whether platelet-biased CH exists in humans and determine its prevalence in normal individuals and myeloid neoplasms. Targeted detection of JAK2V617F and other mutations commonly involved in CH and MPN revealed the presence of platelet-biased/restricted CH, accounting for a significant proportion of the overall prevalence of CH. In conclusion, this DPhil thesis highlights the importance of genetic lineage tracing in CH and MPNs and provides insight into their molecular pathogenesis. It introduces a novel model of MPN pathogenesis, involving a prolonged disease latency between the acquisition of the premalignant MPN clone and the development of established disease, thus opening the potential for early diagnosis and preventive precision treatment strategies. It also describes for the first time presence of platelet-biased CH with direct clinical implications in the detection of CH and relevance within the wider context of diagnosis and monitoring of haematological disorders.
Confidential remote computing
Keywords: malware
confidential remote computing
software guard eXtensions
confidential computing
Intel SGX
trusted execution environment
private algorithms
CRC
secret code execution
TEE

Since their market launch in late 2015, trusted hardware enclaves have revolutionised the computing world with data-in-use protections. Their security features of confidentiality, integrity and attestation attract many application developers to move their valuable assets, such as cryptographic keys, password managers, private data, secret algorithms and mission-critical operations, into them. The potential security issues have not been well explored yet, and the quick integration movement into these widely available hardware technologies has created emerging problems. Today system and application designers utilise enclave-based protections for critical assets; however, the gap within the area of hardware-software co-design causes these applications to fail to benefit from strong hardware features. This research presents hands-on experiences, techniques and models on the correct utilisation of hardware enclaves in real-world systems.
We begin with designing a generic template for scalable many-party applications processing private data with mutually agreed public code. Many-party applications can vary from smart-grid systems to electronic voting infrastructures and block-chain smart contracts to internet-of-things deployments. Next, our research extensively examines private algorithms executing inside trusted hardware enclaves. We present practical use cases for protecting intellectual property, valuable algorithms and business or game logic besides private data. Our mechanisms allow querying private algorithms on rental services, querying private data with privacy filters such as differential privacy budgets, and integrity-protected computing power as a service. These experiences lead us to consolidate the disparate research into a unified Confidential Remote Computing (CRC) model. CRC consists of three main areas: the trusted hardware, the software development and the attestation domains. It resolves the ambiguity of trust in relevant fields and provides a systematic view of the field from past to future. Lastly, we examine the questions and misconceptions about malicious software profiting from security features offered by the hardware.
The more popular idea of confidential computing focuses on servers managed by major technology vendors and cloud infrastructures. In contrast, CRC focuses on practices in a more decentralised setting for end-users, system designers and developers.
Computer-guided ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy
Keywords: kidney stones
deep learning
laser lithotripsy
turbidity mitigation
ureteroscopy
segmentation

Ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy has evolved into a minimally invasive routine treatment for stones in the urinary tract. Automated segmentation can assist the urologists during the procedure and is also the primary step towards the estimation of stone size, one of the most important parameters to decide if the stone requires further fragmentation. Continuous irrigation is maintained during the procedure for optimal visualisation and to reduce the excess heat generated from the laser. The irrigation flow is increased when the visualisation is impaired by stone debris. However, this increases the intrarenal pressure which can potentially lead to several complications. This highlights the need for computer vision algorithms that can virtually flush out the debris whilst keeping the irrigation flow low. The ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy datasets suffer from challenges such as small field of view, occlusions from stone debris, intra-operative bleeding, motion blur, specular highlights, dynamic background, varying illumination conditions, stone heterogeneity and artefacts from the turbid fluid. In addition, there is both inter-patient and intra-patient variability in terms of tissue appearance, illumination conditions, stone variability, and different viewpoints with respect to the camera. This makes it even more challenging to develop generalisable machine-learning models for ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy. To this date, there are no comprehensive computer vision studies that explore or solve the real-world challenges of ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy.
In this thesis, novel datasets have been acquired and annotated to facilitate the development of computer vision algorithms for ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy. This thesis presents novel algorithms that leverage motion information between frames for improved segmentation of stone fragments and laser fibre. This thesis also presents frameworks for unsupervised domain adaptation and improved generalisation of segmentation models for various endoscopy datasets. Further, this thesis investigates turbidity mitigation in lithotripsy datasets for an improved understanding of the challenging problem and proposes a framework to effectively enhance image quality.
The original contributions are as follows: (1) Classical approach to stone segmentation in ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy datasets. (2) Deep learning-based segmentation of stone and laser fibre in ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy datasets. (3) Improving domain adaptation and generalisation of segmentation models using Variational Autoencoders (VAEs) in various endoscopy datasets. (4) Turbidity mitigation for improved visualisation in laser lithotripsy. (5) New synthetic, animal and clinical ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy datasets acquired and annotated to facilitate the development of computer vision algorithms.