VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Practical error correction codes and near-term algorithms for quantum computation

The development of quantum computers requires not only experimental advances, but also theoretical efforts to tackle the bottlenecks and identify potential applications. This thesis addresses some essential elements in each stage of the development of quantum computers, from the currently available hardware to the long-term devices.
The critical factor that hinders the quantum hardware from performing perfect operations is the presence of noise, however, it can be overcome by error correction codes. We first consider a large-scale quantum processor with asymmetrical noise and preferably a modular structure. By concatenating the surface code with an error-detecting code, and utilising the information from detection with a customised decoder, we find very high thresholds for the designed devices. The second topic is small error correction codes which are more realistic to be implemented in the near future. A measure `integrity' is introduced to benchmark the performance of quantum memories to demonstrate beneficial error correction, associated with four milestones. We show integrity is closely related with other commonly-used measures and can be easily assessed by experimentalists. This framework is then studied in detail in the context of an ion-trap quantum device implemented with the seven qubit code. We present a protocol based on detailed sequences of crystal-reconfiguration operations and stabiliser mappings to perform a full error correction cycle. Realistic error models and parameters from reported works are also given.
While experimental efforts continue to battle against the noise, some hybrid quantum-classical algorithms have been developed to be implemented on the near-term noisy devices. The variational algorithm is one of the hybrid algorithms that have been widely applied to simulations of condensed matter physics and quantum chemistry. In the next chapter, we introduce a variational quantum compiler to automatically search for the encoding circuits of small error correction codes. By tailoring the ansatz to optimise the circuit for particular hardware systems, we show some novel circuits discovered with the compiler. The final chapter applies the variational algorithm to solve linear algebra problems including linear systems of equations and matrix-vector multiplications. We show that the linear algebra problems can be solved with near-term devices, with circuit depth linear to the condition number and super-linear to the number of qubits.

Advisor: Benjamin, S
Essays on genericity

This thesis collects five papers that are connected by the common theme of genericity in natural language, and gives an account of the meaning of generic sentences.
I begin in Chapter 2 by exploring extant versions of the standard modal theory, providing novel considerations in favour of two particular implementations which I build upon in later chapters.
In Chapter 3, I turn to the logical form of generic sentences, which I take to involve covert quantification. I develop a new argument that generics have covert quantificational structure by examining the ramifications of the invalidity of an under-explored logical principle. This argument has deleterious effects for kind-predication theories that eschew quantification.
Chapter 4 considers whether recent research on the primary acquisition of genericity in early child speech poses a problem for the modal theory. I argue that all the acquisition data that rivals theories can accommodate can also be explained by appealing to Universal Grammar, but not vice versa, a fact that counts in favour of the modal theory.
Chapter 5 develops a new semantics for generics which I call the structured theory. The structured theory is comprised of a standard modal semantics (like those given in Chapter 2) together with an algebraic account of plurality in the framework of situation semantics. I argue that the structured theory makes sense of generic conjunctions, like 'Elephants live in Africa and Asia', providing an adequate account of their meaning, and thus undermines the support for alternative semantics.
Chapter 6 investigates novel data concerning sequences of generics, and develops a compositional account of how the dynamics of conversation affects the interpretation of generics, which I call the dynamic theory. The key is to take the meaning of generics to be constrained by the possibilities raised by previously entertained generics. This theory illustrates the need for a dynamic semantics for generics, one that the modal theory comfortably provides.

Keywords: philosophy of language
generics
genericity
formal semantics
Advisor: Elbourne, P
Williamson, T
Spectral and durational unstressed vowel reduction: an acoustic study of monolingual and bilingual speakers of Bulgarian and Turkish

This thesis is an extensive acoustic study of a range of phonetic and phonological phenomena traditionally referred to as unstressed vowel reduction. Five geographically contiguous varieties of two typologically distinct and genealogically unrelated languages, Bulgarian and Turkish, are investigated: two standard varieties, West Bulgarian and Istanbul Turkish, and three varieties from northeast Bulgaria: the Bulgarian and Turkish of a bilingual community, and monolingual East Bulgarian.
Vowels are modelled as three-dimensional objects defined by duration, F1 and F2 frequencies. Unstressed Vowel Shift or the systematic differences between stressed and unstressed realisations, categorical target split and contrast neutralisation are implicationally related yet distinct aspects of traditional vowel reduction which are addressed separately. It is demonstrated that Unstressed Vowel Shift may, but does not have to, result in the phonologisation of a separate unstressed target, which in turn may, but again does not have to, merge with the target of another vowel.
East Bulgarian exhibits the highest degree of overall reduction: Unstressed Vowel Shift is strong and categorical, and results in the unstressed merger of all open–close vowel pairs. Istanbul Turkish lies at the opposite end of a reduction continuum, with only gradient Unstressed Vowel Shift under temporal pressure. West Bulgarian shows different degrees of reduction across vowel pairs. The bilingual varieties reveal intricate patterns of interference: Bilingual Turkish is influenced by East Bulgarian and exhibits greater reduction than both Istanbul Turkish and Bilingual Bulgarian, the latter displaying little reduction as a result of substratal Turkish transfer.
In addition to providing an in-depth analysis of Unstressed Vowel Shift in multiple varieties, the thesis investigates claims of typological incompatibility between vowel harmony and reduction, Unstressed Vowel Shift in the context of language contact, the phonological status of Unstressed Vowel Shift, the nature of phonological rules, and emergent features, which prove useful for modelling processes at different stages of phonologisation, as well as hybrid structure that arises in language contact. A number of previous claims about Bulgarian and Turkish phonology are refuted.

Keywords: vowel contrast
Bulgarian
unstressed vowel reduction
acoustics of lexical stress
Turkish
contrast neutralisation
vowel merger
incomplete neutralisation
language contact
bilingualism
Advisor: Payne, EM
Cell therapy: enhancing the therapeutic potential of a cardiac stromal cell population for delivery after myocardial infarction using miR-210

Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death globally and are a major contributor to reduced quality of life. Despite the development of improved pharmacological therapy and surgical interventions, myocardial infarction (MI) still has a poor prognosis. Therefore, the search for new treatment strategies is becoming increasingly urgent. Many avenues have been under investigation, but this thesis addressed the use of cardiac cell therapy to repair the heart after MI. Cell therapy using cardiac stromal or progenitor populations emerged about two decades ago. However, the identity of these populations has been under debate and the field has been hindered by limitations that include low cell retention following transplantation. Firstly, this thesis aimed to characterise a slowly adhering population of unsorted stromal cells isolated from adult mouse atrial appendages using a collagenase and trypsin protocol (CTs). CTs were compared to other atrial stromal populations including the cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs), which have been shown to have a therapeutic effect in pre-clinical models of MI. Single-cell qRT-PCR revealed that CTs resembled CDCs in the expression of cardiogenic transcription factors but were also enriched for Tcf21 and the macrophage-associated genes Mrc1 and Csf1r.
Secondly, I investigated the overexpression of miR-210, as a pro-survival miRNA, in our population of interest, the CTs. In vitro studies showed that miR-210 has an anti-apoptotic effect and a role in downregulating mitochondrial autophagy and fission. Moreover, miR-210 partially rescued the gene expression profile of CTs that shifted following starvation and enhanced their paracrine potential. Finally, we tested the ability of miR-210 to enhance the retention of CTs in vivo in a mouse MI model but did not find a significant improvement. In summary, this thesis provides valuable insights into the heterogeneity of cardiac stromal populations, the mechanisms of action of miR-210, and the use of this miRNA to enhance the therapeutic potential of cells for cardiac cell therapy.

Advisor: Carr, C
Smart, N
Energy levels in organic semiconductors: tuning and doping

The energy level tuning effect, observed when mixing halogenated versions of similar molecules, has recently been identified as a new way to modify the bulk ionisation energy and electron affinity of an organic semiconducting thin film, and increase the open-circuit voltage in organic solar cells. In this thesis, the energy level tuning effect is extended to organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). A method for the fabricating ambipolar devices with balanced hole and electron transport is established. This is achieved by using blends of two host molecules, zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) and its eight-times fluorinated derivative (F8ZnPc), with energy levels that shift based on mixing ratio. The semiconducting behaviour of the bottom-gate bottom-contact OFETs can be tuned continuously from unipolar p-type, through ambipolar, and finally to unipolar n-type. For the ambipolar devices, the optimum balance between the hole and electron mobilities is found for the blend of 1:1.5 weight ratio of ZnPc:F8ZnPc with hole and electron mobilities of (8.3 ± 0.2)×10 −7 cm2V−1s−1 and (5.5 ± 0.1)×10−7 cm2V−1s−1 , respectively. An application of the ambipolar devices in a complementary-like voltage inverter circuit, with performance comparable to an inverter based on separate ZnPc and F8ZnPc OFETs, is demonstrated.
Next, a p-dopant (F6-TCNNQ) is introduced into the blend of ZnPc: F8ZnPc to investigate the impact of the energy level tuning effect on the molecular doping process. The doping efficiency is investigated using photothermal deflection spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and is found to depend upon host mixing ratio. The experimentally observed trend is explained with a statistical model that includes both shifts of the host’s ionisation energies, and, importantly, the electron affinity of the dopant. The energy level shift in the model is in close agreement with the 0.86 eV shift in ionisation energy observed experimentally. As further validation, the model reproduces the measured trend at low temperature. The energy level tuning effect therefore has a crucial impact on the molecular doping process. The practice of comparing host and dopant energy levels must consider the long-range electrostatic shifts to consistently explain the doping mechanism in organic semiconductors.

Keywords: Electronic properties and materials
Organic electronics
Organic field-effect transistors
Organic semiconductors
Molecular doping
Molecular energy levels
Advisor: Riede, M
Nelson, J
The making of Philip’s Macedonia: The archaeology of the Macedonian kingdom from the Persian Wars to the fall of Perdiccas III (c.510-359BC)

This thesis aims to present and examine the archaeological material from the Macedonian kingdom between c.510 and 359 in order to provide an insight into Macedonian society, culture and religion at this time. This period is often neglected by scholars since it is bookended by the wealthy burials of the late sixth century, and Philip II’s rise to power and subsequent domination of the Hellenic world. Given this broad remit, the main body of the study is divided into four chapters, each of which deals with a discrete archaeological context or class of material.
Chapter two examines the evidence from settlement contexts, considering factors such as settlement location, layout, and the use of landscape, looking in particular at the exploitation of topographical features and natural resources. The architectural remains from the period, although limited, are also surveyed. This evidence is used to examine the extent to which the Macedonian kingdom can be considered ‘urbanised’ during the period under study, which is then assessed against the opinion promulgated in ancient literary sources that the region was urbanised only during the reign of Philip II.
The third chapter focuses on the mortuary evidence. The burial customs and eschatological beliefs of the Macedonians are explored through an examination of the treatment of the body and the choice of burial rite, tomb type and grave furnishings. The objects placed in the grave are also studied to establish how they were affected by factors such as the age, gender and socio-economic status of the deceased, since this provides an insight into how the Macedonians perceived and presented themselves.
In the fourth chapter, an analysis of the material relating to religion and cult is undertaken to ascertain the use of sanctuaries and cult spaces in the Macedonian kingdom, and glean an insight into Macedonian religious customs and beliefs. The resulting narrative is then compared to what is known of the better documented late Classical period, in order to establish whether the religious phenomena apparent from the reign of Philip II were rooted in earlier traditions.
Finally, a diachronic survey of the regal issues of the Macedonian kings is used to examine the economic position of the Macedonian kingdom during their reigns. Within this, the denominations and weight standard on which such coins were minted is analysed to establish the markets for which they were intended. The types chosen for Macedonian regal coins are additionally used to elucidate the cultural and political ideologies of the kings who issued them.

Keywords: Macedonia
Ancient history
Classical archaeology
Advisor: Stamatopoulou, M
Towards the synthesis and delivery of a halogenated MCT1 substrate

The monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) has received special attention as a potential therapeutic target in cancer thanks to its role in lactate shuttling. In breast cancer (BC), high MCT1 expression has been correlated with basal-like phenotype and a ‘triple-negative’ status, an aggressive subgroup of tumours with no identified molecular targets.
In this thesis, MCT1 was targeted with a brominated pyruvate derivative, 3-bromobyruvate (3BP). 3BP is an alkylating agent known to inhibit glycolysis. Here, it was shown that 3BP is selectively toxic to cells expressing MCT1. Metabolomics, used to investigate metabolic effects, is a high-throughput, unbiased approach that requires no assumptions on possible targets. Inhibition of glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase (GADPH), an established 3BP target, was confirmed. Accumulation of pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) intermediates, inhibition of nucleotide synthesis, ATP and thiol-based antioxidant depletion were found to be profound in MCT1- expressing cells.
The reactivity of 3BP towards thiols necessitates the use of a delivery system. 3BP was encapsulated in cavitation-sensitive liposomes and co-administered with lipid microbubbles (MBs) as ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs). Ultrasound locally triggers the release of the therapeutic, which was confirmed using an in vitro apparatus developed in house.
With radiotherapy being one of the main modalities used in BC treatment, the next question was whether a radio-labelled therapeutic agent could be delivered via MCT1. A radio-iodinated lactate derivative (‘123I-HPLA’) was synthesised and tested for selectivity towards MCT1- expressing cells with positive outcomes.
Finally, Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) MBs were investigated for the development of a novel delivery system. Clinically relevant ultrasound pressures resulted in persistent cavitation, fragmentation and accelerated monomer release from PLGA MBs.
The findings of this study support the use of small halogenated carboxylic acids to selectively target MCT1 and addresses the delivery challenges associated with such compounds.

Keywords: 3-bromopyruvate
ultrasound
radionuclides
microbubbles
liposomes
drug delivery
monocarboxylate transporter 1
Advisor: Vallis, K
Carlisle, R
The electrochemistry of organic nanoparticles

This thesis presents the experimental work with the main aim of developing a new approach for the study and characterization of organic nanoparticles by using electrochemical method in aqueous solution.
The first chapter introduces the principles and techniques of electrochemistry while the second chapter gives a brief introduction to the synthesis of organic nanoparticles, the modification of electrodes and the monitor of organic nanoparticles via electrochemical and existing characterization techniques.
This thesis reports the experimental work on detecting a variety of organic nanoparticles synthesized by reprecipitation method via two main electrochemical methods. For stripping voltammetry, the reduction/oxidation potential of organic nanoparticles in aqueous solution was obtained and the number of electrons transferred was quantified by analytical expressions for reductive/oxidative peaks. For the novel electrochemical method “nano-impacts”, a suitable potentiostatted electrode is immersed in an organic nanoparticles solution so that reduction/ oxidation of a single organic nanoparticle upon its collision on the surface of the electrode. It is shown that this method is capable to characterize the size of monomeric organic nanoparticles and bifunctional organic nanoparticles, the doping of polymeric nanoparticles and the ion-insertion of individual organic nanoparticles. Sticking and stripping technique was also successfully applied to quantify and immobilize the polymeric nanoparticles in aqueous solution.

Advisor: Compton, R
Physical Education lesson intensity and complexity affect subsequent on-task behaviour in the primary school classroom

Objectives: To investigate the effect of (i) Physical Education (PE) lesson intensity and (ii) skill complexity, (iii) their interaction on students’ on-task behaviour in the classroom, (iv) the role of individual differences in the effect of PE lesson intensity and complexity on on-task behaviour, and (v) the mediation of this effect by emotion states.
Method: Participants were children (N=101, age 7-11) recruited from four primary schools in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom. The intervention consisted of manipulating the aerobic intensity (low/medium/high) and skill complexity (low/high) of PE lessons. Children participated in all six conditions of the experiment: low intensity/low complexity (flexibility), medium intensity/low complexity (health related exercise), high intensity/low complexity (sprinting games), low intensity/high complexity (bi-lateral ball skills), medium intensity/high complexity (ball games), high intensity/high complexity (aerobics). Children’s behaviour in the classroom was observed every 30 seconds for 25 minutes before and after each PE lesson and rated as on-task or off-task. Participants completed self-reports on tablets three times per classroom lesson and once at the end of each PE lesson. Behaviour was analysed with multilevel models, as well as individual differences in participants’ response to physical activity (PA). Mediation through emotion states was investigated with structural equation models.
Results: No main effect of complexity on on-task behaviour was observed. No main effect of intensity on children’s on-task behaviour was found, although on-task behaviour after high-intensity PE lessons was significantly higher than before PE (χ(high intensity)2=4.834, p<0.05), the effect size did not reach the cut-off for a small effect (d=0.19, OR=1.41). There was an interaction effect of intensity and complexity, and high intensity/high complexity was the only condition to reach significance (χ(high-high)2=12.197, p<0.001) and had an effect size greater than d=0.2 (d=0.33, OR=1.82). There were individual differences in participants’ response to PA; those with the lowest attainment level and those who were least on-task before PE had the strongest response to PA, and girls had a more positive response than boys. There was no significant mediation of the relationship between PE lesson content and subsequent on-task behaviour by emotion states or PE lesson enjoyment.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that participation in PE lessons can improve children’s on-task behaviour in the classroom, in particular for those students with low levels of on-task behaviour. PE lessons involving high complexity and high intensity appear to have the greatest benefits for students’ behaviour in the classroom.

Advisor: Malmberg, L
Strand, S
Royalist Virtuosi: James VII and the patronage of learning in Scotland 1679-1689

This thesis examines learned activity in Scotland between 1679 and 1689, with reference to its political and intellectual circumstances. During this decade, Scotland saw extensive patronage and institutionalisation of the learned professions. Professional men of letters sought, and benefited from, the patronage of James, Duke of Albany and York, and King, to enhance their identity and status. Such aspirations included the ‘advancement of learning’ in Scotland, led by ‘Royalist virtuosi’.
The patronage of learned activity in the 1680s responded to and accelerated existing aspirations among the professional classes in Scotland. Its form, its objects and its methods were shaped by the political and ideological contexts of the Stuart monarchy, and influenced by links with the pre-war court and by developments in England and Europe.
The thesis examines contemporary printed works, primary sources published subsequently, and manuscript correspondence, notes, and collections of documents, to build a comprehensive picture of the patronage of learned activity, its motivation and effects. These sources are placed in historiographical context to illuminate what is distinctive about Scottish learned activity during this decade.
Chapter One considers the significance to the patronage of learning of Stuart ideology and political praxis. Chapters Two and Three examine the ‘advancement of learning’, and its patronage, in medicine and law, discussing the influence of geographical, historical, political and social contexts on professional institution building, and on the structure and subject matter of related work and publications. Chapter Four compares this with the patronage of learned activity in the church and universities, and in the city of Edinburgh. In Chapter Five, this activity is situated in the domestic tradition of the ‘virtuoso’, and in extensive connections with the ‘republic of letters’ in England and Europe. The Conclusion looks at the longer-term effect of the patronage.

Keywords: Scotland
Virtuosi
Scientific Revolution
C17
Patronage of learning
Professions
Advisor: Tapsell, G