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This thesis explores the literary representation of power and freedom in Luther Blissett's and Wu Ming's historical novels (Q 1999; Asce di guerra 2000; 54 2002; Manituana 2007; Altai 2009; and L'armata dei sonnambuli 2014). In my analysis, I highlight how the events narrated develop through a dialectical relationship between power and freedom in a framework articulated in three moments: old power (fixity)/desire for freedom (instability)/new power (assimilation). In so doing, I employ Hegel's dialectics in which one concept, introduced as a 'thesis', develops into a second concept that negates or is opposed to the first ('antithesis'), which in turn leads to a third concept, the 'synthesis', that unifies the first two. Shedding light on events that have been neglected by official historiography, Luther Blissett and Wu Ming create counter-history narratives that represent crucial moments of history from a new point of view and show how they strongly embody the relationship between power and freedom. My aim is to demonstrate how, through this dialectical process, Luther Blissett and Wu Ming have demonstrated an engaging and politically committed use of literature intended as a "strumento di lotta". This form of impegno has the potential to contribute to the creation of a form of participatory culture whose very collaborative nature is to challenge History.

Working memory (WM) - the means by which information is retained and manipulated over seconds - is a fundamental cognitive process that has been considered to have three phases: encoding, maintenance and retrieval. Although much research has focused on the first two of these, far less is understood about how information is retrieved from WM or how filtering of information in WM affects recall and forgetting, both in health and disease. In the first part of the thesis, I gained mechanistic insight into the process of WM retrieval and the relationship between processing demands at different phases. Novel sensitive delayed-reproduction tests were developed, and mixture modelling of error applied to deconstruct the sources of error contributing to the pattern of recall performance. Additionally, to quantify the mechanisms of the decision process of recall, Hierarchical Bayesian Drift Diffusion modelling (HDDM) was implemented. In the second part, I investigated malfunctions of the underlying processes of WM in two different patient groups. First, I examined a rare group of people with medial temporal lobe (MTL) lesions following limbic encephalitis (LE). Second, as part of an experimental medicine study I assessed WM and the impact of emotional valence on WM in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) both on and off citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Overall, the results demonstrated that the nature of retrieval cues can significantly affect memory reports, with more information at retrieval improving access to items in WM. Additionally, the quality of associative retrieval depends not only on the nature of the target, but also on features in a foil (distractor item) if this is also presented at probe, with the arrangement of non-spatial features modulating recall of relational information. Further studies provided data to suggest that filtering of information in WM is not a monolithic, single entity but rather underpinned by dissociable cognitive processes that engage with the different phases of memory. Finally, results from the second part of this thesis provided evidence for a role of the MTL and hippocampal regions in relational WM binding. While serotonergic modulation with citalopram revealed a possible role of serotonin in processing negative emotional information in PD, no effects on WM were found. Together, this work provides novel insights into the mechanisms underlying WM retrieval, filtering and examination of the effects of processing demands induced at different stages of WM in the healthy brain. It also contributes to the understanding of memory disturbances in patients with MTL damage and PD.

Research started in 2009 as an enquiry in Knowledge Reuse in Systems Engineering, as part of an EPSRC funded project, with the aim to evaluate and improve the mechanisms of knowledge reuse among practitioners. Knowledge segmentation in different Systems Engineering domains, knowledge representation techniques, artifacts and information exchange mechanisms were identified and benchmarked. Despite a wealth of publicly funded research, systems integration with digital environment and despite the apparent adherence of knowledge holders to funding policies the required resources were not accessible due to a complex entanglement of politics, culture, language and unidentified factors such as psychology and prejudice of key stakeholders. The thesis identifies the knowledge representation, exchange and reuse mechanism and technical artifacts used in Engineering practice, as well as non technical challenges that prevent access and reuse to knowledge, especially considering the existence of Open Access policies and in relation to the perspective of a 'knowledge seeker' in the systems engineering knowledge domain. Open Access policies applicable to this domain in the UK are evaluated in the context of a wider regulatory landscape that motivates their existence, specifically monitoring the availability of shared resources such as journal publications as well as other digital mechanisms and knowledge sharing artifacts adopted in technical domains. A unique research methodology is devised that combines mixed method techniques, including FOI (freedom of information) requests. A novel collection instrument and a set of heuristic indicators are developed to support the empirical observation of the gap between 'Open Access policies in theory', corresponding approximately to what the funding body state on their website, and 'Open Access policies in practice', corresponding to the level of adoption of these policies by grant holders in Systems Engineering Research and findability. A systematic review and a meta-analysis of a 100 publicly-funded projects are carried out. The research makes a number of unique contributions, including KAF (Knowledge Audit Framework), a novel approach enabling remote auditing of digital resources, OAM (Open Access Monitor) the first monitoring method and web service for OA, and a core vocabulary for systems engineering knowledge representation. The research concludes demonstrating empirically that in the majority of the audited project publicly-funded by UK research councils, and despite the existence of policies to ensure Open Access, no resources could be located.

Bladed discs are very sensitive structures and the amplitude vibration of each blade can vary significantly from blade to blade due to a series of factors such as geometrical inhomogeneity between blades or material properties. These factors lead to bladed disks mistuned thus the forced response amplitudes can be much higher than the level predicted for a tuned assembly. Designed models need to be “validate” to predict the response of a real bladed disc within the tolerances set by the manufactures and this process is very expensive as well as difficult. The validation process needs “reference data” as fundamental input against what all predictions can be compared and validated. Data that can be provided both under stationary conditions and under rotating conditions and the latter is the most difficult to achieve, especially for bladed disc assemblies which are very sensitive to any structural modification as it could be attaching a transducer to measure vibrations. There are contact-less measurement techniques available which, however, provide limited information because they can measure only limited areas of the vibrating structures. The aim of this study is to design measurement methods, using a standard Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometer (SLDV) and to integrate it into a software platform which will be able to handle a series of measurement tasks both under stationary and rotating conditions. The main contribution of this thesis is to extend the use of Continuous Scanning LDV (CSLDV) to the rotating structures, such as bladed discs, thus to perform synchronous measurements. Hence, a bladed disc is needed to be designed to perform vibration predictions and measurements and a mathematical model of the measurement test to control, critically, all possible sources of errors involved in measurement under rotating conditions; all these to produce a robust measurement method. While the primary focus is the measurement method, the study also extends to evaluation of the sensitivity properties of the bladed disk test pieces that are the object of the measurement tool.

Protein-protein interaction (PPI) is a fundamental form of communication within the cell that facilitates the initiation or inhibition of distinct cellular processes based on the current intracellular and extracellular environment. A particular network of dynamic PPI’s that transmits a signal and results in a specific cellular process is viewed as a signaling pathway. The total PPI network of a protein is commonly referred to as an interactome. Protein interactomes can provide substantial insight into the molecular mechanisms behind a cellular process, aid in identifying the molecular function of a protein of interest (POI), and elucidate how signaling pathways are altered during disease progression. Proteins or genes involved in the development or progression of cancer are said to be oncogenic and are the central focus of oncology. The RAS signaling pathway is the most frequently altered and one of the most well studied oncogenic networks in cancer. Each of the four RAS isoforms, HRas, NRas, KRas4A and KRas4B have been found to be preferentially activated in distinct cancer types suggesting they have distinct PPI networks. This prompted us to employ a comparative and quantitative proteomics approach to generate isoform-specific interactomes of the four RAS isoforms. Many isoform-specific interacting proteins were identified including HRAS-specific CARM1 and CHK1, and KRAS-specific PIP4K2C and IPO7. These interacting proteins play important roles as knockdown or pharmacological inhibition leads to potent inhibition of cancer cells. The HRAS-specific interacting protein CARM1 plays a role in HRAS-induced senescence, with CARM1 knockdown or inhibition selectively increases senescence in HRAS-transformed cells but not KRAS4B-transformed cells. Revealing new isoform-specific RAS interactors aids in understanding the overlapping functions of the RAS isoforms. BZW2 (basic leucine zipper and W2 domains 2) is a lesser-known protein with an emerging oncogenic role. Since 2017, it has been reported to promote the progression of acute myeloid leukemia, multiple myeloma, throat, bone, bladder, colorectal, pancreatic, and liver cancer. Yet, little is known about the molecular mechanisms behind these observations. To gain insight into BZW2 molecular functions, we used quantitative proteomics to create a high-confidence interactome. We found that BZW2 interacts with both endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondrial proteins. We thus hypothesized that BZW2 localizes to and promotes the formation of ER-mitochondrial contact sites, and that such localization would promote calcium transport from ER to the mitochondria and boost mitochondrial metabolism. Indeed, we found that BZW2 localized to ER-mitochondria contact sites and that BZW2 knockdown decreased ER-mitochondrial contact, mitochondrial calcium levels, and mitochondrial ATP production. These findings provide key insights into molecular functions of BZW2, the potential role of BZW2 in cancer progression, and highlights the utility of interactome data in understanding the function of less-studied proteins.

Literature Review – A Systematic Review Examining the Relationship Between Domain-Specific Self-Discrepancies, Depression, and Anxiety. Higgins' (1987) self-discrepancy theory proposes that discrepancies between specific selfstates are predictive of distinct emotional difficulties. Specifically, this theory states that actual-ideal self-discrepancies are predictive of dejection-related emotions whereas actualought self-discrepancies are predictive of agitation-related emotions. This has been empirically explored in relation to general self-discrepancies, with inconsistent support observed for this theory. The current review proposed to examine the relationship with domain-specific self-discrepancies and two psychological difficulties, depression and anxiety, to establish whether these relationships demonstrated more consistent results for SDT. 21 studies were identified following a systematic search process and the results were synthesised using a narrative approach. Similar to previous findings, results provided inconsistent and partial support for self-discrepancy theory. However, potentially important implications for the theory, including the importance of specific domains and measures of affect, are discussed. Overall, this review provides a rationale for further research to potentially support the development of self-discrepancy theory and considers the implications domain-specific self-discrepancies may have for clinical practice. Service-Related Project - Clinician Perspectives on the Use of Videoconferencing in Clinical Work with People with Intellectual Disabilities: Barriers and Benefits. This study describes a service evaluation conducted within an NHS Trust to explore clinicians' perspectives on the clinical use of videoconferencing with people with intellectual disabilities (PWID) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this project was to explore clinician's views on the barriers and benefits to the use of telehealth modality for PWID, in order to inform service-level decision making regarding the need to continue providing face-to-face support to this client group during the pandemic. In total, 21 clinicians working with PWID completed an online survey about their use of videoconferencing. A thematic analysis was conducted and identified barriers to the use of videoconferencing consisting of three main themes: "practical issues with modality", "client-related factors", and "clinician-related factors". Identified benefits consisted of two main themes: "practicalities" and "positive client feedback". Based on these findings, recommendations were made to address the modifiable barriers and facilitate the use of videoconferencing within the trust. This project concluded that whilst modifications may support the use of videoconferencing with PWID, there does appear to be a clinical need to continue providing face-to-face assessment and intervention. Hence, it may be beneficial for the service to incorporate both videoconferencing and face-to-face support in its ongoing clinical work with PWID. Main Research Project – Exploring the Roles Human Values and Self-Discrepancies in Postnatal Depression in First-Time Mothers. Human values and self-discrepancies have been empirically associated with general depression, anxiety, and subjective wellbeing, though their relationship with postnatal depression has not been explored. Schwartz's (1992) theory of human values and Higgins' (1987) self-discrepancy were used as theoretical frameworks within the current study, which examined the relationships between higher-order value importance, subjective value fulfilment, self-discrepancies, and postnatal depression. First-time mothers who had given birth within the last six months and self-reported as experiencing low mood/postnatal depression (N=80) completed the study. Actual-ought self-discrepancies, but not actualideal self-discrepancies, predicted postnatal depression. Neither value importance nor subjective value fulfilment was found to significantly correlate with postnatal depression, though the potential role of conservation values is explored. Furthermore, the potential impact of societal narratives on maternal actual-ought self-discrepancies is discussed, alongside the theoretical and clinical implications of these findings.

This thesis examines psychological antecedents and consequences of actual and perceived similarity between romantic relationship partners' human values. Regarding effects of actual value similarity, previous research reached different conclusions using problematic means of analysis (i.e., difference scores and profile correlations) and diverse methods and samples. To address this problem, I conducted research using polynomial regression and response surface analysis as improved means of analysing effects of actual value similarity, and measure a broader range of values (by additionally recoding values-as-traits and traits-as-values), in two samples of relationship partners (Ns = 174 and 149 couples). My findings show that actual similarity can be beneficial for relationship quality when observed in some values, but not in others. Specifically, I find a positive effect of similarity in conscientiousness values, but also a replicable complementarity effect in benevolence values (but only when measured as traits). Regarding effects of perceived similarity, I present a novel theoretical framework to explain why perceptions of similarity in some individual differences dimensions to have more influence on relationship quality than others. This framework predicts an effect of perceived similarity in personality dimensions like values, relationship ideals, and traits to be important for relationship quality if they are informative about common goals, and if this information makes perceiving partner support plausible. Consistent with this framework, goal-informative dimensions (i.e., values and relationship ideals) were more closely linked to relationship quality than less goal-informative dimensions (i.e., traits). Furthermore, perceived goal similarity and perceived partner goal support mediated the effect of perceived value and relationship ideal similarity on relationship quality. In sum, my findings show that, while the presence and direction of the effect actual partner value congruence differs between dimensions, the effect of perceived similarity is universally positive when perceived similarity conveys information about similar goals, which is important for the coordination and the pursuit of these goals.

In the fields of international trade and economic development, the behaviors of individual firms are often at the center of attention. What unites the essays in this thesis is their focus on studying the aggregate effects of individual firm decisions. Chapter 2 demonstrates that pressure from foreign competition can reduce managerial slack in domestic firms, and that this was a substantial source of productivity gains in Chile following the country's unilateral trade liberalization in the 1970s. Chapter 3 demonstrates theoretically how firms' choices of organizational structure lead to the high skill premium seen among large firms. Finally, in Chapter 4, I show that in an environment where firm market power differs across industries, firm technological upgrading decisions amplify market distortions and increase allocative inefficiency.

This thesis work examines the fatigue life of composite laminates under vibration fatigue loading and elevated ambient temperature conditions. Thus, the main objective of the current study is to pave the way on the rarely - discussed subject of vibration fatigue of composites under various exposure temperatures. This dissertation will guide the reader through the design of the testing method, which takes into account the environmental conditions while utilising a pre - defined failure criterion. Also, it focuses on the main aspects of the experimental procedure and highlights the common challenges associated with the procedure in order to achieve quality results and improve repeatability. Throughout the chapters, an overview on the accumulation of damage will support both the experimental and numerical investigations, aiming to generate insight regarding the physics that govern the fatigue behaviour of composites. Having identified the distinct stages of the mechanical and thermal responses and the size of fatigue damage accumulated at the respective stages during endurance, the outcomes of the novel testing method are discussed; aiming to link the two responses of composite laminates. The knowledge gathered, about the damage growth and its dependency to ambient thermal loads, is then employed in order to explore more complicated conditions such as the suspension of damage during endurance testing. Experimental results are supported by the numerical descriptions of the behaviour of composites, which can be captured by a FEA conducted in a synthetic dynamic environment. In the end, the conditions that govern vibration fatigue failure were unravelled, incorporating both experimental and numerical investigations. Finally, this dissertation will conclude highlighting the most interesting points that emerged throughout this project while suggesting how they can be exploited to pave the way for interesting future works.

Asymmetrical dispersal is when dispersal rates differ in opposite directions. This is expected to be common in natural populations. This work aims to study the symmetrical and asymmetrical dispersal through the use of a simulation program, simuPOP. The main questions were (i) "what are the differences between asymmetrical and symmetrical dispersal in relation to genetic differentiation and equilibrium?" and (ii) "Is it possible to identify asymmetrical dispersal structure from observed patterns of genetic differentiation between populations, and variation within populations?". To address these questions, simulations were conducted with two and three subpopulations subject by three different dispersal rate contrasts and several spatial patterns of dispersal. Variables were estimated at drift-dispersal equilibrium included genetic differentiation between subpopulations (θ) and heterozygosity. With pairwise θ for three subpopulations it was possible to determine whether the metapopulations were subject to symmetrical or asymmetrical dispersal and sometimes to identify the structure of dispersal. Equilibrium heterozygosities did not aid diagnosis of asymmetrical dispersal patterns. I also checked the applicability of two predictions originally made for symmetrical dispersal: Wright's expectations for θ at equilibrium, and Whitlock's expectations fro time to half of equilibrium θ. In most cases these expectations were not applicable. Study of asymmetrical dispersal on living organisms is strongly encouraged.