VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
La Nava de San Miguel

This thesis, based on extensive fieldwork (from 1978 to 1985) at La Nava de San Miguel, a village in the province of Avila in central Spain, attempts to demonstrate six main points:
1. That the continued vitality of the village as a community is based on the economic factors of possession of large summer and autumn pastures near the village, transhumance to winter pastures over the mountains in Extremadura, the cattle market at nearby El Barco de Avila, and virtual self-subsistance, all of which enable the villagers to maintain themselves as cattle raisers; and to the strength of: a) the village ideal of co-operation embodied in the use of the common known as the 'Sierra de Socios', the transhumant groups and the systems organized by the 'torno'; and b) the village ideal of mutual assistance shown at hay-making, pig-killing, and other aspects of daily life in the village.
2. That all co-operative institutions inside the village are organized by the principle of the 'torno', by which rights and obligations to these co-operative institutions rotate cyclically ('like a wheel which turns endlessly') and the village itself is conceived of by its inhabitants as essentially having no beginning and no end.
3. That the co-operative institution outside the village (the transhumant group which goes to the winter pastures in Extremadura) is not organized by the 'torno', since the villagers are members of the transhumant groups as individuals, free to change from one group to another, and decisions made by these groups are not controlled by the village as a community.
4. That the villagers conceptually divide the village and the surrounding territory into the 'realm of the men' (apart from the bar, outside the village) and the 'realm of the women' (inside the village).
5. That the people of La Nava conceptualize the world as consisting essentially of two parts: the complementary halves of themselves (their village and their region) and the land across the mountains to the south of them, Extremadura. The villagers radically contrast their village - regarded as cold, dark, and lacking in fertility - with the warmth, sun, and fertility of Extremadura.
6. That unlike affairs in the village organized to ensure continuity and equity by the principle of the 'torno' and following a movement of rotation, all relations with Extremadura are considered to move up and down in a lineal direction to ensure fertility and life when these are lacking in the village.
The thesis consists of four chapters:
Chapter I looks at the physical situation, climatic conditions, historical background, and other introductory information; Chapter II examines the socioeconomic institutions of the village - the 'Sierra de Socios', the systems of 'tornos' for herding the goats, irrigating the fields, etc.; Chapter III deals with the annual cycle of transhumance to and from Extremadura; and Chapter IV examines the 'world-view' of the villagers of La Nava - especially the symbolic aspects of this - and, in particular, the perception they have of their own identity in relation to Extremadura.
Calcium isotopes in sheep dental enamel: a new approach to studying weaning and dairying in the archaeological record

Calcium isotope ratios (44Ca/42Ca) have shown promise as a milk dietary tracer. Previous studies have focused on bone but, due to homeostatic processes, δ44/42Ca values are highly variable. This has greatly complicated the identification of mammal milk consumption through bone analysis, resulting in a search for an alternative. This thesis describes controlled studies to assess the effects of milk consumption on δ44/42Ca values in bulk and sequential samples of dental enamel, using modern samples from Yorkshire, England, the Isle of Hoy, Scotland, and archaeological samples from Abu Hureyra, Syria. The samples from Yorkshire consisted of dental enamel, ewe milk, feed and bone. Dental enamel was sampled from the Hoy sheep.
Milk and plants are the greatest contributors of calcium in the mammal diet. Feed and ewe milk samples confirmed that milk has lower δ44/42Ca values than plants in the diet, and with a common diet between ewes, uniform milk δ44/42Ca values are produced. Also, there is a significant difference between bulk molar enamel δ44/42Ca values between males and females, with males having higher values. Additionally, analysis of bulk and sequential samples of Hoy mature sheep molar enamel, although mass fractionation effects were small, produced δ44/42Ca values with a clear isotopic offset between the enamel likely formed during nursing, weaning and the full conversion to a plant diet. The δ44/42Ca values, once associated with dental development chronologies, led to the identification of a clear pattern of nursing and weaning in the enamel of the first and second molars of sheep with known dietary and weaning histories. The modern results were used to identify patterns of ancient nursing and weaning. Although evidence was insufficient to establish early weaning of the Abu Hureyra sheep, this research successfully established the potential of this approach for investigating milk production and consumption in the archaeological record.

Keywords: weaning
Neolithic
dairying
bone
milk
dental enamel
Calcium isotopes
Advisor: Lee-Thorp, J
Hedges, R
Biomechanically informed nonlinear speech signal processing

Linear digital signal processing based around linear, time-invariant systems theory finds substantial application in speech processing. The linear acoustic source-filter theory of speech production provides ready biomechanical justification for using linear techniques. Nonetheless, biomechanical studies surveyed in this thesis display significant nonlinearity and non-Gaussinity, casting doubt on the linear model of speech production. In order therefore to test the appropriateness of linear systems assumptions for speech production, surrogate data techniques can be used. This study uncovers systematic flaws in the design and use of exiting surrogate data techniques, and, by making novel improvements, develops a more reliable technique. Collating the largest set of speech signals to-date compatible with this new technique, this study next demonstrates that the linear assumptions are not appropriate for all speech signals. Detailed analysis shows that while vowel production from healthy subjects cannot be explained within the linear assumptions, consonants can. Linear assumptions also fail for most vowel production by pathological subjects with voice disorders. Combining this new empirical evidence with information from biomechanical studies concludes that the most parsimonious model for speech production, explaining all these findings in one unified set of mathematical assumptions, is a stochastic nonlinear, non-Gaussian model, which subsumes both Gaussian linear and deterministic nonlinear models. As a case study, to demonstrate the engineering value of nonlinear signal processing techniques based upon the proposed biomechanically-informed, unified model, the study investigates the biomedical engineering application of disordered voice measurement. A new state space recurrence measure is devised and combined with an existing measure of the fractal scaling properties of stochastic signals. Using a simple pattern classifier these two measures outperform all combinations of linear methods for the detection of voice disorders on a large database of pathological and healthy vowels, making explicit the effectiveness of such biomechanically-informed, nonlinear signal processing techniques.

Keywords: speech
nonlinearity
discriminant analysis
surrogates
voice
time series
signal
Advisor: Roberts, S
McSharry, P
Moroz, I
Structural and electronic properties of metal oxides

Metal oxides are of immense technological importance. Their wide variety of structural and electronic characteristics leads to a flexibility unrivalled by other groups of materials. However, there is still much debate about the fundamental properties of some of the most widely used oxides, including TiO2 and In2O3. This work presents high quality, in-depth characterisation of these two oxides in pure and doped form, including soft and hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Bulk samples as well as thin film samples were prepared analysed. For the preparation of thin films a high quality sol-gel dip-coating method was developed, which resulted in epitaxial films.
In more detail the organisation of the thesis is as follows: Chapter 1 provides an introduction to key ideas related to metal oxides and presents the metal oxides investigated in this thesis, In2O3, Ga2O3, Tl2O3, TiO2, and SnO2. Chapter 2 presents background information and Chapter 3 gives the practical details of the experimental techniques employed.
Chapters 4 presents reciprocal space maps of MBE-grown In2O3 thin films and nanorods on YSZ substrates. Chapters 5 and 6 investigate the doping of In2O3 bulk samples with gallium and thallium and introduce a range of solid state characterisation techniques. Chapter 7 describes the development of a dip-coating sol-gel method for the growth of thin films of TiO2 and shows 3D reciprocal space maps of the resulting films. Chapter 8 concerns hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of undoped and Sn-doped TiO2. Chapter 9 interconnects previous chapters by presenting 2D reciprocal space maps of nano structured epitaxial samples of In2O3 grown by the newly developed sol-gel based method. Chapter 10 concludes this thesis with a summary of the results.

Keywords: transparent conducting oxides
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
photocatalysis
reciprocal space mapping
X-ray diffraction
metal oxides
sol-gel
Advisor: Egdell, R
Uses and misuses of criminalisation

Which uses of the power to criminalise are misuses of that power? When, in other words, is an exercise of the power to create a criminal offence an exercise of that power which cannot be morally justified? This thesis seeks to provide one part of the answer, by addressing an aspect of the question little discussed by criminal law theorists. Thus it seeks not classes of conduct which it is impermissible to criminalise, nor classes of objective which offence-creators cannot permissibly pursue. Rather the thesis addresses the distinct issue of means – of how criminal offences (are set up to) bring about their creators’ objectives. It asks which means of achieving objectives it is impermissible to employ or make available, and how the power to criminalise must be used to avoid their employment or availability.
In answering these questions the thesis distinguishes a number of types of criminal offence, by reference to the means by which the tokens of each (are set up to) achieve objectives. The argument is that to create tokens of these types is often to misuse power, because it is often to employ, or make available, impermissible means. This judgment of impermissibility is a function of a number of principles of political morality, some of which are developed at length in the course of the thesis. No single principle (or set of principles) is presented as an absolute limit on the power to criminalise; but each is part of a complete picture of how that power can permissibly be used, and contributes to vindicating the thesis defended within these pages. That thesis, to repeat, is that some uses of criminalisation are no better than misuses, on account of the means by which the resulting offences (are set up to) achieve their creators’ ends.

Keywords: Political Philosophy
Philosophy of Law
Criminalisation
Criminal Law Theory
Advisor: Gardner, J
Ashworth, A
Functional characterisation of microRNAs encoded by avian herpesviruses

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have now been identified in a vast array of organisms and a great deal of research has been carried out to elucidate the role they play. The dysregulation of miRNA expression has been implicated in a number of disease states and their importance has been highlighted by the beginning of their utilisation as therapeutics.
The focus of this study was to identify the role played by miRNAs encoded by the Marek’s disease vaccine viruses, Marek’s disease virus serotype 2 (MDV-2) and Herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT). In order to better understand the functions of these miRNAs we wanted to identify their targets within the host cell. Using a combination of bioinformatic and biochemical approaches we were able to build up a library of potential targets. Three viral miRNA targets; AKT3, RAP1A and DEK, were further validated using dual-luciferase assays to highlight the exact site of miRNA targeting, and western blots to demonstrate an effect of miRNA targeting on protein abundance. An attempt at using label-free proteomics to observe the viral miRNA mediated changes in the host proteome is also described, however this proved to be unsuccessful.
Additionally the function of one particular MDV-2 miRNA, mdv2-miR-M21, was explored in more detail, describing its role as a potential ortholog of the host miRNA; gga-miR-29b. By using the observation that the viral miRNA contained an identical 'seed' region to the host miRNA, we were able to use the data collected from existing studies on miR-29b to search for targets of mdv2-miR-M21. We demonstrated that mdv2-miR-M21 targeted DNMT3B, crucial for epigenetic modification of the genome.
The final part of this study aimed to understand the wider context the viral miRNAs played in the viral biology and protective ability of the vaccine viruses. The miRNAs were deleted from the viruses, and then the miRNA-deletion viruses were used to vaccinate birds before challenge with the oncogenic Marek's disease virus serotype 1 (MDV-1), survival rates to the 'wild-type' MDV-2 and HVT vaccine viruses were then compared.

Keywords: HVT
MDV-2
miRNA
microRNA
MDV
BAC
Advisor: Lawrie, C
Pezzella, F
An investigation into the role of analogy in instructed second language acquisition

Usage-based approaches to Second Language Acquisition (SLA) hold that grammatical development can at least in part be explained by a trajectory from initially entrenched formulaic chunks of linguistic material through partially abstract low-scope patterns to abstract constructions. Although earlier empirical research found little to support such a trajectory, more recent research suggests that when the methodological focus is on the breakdown of tokens not on the acquisition of abstract morphology formulaic chunks do seem to develop into at least low-scope patterns. What is not clear from these later studies, however, is why users select tokens from the environment, how these selections are repurposed to meet communicative needs and what grammatical development may be the result of such repurposing.
Drawing on insights into usage-based approaches to SLA in general, and specifically predictions that the analogical processing of similar tokens can explain in part a trajectory from tokens in the linguistic environment to abstract constructions, this study investigates whether intervention in the form of task demands and written task productions can drive the selection and repurposing of task-relevant input, and whether such repurposing may influence the development of past-counterfactual constructions in instructed SLA. The study uses a classroom-based pre-test/post-test quasi-experimental design with pre-sessional university students in intact classes (n=92). Out of the three groups in the study, one group were exposed to instances of past counterfactuals which were identical to the forms needed for task completion in terms of function and lexical items (Literal Group). A second group were exposed to instances which called for the same function but different lexical items for successful task completion (Analogous Group), while a third group were not exposed to input.
Results show that the analogous processing of task-relevant tokens led to positive and significant gains on most acceptability judgment and production test measures. Regression models further show that the selection of tokens explained very little variance, while analogical processing, operationalised as the repurposing of tokens to fit task demands, explained a significant amount of the variance in the same models. These findings highlight the importance of analogical processing in SLA and the significant implications such processing has for cognitive accounts of SLA and for second language teaching.

Keywords: Usage-Based Approaches
Second Language Acquisition
Task-Based Learning
Advisor: Walter, C
Applications of liquid crystals in aerodynamic testing

This thesis investigates the applications of liquid crystals in three areas of aerodynamic testing, namely temperature, shear stress and pressure measurement over surfaces.
The use of the selective reflection colours from encapsulated chiral nematic materials to map surface temperatures is assessed. This method is very successful in a wide range of applications for determining heat transfer rates, but has limitations where high heat transfer rates are present, due to the thermal response time of the material structure, and the effects of temperature gradients. The thermal time constant is determined as a function of material viscosity. It is typically 10ms for a chiral nematic material at room temperature. The effect of a temperature gradient on the selective reflection is studied in terms of the pitch gradient produced in the material structure. Two improved methods are then proposed.
The first makes use of the cholesteric to isotropic transition to indicate an isotherm on a heated surface, while the second uses changes in the birefringence colours produced by an aligned nematic layer applied to a surface and viewed between crossed poiarisers.
Changes in the selective reflection colours from cholesteric liquid crystals can be used to assess surface shear stress levels. This method is assessed and determined to be too problematical for accurate measurements. A new method is proposed, based on the shear induced texture change from the focal-conic to the Grandjean texture in the cholesteric phase. This method may be used to quantify surface shear stress levels as well as to provide excellent flow visualisation once flow alignment has occurred.
Tests have been conducted on the pressure sensitivity of chiral nematic liquid crystal materials. The results indicate that the change in transition temperature with pressure is of the order of 40°/kbar. which may not be sensitive enough for wind tunnel purposes.

Advisor: Jones, T
McDonnell, D
Ultra-wideband imaging techniques for medical applications

Ultra-wideband (UWB) radio techniques have long promised good contrast and high resolution for imaging human tissue and tumours; however, to date, this promise has not entirely been realised. In recent years, microwave imaging has been recognised as a promising non-ionising and non-invasive alternative screening technology, gaining its applicability to breast cancer by the significant contrast in the dielectric properties at microwave frequencies of normal and malignant tissues.
This thesis deals with the development of two novel imaging methods based on UWB microwave signals. First, the mode-matching (MM) Bessel-functions-based algorithm, which enables the identification of the presence and location of significant scatterers inside cylindrically-shaped objects is introduced. Next, with the aim of investigating more general 3D problems, the Huygens principle (HP) based procedure is presented. Using HP to forward propagate the waves removes the need to apply matrix generation/inversion. Moreover, HP method provides better performance when compared to conventional time-domain approaches; specifically, the signal to clutter ratio reaches 8 dB, which matches the best figures that have been published.
In addition to their simplicity, the two proposed methodologies permit the capture of a minimum dielectric contrast of 1:2, the extent to which different tissues, or differing conditions of tissues, can be discriminated in the final image. Moreover, UWB allows all the information in the frequency domain to be utilised, by combining information gathered from the individual frequencies to construct a consistent image with a resolution of approximately one quarter of the shortest wavelength in the dielectric medium. The power levels used and the specific absorption rates are well within safety limits, while the bandwidths satisfy the UWB definition of being at least 20% of the centre frequencies. It follows that the methodologies permit the detection and location of significant scatterers inside a volume. Validation of the techniques through both simulations and measurements have been performed and presented, illustrating the effectiveness of the methods.

Keywords: microwave imaging
Huygens principle
medical imaging
UWB antennas
ultra wideband
Advisor: Edwards, D
Tiberi, G
Dedication practices on the Athenian Acropolis

A society that regards nature as divine is constantly reminded of its dependence on the gods. It comes, therefore, as no surprise to find the sanctuary as major focus of the Greek community, in Athens literally occupying the centre of the city, the Acropolis. A central part of ancient religious life was the practice of offering gifts to the gods. The abundance of dedications on the Acropolis - which includes the full range from the simple terracotta figurines to exquisitely decorated pottery and life size marble sculpture - gives ample evidence of this.
The Acropolis offers a unique opportunity to study the dedications of Athens' city sanctuary in its most important period of growth and power. The continued use of the sanctuary over centuries is not on all accounts a blessing. The history of the Acropolis and its buildings has yet to find a conclusive interpretation owing to the destruction of earlier evidence by later building phases. In Chapter II I give a brief summary of the different theories and their limits in satisfying all the evidence. The chapter is not intended as a detailed architectural study, but to establish as closely as possible when cults were introduced on the Acropolis and when building activity might have influenced the storage and disposal of dedications.
The survival of the dedications themselves has been affected by the length of the sanctuaries' use. Different classes of objects have better chances of survival than others, some classes will have left no record in corpore. In Chapter III I introduce all sources: the objects (pottery, bronzes, sculpture, terracotta, etc.), the epigraphic and the literary evidence, and assess their value and completeness. The chapter is also an archaeological and iconographical study of the dedications. The objects are classified by type, and changes in decoration and shape of chosen dedications are explored. Flow charts show numerical changes in classes and types of objects during the centuries. In some cases it is also possible to make more conclusive statements about the dedicators. Inscribed names give the opportunity to recognize persons we know from history. I enquire into the identities and status of some of the dedicators and their motive for dedication and try to show how these motives might have changed with time.
In Chapter IV the evidence concerning the placing of the dedications on the Acropolis is collected. What kind of dedications were stored in temple treasuries and if they were in the open (as statues), where were they placed on the Acropolis?
In the conclusion I try to point out how changes in society and religion are reflected in the dedications.