VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Topological reconstruction and compactification theory
Keywords: Topological Reconstruction
Reconstruction Conjecture

This thesis investigates the topological reconstruction problem, which is inspired by the reconstruction conjecture in graph theory. We ask how much information about a topological space can be recovered from the homeomorphism types of its point-complement subspaces. If the whole space can be recovered up to homeomorphism, it is called reconstructible.
In the first part of this thesis, we investigate under which conditions compact spaces are reconstructible. It is shown that a non-reconstructible compact metrizable space must contain a dense collection of 1-point components. In particular, all metrizable continua are reconstructible. On the other hand, any first-countable compactification of countably many copies of the Cantor set is non-reconstructible, and so are all compact metrizable h-homogeneous spaces with a dense collection of 1-point components.
We then investigate which non-compact locally compact spaces are reconstructible. Our main technical result is a framework for the reconstruction of spaces with a maximal finite compactification. We show that Euclidean spaces &reals;n and all ordinals are reconstructible.
In the second part, we show that it is independent of ZFC whether the Stone-&Ccaron;ech remainder of the integers, ω&ast;, is reconstructible. Further, the property of being a normal space is consistently non-reconstructible. Under the Continuum Hypothesis, the compact Hausdorff space ω&ast; has a non-normal reconstruction, namely the space ω&ast;&bsol;&lcub;p&rcub; for a P-point p of ω&ast;. More generally, the existence of an uncountable cardinal κ satisfying κ = κ<κ implies that there is a normal space with a non-normal reconstruction.
The final chapter discusses the Stone-&Ccaron;ech compactification and the Stone-&Ccaron;ech remainder of spaces ω&ast;&bsol;&lcub;x&rcub;. Assuming the Continuum Hypothesis, we show that for every point x of ω&ast;, the Stone-&Ccaron;ech remainder of ω&ast;&lcub;x&rcub; is an ω2-Parovi&ccaron;enko space of cardinality 22c which admits a family of 2c disjoint open sets. This implies that under 2c = ω2, the Stone-&Ccaron;ech remainders of ω&ast;&bsol;&lcub;x&rcub; are all homeomorphic, regardless of which point x gets removed.
Imaging structural and functional brain changes associated with long-term learning
Keywords: plasticity
learning
MRI

Learning induces functional and structural plasticity. This thesis used a range of neuroimaging approaches in both humans and rodents to address three main questions: (1) Can we predict learning performance using baseline imaging measures? (2) To what extent do performance outcomes or training amount determine experience-dependent plastic changes? (3) What biological mechanisms underlie white matter plasticity detected using MRI?
Effects of performance and amount of practice on brain structure were studied by varying the amount of juggling practice. Brain structure was found to predict performance on a complex juggling task before learning acquisition.
Both performance and practice were found to affect brain structure after learning. Overall, participants that achieved higher performances had higher grey matter (GM) and WM matter change. Also, participants that trained juggling for longer had higher positive brain changes than participants that practiced less.
The effects of juggling performance and practice in functional connectivity and GABA levels as measured by MR spectroscopy (MRS) were also investigated. High intensity training was found to decrease the motor resting-state network strength while lower intensity increased the network strength. The increase in strength was associated with a decrease in GABA concentration. A correlation was also found between motor resting-state strength change and GABA concentration change after learning.
Finally, since WM plasticity has not been thoroughly investigated and to understand which cellular events underlie WM change, an animal model of motor learning was combined with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and immunohistochemistry. Learning a novel motor task increased WM fractional anisotropy, an indirect measure of WM microstructure, in the contralateral hemisphere to the used paw. Immunohistochemistry staining with myelin basic protein (MBP) antibody of this region revealed higher myelin stain intensity for the learning group that correlated with performance in the task.
A refinement calculus for Z
Keywords: semantics
weakest preconditions

The lack of a method for developing programs from Z specifications is a difficulty that is now widely recognised. As a contribution to solving this problem, we present ZRC, a refinement calculus based on Morgan's work that incorporates the Z notation and follows its style and conventions. Other refinement techniques have been proposed for Z; ZRC builds upon some of them, but distinguishes itself in that it is completely formalised.
As several other refinement techniques, ZRC is formalised in terms of weakest preconditions. In order to define the semantics of its language, ZRC-L, we construct a weakest precondition semantics for Z based on a relational semantics proposed by the Z standards panel. The resulting definition is not unexpected, but its construction provides evidence for its suitability and, additionally, establishes connections between predicate transformers and two different relational models. The weakest precondition semantics of the remaining constructs of ZRC-L justify several assumptions that permeate the formalisation of Morgan's refinement calculus. Based on the semantics of ZRC-L, we derive all laws of ZRC.
Typically the refinement of a schema in ZRC begins with the application of a conversion law that translates it to a notation convenient for refinement, and proceeds with the application of refinement laws. The conversion laws of ZRC formalise the main strategies and rules of translation available in the literature; its set of refinement laws is extensive and includes support for procedures, parameters, recursion, and data refinement.
Morgan and Back have proposed different formalisations of procedures and parameters in the context of refinement techniques. We investigate a surprising and intricate relationship between these works and the substitution operator that renames the free variables of a program, and reveal an inconsistency in Morgan's calculus, Back's approach does not suffer from this inconsistency, but he does not present refinement laws. We benefit from both works and use a model based on Back's formalism to derive refinement laws similar to those in Morgan's calculus. Furthermore, we derive additional laws that formalise Morgan's approach to recursion.
Three case studies illustrate the application of ZRC. They show that ZRC can be useful as a technique of formal program development, but are by no means enough to ascertain the general adequacy of its conversion and refinement laws. Actually, since Z does not enforce a specific style of structuring specifications, it is likely that new laws will be proved useful for particular system specifications: two of our case studies exemplify this situation. Our hope is that ZRC and its formalisation will encourage further investigation into the refinement of Z specifications and the proper justification of any emerging strategies or techniques.
Development and assessment of particular transmission-blocking malaria vaccines
Keywords: Malaria Vaccine

Transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs) target Plasmodium parasite sexual stages, aiming to block further development of the parasite within the mosquito host. Plasmodium falciparum zygote/ookinete surface protein Pfs25 is one of the leading TBV candidate antigens and antibodies against Pfs25 have been shown to exhibit complete transmission-blocking activity in pre-clinical studies. Phase 1 human clinical trials have revealed that Pfs25 was a poor immunogen in humans in the formulations tested and high titers of anti-Pfs25 antibodies are required to achieve good transmission-blocking activity in the ex vivo standard membrane feeding assay which measures the functional activity of the antibodies induced. Work in this thesis describes the production of recombinant monomeric Pfs25 protein, Pfs25 based particulate vaccines (Pfs25-IMX313 nanoparticle, Pfs25-HBsAg VLP and Pfs25-Qβ VLP) and a Pfs25-Pfs28 multivalent protein vaccine in the Pichia pastoris protein expression system. These proteins were tested in mice using protein-in-adjuvant formulations and their immunogenicity was assessed. Pfs25-IMX313 nanoparticle induced significantly higher anti-Pfs25 antibodies than monomeric Pfs25 and the antibodies had higher avidity and transmission-blocking activity. All of the candidate vaccines generated, except for Pfs25-HBsAg VLP, were immunogenic. The Pfs25-IMX313 nanoparticle induced the highest antibody response in mice followed by the Pfs25-Pfs28 multivalent protein and Pfs25-Qβ VLP.
Gymnasia and Greek identity in Ptolemaic and early Roman Egypt
Keywords: Greeks
ancient society
status
gymnasium
Egypt
education
identity

My work is a socio-historical study of the institution of the gymnasium in Egypt, of its evolution and role in the assertion of certain aspects of ‘Greek identity’ in Ptolemaic and early Roman times.
It is divided into four sections. (1) Attention is devoted to the study of the gymnasium itself, as institution, analysing its diffusion, foundation, internal organisation and the role played by associations which were hosted therein. The constitution and the characteristics of the governing body (with special attention to the role of the gymnasiarchs) and the financial matters relevant to the gymnasium allow one to draw conclusions on its legal status and social role: it is shown how the gymnasium of Egypt operated in a completely different way from the traditional one which is normally assumed for the Greek poleis, especially of mainland Greece and above all Athens. A possible model of influence is suggested. (2) Starting from the rules of admission into the gymnasium and from the treatment of the outsiders, the social status and social composition of the members of the gymnasium are object of enquiry, focusing on the links with the army and the public administration. It is argued that the gymnasial community should be considered as a complex reality, formed by different components belonging to various levels of the social strata. (3) Educational, religious and recreational activities carried out in the premises of the gymnasium or strictly connected to it are taken into account to give an idea of the ‘daily life’ of the institution and of the ‘behaviour’ of its people, which was likely to be the result of a feeling of ‘shared identity’. (4) The concluding section draws the attention to the issue of identity of the people of the gymnasium more clearly: relation with the ‘others’ and idea of Greekness the people of the gymnasium had about themselves (influenced by the rulers’ policies), access to gymnasia, onomastics, elite classes, mixed marriages, reception of Egyptian burial methods and cults, advantage of ‘going Greek’. It is argued that, although having in the gymnasium the key-element for the assertion of their identity and status of Hellenes, the ‘Greeks’ of Egypt displayed complex patterns of mixed identities and were thoroughly embedded in the social, cultural, religious, and administrative environment of Egypt.
Enforcing respect
Keywords: antidiscrimination law
liberalism
perfectionism

Can contemporary liberalism justify antidiscrimination law? The question seems impertinent until we consider contemporary liberalism’s commitment to limited government. Once we do, we realize that contemporary liberals may not complacently assume that their theories justify antidiscrimination law simply because discrimination based on race or sex is so obviously wrongful. Rather, they must scrutinize antidiscrimination law just as they do other regulation of individual conduct. Providing such scrutiny, this thesis argues that three of the most prominent contemporary liberal doctrines of political legitimacy—John Rawls’s “political liberalism,” an antiperfectionist version of the “harm principle,” and Joseph Raz’s “liberal perfectionism”—all fail to justify core applications of antidiscrimination law, applications that we intuitively consider perfectly legitimate. In light of this failure, contemporary liberalism faces a dilemma: it must jettison either its commitment to comprehensive, uniform antidiscrimination regimes or its antiperfectionism and overriding commitment to personal autonomy. This thesis argues for the latter course by providing an account of the wrongfulness of discrimination based on race or sex that condemns all instances of the conduct. According to this account, discrimination is wrong because acting on discriminatory intentions is wrong. More specifically, by taking another person’s race or sex as a reason to treat her less favorably than one would treat people of other races or the other sex, one fails to respect her as a person, to regard her as a being of ultimate value. Unlike contemporary liberal accounts, this account is fully perfectionist, since it defines discrimination in terms of the intentions of discriminators, and the intentions of discriminators in terms of their attitudes, which partly constitute their moral characters. So long as we remain committed to antidiscrimination law in its current form, we must attend to discriminators’ characters. And to attend to discriminators’ characters, we must be willing to espouse perfectionism.
Development of Al alloy composites by powder metallurgy routes
Keywords: aluminium; metal matrix composites; extrusion; cold rolling

Particulate reinforced Al alloy composites (AlMCs) are recognized as important structural materials due to their lightweight, high modulus and strength and high wear resistance. In order to understand the effect of matrix, reinforcement and secondary processing techniques on the microstructure development and mechanical properties of AlMCs produced by powder metallurgy routes, Al alloy composites reinforced with three types of reinforcements by different secondary processing techniques have been produced and examined.
Fabrication of Al or 6061Al alloy based composites reinforced with nano-sized SiC particles (~500nm), micro-sized (<25µm) quasicrystalline alloy particles (hereinafter referred to as “NQX”) and micro-sized Nb particles (~130µm) has been carried out by powder metallurgy routes followed by extrusion or cold rolling. After extrusion, a homogeneous distribution of secondary particles has been obtained with rare interfacial reaction products. The 6061Al/SiC composites exhibit superior mechanical properties than either monolithic alloys or composites reinforced with micro-sized particles with retained ductility while the 6061Al/NQX and 6061Al/Nb composites show limited improvement in tensile strength mainly due to their reinforcement size and poor interfacial bonding.
After cold rolling, the evolution in microstructure, texture and strength has been analysed. A typical near β fibre texture with highest intensities near Copper and Brass orientations has been developed for 6061Al/NQX and 6061Al/Nb composites. For 6061Al/SiC composites, a randomized texture with very small grains has achieved due to the presence of the non-deformable SiC particles. Mechanical property tests including microhardness, three-point bending tests and tensile tests have been carried out on cold rolled samples and the results exhibit some level of improvement when compared with as-extruded samples due to work hardening.
Finally, the work moves on to the general discussion based on the previous result chapters. The microstructural development related to reinforcement, matrix and interfacial areas during extrusion and cold rolling has been summarised and the correlation between microstructure and mechanical properties has been discussed.
The thesis provides a thorough understanding of AlMCs produced by powder metallurgy routes in terms of matrix, reinforcement and processing techniques. It can provide reference to the future development of AlMCs for high strength applications.
Function, phenotype and development of human CD161+CD8 T cells
Keywords: CD161
CD8 T cells
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis B
MAIT cells

Tc17 cells and the semi-invariant human mucosal associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are important CD8+ tissue-homing cell populations. Both are characterized by high expression of CD161 (++) and type-17 differentiation, yet their origins and relationships remain poorly defined. By transcriptional and functional analyses it is demonstrated that a pool of polyclonal, pre-committed type-17 CD161++CD8αβ+ T cells exists in cord blood, from which a prominent MAIT cell (TCR Vα7.2+/Vβ2 or 13.2) population emerges post-natally. During this expansion, CD8αα T-cells appear exclusively within CD161++CD8+/MAIT subset, sharing cytokine production (IL17, IL-22 and IFN-γ), chemokine-receptor expression (CCR2, CCR6 and CXCR6), TCR-usage and transcriptional profiles with their CD161++CD8αβ+ counterparts. These data demonstrate the origin and differentiation pathway of MAIT cells from a naïve type-17 pre-committed CD161++CD8+ T cell pool and the distinct phenotype and function of CD8αα cells in man. The CD161++CD8αβ and CD8αα T cell subsets are reduced in the peripheral circulation in chronic hepatitis B and C and are enriched in the liver in chronic hepatitis C. Their potential role in immunity to chronic viral hepatitis B and C is demonstrated by their expression of activation/exhaustion markers CD69, CD25, HLA-DR and PD-1. In addition a substantial distinct CD161-CD8βlow population is demonstrated in chronic hepatitis B, co-characterised by a CD28low, HLA-DRhigh phenotype and high expression of IFN-γ, with important implications for the development of immunotherapy and vaccination.
Life after life imprisonment
Keywords: identity change
resettlement
desistance from crime
probation service
life imprisonment

In England and Wales, life imprisonment is the ultimate sanction for the most serious crimes. The introduction of Discretionary Lifer Panels (DLPs) in 1992 was a major development in the way that lifers are managed within the penal system. This thesis explores 'life after life imprisonment' for the first cohort of discretionary lifers who were released into the community through the DLP process. The study is set in the context of a renewed interest in empirical research on the resettlement of ex-prisoners, yet little of this work has focused on life-sentenced offenders. By investigating the resettlement process of 138 discretionary lifers released on life licence between 1992 and 1997, this research contributes to empirical and theoretical understanding of rehabilitation and desistance from crime after long-term imprisonment. Part One considers the various factors that have shaped the discretionary life sentence, and sets out the research methods used. Part Two examines the role of the Probation Service in the process of resettlement. Based on empirical work across probation areas, it sheds light on the claim that contemporary probation practice is indicative of a more general authoritarian and exclusionary approach to resettlement. Part Three explores the 'disistance and persistance' process for lifers. It provides a detailed analysis of the narrative accounts of resettled lifers, and explores the reasons why they had given up crime. It also highlights the growing numbers of recalled lifers, and seeks to identify factors associated with failure on life licence. This thesis concludes by arguing that rehabilitation continues to have a prominent place within the discourse of resettlement. Overall, this thesis lends support to theories of disistance from crime that emphasise the importance of shifts in offenders' narrative identities to explain cessation from criminal behaviour, and highlights the role of a professional relationship as a powerful vehicle for change.
The Round Table, 1910-66
Keywords: London Round Table

This thesis traces the history of the London Round Table group and of the Round Table magazine from their origins in 1909-10 until the decision to launch a "new" Round Table in 1966. It takes as its focus the ideas put forward by members of the group, in the Round Table and elsewhere, on a range of Imperial and international problems. It utilises knowledge on the authorship of Round Table articles in order to clarify the processes by which Round Table policy was made, and the role of different individuals within the group. It examines the rôle of the Round Table as a pressure group for Imperial reform and in particular its relationship to Empire federalism, seeking to elucidate the extent to which it was able to act coherently, and attempting to describe its aims, methods and influence. On the question of federalism, the thesis finds an inability to agree on details, but also a continuing belief in the necessity for constitutional unit until the late 1940s. It suggests that this belief was not entirely unrealistic. The thesis argues that, despite differences of emphasis, the Round Table was able to develop a distinctive ideology of Imperialism which was strongly supportive of the Imperial rôle yet also responsive to the need for change. It finds that the group was only briefly influential on government policy, under Lloyd Georfge's administration, but it argues that the group saw its main purpose as that of influencing long-term opinion rather than short-term policy. It suggests that the group was able to play an important mediating rôle, between conservatism and radicalism, and between policy-making and opinion.
The social environment of asthma management in early adolescence
Keywords: peer
family
social environment
asthma management
teacher
adolescence

For adolescents with asthma, adhering to asthma regimes implies not only taking medications to relieve asthma attacks, but also adjusting their life styles in order to prevent asthma attacks. These life style modifications, such as avoiding allergens or having to limit physical activity, sometimes force adolescents to compromise their social life. On the other hand, the impact of such life style modifications on their social life may in turn force adolescents to give up adhering to asthma regimes. Indeed, adolescents are learning to be more independent while they enjoy a more complicated social life at home and at school than previously, and this rapid social development may thus be a great life challenge to adolescents with asthma. This thesis reports four studies which investigated the relationship between multi-dimensional asthma management (in medication and life style regimes) and the social life of young people with asthma at the transitional age from childhood to adolescence (or early adolescence, age 9-14), which also marks the transition from primary school to secondary school.
In line with the literature on other adolescent chronic illnesses, study 1 demonstrated a downward trend of multi-dimensional asthma management in early adolescence. This developmental change was further investigated in study 2, 3 and 4, in which theories in behavioural psychology were followed to emphasise human behaviour influenced by the social activities and social relationships in the living environment, or the social environment. This was supplemented by theories in developmental psychology to identify relevant aspects of the social environment in early adolescence, especially the social relationships with parents, school staff and peers. Using quantitative and qualitative approaches, the studies not only supported the direct influence of asthma-specific social support, but also explored some mechanisms with which social relationships influenced asthma management in a more subtle and context-dependent way. By approaching asthma management behaviour with theories from behavioural and developmental psychology, it is also hoped that this thesis could be an example that shows the importance of recognising and to understanding the social life of young adolescents when adolescent behaviour is concerned.