VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Rethinking representation and European integration

In representative democracy the chain of political legitimacy runs from voters to governments through votes cast at elections. In order for representation to occur, political parties must offer distinct policy platforms that citizens consider in their vote choices. This thesis examines whether citizens are adequately represented within the European Union. It finds that although representation on left-right issues occurs, it does not occur for European integration preferences.
Over the course its history, European integration has changed from being primarily an economic issue to a social issue. This separation from the primary axis of political competition has increased the need for representation on EU issues directly. Political parties have polarised over European integration providing increased choice, but voters have not engaged with the issue. Examining how voters process party signals about policy positions shows that very few are affected by signals on the EU. Accounting for voters' cognitive biases suggests that the influence of EU issues in European Parliament elections has been overestimated and is non-existent in most member-states.
As direct democracy might offer an alternative to inadequate representation this thesis examines why referendums have been held on the EU but finds that they are largely driven by governments' desire to contain the threat of EU issues at national elections, further undermining representation.
However, as a result of institutional differences between national and European Parliament elections rather than the emergence of the EU as an electoral issue, the size of party systems at European Parliament elections has grown considerably over successive elections in many member-states, a change that has fed into national party systems. Although representation on EU issues is inadequate, the expansion of European party systems and the redrawing of the lines of political competition offers some hope that representation on EU issues might improve in the future.

Keywords: Democratic deficit
European Union
Representation
Advisor: Evans, G
Investigating the role of the Crh gene family in Magnaporthe oryzae on cell wall integrity and fungal virulence

The rice blast disease caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae causes significant annual crop losses of up to 30%. The fungal specific cell wall is a potential antifungal target due to the external location and importance to fungal survival and morphogenesis. The skeletal framework of the cell wall is made from glucan chains cross-linked with chitin, facilitated by the Congo Red Hypersensitivity (Crh) enzyme. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, ΔCrh1/ΔUtr2 mutants exhibit reduced wall integrity and the same is observed in Candida albicans, with reduced virulence in a mammalian host. Little is known about the cell wall in fungal plant pathogens and nothing of the Crh orthologs.
Bioinformatics revealed five M. oryzae Crh-like genes lying in two clades. Gene expression analyses revealed up to four-fold elevated expression of MGG_Crh2 and MGG_Utr2 when grown under cell wall stress. Consistently, the corresponding deletant strains showed hypersensitivity towards cell wall perturbants and was attributed to a loss in cell wall rigidity. Cell wall analysis of the mutant ΔΔMGG_Crh2_Utr2 revealed changes in the cell wall composition consistent with the reduction of Crhp activity and activation of cell wall compensatory mechanism often observed in a compromised cell wall. Furthermore, eGFP-tagged MGG_Crh2p showed localisation to the lateral cell wall with high accumulation at septum and polarised growth sites, consistent with sites of chitin accumulation. These mutants are, however, able to form normal infective structures and are fully pathogenic on susceptible rice cultivars.
In conclusion, the Crh gene family in M. oryzae is important for cell wall integrity by the cross-linking of chitin to glucan, but dispensable for virulence. Future work should explore the compensatory mechanism of other cell wall proteins in the ΔΔMGG_Crh2_Utr2 as this could shed light on the potential for targeting multiple cell wall components in a synergistic approach to confer effective disease control.

Keywords: glucan
fungal cell wall
chitin
fungi
congo red
rice blast
rice disease
GH 16
GPI
cell wall
crh
MGG_Crh2
magnaporthe oryzae
phytopathogen
cell wall protein
Advisor: Gurr, S
Preston, G
Kelly, S
The genetic control of rhizoid development in  the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha

The first land plants faced a harsh terrestrial environment when they emerged from the water over 470 million years ago, and one of the key adaptations that allowed them radiate across the land was the development of a rooting system. To investigate the genetic mechanism that controlled the differentiation of rooting cells in ancient land plants, I carried out a mutant screen to identify genes that regulate rhizoid development in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha, a member of the earliest-diverging lineage of land plants.
I used insertional mutagenesis to generate a population of 105,000 lines from which I selected 61 mutants with defects in rhizoid development, and identified 10 genes that are part of the network of genes that influence the differentiation and growth of rhizoids. Eight of these are late-acting genes that are required for the elongation of rhizoids by tip growth, while two are transcription factors that direct early events in the adoption of rhizoid fate. I identified the bHLH transcription factor MpROOT HAIR DEFECTIVE 6-LIKE1 (MpRSL1) as a key regulator of rhizoid differentiation, as gain-of-function mutations in MpRSL1 cause rhizoids to develop in ectopic locations. The homologues of MpRSL1 in the angiosperm Arabidopsis and the moss Physcomitrella control the differentiation of their root hairs and rhizoids, respectively, which suggests that a gene regulatory network that included RSL genes controlled the development of filamentous rooting cells in the last common ancestor of all land plants. I also identified MpWIP, which encodes a member of a plant-specific family of zinc finger proteins, as a putative regulator of the development of both rhizoids and the cells of the air pore complex, a second specialized epidermal cell type. WIP genes have not been implicated in the control of rooting cell development in other species, so this role in Marchantia may be either inherited from the earliest land plants or a derived character.
This work demonstrates the suitability of M. polymorpha as a subject for large-scale mutageneses and screens for gene discovery. The genes I have found to be involved in rhizoid development indicate that the last common ancestor of all land plants already possessed a gene regulatory network that controlled the development of rooting cells, and that at least some of its components, such as RSL genes, have been conserved in its descendents since the divergence of the liverworts and other land plants.

Keywords: Marchantia
Advisor: Dolan, L
Elucidating the role of detergents, lipids and post-translational modifications in membrane protein stability by mass spectrometry

Mass spectrometry in combination with ion mobility are utilised to characterise the stability of membrane proteins in the gas phase and to elucidate protein-lipid interactions. Detergents are most commonly used to transport membrane proteins from solution into the gas phase. Using a set of membrane proteins solubilised in several detergents, an ionisation mechanism of membrane protein-detergent complexes is proposed. This suggests that detergents serve as charge carriers in both positive and negative polarity. A better understanding of the underlying mechanism allows the identification of detergents that are removed at low energies and reduce Coulombic repulsion. The activation energy and charge density are found to be important parameters that dictate the stability of membrane proteins in the gas phase, allowing conditions to be found that preserve native-like conformations.
The stability of membrane proteins in the gas phase is also influenced by bound lipids. Methods to identify endogenous lipids directly from membrane protein-lipid complexes were developed. The stability provided by lipid binding is quantified allowing the identification of lipids that enhance the stability of particular membrane proteins. Ionic protein-lipid interactions are investigated in the context of variability in pH. Protonation of acidic residues plays an important role in selectivity of lipid binding and enhances the stability at low pH of active conformations present in physiological conditions.
The methods developed are used to determine the oligomeric state of cytochrome c oxidase, pushing the boundaries of what is possible with non-denaturing mass spectrometry to the study of highly complex mammalian membrane proteins. By preserving non-covalent interactions in the gas phase evidence of equilibrium between monomeric and dimeric species of cytochrome c oxidase is found. Mass deviations can be attributed to a large lipid entity suggesting the role of lipids in stabilising the native oligomeric state. Using conventional mass spectrometry methods new lipids and phosphorylation sites are identified. Acetylation sites that have not been reported previously were located in close proximity to the dimeric interface, suggesting a potential role in stabilising this large dimeric interface.

Keywords: Mass Spectrometry
Advisor: Robinson, C
Scribal culture and the composition of Deuteronomy 28: intertextuality, influence and the Aramaic curse tradition

It is often noted that Deuteronomy 28 seems to parallel portions of a Neo-Assyrian treaty, ‘The Succession Treaty of Esarhaddon’, known as EST. However, while there are undeniably points of similarity between Deuteronomy 28 and EST, affinities to Deuteronomy 28 may also be found in curses from Old Aramaic epigraphs of the first-millennium. In this thesis I consider the relationship of Deuteronomy 28 to the curse traditions of the ancient Near East. I argue that the crux of the issue is the linguistic means of the transmission of these ancient Near Eastern curse traditions to Deuteronomy. Consideration of this is then the prerequisite to a study of the cultural means of transmission: treatments of this problem must encompass a far broader range of materials than hitherto considered, including the Old Aramaic inscriptions. My primary aim in this context is to ascertain whether we may characterize the relation of all these texts to Deuteronomy as one of influence or of intertextuality – terminological categories which I introduce in order to clarify the exact nature of the problem with more precision than that of previous studies. Ultimately it will be found that Deuteronomy 28 reflects a complex interplay between Mesopotamian and Levantine traditions, against previous interpreters who had referred Deuteronomy 28 to an exclusively Mesopotamian horizon. Nevertheless, we cannot consider this interplay to have stemmed from the influence of any one Old Aramaic or Mesopotamian text such as EST in terms of a direct literary connection. Rather, as putative Aramaic vectors of mediation must be posited between the Mesopotamian tradition and Deuteronomy due to the linguistic competence of Judaean scribes in the late monarchic period, this must be understood as a relationship of intertextuality. While the specific literary (or ritual) Vorlage is thus unreconstructable in terms of the documentary evidence, we can nevertheless hypothesize what the Northwest Semitic curse tradition from which this Vorlage was a part may have looked like, based upon the textual traditions to which we do have access – and this tradition is reflected in Deuteronomy 28.

Keywords: Scribal Culture
Curses
Old Aramaic
Book of Deuteronomy
Advisor: Barton, J
The Watch Tower movement in south central Africa, 1908-1945

The Watch Tower movement was a millennial social movement which was popular in Nyasaland, Southern and Northern Rhodesia, and the Belgian Congo, and in parts of the countries bordering these territories, between the two world wars. It derived its doctrine initially from the writings of Charles Russell, the founder of one of the largest sects of the twentieth century, the Jehovah's Witnesses. The African Watch Tower however was largely independent of the Jehovah's Witnesses, although this body attempted to establish its control in central Africa, and its ideology and organisation changed and developed in accordance with local conditions. While some similarities in the conditions of rapid urbanisation which surrounded the origins of the Jehovah's Witnesses in America, and the Watch Tower in Africa, may be discerned, its political and historical role was a very different one. Spread by labour migrants moving between employment centres and from the village to the urban compound, the Watch Tower contributed to the new forms of association which enabled workers to protest against their conditions of employment, and assisted in spreading a pan-Africanist consciousness which was a significant current in the development of anti-colonial nationalism. It was not only an urban movement, but also selectively influenced the countryside, where external factors and the nature of local social organisations were favourable. It spread rapidly, in a wide variety of forms, and with little formality regarding who was or was not a member, but retained a central core of ideas and an organisational structure, which allows the movement to be treated as a unity.
Continued in thesis ... .

Keywords: bible
tract
watch
witnesses
Jehovah's
tower
Africa
society
Advisor: Hodgkin, T
The development of a new elite in Ceylon, with special reference to educational and occupational background, 1910-1931

One of the consequences of British rule in Ceylon was the gradual disintegration of the traditional social order with its structure of authority and influence. In the traditional social system, power and prestige were derived from caste and kinship. The caste system restricted the life chances of individuals to very narrow limits, and the authority of the traditional elite, comprising of 'high caste' royal officials, was theoretically inviolable. But British rule changed all this. The administrative and economic changes introduced in the 19th century, together with English education, offered the individual new avenues for social advancement. Since English was the language of administration, proficiency in English became indispensible for government employment. The English educated 'colonial elite' of government servants (and in the course of time, professional men) acted as intermediaries between the small cadre of British officials who represented the raj in Ceylon and the masses. This new elite who owed their social position mainly to western education, came to eclipse in power and prestige the old nobility. This process of change in native leadership developed gradually but steadily in the 19th century and by the turn of this century the western educated community had emerged as an important element of Ceylonese society. This study shows their development in the period, 1910-1931, primarily, in terms of their growing involvement in public life and the increasing access to political power. In 1910 the western educated had little political influence, but they were considered sufficiently important and distinct to be given separate representation in the Legislative Council. After 1931, with universal franchise, the masses also participated in political activity. But the years in between saw the political scene dominated almost exclusively by the new elite. This period was chosen for study because it was in these two decades that the western educated elite developed into a position of undisputed leadership in the Ceylonese community.
[Abstract continues in thesis]

Keywords: British Colonial Rule
Sri Lanka,
Elites
The role of nucleoprotein in transcription and replication of the Influenza virus genome

The eight vRNA genome segments of influenza A virus are bound by the viral RNA polymerase at the 5' and 3' ends, and associated with oligomeric nucleoprotein (NP) to form viral ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) complexes. These vRNP complexes carry out both viral transcription and replication within the nucleus of the host cell. The role of NP in viral transcription and replication, although essential, is not well understood. The findings presented in this thesis support a role for NP in the elongation phase of viral transcription and replication, but suggest that NP does not play a role in the regulation of initiation or termination of replication and transcription by the viral RNA polymerase. For NP to support elongation, it has to be recruited onto the viral RNA and oligomerise, to form a RNP complex. NP is likely to exist in a monomeric state, in the infected cell, prior to being recruited into the vRNP. The data presented here demonstrates that NP recruitment onto the viral RNA is mediated through NP-NP homooligomerisation and that oligomerisation of NP, within the infected cell, is regulated by reversible phosphorylation within the oligomerisation domain. In addition to this, compatibility between NP and the viral polymerase is essential for NP to support RNA polymerase activity. The N-terminus of NP is not required for this compatibility; however, evidence points towards loops within NP, responsible for RNA and polymerase binding, playing a role in the interplay between the RNA polymerase and NP within the RNP complex. Overall, this work provides new mechanistic insights into the assembly and regulation of viral RNP complexes.

Advisor: Fodor, E
Vreede, F
New developments in robotic fibre positioning for astronomical multi-object spectroscopy

This thesis presents two bodies of work, both related to automated optical fibre positioning in highly-multiplexed astronomical instrumentation.
Part one concerns the development and prototyping of a pick-and-place fibre positioner for WEAVE, a new 1000-fibre spectrograph for the 4.2 m William Herschel Telescope. This research has helped shape the positioner's final design and has included development of three novel techniques to enhance predicted performance: i) a scheme for automatically calibrating the fibre measurement system; ii) an algorithm for finding the centre of an imaged fibre with superior accuracy and speed; and iii) a robot motion control scheme to greatly reduce field reconfiguration time. Following these developments, and with rigorous testing of the proposed industrial robotic components, it is found that the performance of the positioner is likely to meet WEAVE's scientific requirements.
Part two of this thesis presents a new design of piezoelectric motor for 'tilting spine' fibre positioners. Tilting spine technology already allows simultaneous positioning of fibres in high-density fields, but has two significant drawbacks: i) fibres are tilted, resulting in optical losses; and ii) actuators require signal amplitudes of &GT;100 V, placing performance-degrading limitations on the control system. The new motor has a more efficient mechanism and a drive voltage of just ±9 V, allowing new control approaches that vastly improve the technology's capabilities. Prototyping has shown a closed-loop positioning accuracy of &LT;2.8 μm, lower than any other published technique. A 50% reduction in optical loss is shown to be feasible by trading some accuracy for a spine length increase. It follows that any survey using this motor would have a higher signal-to-noise ratio and/or would complete faster than with the existing technology.

Keywords: astronomical instrumentation
pick-and-place positioning
fibre-fed spectroscopy
piezo actuators
micro-positioning
multiple-object spectroscopy
piezoelectric motors
massively-multiplexed
Advisor: Dalton, G
Lewis, I
Building the plane as you fly it: young diasporan engagement in Ethiopian development

This thesis explores the relationship between identity, social interaction, and social practice, through a case study of young diasporans of Ethiopian origin (YDEOs) from North America and their engagements in Ethiopian development initiatives. Specifically, I examine the ways in which people of Ethiopian descent born and/or raised in Canada and the U.S. construct a diasporic identity and engage with Ethiopian development initiatives through a mutually constitutive process. My methods were qualitative and involved conducting semi-structured in-depth interviews with 55 YDEOs and attending 8 community events in Toronto, Washington, D.C., and Addis Ababa. All of the YDEOs I interviewed had actively engaged in initiatives (based in North America or Ethiopia) intended to contribute towards the social, political, and/or economic development of Ethiopia.
Their initiatives included fundraising events, establishing local NGOs, volunteer missions, and taking professional positions within the Ethiopian development sector, among others. Utilising an interactionist theoretical framework, I unpack YDEO motivations for engaging in Ethiopian development, the nature of the development activities themselves, and the ways in which these experiences have shaped YDEO relationships, identities, and trajectories in life so far.
Engaging in Ethiopian development was rarely expressed as an extension of a pre-existing sense of Ethiopian patriotism; rather, YDEOs used these practices to explore, test, or build a sense of connection to their country of origin. Further, the development framework made it possible for them to forge a relationship that also resonated with their other social identities, and could even be leveraged to further other personal and professional goals. YDEO engagements in Ethiopian development were not simply interventions; they were fundamentally social processes defined by social interactions. In the process of organising fundraising events, volunteering at orphanages, and working on project reports, YDEOs were also building personal connections, gaining social capital, and redefining attitudes towards their families, communities, development, and Ethiopia itself.
This thesis contributes an in-depth and critical analysis of the diaspora/development nexus – a nexus that emerges as a contested space, where people act and are acted upon, where identities are reified and transformed, and where institutions and social structures are both strengthened and challenged. The insights from migrant descendant experiences, such as YDEOs, highlights the ways in which diasporic identities take shape and are imbued with meaning through social practice, and how these practices are connected to broader human psychosocial needs, aspirations, and behaviours.

Keywords: Social Practice
Migrant Descendants
Critical Development Studies
Diaspora Engagement
Advisor: Bakewell, O