VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Verification pathologies: an analysis of ceasefire verification missions in Angola, Mozambique and Kosovo

The UN and other international organisations (IO) routinely deploy ceasefire verification missions (CVM) in support of international peacekeeping. The positive contributions CVMs can make are reliant on understandings by the conflict parties and by the international community that CVM reporting is impartial, the product solely of data gathered and analysed in a manner that is rational and objective. This thesis examines this assumption by asking, 'To what extent can factors other than monitoring data affect the content of ceasefire verification reports?'
The research constitutes a series of plausibility probes on groups of factors that could theoretically affect a CVM's output so as to result in some non-trivial change to the international effect that output would likely have. Factor indicators and counter-indicators were derived and applied to three typical cases from a universe of 68 post-War CVMs: the UN Angola Verification Mission II (1992), the UN Operation in Mozambique (1992-4), and the OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission (1998-9). Sources (many previously unpublished) were drawn from archives in New York, Prague and Oxford, and from private collections, and supplemented with interviews with former CVM participants and expert commentators.
The thesis demonstrates that the following 'verification pathologies' can substantially affect ceasefire verification reports: productive language and proscriptions in the CVM mandate and the ceasefire agreement(s); organisational dysfunction in the CVM, the conducting IO and the nexus between them; certain processes upon which CVMs are based; certain CVM procedures; moderation or suppression of information by the conducting IO in pursuit of its strategic purposes; manipulation by powerful actors. The thesis offers ways in which those who conceive, design and conduct CVMs could seek to moderate the influence of these pathologies, and urges a more critical reading of CVM outcomes and consequent historical events.

Keywords: KVM
Verification
Ceasefire Verification Mission
ONUMOZ
Kosovo Verification Mission
UNAVEM II
Verification Pathology
Advisor: Caplan, R
Quadratic phenomena in additive combinatorics and number theory

This thesis deals with problems related to the structure of the solutions to some specific polynomial equations. A brief introduction to the type of problems we are interested in is given in Chapter 1.
In Chapter 2 we recall some standard results in number theory and additive combinatorics.
In Chapter 3 we look at partition regularity of equations of the form xa + yb = zc over Z/pZ. In particular we look at the equation x+y= z2.
In Chapter 4 we prove that any 2-colouring of N has infinitely many monochromatic solutions to the equation x+y=z2. This work is joint with Ben Green.
In Chapter 5 we use the same methods as in Chapter 4 to prove partition regularity of the equation x-y=z2.
In Chapter 6 we show that a linear combination of kth powers is partition regular if and only if the corresponding linear equation is partition regular, provided the number of variables is large enough. This is based on joint work with Sam Chow and Sean Prendiville.
In Chapter 7 we look at Heath-Brown's method of counting the zeros of a quadratic form in four variables, and in particular how the error term in this count is affected by the weight function used.
In Chapter 8 we try to count the number of zeros of a quadratic form in four variables that lie in a fixed congruence class.

Advisor: Green, B
Heath-Brown, R
Model theory of Shimura varieties

The purpose of this thesis is to provide model-theoretic structures to study Shimura varieties. Two main problems are studied.
Transcendence Properties of j. This part is aimed at proving a general transcendence property for the j function in the spirit of Schanuel’s conjecture. Such a result was proven for the exponential function by M. Bays, J. Kirby and A. Wilkie, and it relies heavily on the Ax-Schanuel theorem. An analogue of Ax-Schanuel for the j function was proven by J. Pila and J. Tsimerman, and this allowed to adapt the strategy used for the exponential to j.
One concrete consequence of the main transcendence result is:
Theorem. Let 𝜏 ϵ R be j-generic. Suppose z1,...,zn ϵ H+ and g ϵ GL2(Q(𝜏 ))+ are such that z1,...,zn; gz1,...,gzn are in different GL2(Q)+-orbits (pairwise). Then:
t.d.(j(z); j'(z); j"(z); j(gz); j'(gz); j"(gz)/𝜏) ≥ 3n:
The term j-generic is analogous to that of being exponentially transcendental. Using o-minimality, we prove that all but countably many values for 𝜏 can be used.
We also analyse a modular version of Schanuel’s conjecture and prove that there are at most countably many essential counterexamples to this conjecture.
Categoricity of Shimura Varieties. Let p : X+ → S(C) be a Shimura variety. We associate with it a countable two-sorted first-order language and analyse the complete first-order theory it determines. The question of interest in this part of the thesis of whether or not this theory is categorical. One immediate issue is that the theory cannot determine the size of the fibres of the map between the sorts, so we restrict our analysis to the models with the smallest possible fibres.
Categoricity for Shimura curves was established by C. Daw and A. Harris. From their result, it is immediate that some form of arithmetic open image condition is needed for the categoricity of general Shimura varieties. Our goal is to postulate the correct open image condition and prove that it is equivalent to categoricity. This open image condition is not known in general, however, using known cases of the Mumford-Tate conjecture, we obtain unconditional categoricity of two well-known Shimura varieties: A2 and A3, the moduli spaces of principally polarised abelian varieties of dimension 2 and 3, respectively.

Keywords: Categoricity
Transcendence properties
Shimura varieties
Open image theorems
Advisor: Pila, J
The expression of Neuroserpin and its role in neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy

Background: Perinatal hypoxic ischaemia is one of the most prevalent causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Hypothermia is currently the only available treatment option. Neuroserpin, an inhibitor of tissue plasminogen activator and an endogenously secreted protein, has been shown to result in a reduction in brain damage and overall functional improvements in models of adult cerebral infarction (Millar et al., 2017). It has therefore been hypothesised that it may also reduce damage caused by perinatal hypoxic ischaemia.
Methods: We studied a Neuroserpin knock-out mouse (Madani et al., 2003) to shed light on potential neuroprotective properties that this protein may possess. A modified Rice-Vannucci model was employed (Rice et al., 1981) which involves unilateral carotid artery ligation with subsequent 40 minutes of hypoxia to induce hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy in one brain hemisphere of P8 mice. Mice were sacrificed at P10 and brain sections were stained with Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) to determine the area of ischaemic damage. Sections of wild-type mice were further used to carry out immunohistochemistry to determine Neuroserpin expression between P4-P14 as well as subsequent to exposure to hypoxic insults. Finally, expression was also explored in a human brain of 38 postconception weeks (pcw).
Results: Our experiments in the Neuroserpin KO mouse show that Neuroserpin has no statistically significant effect on ischaemic damage following hypoxic-ischaemic injury in the knockout versus the wild-type. When comparing brains exhibiting ischaemic damage as shown by TTC staining, the mean ischaemic volume in the knock-out and wild-type mice were 7.78 mm3 and 6.71 mm3 respectively (p=0.69, SEM=1.9, n=25). The region most vulnerable to damage was the hippocampus followed by the striatum. The thalamus and the cortex showed significantly reduced vulnerability in comparison. In wild-type mice, Neuroserpin shows strong expression in layers 5 and 6 of the cortex and peaks at P8 in layer 6B. There are fewer Neuroserpin positive cells in the subplate of the ligated side in comparison to the non-ischaemic control side in mice with exposure to hypoxia. Human Neuroserpin expression at 38 pcw most closely resembles that of P10 mice.
Conclusions: Neuroserpin was not shown to possess neuroprotective properties in the mouse model for neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy. The reduction in Neuroserpin expression in hypoxicischaemic encephalopathy may be attributed to vulnerability of Neuroserpin secreting cortical layers (McQuillen et al., 2003) as well as tight regulation of expression during neurodevelopment.

Advisor: Molnár, Z
Hoerder-Suabedissen, A
Structural and biophysical characterisation of marine viruses and amino acid transporters

The field of structural biology enables us to study the fundamental architecture of biological samples in atomic detail. In this thesis, the techniques of electron cryomicroscopy and X-ray crystallography are applied to structural and biophysical investigations of marine viruses and membrane transporters respectively.
In part I, two marine viruses - a freshwater lake bacteriophage known as FLiP and a helical archaeal virus known as APBV1 – are studied in order to gain insights into their evolutionary origins. The 4Å reconstruction of FLiP is presented, which reveals an icosahedral capsid encapsulating an intact lipid bilayer. The presence of an internal membrane makes FLiP unique among single-stranded DNA viruses. The major capsid protein exhibits an upright double b–barrel fold, which is iconic of the PRD1-adenovirus structural lineage of double-stranded DNA viruses, indicating that FLiP should be classified as a new member of this lineage. Secondly, the structure of APBV1 at nearatomic resolution is reported, revealing the evolutionary adaptions undertaken for survival in a hyperthermophilic environment. The formation of extensive hydrophobic interfaces via the tight packing of the major virion glycoprotein contributes to the extreme thermostability of the capsid, whilst the dsDNA genome is packaged as a lefthanded superhelix within the capsid.
In part II, the fundamental mechanisms of membrane transport by eukaryotic amino acid transporters is investigated. Transporters belonging to the human SLC36 family, which play a potential role in nutrient sensing, were screened for high expression yield and protein stability. Comprehensive screening of homologous proteins resulted in purification of proteins belonging to the vacuolar basic amino acid transporter family of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for crystallisation trails and transport assays. Vba4 was successfully crystallised but the resolution obtained by X-ray diffraction prevented structure determination. In addition, the substrate specificity and mechanism of transport were investigated using differential scanning fluorimetry, microscale thermophoresis and liposome-based functional assays.

Advisor: Newstead, S
Huiskonen, J
Advanced accelerator interaction region optics for LHC operation and future hadron colliders

In order to further probe our understanding of the structure of matter and the universe, physicists constantly strive to create particle colliders that reach higher energies and luminosities. Improved technologies can partly help to fulfil these goals, however, novel experimental interaction region (EIR) optics and methods are also essential to this cause.
This thesis covers several optics issues and solutions applicable to the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), its High Energy (HE-LHC) upgrade as well as the Future Circular Collider (FCC-hh). A key tool presented in this thesis is an optimisation method to produce short final focus triplets that produce large integrated gradients whilst having an aperture sufficiently large to sustain the beams and radiation shielding.
The optimisation method uses a thin lens solution as a first approximation for the required quadrupole strength. This solution is outlined in the thesis, it has a large range of potential applications. This is demonstrated by using it to optimise the dynamic aperture of the Nuclotron-based Ion Collider fAcility (NICA), which is severely impacted by quadrupole fringe field effects.
An optimised triplet for the FCC-hh is integrated into the EIR and the resulting optics as well as the general impact it has on the machine is presented in this thesis. It also presents how the LHC EIR can be modified for the HE-LHC, including the implementation of an optimised triplet. Dynamic aperture studies of the HE-LHC with triplet field errors were also performed in the scope of this work.
Finally, a ballistic alignment optics for the LHC will be presented as well as a method that uses singular value decomposition to measure the offset of modulated quadrupoles. It will also be illustrated how this method can be used to improve the accuracy to optics measurements. These efforts can be used to improve the stability and luminosity of the LHC.

Keywords: Accelerator Interaction Region
Large Hadron Collider
Accelerator Optics
LHC
Future Circular Collider
Advisor: Tsesmelis, E
Seryi, A
Borders and the politics of space in late medieval Italy: Milan, Venice and their territories in the fifteenth century

This work is about medieval borders, about the culture and interactions by which they were shaped (the Politics of Space), and about the political communities which they bounded (Milan, Venice and their Territories). Its analysis centres on the long fifteenth century and particularly on the making of a new frontier between the Duchy of Milan and the Republic of Venice. Following decades of war, this process paved the way for a revival of economic and cultural connections across the region, and for the establishment of a political geography which was to remain virtually unchanged throughout early modernity.
In contrast to traditional treatments of pre-modern borders, this thesis takes an all-encompassing approach to the topic, charting how borders were conceptualised (Chapter 1), negotiated (Chapter 2), disputed (Chapter 3), delimited (Chapter 4), crossed (Chapter 5), recorded (Chapter 6) and mapped (Chapter 7). To accomplish this, a wide range of sources, drawn from twenty different libraries and archives, is employed: from theoretical treatises to pragmatic records, from written chronicles to cartographic visualisations, from notarial documents to official correspondence.
As a whole, the thesis makes three contributions. First of all, it demonstrates that medieval borders were not always vague zones of contact and conflict, nor were they just porous and muddled lines. In late medieval Italy, borders were in fact precisely located, minutely monitored and widely understood. Secondly, it develops a new methodological framework for understanding pre-modern modalities of territorial control, of which borders were but the material markers and symbolic expressions. That framework is the politics of space: the ensemble of political exchanges and social activities which underpinned and sometimes thwarted the assertion of territoriality. The third and final contribution is to the debate surrounding the paradigm of the territorial state in Italy, which this work challenges by deconstructing its borders and revealing its true spatial fabric.

Advisor: Davidson, N
Watts, J
Total synthesis of (−)-himalensine A and development of novel C(sp3)-H functionalisation reactions

This thesis describes the 22-step enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-himalensine A, and the Cp*RhIII catalysed amidation of unactivated C(sp3)-H bonds utilising dithianes or imines as directing groups.
Chapter 1 introduces the calyciphylline A-type Daphniphyllum alkaloids, their biosynthetic origin and himalensine A as one family member. Current published syntheses of these alkaloids are also highlighted as well as previous work conducted on this project.
Chapter 2 focuses on the route development towards the ABCD tetracyclic core. Optimisation of the key enantioselective organocatalytic IMDAF cascade enabled the synthesis of large quantities of the tricyclic core. After elaboration to a key cycloisomerisation precursor, a reductive radical cascade was developed to close the B ring. Finally, a highly diastereoselective low-pressure hydrogenation delivered the completed tetracyclic core.
Chapter 3 describes the route from the tetracyclic core through the end-game to access himalensine A. A pyridine and molecular oxygen mediated elimination/C-H oxidation was developed to access an enedione intermediate with the correct oxidation level and chemical handle required to complete the final ring. The E ring was furnished via a Stetter cyclisation and final chemoselective lactam reduction delivered the natural product.
Chapter 4 summarises C-H functionalisation within the context of C-N bond forming reactions. A focus is placed on rhodium, it’s ability for directed C-H amination/amidation chemistry and previous work in the field. The challenge of RhIII catalysed C(sp3)-H functionalisation is introduced.
Chapter 5 features the development of a novel Cp*RhIII catalysed dithiane-directed amidation of unactivated C(sp3)-H bonds utilising dioxazolone amidating reagents. With the optimised method, a wide range of dioxazolone reagents as well as dithiane partners are well-tolerated. Downstream derivatisation of the amidated products is also demonstrated, including the Corey-Seebach umpolung reaction.
Chapter 6 highlights use of a transient imine directing group strategy for metal catalysed C-H functionalisation, and development of this strategy for a Cp*RhIII-catalysed transient imine-directed amidation of unactivated C(sp3)-H bonds using dioxazolone reagents. Completed optimisation studies enable amidation of a sterically hindered aldehyde in good yield, delivering a synthetically useful 1,3 amidoaldehyde derivative.

Advisor: Dixon, D
Putting confusion in context: the nature of the comparison in trade mark infringement

The role of context is generally underplayed in a registration-based system. Determination of confusion is confined to the information set out on the register, and any external matter promptly excluded from infringement assessment. Such an abstract assessment following a mark for mark comparison can be contrasted with the more factually-driven approach available in unfair competition. This comparison also unveils the possible methodological choices between an analysis framed as a formal reassurance of property rights and another centred on the perception of the consumer inhabiting the marketplace. Recently, the CJEU decisions in O2 Holdings and Specsavers drew attention to the role of context in determination of confusion and, furthermore, the effect of different notions of context on outcomes of infringement analysis. The European Court is seemingly leaning towards a contextual assessment calling for empirical evidence in infringement. The actual use of the trade mark by the claimant, the circumstances in which the sign is used by the defendant, consumer understandings and market practices are all factors taken into account in determination of confusion. This work seeks to examine the CJEU doctrinal developments of the notion of context and their effect on the previously established boundaries of the multifactor test for infringement applied by national courts taking UK law as a case study. I argue that while a paper-based approach still has a well-deserved place operating at the registration level, the manner in which infringement has been dealt with in adjudication needs rethinking; a paper-based approach to infringement focusing on the visual comparison of isolated marks is no longer able to account for a reality that has become increasingly complex. Rather, a methodology assimilating a broader notion of context to infringement, one working with pliable layers of factual review reflecting market reality and consumer understandings, could be a means of achieving balance in a system that is often criticised for overreaching itself.

Advisor: Gangjee, D
New catalytic methods for the derivatisation and functionalisation of electron deficient heteroaromatic compounds

Introduction
The first part of Chapter 1 provides a brief review on the reactivity of pyridines and quinolines. Additionally, several well-established methods for the derivatisation and functionalisation of these electron-deficient heterocycles are highlighted.
The second part of Chapter 1 introduces the general principles of Transfer Hydrogenation (TH) and highlights how TH and related processes could be used in modern catalysis.
“Interrupted Transfer Hydrogenation” (ITH)
Chapter 2 introduces a novel reactivity mode for quinolinium salts. The first part of the chapter focuses on the initial reaction development. This is followed by a comprehensive substrate scope and attempts to induce enantioselectivity on privileged substrates. Finally, the focus was shifted towards mechanistic investigations that allowed us to propose a mechanism of action for this novel methodology.
Chapter 3 presents how the ITH methodology was extended to encompass electron-deficient pyridines. The substrate scope for pyridiniums that bear an electron-withdrawing group at the 4- position was investigated. Additionally, preliminary attempts to extend the ITH methodology to the less reactive 4-aryl pyridiniums are also highlighted in this chapter. Mechanistic investigations revealed a similar reaction pathway to that of quinoliniums. Additionally, preliminary findings lead to the discovery and development of a new reactivity mode for 4- substituted pyridines.
3,5-Dimethylation of 4-substituted pyridines
Chapter 4 introduces a rhodium catalysed 3,5-dimethylation of 4-substituted pyridines with methanol and formaldehyde. The reaction development, as well as a preliminary substrate scope and detailed mechanistic studies are presented. Additionally, the effect of the simple iodide ion on the catalytic system was also qualitatively assessed.
Experimental details
Chapter 5 contains detailed procedures and spectroscopic characterisation data for the compounds synthesised in this thesis.

Advisor: Donohoe, T