The nature of Fielding's standard of values and the impact of the standard since the time of Fielding

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston Universit

(Re)(De)(Con)structing Lacan: Mathemegenesis for a Rhizaleosemiotic Calculus

This study summarizes my investigations into the development of a "Rhizaleosemiotic Calculus" which develops Lacan's work on the Borromean Knot of the Real, Symbolic and Imaginary registers, and its implication in the chaotic dynamics of sexuation. It is stimulated by three important threads in the trajectory of my own personal development

Model-free tolerancing

The subject of empirical optimization as applied to complex manufacturing processes is considered. A procedure is evaluated by simulating conditions which might be encountered in an actual production environment

After Scotland: Irvine Welsh and the Ethic of Emergence

In “After Scotland: Irvine Welsh and the Ethic of Emergence,” the author’s objective is to mirror what he argues is the Scottish writer Irvine Welsh’s objective: to chart out a future Scotland guided by a generative life ethic. In order to achieve this objective, the author lays open and reengages Scotland’s past, discovers and commits to neglected or submerged materials and energies in its past, demonstrates how Welsh’s work is faithful to those and newly produced materials and energies, and suggests that Welsh’s use of those materials and energies enables readers to envision a new Scotland that will be integral to an alternative postmodern world that countervails one ruled by late capital. Each chapter builds toward a Marxist ethic of emergence, which is composed of four virtues uncovered in Scotland’s historical-material fabric: congregation, integration, emergence, and forgiveness. To bring these virtues to the surface, the author historically grounds Welsh’s novels and short stories—Trainspotting, Glue, Porno, Filth, “The Granton Star Cause,” “The Two Philosophers,” and Marabou Stork Nightmares. Through this historiographical process, each virtue is uncovered and analyzed in the context of a particular historical period: medieval, Reformation, Enlightenment, and postmodern. Each context presents a unique set of materials and energies; each also presents an epistemological and ethical focus. The author brings the first three contexts and virtues together to formulate the ethic of emergence within the postmodern context. Throughout, the author stresses how this ethic and each of its virtues are embedded in Welsh’s work and in Scotland’s historical-material fabric. The author then suggests what he and Welsh hope will emerge from that fabric according to such an ethic. Because Welsh is a contemporary writer who has gained relatively little attention from literary scholars, another aim of this study is to situate Welsh’s work by connecting it with literature produced inside and outside of the Scottish and postmodern contexts: e.g. Gaelic prehistorical and epic literature, Chaucer, morality plays, Robert Burns, and the modern mystery genre. The author concludes the study with an afterword, relating his project to recent events that have occurred in Scottish politics

New π-electron donor systems based on multi-tetrathiafulvalene derivatives

A review of organic π-electron donor molecules is given. The focus is on tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) systems with particular emphasis on dimeric and oligomeric systems incorporating more than one TTF subunit. Such systems are reviewed based on the number and mode of linkage of the TTF subunits. A short discussion is given of the basic chemistry of the TTF system with emphasis on those areas which are utilised in the synthetic work undertaken. Various iodine substituted TTF systems have been synthesised, in some cases requiring the synthesis of previously unknown TTF precursors. The properties of these compounds as π-electron donors have been investigated and complexation studies yielded several salts. The structure of an insulating salt with tetracyano-p-quinodimethane (TCNQ) was elucidated by X-ray analysis. Homocoupling of these iodine substituted TTFs via an Ullman-type methodology yielded new bis(tetrathiafulvalenyl) derivatives, two of which have been studied by X-ray diffraction. Salts of these derivatives have been prepared and the structure of a perchlorate salt has been studied by X-ray diffraction. The possible effects of the conformation of these systems on their physical properties is also discussed. New bisTTF cyclophanes posessing a rare "Edge to Face" double linkage of the two TTF units have been prepared. The potential for isomerism is discussed and the X-ray structures of an isomerically pure cyclophane and a model compound have been obtained. Insulating and semiconducting salts were obtained of these systems with the structures of a perchlorate and poly iodide salt being elucidated by X-ray. New macrocyclic derivatives incorporating three TTF units have been synthesized with the aim of preparing molecular cavities capable of binding suitable guest molecules. New functionalised TTF derivatives have been synthesised as suitable precursors to these systems

The contribution of F. D. Maurice to the nineteenth century discussion of the atonement in Britain

From Introduction: Frederick Denison Maurice is generally remembered in connection with the rise of Christian Socialism. That his activities in this Movement were the most important aspect of his career is doubtful. ... Maurice's fundamental theological principles were: first, the idea of unity - unity in the Godhead, "Unity in Trinity", and unity among men in the human family; secondly, the Fatherhood of God - a Fatherhood which had at its heart the principle of sacrificial love. The events of Maurice's life proved to be fertile ground for the growth of these convictions. It was these convictions which shaped his whole understanding of the Atonement. Davies (3) points out that, in his teaching on the Atonement, Maurice turned away from the Western and Augustinian insistence that the basis of man's relationship to God was the Fall, and held, with the theolo Gians of the Eastern Church, that Christ's redemption of man is best understood as a restoration of man's relationship to God in Creation

God in trinity, love in creation

This thesis attempts to display vital connections between themes not generally connected. On the one hand, it considers the notion of love and relation in connection with God and the idea of Trinity. On the other, it endeavours to show how the notion of a Triune God of Love may be used to safeguard an idea of human beings in which their dependence upon love and relationship is stressed. Fundamental to this is the demand of freedom in terms of choice. This is shown to be a direct consequence of the nature of love, and to necessitate considerable revision of conventional doctrines of grace and providence. Throughout the thesis, great stress is laid on an eclectic use of sources to demonstrate the argument. The thesis comprises two chapters of ontology, and three chapters of human concern. In the first two, the nature of Trinity and Creation are examined from a standpoint of the philosophy of loving relation. Three negative forces are identified in the shape of Cartesian Solipsism, the Platonic philosophy of Love, with its lack of relation and its abstract view of the Good, and thirdly Nygren's theology of agape, which it is held destroys man’s integrity. Coupled with his non-use of the Trinity, it also reduces God to an abstract monad. Positive thought is taken from Vanstone's Love's Endeavour Love’s' Expense which develops a doctrine of God from a theology of Love, and this is taken into the third chapter which considers the consequences for grace and providence. A revised portrait of providence coupled to a God who is neither impassible nor omniscient is provided. The remaining two chapters examine the consequences of such theology for man's own expectations concerning self-fulfillment and his obligations to others

Mathematical modelling to study infectious diseases: from understanding to prediction

Tesi de modalitat de compendi de publicacionsEach year 10 million people die from communicable diseases. They are infectious diseases caused by agents transmitted between individuals. Nowadays, the two infectious diseases that have the greatest impact are tuberculosis (TB) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). According to the World Health Organization, TB killed 40 million individuals in the last 20 years. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an overwhelming effect on human life. It has caused millions of deaths and conditioned people’s life since January 2020. Mathematical and computational models are powerful tools in science to better understand, predict, and condition the dynamics of a desired system. In this thesis, we present a compendium of five publications where mathematical modelling is used to better understand and predict the dynamics of TB and COVID-19 at different spatio-temporal scales. Although TB is a disease identified many years ago, its natural history is not fully understood yet. The main objectives of this thesis in this area are related with the understanding of the factors and processes that facilitate the triggering of an active disease from a latent tuberculosis infection. We also aim at improving understanding of the human-TB coexistence for more than 70,000 years and some of the particularities that have facilitated this coexistence. We have built several models of the pulmonary TB infection at different spatial scales. At the alveolus level, we have seen that the correct balance of the immune response determines the outcome of the infection. At the secondary lobe level, we identified the distance to pulmonary membranes as an important factor to determine final lesion size. At the lung level, we have reproduced a dynamic hypothesis that explains the generation of secondary granulomas after the bronchial dissemination of the infectious bacilli from a preceding lesion. We have assessed the importance of lesion merging as a driving force for the triggering of the active disease. In addition, we have modelled human-TB coexistence in the Paleolithic and Neolithic ages, and determined that female protection against TB was crucial for the survival of the human species. In the Neolithic age, new "modern" lineages emerged, displacing "ancient" ones. Mathematical modelling yields results that explain why this emergence was not possible in the Paleolithic age. When the COVID-19 pandemic started, there was a lack of monitoring systems to help control and manage the pandemic. In this thesis, we focus on several aims related to the assessment of the real incidence during the first wave, as well as on the building and testing of a short-term prediction model. We developed a methodology to estimate the real incidence of COVID-19 based on the estimated lethality and the reported death series. We applied this to several European countries, after analyzing possible bias due to differing age structures. As well, we proposed and calibrated an empirical model based on the Gompertz growth that allows for reliable short-term forecasting at the country level. This thesis demonstrates how mathematical and computational models can be used to predict and better understand important characteristics of infectious diseases such as TB and COVID-19.Cada any 10 milions de persones es moren a causa de malalties transmissibles. Són malalties infeccioses causades per agents que es transmeten entre els diferents individus. Actualment, la tuberculosi (TB) i la COVID-19 són les dues malalties infeccioses que tenen un gran impacte. Segons les estimacions de l’Organització Mundial de la Salut, la TB ha causat la mort de gairebé 40 milions d’individus en els últims 20 anys. La pandèmia de la covid-19 ha afectat enormement la manera de viure de la població mundial. Des del gener del 2020 ha causat milions de morts i ha condicionat les vides i el comportament de les persones. Els models matemàtics i computacionals són una eina fonamental que, en ciència, es poden usar per entendre, predir i/o condicionar la dinàmica d’un sistema en concret. En aquesta tesi presentem un compendi de cinc articles on s’usen els models matemàtics per entendre i predir les dinàmiques de la tuberculosi i la COVID-19 en diferents escales espai-temporals. Tot i que la TB és una malaltia que es va identificar fa molts anys, alguns detalls de la seva història natural encara són desconeguts. L’objectiu principal d’aquesta tesi en relació a la TB és entendre els factors i processos que faciliten el pas de la infecció latent cap a malaltia activa. També hem intentat millorar el coneixement i identificar les particularitats dels 70000 anys de coexistència entre els humans i la TB. S’han creat diferents models de la infecció tuberculosa pulmonar a diferents escales espacials. Al nivell alveolar, hem identificat que el correcte balanç entre la resposta immune i la resposta inflamatòria condiciona el resultat de la infecció. A escala de lòbul secundari, hem vist que la distància entre la lesió i la membrana pulmonar és un factor important que determinarà la seva mida final. A escala del pulmó, s’ha reproduït la hipòtesi dinàmica que ens permet explicar la generació de noves lesions a partir de disseminació bronquial de les lesions inicials. S’ha identificat el procés de fusió de lesions com un dels processos més importants que fa aparèixer lesions més grans i acaba originant la malaltia activa. A més, hem modelitzat la coexistència entre els humans i la TB en el Paleolític i el Neolític. S’ha identificat que la protecció femenina envers la TB va ser crucial per la supervivència de l’espècie humana. En el neolític, van aparèixer soques "modernes" que van desplaçar les “antigues”. Amb models matemàtics s’ha pogut observar perquè aquesta aparició no va ser possible en el paleolític. Quan la pandèmia de la COVID-19 va començar, els sistemes de vigilància que havien de servir per controlar i monitoritzar la pandèmia eren inexistents o deficients. En aquesta tesi hem treballat principalment en dos aspectes per ajudar a la monitorització de la pandèmia: determinar la incidència real de la primera onada i crear un model de prediccions a curt termini. Hem desenvolupat una metodologia per determinar la incidència real que va tenir la COVID-19 basada en la letalitat de la malaltia i les sèries temporals de defuncions. Aquesta metodologia s’ha pogut aplicar a diversos països europeus, tenint en compte els possibles biaixos, per exemple, les diferents piràmides de població. S’ha proposat i calibrat un model empíric bastant en l’equació de Gompertz que ens permet fer una predicció dels casos a curt termini a nivell de país. Aquesta tesi demostra com els models computacionals i matemàtics poden ajudar a predir i entendre millor les característiques de les malalties infeccioses usant com a exemple la tuberculosi i la COVID-19.Cada año 10 millones de personas mueren a causa de enfermedades contagiosas. Son enfermedades infecciosas causadas por agentes que se transmiten entre los diferentes individuos. Hoy en día, la tuberculosis (TB) y el COVID-19 son las dos enfermedades infecciosas que tienen un mayor impacto mundial. Según las estimaciones de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, la TB ha causado la muerte de casi 40 millones de individuos en los últimos 20 años. La pandemia del COVID-19 ha cambiado por completo la forma de vivir de la población mundial. Desde enero de 2020 ha causado millones de muertos y ha condicionado las vidas y el comportamiento de las personas. Los modelos matemáticos y computacionales son una herramienta muy potente que, en ciencia, pueden ayudar a entender, predecir y/o condicionar la dinámica de un sistema en concreto. En esta tesis presentamos un compendio de cinco artículos donde se usan los modelos matemáticos para entender y predecir las dinámicas de la tuberculosis y el COVID-19 en diferentes escalas espacio-temporales. Aunque la TB es una enfermedad que se identificó hace muchos años, algunos detalles de su historia natural aún son desconocidos. El objetivo principal de esta tesis en relación a la TB es entender los factores y procesos que facilitan el paso desde una infección latente a enfermedad activa. También hemos intentado mejorar el conocimiento e identificar las particularidades de los 70000 años de coexistencia entre los humanos y la TB. Hemos creado diferentes modelos sobre la infección tuberculosa pulmonar a diferentes escalas espaciales. A nivel alveolar, hemos identificado que el correcto balance entre la respuesta inmune y la respuesta inflamatoria es determinante para el resultado de la infección. A escala del lóbulo secundario hemos visto que la distancia entre la lesión y la membrana pulmonar es un factor importante que determinará el tamaño final de la lesión. A escala del pulmón, se ha reproducido la hipótesis dinámica que nos permite explicar la generación de nuevas lesiones a partir de diseminación bronquial de las lesiones iniciales. Se ha identificado el proceso de fusión de lesiones como uno de los procesos más importantes que hace aparecer lesiones más grandes y acaba originando la enfermedad activa. Además, hemos modelizado la coexistencia entre los humanos y la TB en el Paleolítico y el Neolítico. Se ha identificado que la protección femenina ante la TB fue crucial para la supervivencia de la especie humana. En el Neolítico, aparecieron cepas ”modernas”que desplazaron las ”antiguas”. Con modelos matemáticos se ha podido observar que esta aparición no era posible en el Paleolítico. Al iniciarse la pandemia del COVID-19, los sistemas de vigilancia que debían servir para controlar y monitorizar la pandemia eran inexistentes o deficientes. En esta tesis hemos trabajado principalmente en dos aspectos para ayudar a la monitorización de la pandemia: determinar la incidencia real de la primera ola y crear un modelo de predicciones a corto plazo. Hemos desarrollado una metodología para determinar la incidencia real que tuvo el COVID-19 basada en la letalidad de la enfermedad y las series temporales de defunciones. Esta metodología se ha podido aplicar en varios países europeos, teniendo en cuenta los posibles sesgos, por ejemplo, las diferentes pirámides de población. También se ha usado y calibrado un modelo empírico basado en la ecuación de Gompertz que nos permite hacer una predicción de los casos a corto plazo a nivel de país. Esta tesis demuestra cómo los modelos computacionales y matemáticos pueden ayudar a predecir y entender mejor las características de las enfermedades infecciosas usando como ejemplo la tuberculosis y el COVID-19.Postprint (published version

Premises of the Arguments Concerning Immortality in Thirty Ingersoll Lectures (1896-1934)

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Boston Universit