VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Efficient numerical methods for the solution of coupled multiphysics problems

Multiphysics systems with interface coupling are used to model a variety of physical phenomena, such as arterial blood flow, air flow around aeroplane wings, or interactions between surface and ground water flows. Numerical methods enable the practical application of these models through computer simulations. Specifically a high level of detail and accuracy is achieved in finite element methods by discretisations which use extremely large numbers of degrees of freedom, rendering the solution process challenging from the computational perspective. In this thesis we address this challenge by developing a twofold strategy for improving the efficiency of standard finite element coupled solvers. First, we propose to solve a monolithic coupled problem using block-preconditioned GMRES with a new Schur complement approximation. This results in a modular and robust method which significantly reduces the computational cost of solving the system. In particular, numerical tests show mesh-independent convergence of the solver for all the considered problems, suggesting that the method is well-suited to solving large-scale coupled systems. Second, we derive an adjoint-based formula for goal-oriented a posteriori error estimation, which leads to a time-space mesh refinement strategy. The strategy produces a mesh tailored to a given problem and quantity of interest. The monolithic formulation of the coupled problem allows us to obtain expressions for the error in the Lagrange multiplier, which often represents a physically relevant quantity, such as the normal stress on the interface between the problem components. This adaptive refinement technique provides an effective tool for controlling the error in the quantity of interest and/or the size of the discrete system, which may be limited by the available computational resources. The solver and the mesh refinement strategy are both successfully employed to solve a coupled Stokes-Darcy-Stokes problem modelling flow through a cartridge filter.

Keywords: error estimation
partial differential equations
preconditioning
multiphysics problems
numerical methods
Advisor: Kay, D
Gavaghan, D
Modulation of the hypoxic response in cancer; inhibition of the HIF-1α/p300 protein-protein interaction

Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α is a heterodimerically-activated transcription factor central to the cellular response to hypoxic environments and is often upregulated in cancer. Binding of HIF-1α to the co-activator p300 is necessary for the hypoxia-induced transcription of many oncogenic proteins. The aim of this project was to develop novel small molecule inhibitors of the HIF-1α/p300 protein-protein interaction (PPI).
Initial work focused on designing, validating and optimising two high-throughput competition binding assays to screen for inhibitors of the PPI (Chapter 2). Alongside these, zinc ejector assays for both p300 and KDM4A proteins were developed to probe the mechanism of action and selectivity. Analysis of hits from a natural product high-throughput screen (HTS) revealed two compound classes; benzoquinones and 2-substituted indandiones, which modulate the PPI. The potency of these series correlated with the reactivity of the core functional groups, which act as electrophiles to covalently modify reactive cysteines, ejecting structural zinc and disrupting the p300/KDM4A protein fold (Chapter 3). Conjugating electrophilic groups to putative HIF-1α/p300 inhibitors did not replicate the activity of the zinc ejecting HTS hits (Chapter 4).
Further work focused on non-covalent inhibitors of the HIF-1α/p300 interaction, first with peptide truncates, and then rationally designed α-helix peptidomimetics. An 11mer truncate showed encouraging activity (IC50 ≈ 70 μM), and corresponded to a key α-helix in the HIF-1α C-terminal transactivation domain. Three distinct double-sided scaffolds were used to imitate up to five hot-spot ampiphilic residues on this α-helix (Chapter 6 and 7). Of the 35 compounds screened, only modest inhibition was observed (IC50 ≈ 200-500 μM).
Future work will look to conjugate electrophilic functionality onto the 11mer peptide in an attempt to gain potency from zinc ejection, while maintaining selectivity for p300.

Keywords: Hypoxia
Cancer Research
Peptidomimetics
Advisor: Hamilton, A
Schofield, C
Social justice in the European Union: a social democratic ideal for an 'ever closer union'

In recent decades the European Union has moved from a multilateral treaty to a distinctive social, political, and economic order among European states. During the same period political philosophers have increasingly turned their attention to questions of justice beyond the state. But their discussions have largely focused on global justice, and have paid relatively little attention to the distinctive moral and political questions raised by the emergence of a new type of order among European states. This thesis fills this lacuna, by developing a conception of ‘social democratic’ or ‘egalitarian’ social justice for the specific institutional arrangements of the EU.
In Chapters one through three, I delineate a general conception of ‘pluralist egalitarianism’, the view that we have a variety of grounds for endorsing equality-inclined economic institutions domestically. Direct egalitarian arguments stress the internal requirements of institutional fairness to which basic economic institutions are subject. Indirect egalitarian arguments favour egalitarian economic outcomes based on concerns of social equality. I further differentiate between a transnationalist and an internationalist position. Direct transnationalist arguments stress the EU’s similarity to domestic institutions and derive egalitarian economic requirements for the EU as a whole. Indirect transnationalists argue that EU citizens stand in a distinctive kind of relationship such that the value of social equality has purchase amongst them, and social equality requires a limitation on economic inequalities at the EU level. By contrast, internationalists insist on the continuing importance of national self-determination. However, they endorse more substantive economic institutions at the EU level to protect existing social democratic welfare state arrangements.
In chapter four to seven, I assess the extent to which each of these arguments can support a more egalitarian organisation of basic economic institutions at the EU level. Finally, I offer one practical proposal that would help the EU to realise the social democratic vision I have defended. This is the idea of an EU social minimum. I explain how such a social minimum would be conceived and implemented, and I demonstrate why transnationalists and internationalists should endorse such a policy.

Keywords: social justice
European Union
distributive justice
legitimacy
global justice
equality
Advisor: Miller, D
Nicolaidis, K
Novel aspects of layered double hydroxide chemistry

A number of different aspects of the chemistry of layered double hydroxides and similar materials have been explored in this thesis. The intercalation chemistry of these compounds, in both aqueous and mixed solutions, has been explored to synthesise over forty new hybrid layered materials by ion-exchange and rehydration-reconstruction methods. The host used include both previously-reported layered hydroxide compounds, and novel host materials synthesised by the extension of heterogeneous reactions of solid oxides. The synthesis of these novel materials provides insights into the factors that control the compatibility of the metal ions that may form hydrotalcite-like structures, in addition to providing compounds that may act as the precursors of catalysts and other functional materials.
The new intercalation compounds synthesised show interlayer distances ranging from 7.1Å to 23.6Å, and demonstrate a variety of interlayer alignments as determined by powder X ray diffraction, dependent upon both the metallic content and the degree of hydration of the host compound. The anionic contents of the interlayer regions have been further characterised through infra-red spectroscopy, elemental microanalysis, solid-state NMR and thermogravimetric analysis techniques.
The mechanism and kinetics of the release of the intercalated anions from the hosts have been studied in situations approximating their real-world applications, and the degree of release quantified by UV/Visible spectroscopy. Both the rates and mechanisms of anion release have been found to be dependent on the anion, the host, the temperature and the solution into which the anions are released; as such, the release timescales of the anions may be fined tuned through modifications of the host materials. In addition, an explanation has been suggested for the observed change in mechanism observed in instances of release in which the host compound is in only partial contact with the release medium.

Keywords: synthesis
double
state
solid
hydroxide
materials
layered
Advisor: O'Hare, D
Growing up in the Third Reich: representations of childhood under Nazism in post-1990 German culture

This thesis examines post-1990 representations of growing up in the Third Reich within German culture. It has two primary aims: to demonstrate how childhood is recalled, represented, and imagined by those with, and without first-hand experience of Nazism; and to situate these narratives as a central part of the post-Unification discourse about identity in the Berlin Republic.
The material is organised into five chapters: it begins with an analysis of recent museum displays and exhibitions, followed by German cinema (Hitlerjunge Salomon, NaPolA: Elite für den Führer); autobiographical works, by former members of the Hitler Youth (Günter de Bruyn, Martin Walser, Günter Grass) and by Jewish children (Ruth Klüger, Georges-Arthur Goldschmidt, Günter Kunert); and finally, imagined accounts of growing up in the Third Reich (W.G. Sebald, Binjamin Wilkomirski, Gudrun Pausewang). Through close readings of primary sources, and analysis of their reception, including the public debates which they sparked, this study shows how these narratives interact with historical and contemporary notions of childhood. They are informed by the concern, embedded within post-Unification discourse, that the wealth of documentary and technical accounts of Nazism obscures the individual’s understanding of those events and what it was like to experience them.
I argue that because of the close conceptual association between childhood and origins, these narratives contribute to a discourse about how the Third Reich is to be remembered, performing a 'search for a usable childhood'. This is situated within the context of Harald Welzer's notion of 'gefühlte Geschichte'; that is a mode of historical discourse focused on experience, rather than 'factual knowledge', and which appeals to emotions. In assessing narratives of growing up – which take a developmental view of childhood – this study seeks to open up previously rigid categorisations of childhood as found in literary studies which focus on the function of the child’s perspective as a literary device. Thus within a crowded research area the present study offers a differentiated treatment of these works.

Keywords: Third Reich
museum studies
literature
film
Childhood
Advisor: Leeder, K
Doctrinal controversies of English particular Baptists (1644-1691) as illustrated by the career and writings of Thomas Collier

During the revolutionary decade of the 1640s Thomas Collier emerged from his native Somerset to become a significant Particular Baptist leader. He produced more than a score of books and established numerous churches.
Collier was a well-known controversialist who debated opponents on subjects such as baptism and the ordination of lay preachers. Collier's theology was worked out in the heat of such debates and must be studied against that landscape to be properly understood.
Collier's writings and career reveal surprising willingness to embrace heterodox theological positions by Particular Baptist standards, especially in the late 1640s and after 1660. In the early period of his career he was enaroured of an allegorical, spiritualizing method of biblical interpretation and after 1660 he became increasingly hostile to limited atonement and election.
The most orthodox phase of Collier's career was the period between 1653 and 1659 when he served as the leader of the Particular Baptists' Western Association. Under his leadership the association produced their Somerset Confession in 1656.
After the Restoration Collier's disputes were increasingly with his fellow Particular Baptists. The publication of his Body of Divinity in 1674 and his Additional Word as a supplement to it in 1676 revealed increasingly divergent soteriological and eschatological views from those being espoused by the Particular Baptists. An attempt was made to discipline Collier by the London Baptist leadership, which was strongly and successfully resisted by Collier and his supporters within his local church in Southwick, Wiltshire.
Collier's 1678 Confession of Faith, written in response to the London Baptists' adaptation of the Westminster Confession published the previous year, illustrated the wide breach of doctrine that had developed between Collier and his denominational colleagues.
Development of highly active internal steam methane reforming catalysts for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Fuel processing is one of the essential parts for development of intermediate solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFC). Natural gas (methane) is considered as the most abundant and cost effective fuel for the production of hydrogen for IT-SOFC. The primary aim of this thesis is to use a novel precursor material—layered double hydroxide (LDH) – for developing a new type of cost effective, highly active and long lasting catalyst which can reform natural gas in IT-SOFC anode environment. Small amount of noble metals Pd, Rh and Pt are used as promoters to enhance the catalyst’s performance as while maintaining the cost relatively low. The research objectives are achieved by a series of studies including catalysts synthesis, characterisation and the catalytic activities.
The thesis initially gives a comprehensive review on fuel cell and SOFC technology, steam methane reforming and reforming catalyst to provide better understanding of the research.
Experimental studies include the effects of the synthetic conditions of the LDH precursors and thermal treatments on the physical, chemical behaviours and catalytic activities of the catalysts and promotional effects by noble metals.
The LDH derived catalysts compositions, promoter quantities and operating conditions are optimised for the best performance in the IT-SOFC anode environment.
A new method for the development of precursor sol for easy coating of the anode is developed and studied. The sol preparation is achieved by acid attack. The sol developed is found to produce better coating and has very high catalytic properties after activation.
The catalysts developed were tested for their stability and self-activation ability to ensure its use in the commercial cells.
The findings of the present study indicate that the catalysts developed show excellent catalytic performance and these catalysts have very high potential for further commercialisation in IT-SOFC.

Keywords: catalyst
steam reforming
SOFC
LDH
methane
Advisor: Bhattacharya, A
Hankins, N
Motherhood in Oxfordshire c. 1945-1970: a study of attitudes, experiences and ideals

This thesis examines women’s experiences of, and attitudes towards, motherhood between 1945 and 1970. The thesis is based on ninety-two oral history interviews with women from different locations in Oxfordshire – rural, urban and suburban. Oral history is a methodology that can provide objective information about women’s lives, but also reveals their thoughts and feelings through the subjectivity of their accounts. The thesis forms a qualitative study looking at six aspects of motherhood. The first is the portrayal of motherhood in contemporary social surveys and community studies. The second is the issue of education for motherhood and questions over whether mothering was innate to women or needed to be taught. Thirdly, the thesis investigates maternity care provision and disputes over who should provide it (namely midwives, GPs or consultants); where this care should take place; and whether pregnancy and childbirth were medical conditions at all. Next it discusses theories of child development and discourses of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ mothers, in order to look at women’s relationship with authorities on childcare. Then it considers critiques of working mothers and debates over whether women should work outside the home; if so, when they should do so; and what strategies they should employ so that work and motherhood could be combined. Finally it analyses popular conceptions of motherhood, marriage and the family, and how the interviewees related to representations of the ideal mother figure during the immediate post-war decades and beyond. The thesis concludes by demonstrating the real difficulties mothers faced during the period 1945-1970; that interviewees from all types of background shared an understanding of how ‘normal’ women should behave; and also that the stereotyping of the period as one of conservatism before the changes that began in the later 1960s and 1970s means the ways in which women were already organising themselves to improve their lives has tended to be disregarded.

Keywords: maternity
gender
motherhood
Oxfordshire
women
history
Advisor: Howarth, J
Kate, T
Journey from life to death

The kind of diseases affecting Japanese people and the causes of death in Japan have changed a great deal in the last several decades due to various factors, most notably the advancement of medical technology and changes in life style. The number of people who die from life style diseases such as cancer, which are chronic and possibly need long-term hospitalization, increases every year.
In the 1970s the hospice philosophy was introduced to Japan from the West. It encourages patients and their families to affirm life and to regard dying as a normal process, and offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible and sustain a sense of selfhood, autonomy, and dignity until they die. In practice, however, the dying process is still not regarded as normal in contemporary Japan and many patients fail to die in the way proposed by the hospice philosophy. There is also disagreement between the patients and the medical professionals regarding their respective idea of good death. Hospices and PCUs, which were initially developed in order to provide humane care, have become places which provide a new form of institutionalized death, and consequently constrain the patients' dying patterns.
In this thesis, I investigate the above issues from the perspectives of the anthropology and the ethnography of Japan. I demonstrate how the framework of van Gennep's rites of passage and Turner's concept of liminality can be used to analyze the current situation in Japanese hospice settings. I also perform an ethnographic analysis of Japanese attitudes towards health, illness, and death in order to illustrate the reasons why some Japanese patients fail to die a good death as proposed by the hospice philosophy.

Advisor: Parkin, D
Probabilistic localization and mapping in appearance space

This thesis is concerned with the problem of place recognition for mobile robots. How can a robot determine its location from an image or sequence of images, without any prior knowledge of its position, even in a world where many places look identical? We outline a new probabilistic approach to the problem, which we call Fast Appearance Based Mapping or FAB-MAP. Our map of the environment consists of a set of discrete locations, each with an associated appearance model. For every observation collected by the robot, we compute a probability distribution over the map, and either create a new location or update our belief about the appearance of an existing location. The technique can be seen as a new type of SLAM algorithm, where the appearance of locations (rather than their position) is subject to estimation. Unlike existing SLAM systems, our appearance based technique does not rely on keeping track of the robot in any metric coordinate system. Thus it is applicable even when informative observations are available only intermittently. Solutions to the loop closure detection problem, the kidnapped robot problem and the multi-session mapping problem arise as special cases of our general approach. Abstract Our probabilistic model introduces several technical advances. The model incorporates correlations between visual features in a novel way, which is shown to improve system performance. Additionally, we explicitly compute an approximation to the partition function in our Bayesian formulation, which provides a natural probabilistic measure of when a new observation should be assigned to a location not already present in the map. The technique is applicable even in visually repetitive environments where many places look the same. Abstract Finally, we define two distinct approximate inference procedures for the model. The first of these is based on concentration inequalities and has general applicability beyond the problem considered in this thesis. The second approach, built on inverted index techniques, is tailored to our specific problem of place recognition, but achieves extreme efficiency, allowing us to apply FAB-MAP to navigation problems on the largest scale. The thesis concludes with a visual SLAM experiment on a trajectory 1,000 km long. The system successfully detects loop closures with close to 100% precision and requires average inference time of only 25 ms by the end of the trajectory.

Keywords: SLAM
appearance based navigation
FAB-MAP
Advisor: Newman, P
Decision making under uncertainty

Operating and interacting in an environment requires the ability to manage uncertainty and to choose definite courses of action. In this thesis we look to Bayesian probability theory as the means to achieve the former, and find that through rigorous application of the rules it prescribes we can, in theory, solve problems of decision making under uncertainty. Unfortunately such methodology is intractable in realworld problems, and thus approximation of one form or another is inevitable.
Many techniques make use of heuristic procedures for managing uncertainty. We note that such methods suffer unreliable performance and rely on the specification of ad-hoc variables. Performance is often judged according to long-term asymptotic performance measures which we also believe ignores the most complex and relevant parts of the problem domain. We therefore look to develop principled approximate methods that preserve the meaning of Bayesian theory but operate with the scalability of heuristics.
We start doing this by looking at function approximation in continuous state and action spaces using Gaussian Processes. We develop a novel family of covariance functions which allow tractable inference methods to accommodate some of the uncertainty lost by not following full Bayesian inference. We also investigate the exploration versus exploitation tradeoff in the context of the Multi-Armed Bandit, and demonstrate that principled approximations behave close to optimal behaviour and perform significantly better than heuristics on a range of experimental test beds.

Keywords: optimal decision making
Gaussian Process
approximate inference
inference
artificial intelligence
decision making
Reinforcement Learning
uncertainty
Bayesian
probability theory
Multi-armed Bandit
machine learning
managing uncertainty
Advisor: Roberts, S