VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Developments in unitary quantum theory


This thesis describes advancements in unitary quantum theory. These can be divided into three main topics: Everett’s relative-state formalism, the Page–Wootters construction, and unorthodox quantum theory.
Everett’s relative-state formalism allows one to express the state of one quantum system relative to the state of another with which it is entangled. This formalism has only recently been translated to the Heisenberg picture by myself & Deutsch (2021). Our construction makes explicit the locality of Everettian multiplicity and demonstrates that the relative-states of a quantum system are fully fledged quantum systems in their own right. For instance, the observables of a relative state satisfy an appropriate form of a system’s characteristic algebra, and the relative states can store locally inaccessible information, just like the absolute system.
The Heisenberg-picture relative-state formalism has been used by me (Kuypers (2022a)) to refine a construction due to Page & Wootters (1983). In their construction, it is shown that an external time parameter is unnecessary for explaining change and dynamics in quantum theory because one can instead rely on ‘clock time’ – i.e. the time as represented by a clock. This makes time manifestly physical: clock time is an observable attribute of a clock, whereas the time parameter is not an attribute of anything physical. I have shown (Kuypers (2022a)) that the Page–Wootters construction is a ‘calculus for q-numbers’; that is to say that within that construction, one can define functions of q-numbers (which can be represented by matrices or operators on a Hilbert space) as well as derivatives of such functions.
Both the Page–Wootters construction and Everett’s relative state formalism are here treated in the Heisenberg picture because that picture has the crucial advantage that it is a local description of quantum theory (see §2.5). Therefore, the Heisenberg picture has been used by me (Kuypers (2022b)) to describe quantum systems in chronology-violating regions of spacetime (i.e. regions of spacetime that contain closed timelike curves). The presence of closed timelike curves makes one of the axioms of ‘orthodox’ quantum theory problematic – namely, the axiom that the observables of spacelike-separated systems commute. In unorthodox quantum theory, that axiom is dropped. The foundations of unorthodox quantum theory are presented, and I demonstrate that this theory provides a resolution to the so-called grandfather paradox.

Keywords: heisenberg picture
everett
unitary quantum theory
relative-state formalism
everettian quantum theory
unorthodox quantum theory
chronology-violating regions
deutsch hayden descriptors
closed timelike curves
quantum multiverse
Advisor: Vedral, V
Immigration, altruism, and attitudes towards the welfare state

This study develops a theoretical argument to explain when, why, and how immigration affects attitudes towards the welfare state and tests this argument in countries in Western Europe. I first argue that individuals’ attitudes towards the welfare state are driven by two concerns: material self-interest and altruism. I then argue that individuals are more likely to empathize with and help the poor when the poor are more like them in terms of culture, and that altruistic concerns have a greater influence on the welfare attitudes of the rich than the poor. I also disaggregate the effects of immigration into two parts: (i) it can make the poor more culturally dissimilar, and (ii) it can create competition for scarce resources, such as jobs and social benefits and services.
The central argument of this dissertation is that the variation in rich and poor voters’ support for a generous and inclusive welfare state across countries and time is explained by the extent to which immigration increases cultural dissimilarity among the poor and competition for scarce resources. When immigration increases cultural dissimilarity among the poor, voters become less willing to help them. Rich voters will therefore reduce their support for a generous and inclusive welfare state, while poor voters support a generous but less inclusive welfare state for self-interested reasons. When immigration creates resource competition, poor voters will demand more social spending and/or more restrictive eligibility rules to protect themselves against it.
Using quantitative and experimental methods, this study will show how immigration affects feelings of economic threat and the willingness to help the poor. Further, it will look at how these motivations explain the attitudes towards the welfare state among rich and poor voters across industrialized democracies in Western Europe and over time, and within the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the Netherlands.

Keywords: immigration
attitudes
redistribution
welfare states
An assessment of the welfare of non-human primates used in neuroscience research 

The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 governs the use of animals in scientific research in the UK. Embedded within this is a requirement to implement the 3Rs: replacement, reduction, and refinement; a key mechanism for minimising the pain, suffering, distress, and lasting harm of research models. To adhere fully to these principles, it is imperative to assess animal welfare. Non-human primates (NHP) human similarities make them both an essential biomedical research model and a species particularly vulnerable to welfare challenges. This thesis investigates non-invasive, objective methods of welfare assessment and applies them alongside neuroscience research to monitor the welfare of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta).
Accelerometers monitored changes in activity levels following general anaesthesia (GA) and revealed a decline in activity for 5.7 days following GA alone. Additionally, 2.6 days of activity decline were observed after surgery under GA, followed by an activity increase, suggesting post-operative behavioural change. Additionally, accelerometers were used to create a rule-based model for automated behavioural assessment. This model groups macaque activity into 5 species-typical behavioural categories with an overall 69% accuracy.
Physiological welfare parameters were assessed by detecting cortisol in faeces and hair. Faecal cortisol levels were significantly elevated for several days following GA, with a longer and more profound increase after surgery. Hair samples are a valuable measure of chronic stress and cumulative experience, facilitating longitudinal cortisol assessment without influence from transient stressors. Hair cortisol levels were significantly elevated post-surgery and, in some cases, following social disruption.
A customised, neck-based ECG was designed to monitor heart rate variability. The ECG was trialled on anaesthetised and restrained NHPs, dogs, and sheep. Proof of concept was achieved, with R-waves detectable in all species.
Overall, this thesis demonstrates how welfare and neuroscience research can be conducted in parallel for a better understanding of the life-time experience of animal models. This is an essential step towards implementing refinements and improving welfare, which may ultimately improve public perception and help to form the evidence-base required to inform and drive policy change.

Keywords: behaviour
ECG
neuroscience
macaque
accelerometer
3Rs
non-human primate
stress
general anaesthesia
animal welfare
cortisol
Advisor: Bergmann, C
Walton, M
Duncan, J
Zonal flow and spectra in two-dimensional Rayleigh–Bénard convection


In this thesis, we study two-dimensional Rayleigh-Bénard convection at a wide range of Prandtl numbers.
Following two introductory chapters, the subsequent three chapters focus on a horizontally periodic domain with free-slip top and bottom boundaries. This configuration encourages mean horizontal flows of zero horizontal wavenumber, which can be considered as an idealisation of zonal flows in planetary atmospheres, tokamaks, and annular cylindrical convection experiments. In chapter 3, we study the onset of zonal modes from a steady state that emerges at the onset of convection. In our fourth chapter, we study the dynamics when zonal modes are present. Our study unveils the presence of several bifurcations within the turbulent regime, in particular, a sequence of bifurcations leading to reversals of a very strong zonal flow. Chapter 5 generalises our analysis from a previously studied two-dimensional flow to a quasi-two-dimensional flow. We introduce a third spatial direction, and explore how narrow the domain must be in this direction to render the flow truly two-dimensional.
In chapter 6, we study two-dimensional Rayleigh-B ́enard convection with periodic boundary conditions to emulate the dynamics far from walls. This chapter aims to understand how spectra, fluxes, and global variables vary with both the Rayleigh and Prandtl number.
Finally, the thesis concludes with a summary of the main findings together with an outlook on possible further research directions for each project.

Keywords: Fluid Dynamics
Dynamical Systems
Geophysical Fluid Dynamics
Rayleigh-Bénard Convection
Computational Physics
Turbulence
Advisor: Howell, P
Dallas, V
The investigation of tendon ECM alterations in response to stress relaxation for improving the Ponseti method

Congenital clubfoot or congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) is a complex paediatric foot deformity which will lead to long-term disability, deformity, and pain if left untreated. At present, the Ponseti method composed of a series of manipulation and casting is recognized as the standard treatment for clubfoot. However, the evaluation for the treatment outcome is based primarily on the clinical examinations and functional parameters while no work has explored the material response and the alterations of extracellular matrix (ECM) of a clubfoot tendon in response to the treatment – a long term stress relaxation. Ex vivo stress relaxation experiments discovered time-dependent tendon lengthening and ECM alterations including crimp angle reduction and elastin fragmentation, which illustrated the mechanism behind the treatment – a material-based tissue lengthening resulted from elastin fragmentation. This proposed mechanism was further supported by the relaxation results using elastin-digested tendons which also found a positive contribution to stress relaxation and relaxation rate from elastin. As the changes in crimp and elastin structures will be influential in the function and health of the tendon tissue, the capability of recovery of these ECM alterations in a tendon became a critical examination. The in vivo results derived from stress-relaxed tendons of young rabbits observed restoration of the above-mentioned ECM alterations along with increased elastin and vascularity level, and the existence of inflammation, indicating process of healing and recovery from the tendon in reaction to the treatment over time. While the increased vascularity and persisted inflammation may potentially bring concerns to the tendon health, they are both important biological adaptation in response to the mechanical treatment. Additionally, cellular response derived from the in vitro experiment discovered increased gene expressions of COL1A1 and ELN, supporting the incidence of recovery. Overall, this study reveals the treatment mechanism and proves the efficacy of the Ponseti method to correct clubfoot from an ECM-oriented perspective.

Keywords: stress relaxation
Ponseti method
elastin
tendon
collagen crimp
clubfoot
Advisor: Czernuszka, J
Lavy, C
The do's and don'ts of quantum memory in cryptanalysis

This thesis refines the estimates of the costs to attack three different cryptographic problems. To get there, I first survey some fundamental issues in quantum computing. This narrows the scope of the capabilities of quantum computers and the engineering costs to build and run them. I then focus on “QRAM”, a type of quantum memory. The question with QRAM is whether quantum computers could cheaply access memory in superposition. I argue that they could not, and that quantum computers must pay a steep price to access memory.
I then analyse circuits to attack elliptic curve cryptography with Shor’s algo- rithm. I find that even expensive QRAM improves these circuits. Next I provide some optimisations and parallelisation strategies for Kuperberg’s algorithm. This algorithm can attack “CSIDH”, a type of post-quantum cryptography. Again QRAM is an effective tool: huge classical co-processing costs offset the expense of each quantum memory access. Finally I provide an algorithm for the golden collision problem, a generalisation of “meet-in-the-middle” attacks. If stable, error- free memory exists, then this algorithm could acheive an exponential advantage in total cost. However, the run-time of this algorithm is too high, so I show a more effective use of massive arrays of quantum hardware. This second algorithm has a higher cost but parallelises nearly perfectly.

Keywords: post-quantum cryptography
quantum cryptanalysis
cryptanalysis
Advisor: Benjamin, S
Petit, C
Political leadership and democratization in Argentina: Raúl Alfonsín and Carlos Menem

This thesis examines the political leadership of presidents Raúl Alfonsín (1983-1989) and Carlos Menem (1989-1999). I undertake a thorough study of their leadership to understand how the two presidents performed their political leadership during the Argentine democratization, why did it vary, and consequently, how it elucidates the notion of democratic leadership. The nature of the project is interdisciplinary—engaging with history and social sciences.
The thesis works on the premises that political leadership matters in shaping political, social and economic outcomes. Leadership is particularly crucial in countries with strong presidential systems, such as Argentina. Political leadership matters even more in times of crisis and important political processes, including democratization. The present study works with a specific subset of political leadership—democratic leadership. The analysis demonstrates that democratic leadership was performed and interpreted in different ways during Argentine democratization. Whereas Alfonsín aimed for the decentralization of the presidential power and strengthening of democratic institutions, Menem regularly disregarded the checks and balances and strived for centralization of the executive power. The presidents’ leadership largely reflected the two main Argentine political traditions, Radicalism and Peronism, both of which had historically distinct ideas of democracy and leadership. Although the presidents mostly continued aspects of these traditions, they also demonstrated ruptures stemming from own interpretations of their political circumstances. The project argues that both brought with them different understandings and experiences from their personal professional past that shaped their ideas and actions.
The work contributes to the existing literature on political leadership by highlighting the importance of studying it holistically. The Argentine democratization indicates the relevance of analysing political traditions and institutional arrangements, which also contribute to shaping leaders’ behaviour. The present study concludes that the different combinations of context, in which the leaders operated, and own agency resulted in two varied democratic leaderships.

Advisor: Posada-Carbo, E
In search of lost time: development of rapid magnetic resonance methods to probe time-varying diffusion

Diffusion MR methods are a powerful means to probe tissue microstructural features. Most diffusion MR methods and signal representations, however, do not explicitly acknowledge the inherent time-dependence of diffusion, although it is precisely this time-dependence which reveals the characteristics of the microstructure. More advanced diffusion MR methods have emerged to study time-dependent phenomena. Diffusion exchange spectroscopy (DEXSY) measures exchange between diffusive microenvironments, and temporal diffusion spectroscopy (TDS) measures the time-dependence of diffusion directly. These methods, while powerful, have various limitations, particularly in their high data requirement.
This thesis details the development and validation of rapid, information-rich methods to probe exchange and time-dependent diffusion and which improve upon DEXSY and TDS. To improve upon DEXSY, a rapid sub-sampling scheme called the `curvature' method is developed to isolate exchange from other effects such as restriction, while requiring as few as 5 total acquisitions. The speed of the method enables the study of exchange in near real-time and also permits the study of distributed exchange times, revealing new insights about the nature of exchange in tissue. To improve upon TDS, a single-shot method is developed to probe diffusion over sub-millisecond timescales while also avoiding off-resonance effects, called the static gradient, time-incremented echo train acquisition (SG-TIETA).
The methods are tested using a tabletop, permanent magnet system with a strong static gradient as well as pre-clinical scanners capable of imaging. Studies of simple liquids, tissue phantoms, yeast, ex vivo neonatal mouse spinal cord under various perturbations, and in vivo mice are presented to support the feasibility and utility of the developed methods. Of note, the exchange time is found to be linked to steady-state, metabolic activity in tissue, representing a potentially useful biomarker. Overall, novel diffusion MR methods sensitive to exchange and time-dependent diffusion are developed and validated in a series of pre-clinical experiments.

Keywords: time-dependent diffusion
diffusion magnetic resonance
pre-clinical imaging
exchange
Advisor: Miller, K
Tachrount, M
Basser, P
Total synthesis of complex natural products

Chapter 1 describes the development of a new enantioselective synthesis of prostaglandins employing a recently developed rhodium-catalysed enantio- and diastereoselective Suzuki-Miyaura reaction of aracemic bicyclic allyl chloride and an alkenyl boronic acid. This new synthetic strategy was successfully applied for the preparation of Tafluprost, a synthetic analogue of PGF2α used for the treatment of intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.
Chapter 2 details the development of the enantioselective synthesis of Daphniphyllum alkaloids based on the previous accomplishments of our research group. The combination of palladium/enamine cocatalysed enantioselective synthesis of the morphan core and Michael addition – ketone allylation – ringclosing metathesis sequence enabled a highly convergent total synthesis of Himalensine A. This approach also allowed the formal synthesis of several other members of this family. In addition, the synthesis of Daphlongamine E and Daphniyunnine D was investigated.
Chapter 3 introduces Clavine (Ergot) alkaloids and their previous syntheses before a new synthetic strategy towards this family of natural products is investigated. A convergent synthesis of an advanced tetracyclic intermediate was achieved by utilising the key intermediate from our synthesis of Daphniphyllum alkaloids, unlocking the potential for the collective synthesis of the Clavine alkaloids.

Keywords: daphniphyllum alkaloids
himalensine A
natural products
prostaglandins
enantioselective desymmetrisation
total synthesis
clavine alkaloids
Advisor: Dixon, D
Textiles, furs and liveries : a study of the material culture of the court of Edward I (1272-1307)

The thesis is an attempt to study the place of textile materials and furs in the life of the court of Edward I. The expenditure on such materials was considerable. In order to achieve a regular provisioning, the king relied on the great fairs but, increasingly, on merchant companies. This accompanied a shift of the ‘trade in luxury goods from the fairs to London and it is probable that the purchasing policies of the royal household had a major role in this evolution. The range of techniques involved in the transformation of materials was very wide, and various craftsmen worked for the royal court. Many of them were members of the household, but the great wardrobe also had privileged connections with urban workshops.
Costume and furnishings had a significant function in aristocratic economy and society. The king and his family appeared to their entourage in an apparel stressing the specificity of the royal lineage. Costume also occupied a major place in the exercise of the king’s largesse by way of alms, gifts and liveries. Most members of the royal household were entitled to liveries of robes, in money or in kind. When given in kind, liveries had a specific function as status- or group-sign. Members of the same office, or servants of the same rank would be given cloth of the same colour. It is not certain, however, that colours were fixed, and that liveries were used as a means of recognition in the world of politics and retaining.
The patronage of the king was also marked by the distribution of cloths of gold, in the form of oblations to churches and shrines and of gifts to aspirants to knighthood. Finally, textiles and hides played a major role in the logistics of war and on the battlefield. They were naturally used for the making of tents and other military equipment. But they were also the materials used for the display of emblems.
The symbolism of power has recently received renewed attention from historians, as has the study of the places of power and of the anthropology of power. The history of material culture is one way in which to approach medieval power-structures and, within this context, the study of textile materials and furs may prove to be a valuable approach.

Keywords: Edward the First
liveries
court
furs
Great Britain
Edward I
textiles
costume
material culture
livery
The role of lipid metabolising enzymes in CD1a-associated cutaneous inflammation

Atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis (Ps) are common, relapsing-remitting inflammatory skin diseases that result in increased morbidity and reduced quality of life. CD1a contributes to AD and Ps pathogenesis via the presentation of activating neo-lipid antigens produced by endogenous and exogenous PLA2s (PLA2). In addition, very long chain sphingomyelins (SMs) have been shown to physically antagonise CD1a-T cell receptor (TCR) interactions. Interestingly, both mammals and bacteria can produce sphingomyelinases (SMases), a class of lipid metabolising enzymes, that digests SM into ceramide and phosphorylcholine.
Therefore, we sought to establish whether CD1a neo-lipid antigen generation extends beyond the PLA2 superfamily, by examining the presence of SMase-specific CD1a-dependent T cell activation, which may help to explain the role of bacterial infection in AD. Here, we used a range of techniques including skin RNA sequencing, isoelectric focusing and functional T cell assays. Through bioinformatic analysis, we discovered the elevated expression of mammalian SMase genes, SMPD1 and SMPD3, in addition to PLA2s in AD and Ps lesional tissue. Following this, we identified the capacity for bacterial SMases to degrade CD1a-preferred SMs, with potentiation by the presence of cobalt and nickel, which are two frequently occurring allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) allergens. Additionally, we demonstrated the presence of bacterial SMase-reactive CD1a-dependent T cell responses via upregulation of cytokine production and CD69.
In conclusion, bacterial SMases can effectively digest very long chain inhibitory SMs and stimulate the activation of CD1a-reactive T cells. Additionally, our results suggest that mammalian SMases may similarly contribute to CD1a neo-lipid antigen generation. This thesis expands upon our understanding of the involvement of lipid metabolising enzymes in CD1a-dependent T cell activation and provides support for a hitherto unknown pathway underlying the development skin inflammatory disorders. Therefore, here we present potential novel targets involved in disease initiation which may be amenable for therapeutic modulation.

Keywords: CD1a-reactive t cells
sphingomyelinase
psoriasis
atopic dermatitis
allergic contact dermatitis
CD1a
Advisor: Ogg, G
Simmons, A
Chen, Y