“Love American Style”: Race, Cuban identity and cultural tyranny in Showtime’s Dexter

This article focuses on representation of Cubans in the television series Dexter, paying particular attention to episode 1.5, ―Love American Style‖ with some brief references to other episodes. Assimilation, the American Dream, nationalism and crisis of identity are among the themes and issues that this article investigates. Border theory provides the dominant theoretical framework of the article.

Urban Identity and tourism:different looks, one single place

‘Urban identity’ is high on the policy agenda and pervades the discourse of the planning community on the value of historical city centres. Unfortunately, there seems to be, until today, no proposal in scholarly literature of any unified conceptual framework or any tools to make identity operational. ‘Tourism’ takes advantage of this process, by seeking the qualities of the place, its authenticity and its perceived uniqueness that is grounded on the physical features as well as on the presence of local communities – their way of living and investing in the place. The interdependence between identity as perceived by tourists (external observer) and the identity of the residents rooted in the relationship with the place (in-group) are key to addressing the identity of historic urban areas. These issues are addressed in the context of the growing attractiveness of Lisbon, Portugal, using a historic neighbourhood as a case study. The findings, which are on a set of interviews with different groups of users, showed the points of convergence and divergence between the different groups’ views of the neighbourhood’s identity. This actor-oriented approach is pivotal to understanding the process and to produce knowledge for informed action.

Individuals in the Workplatform. Exploring Implications for Work Identity and Algorithmic Reputation Management

In the new world of work, workers not only change jobs more frequently, but also perform independent work on online labor markets. As they accomplish smaller and shorter jobs at the boundaries of organizations, employment relationships become unstable and career trajectories less linear. These new working conditions question the validity of existing management theories and call for more studies explaining gig workers’ behavior. Aim of this dissertation is contributing to this emerging body of knowledge by (I) exploring how gig workers shape their work identity on online platforms, and (II) investigating how algorithmic reputation changes dynamics of quality signaling and affects gig workers’ behavior. Chapter 1 introduces the debate on gig work, detailing why existing theories and definitions cannot be applied to this emergent workforce. Chapter 2 provides a systematic review of studies on individual work in online labor markets and identifies areas for future research. Chapter 3 describes the exploratory, qualitative methodology applied to collect and analyze data. Chapter 4 presents the first empirical paper investigating how the process of work identity construction unfolds for gig workers. It explores how digital platforms, intended both as providers of technological features and online environments, affect this process. Findings reveal the online environment constrains the action of workers who are pushed to take advantage of platform’s technological features to succeed. This interplay leads workers to develop an entrepreneurial orientation. Drawing on signaling theory, Chapter 5 understands how gig workers interpret algorithmic calculated reputation and with what consequences for their experience. Results show that, after complying to platform’s rules in the first period, freelancers respond to algorithmic management through different strategies – i.e. manipulation, nurturing relationships, and living with it. Although reputation scores standardize information on freelancers’ quality, and, apparently, freelancers’ work, this study shows instead responses to algorithmic control can be diverse.

Variational and learning models for image and time series inverse problems

Inverse problems are at the core of many challenging applications. Variational and learning models provide estimated solutions of inverse problems as the outcome of specific reconstruction maps. In the variational approach, the result of the reconstruction map is the solution of a regularized minimization problem encoding information on the acquisition process and prior knowledge on the solution. In the learning approach, the reconstruction map is a parametric function whose parameters are identified by solving a minimization problem depending on a large set of data. In this thesis, we go beyond this apparent dichotomy between variational and learning models and we show they can be harmoniously merged in unified hybrid frameworks preserving their main advantages. We develop several highly efficient methods based on both these model-driven and data-driven strategies, for which we provide a detailed convergence analysis. The arising algorithms are applied to solve inverse problems involving images and time series. For each task, we show the proposed schemes improve the performances of many other existing methods in terms of both computational burden and quality of the solution. In the first part, we focus on gradient-based regularized variational models which are shown to be effective for segmentation purposes and thermal and medical image enhancement. We consider gradient sparsity-promoting regularized models for which we develop different strategies to estimate the regularization strength. Furthermore, we introduce a novel gradient-based Plug-and-Play convergent scheme considering a deep learning based denoiser trained on the gradient domain. In the second part, we address the tasks of natural image deblurring, image and video super resolution microscopy and positioning time series prediction, through deep learning based methods. We boost the performances of supervised, such as trained convolutional and recurrent networks, and unsupervised deep learning strategies, such as Deep Image Prior, by penalizing the losses with handcrafted regularization terms.

On Reasonable Space and Time Cost Models for the λ-Calculus

Slot and van Emde Boas Invariance Thesis states that a time (respectively, space) cost model is reasonable for a computational model C if there are mutual simulations between Turing machines and C such that the overhead is polynomial in time (respectively, linear in space). The rationale is that under the Invariance Thesis, complexity classes such as LOGSPACE, P, PSPACE, become robust, i.e. machine independent. In this dissertation, we want to find out if it possible to define a reasonable space cost model for the lambda-calculus, the paradigmatic model for functional programming languages. We start by considering an unusual evaluation mechanism for the lambda-calculus, based on Girard's Geometry of Interaction, that was conjectured to be the key ingredient to obtain a space reasonable cost model. By a fine complexity analysis of this schema, based on new variants of non-idempotent intersection types, we disprove this conjecture. Then, we change the target of our analysis. We consider a variant over Krivine's abstract machine, a standard evaluation mechanism for the call-by-name lambda-calculus, optimized for space complexity, and implemented without any pointer. A fine analysis of the execution of (a refined version of) the encoding of Turing machines into the lambda-calculus allows us to conclude that the space consumed by this machine is indeed a reasonable space cost model. In particular, for the first time we are able to measure also sub-linear space complexities. Moreover, we transfer this result to the call-by-value case. Finally, we provide also an intersection type system that characterizes compositionally this new reasonable space measure. This is done through a minimal, yet non trivial, modification of the original de Carvalho type system.

Moderata Fonte y María Zambrano: por cuenta propia

In this paper, Rosa Rius thinks about feminine identity and its history, based on the expressions of freedom of two authors living four centuries apart: the Venetian humanist Moderata Fonte (1555-1592) and the Malagan philosopher María Zambrano (1904-1991). The fact that these women¿s freedom is taken as one of their main identifying elements, and straining the historical action of this freedom, unforeseen by the establishment, does not at all imply that the undeniable discrimination inflicted upon women throughout centuries is forgotten or goes on without protest.

Moderata Fonte y María Zambrano: por cuenta propia

In this paper, Rosa Rius thinks about feminine identity and its history, based on the expressions of freedom of two authors living four centuries apart: the Venetian humanist Moderata Fonte (1555-1592) and the Malagan philosopher María Zambrano (1904-1991). The fact that these women¿s freedom is taken as one of their main identifying elements, and straining the historical action of this freedom, unforeseen by the establishment, does not at all imply that the undeniable discrimination inflicted upon women throughout centuries is forgotten or goes on without protest.

"Vos sos la mujer araña, que atrapa a los hombres en su tela" : La construcción de la identidad feminina en El beso de la Mujer araña, de Manuel Puig.

La novela El beso de la mujer araña del escritor argentino Manuel Puig es una novela que trata dedos presos en una cárcel bonaerense durante la dictadura militar argentina. Esta tesina se centrará enla identidad femenina de Molina. El objetivo de esta tesina es examinar la celebración de lafemineidad de Molina, y su construcción de una identidad femenina. Esta identidad se conectarácon la idea de la identidad femenina como socialmente construida, opuesto a la noción de génerocomo algo innato. Es decir, la identidad femenina de Molina y sus ideas de lo femeninocorresponden a la idea de la identidad femenina como socialmente construida. Apoyándonos enteoría feminista y teoría queer, estableceremos la conexión que existe entre la identidad femeninacomo la ve Molina, y la identidad femenina como construcción social.

Trabalhos produtivos, trabalhos reprodutivos: as trajetórias femininas de trabalho e suas representações

As representações femininas sobre o trabalho estão articuladas às representações sobre a própria identidade feminina e sobre as relações de gênero.

Heritage language loss and the implications for ethnic identity maintenance over time

Language has been seen as a central pillar to ethnic identity. When the possibility of heritage language loss becomes imminent, therefore, concern turns towards the consequences for feelings of ethnic group membership. Heritage language researchers have indicated that the heritage language is so strongly associated with the individual’s cultural background that heritage language loss could have negative implications for the sense of identity to the ethnic group. This study investigates the relationship between language and ethnic identity over time among Gaelic learners in Nova Scotia. In order to identify the specific processes of heritage language use, the Gaelic learners are compared to French (second language), learners living in the same English-speaking milieu. Path analyses reveal that, only among Gaelic learners, there is an initial separation of language and ethnic identity, but that, over time, ethnic identity is a direct outcome of language use. The results support Edwards’ (1985), contention, at least in the case of heritage languages, that language and identity are not always strongly linked. It is suggested that this may be especially true in contexts where there is little opportunity for contact with members of the heritage language group.

Vertebrate conserved non coding DNA regions have a high persistence length and a short persistence time.

BACKGROUND: The comparison of complete genomes has revealed surprisingly large numbers of conserved non-protein-coding (CNC) DNA regions. However, the biological function of CNC remains elusive. CNC differ in two aspects from conserved protein-coding regions. They are not conserved across phylum boundaries, and they do not contain readily detectable sub-domains. Here we characterize the persistence length and time of CNC and conserved protein-coding regions in the vertebrate and insect lineages. RESULTS: The persistence length is the length of a genome region over which a certain level of sequence identity is consistently maintained. The persistence time is the evolutionary period during which a conserved region evolves under the same selective constraints.Our main findings are: (i) Insect genomes contain 1.60 times less conserved information than vertebrates; (ii) Vertebrate CNC have a higher persistence length than conserved coding regions or insect CNC; (iii) CNC have shorter persistence times as compared to conserved coding regions in both lineages. CONCLUSION: Higher persistence length of vertebrate CNC indicates that the conserved information in vertebrates and insects is organized in functional elements of different lengths. These findings might be related to the higher morphological complexity of vertebrates and give clues about the structure of active CNC elements.Shorter persistence time might explain the previously puzzling observations of highly conserved CNC within each phylum, and of a lack of conservation between phyla. It suggests that CNC divergence might be a key factor in vertebrate evolution. Further evolutionary studies will help to relate individual CNC to specific developmental processes.

Choices, chance and change: luck egalitarianism over time

The family of theories dubbed ‘luck egalitarianism’ represent an attempt to infuse egalitarian thinking with a concern for personal responsibility, arguing that inequalities are just when they result from, or the extent to which they result from, choice, but are unjust when they result from, or the extent to which they result from, luck. In this essay I argue that luck egalitarians should sometimes seek to limit inequalities, even when they have a fully choice-based pedigree (i.e., result only from the choices of agents). I grant that the broad approach is correct but argue that the temporal standpoint from which we judge whether the person can be held responsible, or the extent to which they can be held responsible, should be radically altered. Instead of asking, as Standard (or Static) Luck Egalitarianism seems to, whether or not, or to what extent, a person was responsible for the choice at the time of choosing, and asking the question of responsibility only once, we should ask whether, or to what extent, they are responsible for the choice at the point at which we are seeking to discover whether, or to what extent, the inequality is just, and so the question of responsibility is not settled but constantly under review. Such an approach will differ from Standard Luck Egalitarianism only if responsibility for a choice is not set in stone – if responsibility can weaken then we should not see the boundary between luck and responsibility within a particular action as static. Drawing on Derek Parfit’s illuminating discussions of personal identity, and contemporary literature on moral responsibility, I suggest there are good reasons to think that responsibility can weaken – that we are not necessarily fully responsible for a choice for ever, even if we were fully responsible at the time of choosing. I call the variant of luck egalitarianism that recognises this shift in temporal standpoint and that responsibility can weaken Dynamic Luck Egalitarianism (DLE). In conclusion I offer a preliminary discussion of what kind of policies DLE would support.

Direct observation by time-resolved infrared spectroscopy of the bright and the dark excited states of the [Ru(phen)2(dppz)]2+ light-switch compound in solution and when bound to DNA

The [Ru(phen)2(dppz)]2+ complex (1) is non-emissive in water but is highly luminescent in organic solvents or when bound to DNA, making it a useful probe for DNA binding. To date, a complete mechanistic explanation for this “light-switch” effect is still lacking. With this in mind we have undertaken an ultrafast time resolved infrared (TRIR) study of 1 and directly observe marker bands between 1280–1450 cm-1, which characterise both the emissive “bright” and the non-emissive “dark” excited states of the complex, in CD3CN and D2O respectively. These characteristic spectral features are present in the [Ru(dppz)3]2+ solvent light-switch complex but absent in [Ru(phen)3]2+, which is luminescent in both solvents. DFT calculations show that the vibrational modes responsible for these characteristic bands are predominantly localised on the dppz ligand. Moreover, they reveal that certain vibrational modes of the “dark” excited state couple with vibrational modes of two coordinating water molecules, and through these to the bulk solvent, thus providing a new insight into the mechanism of the light-switch effect. We also demonstrate that the marker bands for the “bright” state are observed for both L- and D enantiomers of 1 when bound to DNA and that photo-excitation of the complex induces perturbation of the guanine and cytosine carbonyl bands. This perturbation is shown to be stronger for the L enantiomer, demonstrating the different binding site properties of the two enantiomers and the ability of this technique to determine the identity and nature of the binding site of such intercalators.

Imaginary irishness: the feminine in dramatisations of the Paster Rising in Sean O’Casey’s the plough and the stars and Tom Murphy’s The Patriot Game

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Mollusca Non-Grata: The influence of top-down control and residence time on the abundance, distribution, and behavior of non-native marine snails in Washington State

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Washington, 2016-06