VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Driving towards more flexibility?: China’s environmental and climate policy in the automotive sector

This doctoral dissertation examines the mode and efficacy of environmental and climate policy in China’s automotive sector. The ascent of China’s automobile market to the largest worldwide has detrimental effects on the country’s energy security situation, worsens environmental pollution, and increases greenhouse gas emissions. Environmental and climate policy measures to ameliorate these repercussions are the most apt tools available to the Chinese government. The objective of this dissertation is to identify the dominant mode of environmental and climate policies in China’s automotive industry and to assess the efficacy of select policy instruments. It does so by asking whether a uniform national approach to policy instrument adoption can be discerned that reflects China’s institutional and administrative history or whether modal exceptions exist. Secondly, if modal differences exist, to what extent do different instruments confirm the current understanding of the advantages and pitfalls of individual policy instrument types? And finally, how do Chinese instruments compare to those in other ambits in terms of policy mode and instrument efficacy?
The literature on policy instruments holds that, due to their alleged efficiency advantages, incentive-based instruments dominate the political agenda of industrialised countries and international organisations (environmental consensus). This favouring of flexible instruments in academic and political circles contrasts with an evident lack of incentive-based instruments in practice and an observed lack of efficiency of some of those instruments actually implemented. Moreover, the policy mode adopted in developing countries and emerging markets has not yet received sufficient academic attention despite significant differences in institutional design, enforcement capacities, resources, and development paths that may imply reason for modal deviation.
Applying a blend of qualitative and quantitative social sciences research methods, I add the case of China to the comparative literature and show that command-and-control regulation indeed forms the backbone of environmental and climate policy in China’s automotive industry. At the same time, modal differences exist between national regulation and local/ municipal incentive-based policy as well as in the electric vehicle sector, which shows a trend towards more incentive-based instruments and flexibility mechanisms in conventional regulation. Compared to other ambits, China has established a relatively flexible policy regime, at least for the case of vehicle efficiency standards. For the time being, incentive-based instruments remain comparatively ineffective and flexibility mechanisms in conventional regulation have an erosive effect on instrument stringency.

Keywords: fuel economy standards
policy instruments
flexibility mechanisms
electric vehicles
Advisor: Wojcik, D
Pre-clinical development of viral vectored transmission-blocking malaria vaccines

Malaria transmission-blocking vaccine candidate antigens have been developed to induce antibodies using different delivery systems, mainly protein-in-adjuvant formulations, independently in various laboratories giving varied transmission-blocking activity (TBA). However, only one candidate antigen has been tested in clinical trials. In order to advance the most efficacious target(s) for possible clinical development, a rank order of the leading antigens based on TBA in a head-to-head comparison using a single delivery platform was made. Candidate antigens, AnAPN1, PfsHAP2, Pfs230-C, Pfs25, and Pfs48/45 (with or without N-glycosylation site substitution), were generated as recombinant viral-vectored vaccines using simian adenovirus and modified vaccinia Ankara and administered to mice in a heterologous prime-boost regimen. Vaccine-induced antibody responses were induced to all except PfsHAP2 were maintained up to ten and a half months post-boost. TBA was assessed at the peak response against Plasmodium falciparum NF54 laboratory strain and African field isolates by ex vivo membrane feeding assays in Anopheles stephensi and A. gambiae respectively. Antibodies to three antigens [Pfs230-C, Pfs25 and Pfs48/45+NGln] had TBA against P. falciparum NF54, and those against Pfs230-C and Pfs25 consistently showed efficacy regardless of the parasite exposure in both mosquito species. Further analysis of antibody responses to these two candidate antigens showed concentration-dependent efficacy against P. falciparum field isolates. In a rabbit study, responses to Pfs230-C, Pfs25 and Pfs48/45+NGln also showed IgG concentration-dependent efficacy. To assess TBA against AnAPN1, antibody responses to three fragments were tested. TBA was observed only against N-terminal 135 amino acid fragment. Pfs230-C and Pfs25 were generated as fusion vaccines using either a self-cleaving or glycine-proline linker sequence. Comparable antibody responses were induced between the two fusion strategies that had synergistic effects at inhibiting P. falciparum NF54 development in A. stephensi.

Keywords: viral-vectors
malaria
pre-clinical
transmission-blocking
immunology
vaccines
Advisor: Hill, A
Gilbert, S
Metal modified boron doped diamond electrodes and their use in electroanalysis

The experimental work discussed in this thesis explores the effects of metal modification on the electroanalytical ability of boron doped diamond electrodes. Boron doped diamond (BDD) electrodes have found increased application to electroanalysis in the past two decades, yet relatively little of the literature is focused on metal, nano and microparticle modification of the substrate. In this thesis three metals have been used to modify the BDD electrode; bismuth, antimony and nickel.
Bismuth and antimony nanoparticle modified BDD electrodes were directly compared to unmodified BDD and a bulk bismuth electrodes in the determination of trace levels of cadmium and lead using anodic stripping voltammetry. In both instances, the modified electrode allowed for the simultaneous determination of each analyte that was otherwise unattainable at the unmodified BDD electrode.
The nickel modified BDD (Ni-BDD) electrode was used in the determination of organic analytes, namely glucose, methanol, ethanol and glycerol. The nickel nano and microparticle electrodes gave the characteristic Ni(OH)₂/NiOOH redox couple in alkali pH, the oxidised form of which (NiOOH) catalysed the oxidation of the organic analytes. The chapter on glucose sensing with the Ni-BDD electrode is preceded by an extensive literature review on the advances of non-enzymatic glucose sensing, and the application of catalytic metals and nanomaterials in this field.
Throughout the course of this DPhil, there has been a collaborative project between Asylum Research and myself within the Compton group to develop a commercial electrochemical atomic force microscope (EC-AFM) cell. The aim was to produce an adaptable EC-AFM cell capable of dynamic electrochemical experiments whilst simultaneously or instantaneously acquiring an AFM image of the modified surface, in-situ. This project was successful, and the EC-AFM cell has contributed to a number of chapters in this thesis, and has now been commercialised.

Keywords: electroanalysis
boron-doped diamond
glucose
atomic force microscopy
Advisor: Compton, R
Phenotypic characterisation of the C. elegans latrophilin homolog, lat-1

G proteins coupled receptors (GPCRs) play essential developmental roles with functions in all of the immune, olfactory sensory systems amongst other systems as well as exhibiting essential roles in the central and peripheral nervous system. GPCRs are also major targets of pharmaceutical drugs currently used to treat a vast number of conditions. Despite their clear importance, the function of many GPCRs is still obscure. Identifying the physiological role of more GPCRs provides a niche for more drugs to be developed and thus more conditions to be treated. The C.elegans lat-1 gene encodes the latrophilin vertebrate homolog; it is a member of the adhesion GPCR family and is structurally related to the flamingo/CELSR, an essential component of planar cell polarity pathway. This study aims to phenotypically characterise lat-1 mutants in C.elegans to provide insights into the physiological role of this important member of adhesion GPCRs. lat-1 mutants exhibit several morphological defects throughout development and during vulva development. Analysing the embryonic development of such mutants also identified an anterior-posterior polarity defect. The results implicate a second evolutionary conserved subfamily of adhesion GPCRs in the control of tissue polarity and morphogenesis.

Keywords: egg laying
C. elegans morphogenesis
adhesion-GPCRs
neurotransmission
C. elegans
cell polarity
genetics
neuromuscular junctions
cell division
polarity
latrophilin
Advisor: Russ, A
The effects of volitional breathing and carbon dioxide inhalation on human local field potentials

Breathing is an automatic process that we hardly pay any attention to in our daily life. As a social species, we interact using body movement, speech and emotion and these actions require modification of the respiratory pattern.
While we understood how the respiratory rhythm is generated, we do not have clear evidence on how higher cortical signals modulate the respiratory pattern. The deep cortical structures in the human brain are inaccessible under normal circumstances, and deep brain stimulation electrode recordings offer an opportunity to understand the neurophysiological interactions ofdeeper brain structures.
In this thesis, I investigated deep brain stimulation recordings from implanted electrodes in chronic neuropathic pain subjects in the right and left anterior cingulate cortices, the ventral posterior lateral nucleus of the thalamus and periventricular gray region.
The objectives of this research were to elucidate the feed-forward mechanisms of volitional breathing, cortical autonomic regulation, and to investigate whether any of the investigated nuclei haveany carbon dioxide-sensitive neurons which may encode respiratory sensation.
The results show lateralisation of the cortical autonomic control whereby the left anterior cingulate exhibits increases in beta band activity (30 to 90 Hz) with cognition and vocalisation tasks. Meanwhile, right anterior cingulate activity increases with hyperoxia. Respiration using various carbon dioxide concentrations shows a constant rise in the alpha band (8 to 14 Hz) activity in the PVG which suggests a sensitive, nonspecific neuronal activity related to systemic carbon dioxide levels.

Keywords: deep brain stimulation
carbon dioxide inhalation
neurophysiology
autonomic nervous system
mental task
voluntary respiration
Advisor: Green, A
Aziz, T
Jaguars and people: a range-wide review of human-wildlife conflict

Conflict with livestock farmers is the most serious threat to the survival of the jaguar (Panthera onca) across its range of 19 countries of the Americas. In this thesis I examine the needs for mitigating human-jaguar conflict at a range-wide scale by: a) reviewing the state of knowledge on the topic, b) modelling the risk of conflict across the range, c) analysing a series of empirical field case studies, and d) proposing appropriate approaches for different levels of conflict. Findings from 43 published studies and 117 expert-described cases show that human-jaguar conflict occurs on large cattle ranches, mixed farms and smallholdings alike. Depletion of prey and poor livestock husbandry are reported as the key reasons for depredation, regardless of ecological, cultural or socio-economic context. Attitudes and tolerance towards jaguars are not necessarily linked to losses, so recent research has focussed on understanding the behaviours of farmers. With 65% of the remaining jaguar range outside of protected areas, effective strategies for coexistence with farmers are essential. By combining geospatial datasets with expert-based information, spatial patterns of human-jaguar conflicts were presented in a predictive model of conflict hotspots. Around 85% of the total jaguar range, 72% of the total Jaguar Conservation Units area and 90% of the Jaguar Corridor area overlap with livestock, and 15% of the jaguar range has risk of conflict. Regions in which jaguars are repeatedly persecuted may become ecological traps and decimate populations. An aggregate study of 17 case studies across seven countries exposed a very large variety of geographic, agronomic and socio-economic contexts. Both within and across case studies there are considerable differences in farmers’ experiences with livestock losses, concerns about depredation, levels of tolerance and attitudes, as well as social norms towards jaguars in each community. No situational factors could be used to predict how farmers perceive jaguars and deal with depredation. The only pattern consistent across case studies was that attitudes towards jaguars are most likely predicted by a factor of perceived loses combined with the social norms of the community. In most scenarios, correctly balanced strategies of improving husbandry combined with behaviour-influencing methods may be the best way forward. To this end, a conceptual model is proposed, which distinguishes three levels of conflict and explains the importance of addressing any underlying history of grievances or incompatibility of values as part of any human-wildlife conflict mitigation strategy.

Keywords: wildlife conservation; human-wildlife conflict; jaguar; carnivore
Advisor: Macdonald, D
The dynamics of granular solids

A theoretical and experimental examination into the dynamics of granular solids has been completed which covers aspects of flow and failure within this material. The investigation is divided into three natural sections; each section being devoted to a different type of failure. As indicated by the title, the subject of the study was cohesionless soil, and thus the basic tenets of soil mechanics and the failure of granular media are applicable. The first section deals with gravity flow of non-cohesive granular material in both axial and rectangular geometry. Traditional plasticity theory is used to establish characteristics of stress and strain, also stress sliplines within a wedge. From these, two relationships between the angle of internal friction and the bound to a radial flow field are established. A minimum energy theory of flow is discussed and then used to determine mass flow rates. From this theory a velocity profile is deduced an by use of either the entire profile or the vertical ray or the extreme angular ray three relationships between the bound tot he radial flow field and the mass flow rate are established. The limits to piping in axial symmetry are defined. It is shown that gravity flow in rectangular geometry must always result in pipes. Experiments were devised to substantiate these findings and they show that, dependent upon the assumptions that were made, the devised relationships bracket, within reasonable limits, the radial bound and the mass flow rate. Work of two other investigators is compared wit the presented experimental results. The definitions of pipe are shown to have validity. Section Two was the result of an attempt to measure a parameter that was relevant to the investigation in Section Three. The possibility of the passive rather than the active lateral earth pressure acting upon a shifting retaining wall was discovered while attempting the measurement of the coefficient of friction of sand on mild steel. The third section is concerned with an investigation into the factors that affect the forces on a horizontally propelled model that is immersed in sand. The parameters of depth, speed, projected model area, and other model characteristics were varied, and experimental relationships between the force and these parameters determined. Also, pressure measurements were made within the sand as the model passed to determine the extent of the failure region. Several other experiments, such as the effect of false walls on the force level, were made in order to determine the limits of validity of the main experiment. It was found that the force on the model varied as the 2.3 power of the depth, linearly with the projected model area, and not at all with model surface, model length, or speed in the range 0-15 feet per minute. The pressure measurements and false-walls studies showed that failure occurred within the sand and not at the walls of the tank; also that failure took the form of successive shear dislocation of pyramidally shaped wedges of sand.

Keywords: sand
flow
Advisor: Franklin, R
An experimental study of some two-dimensional antiferromagnets

This thesis discusses the investigation of the two-dimensional S = œ Heisenberg antiferromagnet copper formate tetrahydrate (CFTH) and the layered triangular lattice material NaTi02 which was thought to be a candidate for the possession of a non-classical antiferromagnetic ground state due to the frustration inherent in a triangular antiferromagnet.
Single crystals of CFTH are investigated using elastic, quasielastic and inelastic neutron scattering, electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy and DC magnetometry. Using the appropriate theory, these measurements are used to determine values for the terms in the Hamiltonian which describes the interactions between the Cu2+ ions in this material. The Hamiltonian is compared with that of La2Cu04, and the two are determined to be quite similar. There does not appear to be any evidence for a non-classical ground state in either material. This was proposed to exist in La2Cu04 to account for the superconductivity of doped samples.
The difficulties in preparing pure NaTi02 have been surmounted, and a technique is described for preparing powder samples with very reproducible structural and magnetic properties. The structural properties have been investigated using X-ray and neutron diffraction, the latter at temperatures between 100 K and room temperature. The magnetic properties have been probed using DC magnetometry and ESR spectroscopy. The sample dependence of the structural and magnetic properties of samples prepared in slightly different ways is discussed. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility and of the structural parameters is explained by comparison with other oxides and chlorides of trivalent Ti and V, many of which show similar behaviour. The magnetic and structural changes which occur between 200 and 250 K are assigned to changes in the Ti-Ti bonding within the layers, which leads to a transition between two metallic states with subtle differences in their band structures.

Advisor: Rosseinsky, M
Andrew Harrison, M
Party and patronage in the Church of England, 1800-1945

This Thesis examines the emergence of party patronage trusts in the nineteenth-century Church of England, their relation to, and their effect upon patronage reforms of the period; and their increasing unpopularity in the twentieth century. It suggests that their existence was a necessary precaution for the free development of the religious movements within Victorian Anglicanism, and that they contributed to the improvement in clerical standards, which helped to fuel the call for patronage reform in the final quarter of the century. Arguing that the Church of the early days of the Enabling Act was idealistic in its attempts to end sales of patronage, it attempts to demonstrate that the increase in sales of patronage was not the fault of trusts in general, but of one in particular, and qualifies some of the statements which have been made about patronage in this period. Various holders of party patronage are examined, in a more fully comprehensive survey than has been attempted before.
Following the Introduction, Chapter 1 describes the origins of patronage in England, and its state at the start of the nineteenth century. Chapter 2 deals with the calls for reform of that century, culminating in the Benefices Act 1898. In Chapter 3 the story is continued to 1945, and the Benefices Measures of the 1920s and 30s are analysed. This legislative background supports the material in later chapters. Chapter 4 is concerned with Simeon's Trust as the earliest patronage trust, and Chapter 5 analyses the other trusts, and their rates of expansion. Chapter 6 examines the rise and fall of the Martyrs' Memorial Trust under the Rev. Percy Warrington, demonstrating its responsibility for much of the bad feeling towards trusts in the 1920s, and suggesting that the more controversial views of patronage at the time, and later, derive from a misunderstanding of the nature of trust patronage. In Chapter 7, the patronage of Keble College is used as an example of the day-to-day workings of trust patronage, and to indicate that party trusts were and are, in general, no more open to accusations than any other holders of patronage.
The thesis is the first attempt to offer an overall view of party patronage, and concludes that opponents of such patronage have, perhaps, more of a case to establish than they might like to think.
Model testing of geogrids in unpaved roads

Simple unpaved roads consist of a layer of coarse granular material placed directly onto the surface of weak or compressible ground. It is thought that the construction of such roads can be considerably improved by the incorporation of a geogrid at the base of the granular fill layer. Geogrids are a type of geotextile, distinguished by their relatively large aperture size. Laying out a geogrid on the surface of the ground before placing the fill layer may in many cases allow a reduced thickness of fill material to be used, and may also substantially increase the load required to cause a complete failure of the system. No generally accepted design method exists for the construction of reinforced unpaved roads, due to the complex mechanisms which govern deformations in the system. The primary aim of this dissertation was to investigate the performance, in such a construction, of a particular geogrid, namely Tensar, manufactured by Netlon Ltd. A detailed model study into failure mechanisms was undertaken using laboratory apparatus constructed to conduct work at 1/4 full scale. Simple plane-strain, monotonic footing tests were carried out on systems consisting of a fill layer compacted onto a consolidated clay subgrade, both with and without the incorporation of a model grid at their interface. The testing technique included a comprehensive study of photographs taken of marker movements in the clay through the transparent sides of the test-box during tests. The relevant failure mechanisms associated with reinforced and unreinforced systems were established. In addition the significance of shear stresses acting at the subgrade surface was recognised and a concept whereby the appropriate subgrade bearing capacity factor is related to these shear stresses was developed. The modelling techniques adopted in this work obviated the need for a centrifuge.

Keywords: unpaved roads
soil reinforcement
Advisor: Wroth, C