VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Nineteenth-century Russian metafiction: narrative and ideological self-consciousness in the Russian novels of the 1860s

This thesis analyses the persistence of metafictional narrative strategies in nineteenth-century Russian literature, focussing particularly on examples from the decade of the 1860s. Self-conscious narrative techniques featured prominently in Russian novels of the 1860s, a period when Russian culture in general became exceedingly politicised. This thesis argues that this rise of self-conscious elements in fiction, mainly in the novel, coincided with the rise of ideological self-consciousness in readers and writers. Moreover, it argues that self-consciousness was integral to the development of the Russian novel and can be traced from the earliest examples of the genre in the late eighteenth century to the realist prose of the 1860s and further.
It is argued in the first chapter that Nikolai Chernyshevskii's novel Chto delat'? (1863) used metafictional narrative strategies to communicate to the readers ideas on the relationship between art and reality developed by Chernyshevskii. In the second chapter, it is argued that in his novel Vzbalamuchennoe more (1863) Aleksei Pisemskii used metanarrative to achieve a balance between verisimilitude and didacticism in the literary text. It is argued in the third chapter that Avdot'ia Panaeva's novel Zhenskaia dolia (1862) was an example of feminist metafiction that used a self-consciously transgressive narrative voice to negotiate its status as a realist narrative that was authored by a woman writer. It is concluded that metafictional narrative strategies featured prominently in Russian novels of the 1860s, regardless of the ideological persuasion of the author. The conclusion ultimately frames self-consciousness as an inherent trait of the Russian novelistic tradition and raises broader questions regarding its role in Russian literary history.

Advisor: Zorin, A
Ultra high resolution imaging of radiation-sensitive materials

Electron radiation damage is an important topic in electron microscopy. A large proportion of materials or biological structures are still unable to be directly imaged by electron microscopes at high resolutions due to their radiation sensitivity, instead of by the instrumental resolution capacity of the microscopes. In fact, as the availability of aberration correctors was rapidly increased in the past decade, as well as the emergence of the next generation of chromatic aberration correctors, attention has been again focused on the control and reduction of radiation damage.
This thesis proposes a complete low-dose high resolution imaging strategy for characterising radiation-sensitive materials using an aberration-corrected transmission electron microscope. The microscope was quantitatively calibrated for electron dose and was operated under a strict low-dose condition to ensure maximum protection for the radiation-sensitive samples. Time series and focal series imaging were employed to allow other data processing techniques to be applied.
During the course of pursuing higher resolutions using low-dose imaging and data processing, several side problems have been explored. Image registration of low-dose image series was ﬁrst tested using a variable dose time series of human tooth tissue. The impact of excessive image noise was reduced by modiﬁcation of the registration algorithm. In the case of focal series image registration, a simulation-assisted registration procedure was developed. This demonstrated the ability to register focal series of cerium dioxide and silicon nitride at various doses, despite the contrast reversal problem when the series defoci moved from under focus to over focus. A quantitative evaluation metric, the IQ factor, was implemented to assess the signal-to-noise ratio in the power spectrum of an image and has proved to be a useful indirect criterion for measuring the quality of registration and that of exit wave reconstruction.
Exit wave reconstruction from low-dose HRTEM was investigated using this improved image registration and the resultant exit waves were quantitatively compared using the IQ factor. The inﬂuence of noise on exit wave reconstruction was an intertwined problem with the low electron dose and has also been addressed in this work.
By combining improvements in the various aspects of low-dose imaging and data processing, time/focal series of ZSM-5, an important type of zeolitic catalyst, was acquired. The low-dose time series of ZSM-5 was aligned by both the traditional rigid XCF image registration and a more sophisticated non-rigid image registration method. The low-dose focal series of ZSM-5 was used to restore the electron wave function at the exit plane of the sample. The restored exit wave was able to resolve the ﬁne structure inside the ZSM-5 framework, which was not clearly resolved in the individual images of the focal series.

Advisor: Kirkland, A
Targeting host cell processing glucosidase activity as a potential strategy for reducing viral replication

The anti-viral efficacy of N-butyl-deoxynojirimycin (NB-DNJ, Miglustat, Zavesca) against a broad spectrum of viruses including bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is attributed to the disruption of viral envelope glycoprotein formation through the inhibition of the host ER alpha(α)-glucosidase activity. The DNJ-derived compound, N-(6'-4"-azido-2"-nitrophenylamino) hexyl-1-deoxynojirimycin (NAP-DNJ) is a more potent ER α-glucosidase inhibitor than NB-DNJ and together with the HCV surrogate model, BVDV, was used in this study to explore the relevance of ER α-glucosidase inhibition as a therapeutic target. The free oligosaccharide analysis (FOS) used in this study detected for the abundance of Glc1Man5GlcNAc1 (G1M5N1) and Glc3Man5GlcNAc1 (G3M5N1), indicative of α-glucosidases II and I inhibition respectively. The exclusive inhibition of α-glucosidase II was found to significantly reduce the virus titre of progeny virions as a result of viral protein misfolding and reduced heterodimerization and incorporation of envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2. A more pronounced reduction of viral infectivity required the perturbation of both α-glucosidases I and II. A modest library of DNJ-derived compounds was also synthesized and subjected to FOS analyses to compare their α-glucosidase inhibitory potential. NAP-DNJ was shown to be one of the more potent α-glucosidase inhibitors in both MDBK and HL60 cells. Relative to NB-DNJ and N-9-methoxynonyl-DNJ, NAP-DNJ was also found evoke significantly higher levels of mono- and tri-glucosylated species in vivo. The findings of this study provide key insights into the replicative cycle of BVDV and other flaviviruses and have significant implications for the future development of DNJ derivatives as anti-viral compounds.

Advisor: Butters, T
Soaring and gust response in the Steppe Eagle

This thesis explores how onboard instrumentation can be used to study how birds interact with the atmosphere, in particular to understand their soaring strategies and gust response mechanisms. The instrumentation unit consists of integrated sensors, including a GPS, IMU (inertial measurement unit) and pressure transducer, which provide accurate, high frequency measurements of the aerodynamics and kinematics of a free flying bird. The equipment development and derivation of parameters are initially presented. The data recorded from multiple flights of a steppe eagle (Aquila nipalensis) are then used to analyse the different aspects of its soaring flight throughout the rest of the thesis.
First, the occurrence and mechanism of the wing tuck manoeuvre is investigated and found to be a gust response, precipitated by a drop in aerodynamic loading. It is suggested that this reduction in loading results in a moment imbalance on the wings, and that ultimately the wings are pulled down by an internal musculoskeletal moment. The bird's slope soaring behaviour is then studied by using CFD analysis to model the local updrafts for comparison with the bird's performance. The analysis shows that the bird predominantly flew in the regions of strongest updraft along the ridge but did not attempt to maximise gravitational potential energy. This leads to gliding flight and a review of the theoretical derivation of the classic glide polar. A sensitivity analysis of the polar to different drag coeffcients highlights the need for more research into the selection of suitable values. The development of a new 'soaring optimisation' chart to include the effect of wind conditions on the selection of best glide speed is presented. This is then compared with experimental glide data from the bird and used to determine the optimal drag coeffcients for the polar model. Finally, a technique is developed for automatically identifying sections of thermalling flight and for removing the wind drift component to allow us to test thermalling behaviour. This exploratory analysis highlights the complexity of the flow structure within the thermal and the distinctly unsteady circling of the bird.

Keywords: birds
soaring
flight
turbulence
Advisor: Taylor, G
Thomas, A
Novel molecular therapies for the treatment of familial hypercholesterolaemia

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterised by elevated levels of plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Loss-of-function mutations in the Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor (LDLR) gene are responsible for &Tilde;85% of all FH cases. Heterozygous FH (HeFH) affects 1 in 200-500 individuals world-wide, while homozygous FH (HoFH) has a prevalence of one in a 160000-1000000. Elevated levels of LDL-cholesterol in the blood lead to an accelerated development of atherosclerosis and progression to coronary heart disease.
The work presented in this thesis investigates two novel molecular therapies for the treatment of FH. A small molecule approach for the treatment of HeFH and a non-viral gene therapy for the treatment of HoFH.
Small molecule: Through a compound screen, we identified a series of small molecules able to upregulate the LDLR at nanomolar potencies, via a mechanism distinct from statins. We then went on to elucidate the mechanism of action as inhibitors of squalene synthase and demonstrated, that when used in combination with statins, these compounds give a much greater increase in LDLR expression than can be achieved with statins alone. By carrying out extensive structure-activity relationship studies we improved the potency and pharmacokinetics of our lead compound and demonstrated in vivo efficacy.
Non-viral gene therapy: We have previously generated mini-gene vectors carrying the human LDLR cDNA, driven by 10 kb of genomic DNA from the native human LDLR locus, encompassing the promoter region. To further enhance LDLR transgene expression, a miRNA, targeting Hmgcr (miR82) was cloned into the same vector, generating a combinatorial RNAi-LDLR vector. In vivo, we show the RNAi-LDLR vector is able to significantly reduce total and LDL-cholesterol in Ldlr-/- mice fed a high cholesterol diet twelve weeks post-delivery. The LDL-cholesterol lowering resulted in reduced atherosclerosis in the RNAi-LDLR vector treated mice. Here we demonstrate for the first time, that an episomal non-viral vector is able to significantly reduce LDL-cholesterol and slow the progression of atherosclerosis in a mouse model of FH.

Advisor: Channon, K
Wade-Martins, R
Space, research objects, and interdisciplinarity in geomorphological inquiry

This thesis considers (inter)disciplinary spaces and research objects associated with geomorphology. Employing an ethnographic methodology, established Actor-Network Theory (ANT) themes are examined; the study considers the displacement of research objects amid the spaces of scientific inquiry and the role played by a range of actors in enabling this displacement. However, these well-known themes are given new impetus; the thesis seeks to address deficiencies in ANT accounts of space and it offers an alternative approach to conceptualising scientific research objects. Building on this analysis it considers how the spaces of geomorphological inquiry are reworked to accommodate interdisciplinary research objects. In this way, the study provides a strong theoretical contribution to the literature. However, this theoretical contribution is complemented by an important empirical base. The study is one of only a few Science and Technology Studies (STS) analyses to consider the geosciences. Focusing on late twentieth and early twenty-first century geomorphology, it provides an insight into an interdisciplinary field of research found in both geography and geology departments. In this way it offers an important contribution to the histories of geography literature and the literature on interdisciplinarity. Relatedly, through its attention to the interdisciplinary field of biogeomorphology, the study provides a bridge between existing STS literatures on the biosciences and nascent explorations of the geosciences.

Advisor: Barry, A
Powell, R
Fantasies of authenticity, anxieties of culture: global capital, entertainment and cultural nationalism in the contemporary popular cinemas of India and China since 1990

My thesis is dedicated to the study of popular, commercial cinema as a force within the discourse of national and personal identity in the rapidly changing mega-economies of India and China, and their diasporas, since the watershed year of 1990. Its purpose is to reveal the unique pattern of like and unlike that exists between the "Social Representations" (Serge Moscovici 2000) of contemporary India and China on screen through a juxtapositional comparative approach, close visual analysis, and the development of original theoretical tools. Tense networks of fantasy and anxiety emerge as popular culture actively circulates their shared experiences of changing global status, uneven economic growth (Gong Haomin 2012), and social change. Transnational subjects, Hua and Desi, arrive on screen ready to carve out culturally inflected modernities, in search of "tradition" and "values" to suit contemporary cultural-nations-beyond-borders.
I treat film as consumer product, diegetic entity, and text: hence narrative, visual, linguistic and contextual aspects of over fourteen popular commercial films ("Bollywood" and "Yulepian" 娱乐片), are explored. My analysis comprises two interlocking halves: the first two chapters focus chiefly on identities - Hua and Desi, and diasporic persons. The former, conduits for the cultural nation to re-think modernity, the latter a dreamed vanguard of "claim-staking" ethnicised global consumers, defenders of the cultural nation in the "host" country. Chapters Three and Four focus on genres - comedy and history films. Through comedy, these films create state-serving heterotopias or challenge the status quo; perhaps they build cultural nationalist mythos, or lace cynical questions through lavish history film. To understand internecine relationships between economics, society and the imagination, entertainment film cannot be dismissed – in India and China, where change has had intended and unintended consequences unfolding even as uncertainty looms, I show that fresh study, especially in comparison, is absolutely essential.

Keywords: Contemporary Motion Pictures
Contemporary India
Comparative Studies
Contemporary Cinema
Contemporary Film
Contemporary China
Advisor: Hillenbrand, M
Dwyer, R
Investigating magnetically targeted microbubbles for ultrasound-enhanced thrombolysis

Despite therapeutic advances, ischaemic stroke remains one of the leading causes of mortality and disability worldwide. Microbubble-enhanced sonothrombolysis is an advantageous method to accelerate the reopening of occluded arteries, but further improvements in safety and efficacy are required to attain widespread clinical implementation. This thesis investigates the potential of magnetically targeted microbubbles to enhance sonothrombolysis. First, a computational and experimental model of a thrombosed vascular network was developed. It showed that magnetic targeting considerably increases the number of microbubbles delivered to the thrombus, a key element for effective sonothrombolysis. The effect of these magnetically targeted microbubbles on rates of thrombus breakdown was then investigated in vitro, first with ultrasound and microbubbles alone (mechanical sonothrombolysis), then with the addition of fibrinolytic drugs (enzymatic sonothrombolysis). Magnetic targeting was not found to affect mechanical treatment, and mechanical lysis rates were highly variable. On the other hand, magnetic targeting significantly accelerated enzymatic treatment, even with low concentrations of fibrinolytic drugs. The mechanisms underlying both treatments were discussed. In addition, treatment safety was examined. Specifically, the risk of secondary embolism and the feasibility of real-time treatment monitoring were assessed. Neither treatment increased the risk of downstream vascular embolism with large clot fragments. Acoustic monitoring of enzymatic sonothrombolysis was feasible, as a strong correlation was found between lysis rates and the energy of acoustic emissions near the clot surface. There was no strong correlation in mechanical sonothrombolysis. Magnetic targeting may therefore be regarded as a promising adjuvant to enzymatic sonothrombolysis, improving microbubble delivery to the clot, accelerating its breakdown, and reducing injected drug doses. It is hoped that targeted treatment and real-time monitoring will enhance safety and efficacy in the management of acute and chronic thrombosis, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

Keywords: Drug delivery
Microbubbles
Stroke
Therapeutic ultrasound
Sonothrombolysis
Thrombolysis
Magnetic targeting
Advisor: Coussios, C
Stride, E
From the Ritz to the rubble? The asistente of Seville, urban government and disaster, 1621-1700

Seventeenth-century Seville, one of early modern Spain's most populous cities and the mercantile hub of its imperial trade, endured repeated and severe flooding of the Guadalquivir River, events that have been largely overlooked by historians. Additionally, Seville's boom-then-bust history and the allure of the ‘decline of Spain’ thesis have ensured that the second half of the seventeenth century for both the urban and the national context remains similarly neglected. This thesis, by conducting research into the city’s flooding from 1621 to 1700 presents an alternative narrative of continuity, at the same time as asserting the value to be gained from a historical study of the environment and disasters. I argue that urban responses – political and cultural – to disaster provide fundamental evidence of the impact of wider historical processes and structures.
The asistente – the royal governor – of Seville likewise lacks sustained or detailed study. These men, as the king's appointees, had a vital role in the performance of the government of the Habsburg monarchy. The city’s equivalent of the corregidor in other Spanish cities and towns, and previously understood as a legal and administrative official, the asistente was, I argue, responded to a broader set of political attitudes, which prioritised conservation and discouraged novelty. I also stress the hands-on and practical aspects to the post, which demanded a working appreciation of urban space.
By connecting a study of royal government in one of the most significant of early modern Spanish cities to an environmental history of flooding, I address important gaps in the scholarship and suggest new avenues of research into the history of environmental disaster. Spanish 'decline' might be reinterpreted as a failure to deal with specific local environmental issues, and environmental disaster acknowledged as an issue of central political importance.

Keywords: spain
disaster
asistente
seville
environment
flooding
urban
natural disaster
Advisor: Davidson, N
Keeping the faith: church and community in Alresford c. 1780-1939

The Religious Census of 1851 revealed the registration district of Alresford in Hampshire to be a particular bastion of the Church of England. This study considers the basis of this Anglican strength and how the established Church managed to retain its dominance against the challenge from Nonconformity in the context of an apparent waning of religious commitment nationally. Starting from c.1780 to pick up the roots of any early signs of local dissent, the thesis considers the evolving relationship between church and community in this rural part of southern England which comprised a small but prosperous market town surrounded by a variety of agricultural parishes. The study is positioned in the national context of the major political, social and economic upheaval of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, concluding with the period between the two world wars. The research consists primarily, but not exclusively, of qualitative analysis, which draws on a rich variety of primary sources including clerical service registers, vestry minutes, churchwarden and overseer accounts, school, court and parish records, enclosure and tithe agreements, parish magazines, local and national newspapers and private correspondence. The general historiography to which the work contributes is around secularisation and denominational rivalry, and regular reference is made to this and more specific sub-themes throughout the thesis. I will argue that the enduring local dominance of the Church of England was due to its enormous financial strength, its central involvement in the provision of charity and welfare, a re-invigorated commitment to pastoral care and the absence of any senior local sponsorship for Nonconformity. Underpinning everything was the formation of a particularly tight nexus between church and parish elites which served to preserve effective Anglican hegemony well beyond the First World War. It was not until the 1920s and 1930s, when the church started to lose its social relevance in welfare and education nationally, that the cracks in the façade of local dominance became irrefutable.

Keywords: Hampshire
Secularisation
Church
Anglican
Advisor: Smith, M