VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Thinking regionally [electronic resource] : rural landscapes and economic connections in Roman southern Italy

This dissertation explores the formation of an economic region within the wider context of the Roman Mediterranean economy in a study of southern Italy from the 1st-6th c. CE. This dissertation contributes to the study of the Roman economy by advancing a methodology for the identification and study of regional systems, and by offering a new interpretation of the southern Italian economy during this period. My goal in this project is to understand the role of rural economic processes in creating a regionally connected system across space and through time, and the implications of such connections for the long term economic experience of southern Italy in particular. How did a regional system form in southern Italy? How might regional economic connections in rural contexts have contributed to the stability of southern Italy as it advanced from the imperial period into late antiquity? Southern Italy provides a revealing case study for exploring these economic processes because of the stability, perhaps prosperity, of its economic system into late antiquity, a period of great change in the larger Mediterranean economy. I take a long-term approach and argue that the strength of its regional connections played a fundamental and foremost role in sustaining a stable southern Italy economy, laid down in part before the onset of late antiquity. Evidence comes from a wide geographic area in southern Italy, composed of the modern-day provinces of Puglia, Basilicata, Campania and the Molise, and includes data from excavated and surveyed villa, village and farm sites. It offers information on settlement patterns, the role of transhumance pastoralism, production strategies, and patterns of consumption, all important components of economic life in these rural landscapes, treated in four separate chapters of this dissertation. I contextualize this material and textual evidence within its wider landscape, among routes of connection, urban places, and the natural environment to create a comprehensive, layered picture of how sites, their production activities and the movement of people and goods contributed to building this regional system over time. This dissertation demonstrates that a strong regional economy, formed through rural economic flows, was important for creating stability in southern Italy over time, even in light of the transformations in the Mediterranean economy in the later empire. From the perspective of studies on the Roman economy in general, this dissertation argues for the importance of interrogating mid-scale spatial systems of organization to understand better how the Roman economy functioned.

Keywords: Classics
Advisor: Trimble Jennifer
Robertson Ian advisor. Thesis advisor
Scheidel Walter
Three essays in international finance [electronic resource]

This thesis consists of three essays on international finance. The first essay is "Exchange rates and Fundamentals". A new open interest rate parity condition that takes account of economic fundamentals is developed from stochastic discount factors (SDFs) of two countries. Through this parity condition, business cycles or fundamentals are linked to exchange rates. Key empirical findings from this parity condition are as follows. First, this model beats the random walk hypothesis: economic fundamentals explain exchange rate movements for high interest rate currencies. Exchange rates of low interest rate currencies act like a random walk because they are less correlated with fundamentals owing to their low risk. For example, U.S. business cycles explain the direction of changes in exchange rates against the dollar. The same thing is true for Japan. Second, this model resolves the forward premium puzzle: the forward premium puzzle is not a general characteristic as regarded in previous studies. It happens when the risk awareness of investors is low, during economic expansions and for low risk currencies. The second essay is "Carry Trade and Global Financial Instability". Carry trade, an opportunistic investment strategy that takes advantage of interest rate differential across countries, is identified the cause of the large-scale depreciations of peripheral currencies in the later half of 2008. A simultaneous equations model, which is derived from a conceptual partial equilibrium model for a local foreign exchange market, is estimated from a cross-sectional sample. The results suggest that the larger appreciation of the yen than the dollar was brought about by a lack of the local supply of the yen rather than a more severe crunch of yen credits. The third essay is "The Economic Origin of Letters of Credit". This essay discusses the economic origin of letters of credit, an instrument widely used in international trade. A game theoretical analysis shows that letters of credit improve efficiency in trade settlements, increasing returns in trade. A few notable facts on letters of credit are discussed. First, the new institution is adopted by merchant banks to maximize their profits and in the process, an improvement in efficiency of international transactions is obtained. Second, the organization established by the legacy institution, bills of exchange, played a critical role in adopting the new institution. Third, the legal enforcement is not essential in this economic institution. Finally, two drivers are identified that improve efficiency of transactions: concentration and projection.

Keywords: Economics
Advisor: McKinnon Ronald I. primary advisor. Thesis advisor
Bagwell Kyle advisor. Thesis advisor
Hong Han advisor. Thesis advisor
Time of the sacred [electronic resource] : conceptualizing the political in Franco's Spain

A prevalent characteristic of the twentieth century is a hyper-affirmation of the human subject's enslavement to the order of nature and a denial of any transcendental mode of accessing a spirituality beyond the confines of reason. This transition has underpinnings in Darwinism and Hegel's Weltgeist, which roots Spirit securely within the confines of world history and not in a transcendent, eternal beyond. The emergence of postsecularism in the last two decades alongside a general belief in the decline of Western liberalism has additionally raised the specter that political thought and institution building retains essential components of traditionally religious and premodern methods of social formation. A cursory glance at the literature post-war Spain reveals, decades prior to the purported decline of secularity, an astonishing repetition of authors relating to, subverting and rearticulating political sovereignty through the mediation of the sacred, which Émile Durkheim argues is nothing other than an auto-reflexive image of society "hypostasized and transfigured". Conceiving of the 1960's and 1970's as a "time of the sacred" within Iberian cultural production provides an understanding of how the political was imagined under the auspices of an authoritarian regime. It moreover offers a code for disentangling problems that are currently plaguing the peninsula, such as the polemical theorization of a pluralistic Iberia, the always latent specter of violence that underpins debates surrounding such issues as the ethics of bullfighting and the resistance to regional autonomy, and Spain's problematical relationship with the Catholic Church and other forms of religion.

Keywords: Iberian and Latin American Cultures.
Advisor: Gumbrecht Hans Ulrich primary advisor. Thesis advisor
Resina Joan Ramon primary advisor. Thesis advisor
Barletta Vincent advisor. Thesis advisor
Time-parallel methods for accelerating the solution of structural dynamics problems [electronic resource]

The classical approach for solving evolution Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) using a parallel computer consists in first partitioning the spatial domain and assigning each subdomain to a processor to achieve space-parallelism, then advancing the solution sequentially. However, enabling parallelism along the time dimension, despite its intrinsic difficulty, can be of paramount importance to fast computations when space-parallelism is unfeasible, cannot fully exploit a massively parallel machine or when near-real-time prediction is desired. The aforementioned objective can be achieved by applying classical domain decomposition principles to the time axis. The latter is first partitioned into time-slices to be processed independently. Starting with approximate seed information that provides a set of initial conditions, the response is then advanced in parallel in each time-slice using a standard time-stepping integrator. This decomposed solution exhibits discontinuities or jumps at the time-slice boundaries if the initial guess is not accurate. Applying a Newton-like approach to the time-dependent system, a correction function is then computed to improve the accuracy of the seed values and the process is repeated until convergence is reached. Methods based on the above concept have been successfully applied to various problems but none was found to be competitive for even for the simplest of second-order hyperbolic PDEs, a class of equations that covers the field of structural dynamics among others. To overcome this difficulty, a key idea is to improve the sequential propagator used for correcting the seed values, observing that the original evolution problem and the derived corrective one are closely related. The present work first demonstrates how this insight can be brought to fruition in the context of linear oscillators, with numerical examples featuring structural models ranging from academic to more challenging large-scale ones. An extension of this method to nonlinear equations is then developed and its concrete application to geometrically nonlinear transient dynamics is presented. Finally, it is shown how the time-reversibility property that characterizes some of the above problems can be exploited to develop a new framework that provides an increased speed-up factor.

Advisor: Farhat Charbel primary advisor. Thesis advisor
Alonso Juan José
Lew Adrian advisor. Thesis advisor
To the telomeres and beyond [electronic resource] : chromatin regulation by the mammalian sirtuin SIRT6

Saccharomyces cerevisiae silent information regulator 2 (Sir2) is an NAD+-dependent histone deacetylase that links chromatin silencing to genomic stability, cellular metabolism, and lifespan regulation. The human Sir2 family member SIRT6 is a highly substrate-specific histone deacetylase that promotes proper chromatin function in several physiologic contexts, including preserving telomere integrity, fine-tuning gene expression programs, preventing genomic instability, and maintaining metabolic homeostasis. Here, we describe work aimed at expanding the molecular and cellular understanding of SIRT6. First, we report the identification of novel functions for the N- and C-terminal domains of SIRT6. We show that the C-terminal extension (CTE) of SIRT6 contributes to proper nuclear localization; the N-terminal extension (NTE) is critical for chromatin association and intrinsic catalytic activity; and mutation of a conserved catalytic histidine residue in the core sirtuin domain not only abrogates SIRT6 enzymatic activity but also leads to impaired chromatin association in cells. Second, we show that SIRT6 is required for maintenance of telomere-proximal gene silencing--a phenomenon termed telomere position effect (TPE)--in human cells. RNAi-mediated depletion of SIRT6 abrogates silencing of both an integrated telomeric transgene and an endogenous telomere-proximal gene. Moreover, enhanced telomeric silencing in response to telomere elongation is associated with increased repressive chromatin marks, and this heterochromatic milieu is lost in SIRT6-deficient cells. Together, these studies provide new insight into the molecular mechanism of SIRT6 activity; uncover a novel role for SIRT6 in regulating telomeric gene silencing; and reveal important links between SIRT6 and disease-relevant cellular processes.

Advisor: Chua Katrin Faye primary advisor. Thesis advisor
Brunet Anne
Gozani Or Pinchas advisor. Thesis advisor
Lipsick Joseph Steven
Topics in inflation and eternal inflation [electronic resource]

This thesis is divided to three parts. In Chapter 1 we study observational signatures of chaotic inflation with nonminimal coupling to gravity. In the next two chapters we focus on the eternal nature of inflation and the measure problem. In Chapter 2 we compare predictions of several measures in eternal versus non-eternal inflation. Finally in Chapter 3 we study the Boltzmann brain problem for the scale factor cutoff measure of eternal inflation.

Keywords: Physics
Advisor: Linde A. D.
Shenker Stephen Hart
Susskind Leonard advisor. Thesis advisor
Topology of spaces of micro-images, and an application to texture discrimination. [electronic resource]

Using the fact that most 3-by-3 pixel high-contrast patches from natural images accumulate around a space with the topology of a Klein bottle, we present in this thesis a novel method for texture representation and discrimination. Given a texture image, most of its high-contrast patches can be projected onto the aforementioned Klein bottle. We analyze this sample in terms of its underlying probability density function, which we show can be represented via Fourier-like coefficients. These coefficients in turn, can be estimated with high confidence from the sample. Dissimilarity measures are defined on the set of estimated coefficients, and performance of the method is tested on a large collection of texture images.

Keywords: Mathematics
Advisor: Carlsson G. (Gunnar)
Papanicolaou George advisor. Thesis advisor
Vasy András advisor. Thesis advisor
Toward improved characterization of brain network temporal properties with functional magnetic resonance imaging [electronic resource]

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) based on blood-oxygen level dependent (BOLD) contrast is a powerful technique for non-invasive measurement of brain activity. Recent fMRI studies have revealed that the spontaneous BOLD fluctuations of the human brain organize into distributed, temporally-coherent networks ("resting-state networks"; RSNs). Examination of RSNs has yielded valuable insight into neural organization and development, and demonstrates potential as a biomarker for conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and depression. However, the accuracy by which the spatio-temporal properties of RSNs can be delineated using fMRI is compromised by the presence of physiological (cardiac and respiratory) noise and vascular hemodynamic variability. Further, our present understanding of how RSNs may interact and support cognitive function has been limited by the fact that the vast majority of studies to-date analyze RSNs in a manner that assumes temporal stationarity. Here, we describe efforts to correct for non-neural physiological influences on the BOLD signal, as well as investigations into the dynamic character of resting-state network connectivity. It is found that low-frequency variations in cardiac and respiratory processes account for significant noise across widespread gray matter regions, and that a constrained deconvolution approach may prove effective for modeling and reducing their effects. Application of the proposed noise-reduction procedure is observed to yield negative correlations between the spontaneous fluctuations of two major RSNs. The relationship between respiratory volume changes and the BOLD signal is further examined by simultaneously monitoring and comparing chest expansion data, end-tidal gas concentrations, and spontaneous BOLD fluctuations. The use of a breath-holding task is proposed for quantifying regional differences in BOLD signal timing that arise from local vasomotor response delays; such non-neural timing delays are found to impact inferences of resting-state connectivity and causality. Finally, a preliminary analysis of non-stationary connectivity between RSNs is performed using wavelet and sliding-window approaches, and it is observed that interactions between networks may reconfigure on time-scales of seconds to minutes.

Keywords: Electrical Engineering
Advisor: Glover Gary H.
Nishimura Dwight George advisor. Thesis advisor
Wandell Brian A. advisor. Thesis advisor
Towards high efficiency and low cost nano-structured III-V solar cells [electronic resource]

State-of-the-art III-V multijunction solar cells have achieved a record efficiency of 42%, the highest solar-electric conversion efficiency achieved by any technology. This has fueled great interest in the utility sector for large-scale deployment of solar cells. However, III-V solar cells have thus far proven too expensive for widespread terrestrial applications due to the combined cost of substrates, growth processes and materials. Here, we propose a novel III-V solar cell design based on the epitaxial growth of AlGaAs/GaAs on pre-patterned low-cost substrates to provide a path to cost-effective, large-scale deployment. This approach is based on our discovery that the surface kinetics of epitaxial growth by MBE is significantly altered when growing on three dimensional nanostructures instead of planar surfaces. Based on our exploratory results, we present the device design, electrical and optical simulation, and materials growth and device fabrication and characterization of core-shell nanostructured III-V solar cells. We use both bottom-up and top-down approaches to prepare the nanostructured templates in shape of nanowires and nanopyramids. Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) and Rigorous Coupled Wave Analysis (RCWA) simulation show that the nanostructures have enhanced absorption and much wider incident acceptance angles than their planar counterpart, and outperform planar three-layer anti-reflective coatings. We first demonstrated high quality, single crystal III-V (GaAs and AlGaAs) polar material conformally epi grown on group IV (nanostructured Ge on Si substrate) nonpolar material via MBE and MOVPE (also known as MOCVD) with largely reduced anti-phase domains. We developed complete and mature routines to fabricate a working, single crystalline III-V solar cell on a nanostructured template. The I-V characterization of the fabricated nanostructured GaAs solar cell proves the concept and shows the great potential of making high-efficiency nano-structured III-V solar cells on low-cost substrates.

Keywords: Applied Physics
Advisor: Harris J. S. (James Stewart)
Cui Yi
Fan Shanhui
Tractability of complex control systems [electronic resource]

This thesis is divided into two main parts. In the first part, we consider the problem of efficiently computing wavefront estimates for use in adaptive optics hardware on ground-based telescopes. Our contribution is a warm-started single-iteration multigrid algorithm that performs as well as conventional vector-matrix-multiplication methods, but at a fraction of the computational cost. We used numerical simulations to compare our algorithm to a variety of other published methods, and validated our findings at the Palomar Observatory. In the second part, we consider feedback control subject to an information constraint. Using a novel algebraic framework, we are able to prove many structural results, including a new convexity result, in a natural and purely algebraic way. We also develop a new condition we call internal quadratic invariance, under which the controller synthesis can be cast as a convex optimization problem. This describes the most general class of tractable decentralized control problems known to date. Both parts of the thesis fit into the broader question of tractability of complex systems. In the first part we look at a practical example which is difficult because of the large number of sensors and actuators. In the second part, we look at decentralized control, which is difficult because of the non-classical information constraint.

Keywords: Aeronautics and Astronautics
Advisor: Lall Sanjay primary advisor. Thesis advisor
West Matthew
Boyd Stephen P. advisor. Thesis advisor
Rock Stephen M. advisor. Thesis advisor
Trade enabling investments in networked markets [electronic resource]

In many markets not all buyers can trade with all sellers. These markets can be represented as a network where the buyers and sellers are the nodes and weighted edges represent potential gains from trade between buyer-seller pairs. In these networked markets the structure of the network will affect who trades with whom and the terms of these trades. In particular, agents' alternative trading opportunities might provide outside options for them. In Chapter 2 I identify a parsimonious mapping from the network structure into market outcomes that captures these intuitions and is stable insofar as no buyer-seller pair could do better by instead trading with each other. In many instances networked markets are formed endogenously through investments that enable trade. In the remainder of Chapter 2 I explore such investments when they are directed. For example, two countries might build a pipeline to enable them to trade natural gas. In Chapter 3 I consider undirected investments in search, where the set of the possible trading opportunities that are discovered, and can subsequently be utilized, depends on the search efforts of the agents. For example, workers and firms might exert effort searching for each other in the labor market. This dissertation explores the nature and size of inefficiencies in these trade enabling investments.

Keywords: Economics
Advisor: Jackson Matthew O. primary advisor. Thesis advisor
Amador Manuel (Manuel A.) advisor. Thesis advisor
Hall Robert advisor. Thesis advisor
Niederle Muriel advisor. Thesis advisor
Tumor selective targeting of a conserved scaffold domain [electronic resource]

The extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen activated protein kinase (ERK/MAPK) signaling cascade is pathologically activated in thirty percent of all human cancers. Therapeutics targeting this cascade have proven largely ineffective due to non-specific targeting, mutations in upstream or downstream kinases resulting in drug resistance, and gross tissue catastrophe. To investigate the possibility of targeting this cascade without generating these effects, we used siRNAs directed against ERK/MAPK scaffolds in a human tissue model system of epidermal neoplasia. IQGAP1 physically interacts with canonical ERK/MAPK pathway members in order to precisely modulate their signal output and in its absence, signaling through this pathway is severely diminished. Reducing IQGAP1 expression had no effect on normal tissue homeostasis or in vivo wound healing, but did effectively block invasive neoplasia and diminish tumor formation in an in vivo mouse model of cancer. This effect extended to a wide variety of tumor types with mutations in the ERK/MAPK pathway suggesting that selective therapeutics targeting IQGAP1 would be effective in a large percentage of human cancers. To identify the tumor-selective domain of IQGAP1, we ectopically expressed the ERK-binding WW domain. The IQGAP1 WW domain blocked neoplastic invasion, diminished ERK/MAPK signal transduction, blocked RAS-driven tumor formation in vivo, and caused regression of established RAS-driven tumors. Furthermore, this IQGAP1 WW domain can be synthesized as a purified 30-amino acid peptide, which retained its therapeutic effects when delivered ectopically. Overall, our results identify the IQGAP1 WW domain as a novel candidate for clinical drug development.

Advisor: Khavari Paul A. primary advisor. Thesis advisor
Ferrell James Ellsworth advisor. Thesis advisor
Oro Anthony
Wong Albert J. advisor. Thesis advisor