VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Beyond oil: the political economy of Saudi-East Asian industrial relations, 1953-2013

This thesis investigates the political economy of Saudi–East Asian industrial relations in the past six decades, between 1953 and 2013. The analysis focuses on industrial diversification in Saudi Arabia and how this has affected Saudi Arabia's relations with East Asian states. Accordingly, Saudi–East Asian relations, which have hitherto been understood as consisting of energy producer-consumer relationships, are re-framed as "industrialising–industrialised relationships". This thesis identifies the main dynamics of such relationships as diffusion of industrial technology from East Asian states to Saudi Arabia, which is considered to be a microcosm of a larger collective shift in the global economy, from "divergence" to "convergence" caused by the progress in human resources development (HRD) among developing countries.
In order to capture that dynamics, this thesis develops two concepts: "techno-sovereignty" and "techno-diplomacy". Techno-sovereignty assumes a developing state's pursuit of greater level of self-reliance in industrial technology through investment in HRD and avoidance of dependence on single external source of technology. On the other hand, techno-diplomacy is defined as an advanced state's diplomatic strategy of implementing the transfer of industrial technology to a developing state in order to acquire other types of gain from that state in return.
Saudi Arabia's pursuit of techno-sovereignty has been implemented in two steps: first, to invite foreign direct investment (FDI) from multiple advanced states for establishing industrial production; and, second, to "Saudise" the production over the years through the transfer of knowledge, skills and technologies from the foreign investor to national industrial workers. Saudi–East Asian industrial relations have followed these patterns: Japan has practiced techno-diplomacy towards Saudi Arabia mainly in return for oil; and Taiwan has done so mainly in return for diplomatic recognition – since Taipei has been in competition with Beijing since 1949 regarding its international legitimacy. Those quid pro quo relations have provided Riyadh with strong bargaining chips vis-à-vis Tokyo and Taipei in demanding industrial cooperation from them in the past decades.
Currently, as the focus of industrial diversification in Saudi Arabia shifts from capital-intensive heavy industries to labour-intensive manufacturing industries, the insufficiency in HRD in Saudi Arabia, deriving from the "rentier" nature of its society, increasingly poses obstacles to further progress of the process. Accordingly, East Asian states' contributions to the development of HRD institutions in Saudi Arabia have been coming to the fore in their bilateral industrial relations in addition to the FDI, the trend which is likely to remain important in the coming years.

Keywords: East Asia
China
Japan
Saudi Arabia
Taiwan
Advisor: Robins, P
The structure and function of integrins

Integrins are a family of αβ heterodimeric cell surface glycoproteins formed by the noncovalent association of a specific integrin α and β subunit. At present 16 different integrin α subunits and 8 different integrin β subunits have been identified, which can associate in various combinations to produce over 20 different integrin αβ heterodimeric receptors. The leukocyte integrins LFA-1 (αLβ2, CD11a/CD18), Mac-1 (αMβ2, CD11b/CD18) and p150,95 (αXβ2, CD11c/CD18) are formed by the non-covalent association of the αL, αM or αX subunits with the β2 subunit. In order to determine the regions of the β2 subunit which are involved in its heterodimeric interaction with the αL, αM and αX subunits, eight variant β2 subunits were analysed for their ability to form LFA-1, Mac-1 and p150,95 heterodimeric complexes. Three chimeric β2/β1 subunits: β2V1, β2V12 and β2NS1, and three analogous chimeric β2/β7 subunits: β2V7, β2V72 and β2NS7, as well as a soluble and a truncated β2 subunit: β2sol and β2tr, were studied. All of the variant β2 subunits retained the ability to associate with the αL subunit, suggesting that the N-terminal 436 amino acids of the β2 subunit are sufficient to provide the specificity for LFA-1 heterodimer formation. In contrast, all the β2 variants associated inefficiently with the αM and αX subunits, suggesting that the heterodimeric interactions between the α and β subunits in Mac-1 and p150,95 are more extensive, and perhaps more complicated than those in LFA-1. The ability of the modified LFA-1 heterodimers formed with the variant β2 subunits to bind to the LFA-1 ligand ICAM-1 was also studied. All of the modified LFA-1 receptors retained the ability to bind to ICAM-1, suggesting that in LFA-1, the ICAM-1 binding site in the β2 subunit must be located within its N-terminal 436 amino acids. In addition, unlike the wildtype LFA-1 receptor, all of the modified LFA-1 receptors were constitutively active with respect to ICAM-1 binding. It therefore appears that specific interactions between different regions of the β2 subunit are required to constrain the LFA-1 receptor in its inactive, resting state, and that disruption of any one of these intramolecular interactions results in release of the receptor into its high affinity ligand binding conformation. This "constraint model" for the regulation of LFA-1 activity may also be applicable to other integrins. Analysis of a number of mutant β2 subunits carrying leukocyte adhesion deficiency (LAD) mutations, and their ability to form LFA-1, Mac-1 and p150,95 heterodimers, provided results consistent with those obtained with the variant β2 subunits.
Rapid changes in the global carbon cycle

The flux of carbon in to and out of the atmosphere exerts a fundamental control over the Earth's climate. The oceans contain almost two orders of magnitude more carbon than the atmosphere, and consequently, small fluctuations within the oceanic carbon reservoir can have very significant effects on air-sea CO2 exchange, and the climate of the planet. Pelagic carbonates represent a major long-term flux of carbon from the surface ocean to deep-sea sediments. Within sediments, the biologically produced carbonates act as a longterm carbon store, but also as chemical recorders of past surface ocean conditions. Counterintuitively, despite the production and sedimentation of carbonate acting as a CO2 sink, over periods shorter than the mixing-time of the ocean, the pH change associated with calcium carbonate precipitation enriches the surface waters in CO2 and elevates the equilibrium value of gaseous exchange with the atmosphere.
Coccolithophores, ubiquitous marine photosynthetic plankton, produce calcium carbonate plates, coccoliths, which account for around one third of all marine calcium carbonate production. Sedimentary coccoliths therefore represent a valuable repository of surface ocean geochemical data, as well as a very significant carbon-cycle flux. This thesis examines how the mass of calcium carbonate produced by coccolithophores has changed in response to rising levels of atmospheric CO2. A -40% increase in average coccolith mass over the last 230 years, paralleling anthropogenic CO2 release, is demonstrated within a high-accumulation rate North Atlantic sediment core.
Additionally, a flow-cytometry method is presented, which enables the automatic separation of coccoliths from clay particles in sedimentary samples, representing the first step in a coccolith cleaning procedure, which should ultimately enable down-core measurements of coccolith trace-element/calcium ratios. Complementing this work I describe results from continuous dissolution analysis of cultured coccoliths which allows a first-order evaluation of trace-element partitioning into coccoliths produced by the species Coccoliths pelagicus, and present a conceptual methodology to allow the determination of single-species coccolith chemical data.

Advisor: Rickaby, R
Functional analysis of polymorphisms associated with osteoarthritis susceptibility that affect cis-regulation

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common, multifactorial disease that is characterized by focal degeneration of the smooth articular cartilage in any of the synovial joints. Although the underlying molecular mechanisms for OA are still not fully understood, epidemiological studies have evidenced a significant genetic component to OA susceptibility. Genome-wide linkage scans and large-scale association studies have had success in unraveling the genetic architecture underlying OA with the identification of a number of susceptibility genes. In this work, functional analyses are reported of OA associated polymorphisms within two susceptibility genes: BMP5 and GDF5, both members of the TGF-β superfamily of secreted proteins. The extent of differential allelic expression (DAE) of BMP5 in human mesenchymal tissues was first examined with significant differences in BMP5 allelic output observed (allelic ratios exceeding 4:1 in the tissues of some donors). Significant variability in allelic expression within the different tissues of donors was also observed, suggesting that polymorphism in cis-regulation of BMP5 expression is common and that there is a considerable effect of tissue specific elements on BMP5 expression. DAE was then used as a phenotype to map tissue-specific cis-regulatory polymorphisms with the identification of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) located downstream of BMP5 that was significantly associated with DAE as well as OA, suggesting that variability in cis-regulation of BMP5 is important in OA susceptibility. Moreover, the functional effect of a previously identified OA associated microsatellite within intron 1 of BMP5 was investigated using luciferase reporter assays and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) with significant differences observed both in the ability of various microsatellite alleles to modulate BMP5 promoter activity and to bind GATA-3 nuclear proteins, further suggesting a role for variability in BMP5 expression in OA susceptibility that may in part be due to altered GATA-3 binding. Finally, functional characterization of a previously reported OA associated SNP in the 5′ UTR of GDF5 is presented in which EMSAs show differential binding of nuclear factors between the two SNP alleles, strengthening the possible functional contribution of this SNP to OA susceptibility. Overall, this work demonstrates that polymorphism in cis-regulation is likely to play a role in OA susceptibility.

Keywords: GDF5
BMP5
genetics
osteoarthritis
differential allelic expression
Advisor: Loughlin, J
Sedimentological and palaeoenvironmental studies in the Broadford Beds (Hettangian-Sinemurian) of north-west Scotland

Planorbis to Turneri Zone sedimentary rocks were studied at outcrops on Skye, Raasay, Applecross, Ardnamurchan, Morvern and Mull. A proposed lithostratigraphy includes two Groups, four Formations and seventeen Members. Increased faunal diversity in Mull and Skye reflects environmental stability during the Angulata and Semicostatum Zones; low diversity in the Bucklandi and Turneri Zones signifies lower stability. Species abundance in Mull and their decrease in Skye during Angulata-Bucklandi Zone times signifies a northward increase in environmental instability.
Smectites are present in the Planorbis-Bucklandi Zone shales. The Semicostatum-Turneri Zones are composed of non expanding clays; the smectite formed by erosion of previously exposed alkaline igneous rocks under warm, alkaline, low rainfall conditions. Progressive transgression covered the source area and a change to more acidic conditions with higher rainfall also promoted the formation of "ironstones" and chlorites.
The Angulata and Bucklandi Zones comprise bioclastic, oolitic, carbonate and siliciclastic sediments signifying shallow marginal marine semi-enclosed basins. Thin laterally impersistent beds of coarse,poorly sorted pebbles signify an unstable hinterland; during the Semicostatum and Turneri Zones fully marine conditions were established.
Ferruginous beds are oolitic in Skye. They probably formed as "mud balls" and due to acid leaching of feldspars. Phosphatic nodules are calciumhydroxyapatite.
The limestone/shale "rhythms" are explained by a combined primary and diagenetic origin. The limestones consist of low-Mg calcite Both ferroan and non ferroan calcite are present. Tectonic stresses and diagenesis deformed crystals and formed veins.
Sr+2 values show a decline as the carbonate fraction increases. Three different ranges are distinguished for three facies and ages. Sr concentration is bimodal and probably inherited from the original sediments.
The northern and southern basins evolved separately, sedimentation was controlled by differential tilting, uplift and subsidence. Palaeoslopes were gentle, to the west-northwest and south-southwest. Local topography (e.g. Central Strath High) modified the slopes; no movement occurred along the main faults of the area. Sedimentation relates to the "taphrogenic rifting stage" proposed for the North Sea Mesozoic.

Advisor: Hallam, A
Image to interpretation

The ink and stylus tablets discovered at the Roman Fort of Vindolanda have provided a unique resource for scholars of ancient history. However, the stylus tablets in particular have proved extremely difficult to read. The aim of this thesis is to explore the extent to which techniques from Artificial Intelligence can be used to develop a system that could aid historians in reading the stylus texts. This system would utilise image processing techniques that have been developed in Engineering Science to analyse the stylus tablets, whilst incorporating knowledge elicited from experts working on the texts, to propagate possible suggestions of the text contained within the tablets.
This thesis reports on what appears to be the first system developed to aid experts in the process of reading an ancient document. There has been little previous research carried out to see how papyrologists actually carry out their task. This thesis studies closely how experts working with primary sources, such as the Vindolanda Texts, operate. Using Knowledge Elicitation Techniques, a model is proposed for how they read a text. Information regarding the letter forms and language used at Vindolanda is collated, A corpus of annotated images is built up, to provide a data set regarding the letter forms used in the ink and stylus texts.
In order to relate this information to the work done on image processing, a stochastic Minimum Description Length (MDL) architecture is adopted, and adapted, to form the basis of a system that can propagate interpretations of the Vindolanda texts. In doing so a system is constructed that can read in image data and output textual interpretations of the writing that appears on the documents.
It is demonstrated that knowledge elicitation techniques can be used to capture and mobilise expert information. The process of reading ancient, and ambiguous texts, is made explicit. It is also shown that MDL can be used as a basis to build large systems that reason about complex information effectively. This research presents the first stages towards developing a cognitive visual system that can propagate realistic interpretations from image data, and so aid the papyrologists in their task.

Advisor: Bowman, A
Competitive structure and the operation of sexual selection

In this thesis I set out to further our understanding of two broad questions, 1) why it is that sexual selection favours the evolution of particular traits and 2) why do the patterns of sexual selection on such traits differ between groups and populations? Specifically, I focused on the role that variation in intrasexual competitive structure, the non-random distribution of socio-competitive environments across individuals, plays in shaping variation in the operation of sexual selection both within and across populations. I explore the roles of three main determinants of competitive structure, namely; population structure, polyandry and non-random variation in the distribution of the intensity of competition. To achieve this, I used a combination of empirical and theoretical tools, using the model system Red junglefowl, Gallus gallus. Throughout this thesis I both develop and employ network quantitative tools as a framework to describe variation in intrasexual competitive structure. Overall, this thesis demonstrates a complex relationship between competitive structure and the operation of sexual selection. This structure can modify the strength and direction of sexual selection operating on phenotypic traits, obscure the operation of selection at the population level and influence the relative roles of pre- and post-copulatory sexual selection. Furthermore, this thesis explores how differences in local ecology can shape competitive structure itself and in turn shape sexual selection. In doing so, this thesis sheds some light on the role that variation in competitive structure may play in shaping the operation of sexual selection both within and between populations and generating the great diversity in sexually-selected traits and behaviours between populations.

Keywords: sexual networks
sexual selection
gallus
Advisor: Pizzari, T
Toward understanding speed, efficiency and selectivity in retinal photochemistry

This Thesis describes the synthesis, structural, photochemical and photophysical studies of modified retinal protonated Schiff bases in solution. Ultrafast laser spectroscopy, NMR and circular dichroism studies were employed to investigate speed, yield and selectivity of photoisomerisation in these chromophores.
Chapter 1 introduces relevant biological, photophysical and photochemical aspects of retinal protonated Schiff base photoisomerisation. It includes an overview of synthetic approaches to modified retinal synthesis pertinent to this this work.
Chapter 2 discuses the investigation of the hypothesis that twisting of the chromophore’s isomerising double bond is responsible for ultrafast photoisomerisation in the protein environment. In these studies it was discovered that addition of a methyl group to the retinal backbone in solution results in protein-like photophysics.
Chapter 3 presents photopysical and photochemical studies of modified all-trans retinal protonated Schiff bases that culminate in a qualitative model for the influence of electronic factors on photochemical and photophysical behaviour of these chromophores in solution.
Chapter 4 describes structural and photophysical investigations of 11-cis retinal protonated Schiff bases. NMR studies indicate conformational flexibility of the chromophores. The first synthetic solution-based chromophore to reach rhodopsins’s speed of photoisomerisation is described.
Chapter 5 presents an attempt to gain conformational information on retinal protonated Schiff bases using circular dichroism spectroscopy. Transfer of stereochemical information from the covalently attached stereogenic centre to the retinal backbone is demonstrated.

Keywords: retinal protonated schiff bases
retinal
quantum yield
reaction dynamics
induction of chirality
Advisor: Fletcher, S
Fetal skeletal imaging using 3D ultrasound and the impact of maternal vitamin D

BACKGROUND Previous research suggests that vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy may be associated with suboptimal fetal growth, but direct evidence is lacking. Our objectives were 1) to develop a method for measurement of the fetal sphenoidal fontanelle area (FA) and femur volume (FV) using 3D ultrasound; 2) to create normal charts for FA and FV; and 3) to correlate FA and FV with maternal vitamin D concentration. METHODS FA measurement in 3D was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Different segmentation methods for FV measurement were explored. A novel FV method was described which consists of three linear measurements and a volume equation; this was validated in vitro and also by comparing FV measured sonographically to the true volume assessed by computed tomography (CT), in 6 cases following pregnancy termination. A cohort of 868 uncomplicated pregnancies was selected on the basis of strict inclusion criteria; participants underwent serial ultrasound scans for FV and multilevel modeling was used for the creation of a “prescriptive” FV chart. Finally, a different cohort of 357 healthy pregnant women had serum vitamin D levels and FV ultrasound at 34 weeks gestation and dual emission x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) of their neonates in order to investigate the prenatal determinants of fetal bone mass. RESULTS FA measurement was accurate in vitro, but unreliable in vivo and was therefore abandoned. A novel FV method had excellent agreement with CT and superior repeatability compared with segmentation-based methods. A normal FV chart was created and the regression equations for the median and percentile values were presented. Vitamin D demonstrated a significant correlation with FV. CONCLUSIONS FV is a reliable sonographic marker of skeletal growth. Maternal vitamin D deficiency is associated with reduced FV. This finding has public health implications as reduced bone mass may increase the lifetime risk of osteoporosis, through fetal programming.

Keywords: fetal growth
ultrasound
Vitamin D
femur
fetal development
Advisor: Papageorghiou, A
Javaid, K
Saving in Pakistan, 1950-77

The thesis consists of two parts entitled 'Estimation' and 'Analysis'. The 'Estimation' part is devoted to developing a new set of estimates of saving in Pakistan over the period 1950-77. For this purpose, the economy has been divided into three sectors, namely the private non-corporate sector (including mainly households and unincorporated businesses), the corporate sector and the government sector. Saving in the private noncorporate sector has been estimated from data collected on the sector's acquisition of various types of financial and real assets. Estimates of corporate saving have been built up from corporate profit and loss accounts. Saving in the government sector has been estimated from government budget documents and annual accounts of public sector enterprises. These estimates provide for the first time continuous and consistent information on the sectoral origin and asset-structure of saving in the country. The estimates available thus far were too aggregative in character, having been derived indirectly from the national accounts by subtracting net capital inflow from gross domestic investment.
The 'Analysis' part of the thesis is devoted to a detailed analysis of saving behaviour in the country over the period covered by the new set of estimates. Trends in the rates, sectoral composition and asset-structure of saving are studied. Econometric estimation of aggregate and sectoral savings functions with time-series data is the main tool of analysis used in identifying major influences on past saving behaviour. The mechanisms underlying various arguments in the functions are noted and subjected to empirical tests. The regression results are discussed and related to the actual time paths of the relevant variables. Evidence based on crosssection data is examined in the case of some factors which could not be included in the regression analysis either because of lack, of proper data or because of the time-series nature of the exercise. The policy implications of the results of the analysis are studied and, on the basis of the findings, the mix of public financial policies employed in the past is critically assessed.