VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Oligarchs and separatist trajectories: a comparison of secessionist rebellions during 2014 crisis in Eastern Ukraine

This study seeks to explain the local variation in the timing of the separatist rebellion across fortyseven municipalities that comprise three regions of East Ukraine: Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Luhansk. More specifically, the objective is to explain why some municipalities experienced a separatist takeover in the first few weeks of the crisis, while others did so much later, or not at all. The study builds on and contributes to the research on workplace mobilization theories and engages in an indepth analysis of crucial domestic factors, chiefly, of powerful regional economic players, commonly known as the oligarchs, on the local separatist rebellions. Given that the oligarchs are known to be notoriously influential forces in the socio-political landscape in Ukraine – as well as in most postSoviet states – the study seeks to empirically estimate their influence by collecting local-level enterprise-ownership data, which, in turn, reveals the number of people employed by these actors in a particular area. With people being a crucial component and a key driving force behind mass protests, the study theorizes that the oligarchs were able to use their control over local populations to not only sometimes initiate mobilization, but to also guide and shape its outcome. Moreover, the study demonstrates that the local economic composition of the regions is a key determining factor in guiding the political preferences of the oligarchs and often determines the extent of their "political flexibility," meaning their willingness to accept new political establishments as opposed to relying on lucrative connections in the corridors of power. To that end, the thesis also supplements the quantitative component with case studies across the three regions to better illustrate the tools and various strategies that the oligarchs used to shape the outcome of separatist rebellion, thus providing evidence in support of my argument through a combination of original data and drawing on extensive empirical research from both primary and secondary sources.

Keywords: war
oligarchs
separatism
Ukraine
Donbas
Advisor: Chaisty, P
Computational and physiological investigations of information processing in auditory cortex

Auditory cortex has been shown to play a critical role in a plethora of processes, including the extraction of complex acoustic features, auditory scene analysis, decision making, and learning. However, there are still many aspects of auditory cortex’s structure and function that we do not understand. In this thesis, I explored three separate but related questions regarding cortical tuning properties, inhibition and their interplay in adaptation in the auditory cortex of the ferret. Firstly, I investigated the spatial distribution of preferred frequencies (“tonotopy”) amongst cortical neurons in the ferret using 2-photon calcium imaging and electrophysiology, and compared it to the mouse. I found that cortical neurons in mice and ferrets have equivalent local heterogeneity in their tuning, while retaining a globally tonotopic map. Much of the observed heterogeneity in the tonotopic maps could be explained by the existence of neurons with complex receptive fields. Secondly, I developed electrophysiological and imaging approaches in order to study the properties of excitatory and inhibitory neurons, allowing me to label and record from excitatory and subclasses of inhibitory neurons. I did not find significant differences in the proportions of tuned neurons across neuron classes, or in their tuning characteristics. I also found that the cotuning within and between classes are similar. Lastly, I explored the role of auditory cortex in adaptation to reverberation: What is the optimal transformation from reverberant to anechoic sounds in a statistical model, and can this model explain the robust representation of natural sounds in auditory cortex? The model recapitulated known properties of auditory cortical neurons, in addition to making novel predictions which I confirmed using electrophysiological recordings. These predictions were: (1) the inhibitory component of neuronal receptive fields shifts in time in proportion to the amount of reverberation, and (2) the degree of this inhibitory shift is frequency dependent. Taken together, these findings shed new light onto the organization and function of auditory cortex, providing exciting avenues for future research.

Keywords: auditory cortex
Advisor: Walker, K
Harper, N
Willmore, B
King, A
Computing multiple solutions of topology optimization problems

Topology optimization finds the optimal material distribution of a continuum in a domain, subject to PDE and volume constraints. Density-based models often result in a PDE, volume and inequality constrained, nonconvex, infinite-dimensional optimization problem. These problems can exhibit many local minima. In practice, heuristics are used to aid the search for better minima, but these can fail even in the simplest of cases.
In this thesis we address two core issues related to the nonconvexity of topology optimization problems: the convergence of the discretization and the computation of the solutions. First, we consider the convergence of a finite element discretization of a fluid topology optimization problem. Results available in literature show that there exists a sequence of finite element solutions that weakly(-*) converges to a solution of the infinite-dimensional problem. We improve on these classical results. In particular, by fixing any isolated minimizer, we show that there exists a sequence of finite element solutions that \emph{strongly} converges to that minimizer. Moreover, these results hold for both traditional conforming finite element methods and more sophisticated divergence-free discontinuous Galerkin finite element methods.
We then focus on developing a solver that can systematically compute multiple minimizers of a general density-based topology optimization problem. This leads to the successful computation of 42 distinct solutions of a two-dimensional fluid topology optimization problem. Finally, by developing preconditioners for the linear systems that arise during the optimization process, we are able to apply the solver to three-dimensional fluid topology optimization problems. This culminates in an example where we compute 11 distinct three-dimensional solutions.

Keywords: deflation
multiple solutions
finite element method
preconditioning
numerical analysis
Advisor: Farrell, P
Süli, E
Key transcriptional regulators of neutrophil function in inflammation

Neutrophils are important effector cells in innate immunity, possessing a wide range of effector functions, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, phagocytosis and chemotaxis. These properties enable neutrophils to rapidly respond to stimulation and orchestrate protective immunity. Currently, the transcriptional regulatory networks underlying neutrophil activation and function remain largely unexplored. Of note, there is partial understanding of transcription factors (TFs) that act as key regulators to control neutrophil development and inflammatory responses. Neutrophils undergo tightly controlled genomic and transcriptional changes while transitioning between bone marrow, blood, and tissue sites. However, the molecular mechanisms underlining neutrophil function during inflammation have yet to be fully elucidated. To determine the transcription factor networks that shape these responses, we have undertaken integrated transcriptional and chromatin analyses of neutrophils during acute inflammation and revealed distinct sets of putative transcription factors (TFs) associated with control of neutrophil differentiation and inflammatory responses.
To investigate the regulatory role of the selected TFs in neutrophils, I utilised HoxB8 myeloid progenitors as a model system for in vitro production of neutrophils and generated stable knockout lines for JUNB, RELB, IRF5, RFX2, KLF6, and RUNX1 in Hoxb8 myeloid progenitors, using the CRISPR/Cas9 mediated system. Additionally, I have demonstrated the importance of RUNX1, KLF6 in neutrophil differentiation. RUNX1, KLF6 deletion in HoxB8 progenitors caused a block in neutrophil differentiation and produced lower levels of mature neutrophils. KLF6 and RUNX1 deficient neutrophils also displayed impaired transmigration properties. Consistent with findings in the Hoxb8 in vitro model, conditional deletion of RUNX1 in myeloid populations produced lower mature neutrophils in the bone marrow.
To validate the functional role of the selected TFs in neutrophil activation, I examined the consequence of CEBPβ, RELB, IRF5, JUNB knockouts on neutrophil effector functions, such as phagocytosis, cytokine production, generation of ROS, formation of NETs and bacterial killing. I found that RELB, IRF5, JUNB knockout significantly affect the ability of neutrophils to produce inflammatory mediators. JUNB and RELB also contribute to neutrophil phagocytosis, ROS generation and NETosis.

Keywords: inflammation
innate immunity
neutrophils
transcription factor
gene expression
Advisor: Udalova, I
Luqmani, R
Agents and learning in foreign policy-making: the EU's involvement in the Moldova protracted conflict, 2002-2019

This thesis seeks to analyze how the EU learns, and in particular, how the EU learns in its foreign policy-making in protracted conflicts. Through a case study analysis of Moldova’s protracted conflict with the Transnistrian de facto breakaway state between 2002-2019, I examine the conditions through which learning is facilitated and leads to policy change in the EU. Using my original Theoretical Model of Learning – an adapted model building on previous learning theories looking at learning as a constitutive process – I analyze the adjustment of goals, instruments, and processes in policy to examine how the EU learns, who are the agents involved, and where learning takes place. A qualitative analysis is conducted of 150 official documents and 8 elite interviews. The project identifies conditions under which learning and policy change impact EU foreign policy towards Moldova, and how it has evolved between 2002-2019 in diffusing lessons learned from the individual, to the organizational levels. I argue theories of learning thus far have failed to account not only for the constituent levels of policy reflection informing the learning process, but also in illustrating the nuanced forms in which learning can manifest, often in reaction to external political shocks. I assert the prevalent conditions impacting EU learning are twofold: The presence of agents of change on-the-ground where policy diffusion is buttressed; and engagement of local agents through bestowment of issue ownership, as it balances policy learning entrenchment at the organizational level.

Keywords: policy change
frozen conflict
Transnistria
EU foreign policy
policy instrument
Moldova
policy learning
lesson learning
Advisor: Maurer, H
The reactivity of strained carbocycles

The idea that increasing a reaction driving force will increase its rate is a central principle of chemistry. This principle has been used to great effect for the design of ‘strain-release’ reactions, in which a driving force is provided by building strain energy into the reactant. However, strain release alone is unable to account for the contrasting reactivity of even the simplest of systems, such as cyclopropane and cyclobutane which release near-identical amounts of strain energies but display stark differences in their rates of ring-opening. In this Thesis, the dominance of strain release is challenged by introducing the concept of electronic delocalisation to enhance reactivity: a more delocalised bond will be easier to break, and therefore incur a lower activation barrier to its cleavage resulting in a faster reaction rate. This idea is first explored through a computational study of the electronic structure and reactivity of [1.1.1]propellane (Chapter 2), before the importance of delocalisation is explored in the development of a new synthesis of alpha-chiral bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes – important motifs in drug discovery (Chapter 3). The relationship between reaction rate, strain release and delocalisation is then quantified through the development of a predictive model for the reactivity of small rings in general (Chapter 4), where three-membered rings are found to be unique in their ability to cause delocalisation-enabled reactivity. In summary, this Thesis introduces a framework to better understand the relationship between ring strain and reactivity, and in doing so guide synthetic efforts towards new reaction design.

Keywords: reactivity
strain
electronic structure
chemistry
Advisor: Durate, F
Anderson, E
Operando characterisations of all-solid-state batteries

The work in this thesis is focused on the mechanistic investigations of all-solid-state battery degradation associated with a lithium metal anode, via the development of operando characterisation techniques, and ultimately enabling the reliable application of lithium metal anode in all-solid-state batteries.
In Chapter 3, the interfacial degradation with the Li metal anode on Li stripping is explored. The void formation is recognised as a form of interfacial degradation that leads to voltage polarisation, local current flux enhancement, and ultimately failure of the cell. The evolution of voids in response to the passage of current is characterised, quantitatively analysed, and with the effects from stack pressure and cycling temperature determined.
Chapter 4 explores the solid electrolyte cracking and dendrite formation as a response to Li plating towards the Li metal anode. The spallation is observed as a way of cracking in solid electrolyte associated with the transverse crack that propagates across the whole cell. The crack propagation and the distribution of lithium inside the crack is tracked as function of the charge passed. The propagation process of Li dendrite and its implication are discussed.
In Chapter 5, models are proposed to explain the dendrite initiation and propagation in all-solid-state batteries based on experimental observations. The assumptions and predictions of the models are explored and discussed. Guided by the models, effective approaches are explored to improve the performance the all-solid-state batteries.

Keywords: Li dendrite
all-solid-state batteries
electro-chemo-mechanical models
battery degradation
X-ray computed tomography
Advisor: Marrow, J
Bruce, P
"Good wood on crowdpleasers": humour publications in the Ming Wanli period

Joke and humour publications are a severely understudied area of the world of late-Ming book culture. Taking imprints from the Wanli reign period (1573–1620) as a starting point, this dissertation undertakes a preliminary investigation into late-Ming humour compilations. It looks at the publication of humour as a historical phenomenon, rather than from a literary standpoint, to see how this group of books fitted into the publishing and intellectual scene of their day. Towards this aim, the dissertation leans mostly upon the paratextual materials of humour publications, such as prefaces, titles and annotations. These were spaces in which compilers and publishers communed with their faceless, anticipated readership, and as such can be used to yield information about how these compilations were viewed on both sides. Experimenting by temporarily putting aside modern notions of “the joke” in favour of contemporaneous terms used by the publications themselves, the dissertation sketches the boundaries around a broader genre of ‘humour compilations’, thereby reconstructing a genre of publications that were connected in the eyes of Ming publishers and readers, yet has been obscured by subsequent systems of categorisation. It spotlights the ambivalence that surrounded humour as an appropriate topic for publication and the measures taken by compilers and publishers to counter such attitudes. The dissertation also sheds light upon how this group of texts identified with and drew upon precedents from previous dynasties and developed its own set of traditions through an in-depth look at the Ming sequels to the Aizi (“Master Ai”) tradition of Warring States-themed humour, which originated in the Song period. A preliminary discussion on the ‘Dongpo vogue’ in late-Ming publishing reveals the omnipresence of Song dynasty literatus Su Shi in Ming humour publications while simultaneously demonstrating how this group of texts reflected and interacted with the fashions and concerns of the times.

Keywords: publishing
compiling practices
Aizi
early modern China
late imperial China
book history
Su Shi
late-Ming book culture
humour compilations
Ming China
jestbooks
humour
textual categorisation
jokes
anthropomorphic biography
paratexts
Master Ai
Advisor: ter Haar, B
Harrison, H
Charge transfer reactions between rare gas ions and polar molecules

Charge transfer reactions between rare gas Xe+, Kr+ or Ar+ ions and polar molecules are investigated. The reactions are undertaken within the cold and controlled environment of Ca+ Coulomb crystals at temperatures lower than 300 K, spanning 194-260 K. Both fully hydrogenated and fully deuterated ammonia and water reactants are employed, with all of these neutral species known to be present in interstellar environments.
Inverse kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) are reported for the ammonia charge transfer reactions, with the deuterated molecules reacting at a faster rate than the hydrogenated species. The magnitude of the effect depends on the identity of the rare gas species; the strongest effect is observed for the Xe+ ions. Capture theory models, which are frequently used to describe ion-molecule interactions, fail to predict these findings. Further, the experimentally measured rate coefficients are suppressed in comparison to classical and quantum capture theory predictions, indicating that the reactions are not capture limited. With the aid of high-level ab initio calculations, a tentative explanation is proposed, suggesting that properties of the reaction complex (such as its lifetime) may give rise to the observed inverse KIEs.
No inverse KIE-indeed, no isotope effects at all-are observed for the water charge transfer reactions, with the measured reaction rate coefficients being in good agreement with capture theory models.
As this thesis will discuss, capture theory models do not always successfully predict the behaviour of ion-molecule reactions. In the absence of experimental data, capture theory models are often employed in astrochemical databases to predict the behaviour of ion-molecule reactions. This work highlights the assumptions underpinning the widespread use of capture theories in astrochemical modelling, and proposes that there is a need for further work to establish when capture theory models can be reliably used to predict the behaviour of ion-molecule reactions.

Keywords: inverse kinetic isotope effect
coulomb crystals
cold chemistry
Advisor: Heazlewood, B
The role of social media as evidence in asylum procedures in Iceland

The role of technology in border control has grown steadily in recent years. While smart border technology has become commonplace in many states, the increasing popularity of social media amongst migrant populations offers immigration authorities unprecedented opportunities to access publicly available data on asylum applicants. Although this novel vetting technique has been criticised by human rights activists as invasive and unfair, little academic research exists on the extent to which social media content is exploited as a source of evidence in asylum procedures. The purpose of this study is to address this gap by examining how social media and open-source data shapes the evidentiary assessment in asylum cases in Iceland. Based on eight in-depth interviews with Icelandic immigration officials and legal representatives of asylum applicants, I examine the extent to which social media analyses are carried out and their relevance compared to other sources of evidence. The findings of the study suggest that while social media analysis is used on a regular basis in asylum procedures in Iceland, caseworkers face various structural, personal and bureaucratic hurdles in practice. It is argued herein that due to personal experiences and attitudes towards social media, caseworkers generally consider the evidentiary value of social media too weak to be routinely turned into direct evidence.

Keywords: asylum procedure
digitising borders
social media monitoring
refugees
surveillance
migration
Advisor: Kurkchiyan, M
Finance & cyber security: uncovering underlying and consequential costs of security breaches and investments

Severe security breaches can be costly for publicly listed firms. In order to deploy scarce resources in the most efficient way, information security decision makers in such firms need to conduct holistic economic cost-benefit analyses that take into account all costs associated with security breaches and strategic investments in countermeasures. In addition to obvious direct costs following security breaches and investments, there are also multiple indirect underlying and consequential costs introduced or elevated by such events. In this dissertation, four novel cost elements affecting firms’ financing costs that are prone to be overlooked in basic cost-benefit analyses are discussed. Over the course of four empirical studies, the effect of security investments on firm value (via abnormal returns) as well as the effect of security breaches on cost of equity (via systematic risk), cost of debt (via credit default swap spreads), and information asymmetries (via insider trading-induced abnormal returns) are analysed. These studies reveal four cost elements that can all be characterised as indirect underlying/consequential financial costs, which ought to be considered in holistic economic information security cost analyses. Analysing a US-centric sample of 202 severe security breaches between 2005 and 2019 revealed that severe security breaches are associated with significantly positive increases of insider trading abnormal returns (hence information asymmetries) and systematic risk (hence cost of equity). However, the examination of CDS spread changes following the same severe breach announcements indicated that CDS spreads (hence default spreads and by implication cost of debt) do not increase significantly in the immediate days surrounding the event, suggesting that costs of debt are subject to different dynamics. Furthermore, assessing an international sample of 221 security investments, the dissertation reveals positive and negative effects on firms’ market value following upon small-scale and large-scale security certificate investments, respectively. These market reactions constitute secondary benefits and underlying/consequential costs that also ought to be taken into account for the purpose of expected net benefit of information security (ENBIS) analyses. Collectively, these insights suggest highly relevant information security-induced implications for cost of capital that need to be recognised in ENBIS calculations. Given the absence of a formal definition of the cost type underlying/consequential costs and a framework or model to facilitate assessments of such costs, this dissertation also provides a novel nuanced definition of indirect costs of information security and the Iceberg Model of Information Security Costs, which will help guide further academic research and practitioners’ investment endeavours.

Advisor: Simpson, A