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This thesis is organized into three chapters: In the first chapter, we introduce the changes that have occurred in the fixed-income market due to the credit crisis in 2007-2008. We then discuss the impact of this crisis on the pre-crisis relation between zero-coupon bonds and forward rate agreements written on the Libor/Euribor rates. This particularly, this includes describing the dynamics of spread rates in addition to interest rates, which to date had not been part of pre-crisis models. Following this, we introduce a multicurve model set-up in order to compute the non-arbitrage prices of a forward rate agreement. This is done by assuming that the underlying factor processes, which describe the dynamics of the interest and spread rates are given by a diffusion process such that bond prices can be expressed as polynomials and the forward Libor rates as rational functions. At the end of the first chapter, we consider a multi-curve model set-up in the discrete time setting. As in the continuous case, the bond prices can be expressed as polynomial and the forward Libor rates as rational functions. In this case we consider linear functions and give a calibration method. In the second chapter, we extend from diffusion processes to jump processes, allowing the factor process to have jumps. Our main result is the classification of such models for which the bond prices can be expressed as polynomials. These models are arbitrage-free in the sense that the discounted zero-coupon bond prices are local martingales. In the third chapter, we consider a specific type of volatility models, which all have the characteristic that the moments of the stock can be expressed as a polynomial. Further, we show that there is a relation between the k-th moment and the degree of the polynomial.

Spherical tokamaks (STs) have a particular need for non-inductive start-up methods, due to the limited space for a shielded inboard solenoid. Plasma current start-up assisted by electron Bernstein waves (EBW) has been demonstrated successfully in a number of experiments. The dynamic start-up phase involves a change in field topology, as the initially open magnetic field lines form closed flux surfaces (CFS) under the initiation of a plasma current. This change in field topology will bring about a change in the current drive (CD) mechanism, and, although various mechanisms have been proposed to explain the formation of CFS, no detailed theoretical studies have previously been undertaken. This thesis reports on the development of a kinetic start-up model for EBW-assisted plasma current start-up in MAST. In order to ensure the model is tractable and computationally manageable, the time evolution of the electron distribution function is studied in zero spatial and two momentum dimensions under several effects thought to be important during start-up. In order to obtain numerical solutions to the time evolution of the distribution function, a positivity-preserving solution to two-dimensional advection-diffusion equations including mixed derivative terms are required. A numerical scheme for solving these equations is presented, and shown to improve the accuracy of lower-order finite difference schemes. It is shown that the open magnetic field line configuration allows electrons to freely stream out of the plasma, but that the addition of a small vertical magnetic field leads to the preferential confinement of a selection of electrons and the generation of a plasma current. Collisions then act to ``feed'' this loss mechanism by increasing the parallel momentum of electrons through pitch-angle scattering, leading to greater losses and a greater plasma current. This CD mechanism is shown to be consistent with several experimentally observed effects, providing a theoretical understanding of these effects, while comparisons between simulation and experiment is good. This work has applications for future STs, as it builds on our current, theoretical understanding of non-inductive plasma current start-up.

This portfolio comprises a culmination of research work spanning three years of full-time training on the Practitioner Doctorate course in Psychotherapeutic and Counselling Psychology (PsychD) at the University of Surrey. My research comprises three research reports: a literature review, and two qualitative studies. The literature review explored how the phenomenon of uncertainty translates to the field of counselling psychology, specifically the identity of counselling psychologists and its application within therapeutic practice. The first empirical study used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to analyse counselling psychologists’ experiences of uncertainty in therapeutic practice. The analysis revealed four major themes: ‘The Ethereal Nature of Uncertainty in Life’ ii) ‘Uncertainty is Core to Therapeutic Practice’ iii) ‘A Process of Negotiation: Engaging with the Tensions’ iv) ‘Facilitating the Art of Improvisation: A Dance between Being-With and Doing-To’. The second empirical study used Constructivist Grounded Theory to analyse the actions, processes and implicit subjective meanings implicated in how practitioners engage with uncertainty in therapeutic practice. Analysis revealed three interrelated core-categories: ‘Expressing an Attitude’, ‘Cultivating Different Ways of Being’, and ‘Engaging in a Constantly Unfolding Process of Negotiation’. Clinical implications for both empirical studies are discussed in light of their findings.

Since the first implantation of a cardiac pacemaker numerous efforts have been made to develop miniature implantable power devices, which would be able to run continuously for long periods of time without the need for replacement. In this context enzymatic biofuel cells (EBFCs) represent an attractive alternative, as they work at body temperature, are light and easy to miniaturise. Additionally, enzymatic biofuel cells can generate energy from the metabolites already present in physiological fluids, and produce waste products that naturally occur in the human body. With a view to improving the biocompatibility of such devices, the use of highly porous gold (hPG) as a non-toxic high surface area alternative to the carbon nanotube based materials currently used was here investigated. The process for directly depositing hPG onto conductive surfaces was further developed to improve the stability of the deposited hPG films. The possibility of depositing these films on a range of different materials was also investigated. In particular it was shown that hPG films could also be deposited on very low cost materials, such as graphite composites. It was also demonstrated that these hPG electrodes exhibited potential for the direct electro-oxidation of aldehyde group containing sugars. The potential use of hPG electrodes as abiotic glucose sensors was consequently investigated and found to give stable amperometric responses between 0 and 50 mM, with a strong glucose dependant response even at the lowest concentration investigated of 0.5 µM. However, since hPG electrodes were found to be susceptible to a large degree of interference and fouling in biological solutions, the use of glucose oxidase (GOx) on hPG electrodes was investigated in order to increase the specificity and stability of such electrodes in biological systems. A rapid and simple technique for the direct and functional deposition of GOx onto hPG was developed without using foreign electron mediators. These hPG-GOx electrodes were found to act as glucose sensors with extremely high sensitivity (22.7 µA mM-1 cm-2), and a linear response to glucose in a range of between 50 μM and10 mM. Finally EBFCs that exhibit continuous flow through were developed using fast prototyping techniques that employ 3D printed moulds. These EBFCs employed hPG-GOx electrodes coupled with hPG and laccase electrodes in order to generate power from glucose. The continuous and stable power production from a flow through EBFC for up to 30 days was subsequently demonstrated for the first time, with a peak power output of approximately 2 µW.

The purpose of my research is to investigate whether there is a relationship between coaching and transformative learning within adult learners. I approached the research project with a hermeneutic hunch, based on my experience of adult learners, which suggests that coaching reflects a similar process to that of transformative learning. I have taken a constructionist stance to my research philosophy and the ontological and epistemological position I assumed is based on the theoretical perspective of hermeneutics. The primary task of hermeneutic philosophy is to ultimately integrate all knowledge of the sciences into personal knowing as it is experienced. As coaching deals very much with the subjective nature of the coachee, I argue that a hermeneutic approach is best suited to gain an understanding of the inner world of the coachee. I drew on sensemaking as described by Weick (1995) as a methodological framework which I go on to argue is also a key component in the coaching process. The influence of sensemaking as a methodology led me to adopt a storytelling approach in making sense of the data I collected as being the most appropriate method. As suggested by Boje (2008) the re-storying I engaged in provide a new and alternative story which is based on collective sensemaking of the individual stories. Based on the data collected I conclude that there is a strong relationship between adult learning and coaching. Further contribution to knowledge includes perceiving coaching as a sensemaking process co-constructed through the relationship between the coach and coachee. This is demonstrated by a final heuristic which has evolved throughout the research journey.

Eighty normal cheek teeth and 26 normal incisors extracted from 14 donkeys (median age 19 years) at post mortem were anatomically examined including grossly and by computerised axial tomography (CAT) imaging. Decalcified histology was performed on 54 sections from 18 teeth (8 donkeys), undeclacified histology on 16 sections from 7 donkeys and scanning electron microscopy on 10 sections from 10 teeth (3 donkeys). The dental formulae and tooth number was found to be the same as in horses with a higher prevalence (17 %) of canine teeth in female donkeys. A decrease in tooth length, pulp horn length and pulp horn width with age was illustrated, as was an increase in occlusal secondary dentine depth with age, although not all these age changes were statistically significant. Normal histological and ultrastructural features of donkey teeth were identified and found to be similar to equine findings. Enamel was found to be thicker buccally in both maxillary and mandibular cheek teeth. Quantitative measurements of transverse dentine thickness around pulp cavities, dentinal tubule diameters and densities, and enamel prism diameters were made. Left lower incisors (301) were extracted from 7 donkeys and 6 horses for micro-hardness determination of enamel, primary and secondary dentine using a Knoop Hardness indenter. No significant difference between donkey and horse incisor microhardness was demonstrated. Examination of 19 donkey skulls at post mortem examination showed donkeys to have a higher degree of anisognathia (27%) compared to horses (23%). Post mortem dental examination of 349 donkeys (median age 31) demonstrated a high prevalence of dental disease (93%) and in particular cheek teeth diastemata (85%). Furthermore, age was associated with increasing prevalence of dental disease and diastemata. Diastemata were also associated with the presence of other dental disorders and with colic-related death in affected donkeys. Quantitative measurements of 45 diastemata from 16 donkeys showed no difference in the medial and lateral width of diastemata but periodontal pockets were deeper laterally. The definition of valve and open diastemata were confirmed. Pulp exposure, dental caries and periodontal disease were examined in detail (54 skulls) at post mortem. A total of 19 teeth were extracted for further detailed examination as performed in normal anatomy. Clinical dental examinations were performed on 357 donkeys in the U.K. that were selected for age distribution, and the prevalence of dental disease in different age groups was found to increase from 28% in the youngest group (age 0-10 years) to 98% in the oldest group (age > 35 years). An increased prevalence of most dental disorders with age was demonstrated as was an association between dental disease and weight loss, poor body condition score, supplemental feeding and previous episodes of colic. Clinical dental examination of 203 working donkeys in Mexico showed similar types of dental disorders as found in the U.K. study, with dental disease present in 62%, of which 18% required urgent dental treatment. There was a significant association between age groups and dental disease, and age groups and body condition score, but there was no association between dental disease and body condition score. However, body condition score was not associated with supplemental feeding or faecal egg counts either.

This thesis presents an alternative picture of Scottish historian William Robertson (172 1-1793). By examining Robertson's works and the contexts in which he wrote, I hope to show that the prevailing view of Robertson as a typically cosmopolitan eighteenth-centwy 'Enlightenment' figure, a devotee of post-Union 'British' values in histonography and outlook, and a practitioner of the progressive eighteenth-century type of historical writing, called conjectural or stadial histoiy, with its associated values, is misleading. These assumptions have given rise to the belief that Robertson was a wholehearted advocate of European expansion and the British Empire. This picture ignores evidence of Robertson's attachment to older Scottish Presbyterian Whig values such as militant Protestantism (generally seen as abandoned by the Moderate Presbyterian church party which Robertson led), defensive patriotism, martial virtue, and resistance to overbearing authority. These are present in his work and career although they are modified by Robertson's need to appeal to 'polite' English, or 'Enlightened' continental readerships in order to achieve distinction as well as by the Moderate political commitment to support govermnent in return for ecclesiastical autonomy. In many ways, these values are incompatible with those of a cosmopolitan figure influenced by French philosophes, or a confirmed advocate of 'British' values supposedly embraced by the Scots intelligentsia Particularly, the sense of defensiveness inherent in Scottish history makes it practically impossible for a Scot whose outlook remains rooted in the defensive patriotism of the Scottish past to be an unqualified supporter of empire. Robertson's work shows constant dubiety about conquest and empire, thus falling into a tradition of Scottish anti-empire writing as old as European expansion itself which is most noticeable in the work of Scots in whom defensive patriotism is highly developed, such as George Buchanan and Andrew fletcher. The Scottish experience of repeated attempted domination by foreign powers seems to cause a corresponding dislike for all such attempts at domination, and sympathy for their victims. The defensive traditions of Presbytei-iarnsm appear to add to this, the more so as attacks on Presbyterianism have historically had a strong foreign element. Most evidence for Robertson's position is found in his narrative history. As narrative makes up the greater part of Robertson's work, I believe that he must be considered primarily as a narrative, rather than a conjectural historian, practicing a form of historiography which Scots had been writing long before the eighteenth century. This thesis will illustrate its arguments by examining Robertson's narrative histories in chronological order, as well as correspondence and other contemporary evidence, and parallels will be drawn with earlier Scottish historians where relevant.

Internationally, the importance of numeracy is affirmed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Testing Framework (OECD, 2023) while research continually demonstrates a positive relationship between numeracy and life-outcomes such as employability and financial well-being (Jonas, 2018). In both the Australian and Queensland education authorities, numeracy teaching and learning is pervasively resourced in all year levels. The coordination of mathematics and numeracy speaks to a partnership between the two, however there are distinct differences. Learning support in numeracy is well documented and resourced, and aligned through legislation where students are provided "supplementary adjustments" (Education Services Australia, 2021, p. 1). The research in this thesis occurred in a large Queensland secondary state school (n = 1,893) with below average socioeconomic advantage (My School, 2020). This study involved 50 students. The two research questions were: Does participating in a numeracy learning support program focused on developing number sense and number fact fluency lead to improved mathematics achievement for students identified as low-achieving in mathematics and What can be learnt from a numeracy learning support program which aims to improve mathematics achievement in a large Queensland school with low socio-educational advantage? A quasi-experimental design was employed and students were given two 35-minute sessions each week of a numeracy program targeting improvement in number sense and number fact fluency. It was hypothesised that students withdrawn from class to participate in the learning support program, which focused on number sense and number fact fluency, would improve. Additionally, it was hypothesised that students in the learning support program would have a greater magnitude of improvement in their achievement, when compared to the rest of the cohort. The students' achievement over the time of the research is reported. The results showed that students receiving the learning support and also students not receiving learning support improved their mathematics achievement however the group participating in the numeracy learning support program had a smaller magnitude of improvement when compared to the rest of the cohort. Several variables that feature in large schools with low socio-educational advantage may have influenced the students' ability to achieve over the time of the research, and these are discussed and analysed.

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a debilitating psychological disorder characterised by the fear of being scrutinised by others, becoming embarrassed, offending others, and avoidance of social situations. SAD is highly prevalent, causes significant functional impairment, and is often comorbid with other anxiety and depressive disorders. Gold-standard evidence-based treatments for SAD (i.e., Cognitive Behavioural Therapy [CBT], antidepressants) have not provided the desired relief from social anxiety symptoms for many individuals with SAD. Therefore, the exploration of alternative interventions that are cost effective, easily accessible, autonomous, and provide flexibility with respect to incorporating treatment into one’s lifestyle is needed. Emotional working memory training (eWMT) shows potential as a treatment option for SAD due to: previous research finding significant positive outcomes (i.e., symptom decrease) when using forms of working memory training (WMT) in the treatment of anxiety-, depressive/mood- and stress-related disorders (AMS disorders), its ability to improve cognitive control of affective information, and its targeting of the prefrontal cortex of the brain - which is implicated in both working memory and SAD. Therefore, the broad aim of this program of research was to explore the efficacy of eWMT as a potential treatment for SAD. The overall results of this program of research suggests that, firstly, more rigorous studies are needed that evaluate forms of WMT in the treatment of AMS disorders/symptoms. Rigorous studies are needed to address the methodological and reporting issues identified in the systematic review, so that higher-quality evidence can be produced to evaluate WMT’s efficacy in future. Secondly, this program of research suggests that a 15-session x 20-minute course of eWMT has the potential to be used as an efficacious form of treatment to reduce SAD symptoms and may be comparable to gold-standard evidence-based treatments such as CBT. However, the efficacy of eWMT for SAD may be hindered by attitudes towards it, and to promote eWMT as a form of treatment for SAD, further strategies other than psychoeducation may need to be implemented to increase consumer engagement.

Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease which resulted in 409,000 deaths and 229 million clinical cases across 87 malaria endemic countries in 2019. Anti-malarial drugs are used to prevent and treat malaria, and vector control is currently the most effective means to control malaria parasite transmission. However, the development of resistance by the mosquito to insecticides and resistance by the parasite to all current anti-malarial drugs, as well as the significant cost of anti-malarial drugs, has heightened the urgency for research into alternative strategies to control and eliminate malaria, such as a vaccine. There have been difficulties in developing an efficacious malaria vaccine, in part due to the Plasmodium parasite and its complex life cycle in both the Anopheles spp. mosquito vector and vertebrate host. The majority of malaria vaccine approaches target a specific Plasmodium life cycle stage, with sexual blood-stage vaccine candidates explored to a comparatively minor extent. By disrupting he parasite’s ability to infect and develop within the mosquito a transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV), targeting the sexual-stage parasite, does not aim to protect the vaccine but instead aims to provide a community-based protection against infection with the malaria parasite. This project focuses on vaccine candidates targeting the sexual-stage parasite, with the overall aim to interrupt transmission of the malaria parasite. Vaccine candidates explored here were formulated with liposomes and the immunomodulatory molecules: mannosylated core peptide (F3) and/or 3D(6-acyl) PHAD (PHAD). Liposomes have been previously investigated for the development of malaria vaccine candidates including TBV candidates, and a whole asexual blood-stage parasite vaccine was recently formulated with F3 liposomes and was shown to induce protective immunity against blood-stage challenge. Initially, vaccine candidates were examined as single component vaccine formulations, with P. falciparum NF54 gametocytes representing the sexual-stage parasite in the human host and the P. falciparum antigen Pfs25/Pfs25-derived peptides representing the sexual-stage parasites in the mosquito. Immunogenicity was evaluated by measuring antigen-specific antibody responses by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and cellular responses by splenocyte proliferation assays and cytokine bead arrays (CBA). Based on the quality and quantity of the induced cellular and humoral immune responses, the optimal vaccine formulation combining gametocytes and the Pfs25/Pfs25-derived peptides was then examined as a multi-component formulation to facilitate the induction of immune responses that target the sexual-stage of the parasite in both the human and mosquito hosts. In addition to measuring immunogenicity, standard membrane feeding assays (SMFA) were used in the multi-component vaccine experiment to evaluate the functionality of the induced antibody responses. The induction of a cross-stage functional immune response that targeted the asexual blood-stage parasite was also examined in the single and multi-component experiments by challenging mice with heterologous P. yoelii 17X bloodstage parasites. In the single-component vaccine experiments, when examining the humoral immune responses, mice immunised with Pfs25-EPA and Pfs25-derived peptide-DT vaccine formulations had high Immunoglobulin G (IgG) titres against the vaccinating antigen and the presence of liposomes allowed faster antibody acquisition following immunisation. IgG1 was the predominant IgG subclass induced following immunisation, with lower levels of the other IgG subclasses observed. The level of Pfs25-specific IgG was much lower in sera from mice immunised with vaccine formulations containing Pfs25-derived peptide-DT compared to vaccine formulations containing Pfs25-EPA. Therefore, we did not consider a Pfs25-derived peptide-DT vaccine component for the multi-component vaccine formulation. Mice immunised with formulations containing gametocytes with liposomes and PHAD (or PHAD in combination with F3) had significantly higher P. falciparum NF54 asexual blood-stage parasite-specific IgG titres compared with the other gametocyte-vaccinated groups. Antibodies against whole gametocyte antigens were not able to be measured due to a lack of coating antigen for ELISAs. IgG specific for P. yoelii 17X asexual blood-stage parasites was only observed in the sera of mice immunised with vaccine formulations containing gametocytes with liposomes and PHAD (or PHAD in combination with F3), albeit at low levels. Interestingly, we also detected IgG specific for Pfs25 in sera from mice immunised with whole gametocytes, likely due to the presence of Pfs25-expressing gametes which may have exflagellated during purification of gametocytes for the vaccine formulations. In examining the cellular immune responses, all groups immunised with Pfs25-EPA, excluding Pfs25-EPA + PHAD liposomes, had Pfs25-specific proliferative responses significantly higher than background. Splenocytes from mice immunised with Pfs25-EPA + PHAD liposomes had significantly higher T helper 1 (Th1), Th2 and Th17-related cytokine production, with the exception of Interleukin-10 (IL-10), compared with all other groups. All vaccine formulations containing P. falciparum gametocytes induced strong proliferative responses to P. falciparum asexual parasitised red blood cells (pRBCs) and gametocytes, with no significant differences between the P. falciparum asexual pRBC (NF54 and 7G8 strains) and P. falciparum NF54 gametocyte stimulants indicating the induction of stage and strain-transcending cellular immune responses. Proliferative responses to P. yoelii pRBCs were comparatively lower in all groups, although this was only statistically significant in mice vaccinated with gametocytes + naked liposomes. In genral, Th1 and Th2-related cytokine responses were higher in groups immunised with vaccine formulations containing gametocytes with liposomes and PHAD (or PHAD in combination with F3) and Th17 responses were only detected in these groups. Comparatively, all groups had lower Th1, Th2 and Th17-related cytokine responses in response to P. yoelii pRBC stimulation. As the data suggest that the presence of PHAD in the vaccine formulation was critical for the induction of cellular immune responses, this was selected as the optimal liposome formulation for the multi-component vaccine experiment. For the multi-component experiment, Pfs25-EPA and P. falciparum gametocytes were formulated together with liposomes and PHAD and this multi-component vaccine was evaluated alongside vaccine formulations containing the individual antigen components to examine whether the inclusion of two vaccine components in the vaccine formulation would result in immune interference. Mice immunised with Pfs25-EPA + PHAD liposomes had significantly higher Pfs25-specific IgG titres compared with mice immunised with Pfs25-EPA + gametocytes + PHAD liposomes and gametocytes + PHAD liposomes. The lower Pfs25- specific IgG, following immunisation with the multi-component vaccine, may be due to immune interference. No significant differences were observed when comparing the IgG titres against the P. falciparum NF54 asexual blood-stage parasite in groups immunised with Pfs25- EPA + gametocytes + PHAD liposomes or gametocytes + PHAD liposomes. This indicates that there was no immune interference with the induction of these antibodies. IgG specific for Pfs25 was also detected in sera from mice immunised with gametocytes + PHAD liposomes in the multi-component vaccine experiment. Immunisation with vaccine formulations containing gametocytes induced strong P. falciparum whole parasite-specific splenocyte proliferative responses, with no differences observed in the proliferative response against any of the P. falciparum whole parasite antigen stimulants. Comparatively, immunisation with vaccine formulations containing gametocytes induced lower P. yoelii pRBC-specific splenocyte proliferative responses. Proliferative responses were significantly lower in splenocytes from mice immunised with gametocytes + PHAD liposomes following stimulation with P. yoelii pRBCs compared to stimulation with Pf NF54 gametocytes. Splenocytes from mice immunised with Pfs25-EPA + PHAD liposomes, Pfs25- EPA + gametocytes + PHAD liposomes and gametocytes + PHAD liposomes had significantly higher proliferative responses following stimulation with Pfs25 compared to stimulation with media. This was in contrast with the lack of a significantly higher proliferative response in the Pfs25-EPA + PHAD liposomes group in the single-component vaccine experiment. Splenocytes from mice immunised with gametocytes in the multi-component vaccine experiment produced Th1, Th2 and Th17-related cytokines in response to whole parasite antigen stimulation, with much lower responses observed against P. yoelii pRBCs. Pfs25- specific cytokine responses in the Pfs25-EPA + PHAD liposome immunised mice were inconsistent with the results from the single-component experiment, suggesting that the analysis for this multi-component experiment did not work and therefore it should be repeated in future experiments. Functionality of vaccine-induced immune responses was examined in both single and multicomponent vaccine experiments. The SMFA measured the functionality of antibodies induced by the vaccine formulations in the multi-component experiment. Pooled post-vaccination sera samples from the multi-component vaccine and the individual Pfs25-EPA or gametocyte vaccine formulations had antibodies with potent functional activity, reducing the prevalence of infected mosquitoes and the density of oocysts in infected mosquitoes by >90%. Further analysis with different strains of Plasmodium gametocytes in the vaccine or the SMFA should be conducted in future experiments to evaluate strain-transcending inhibitory activity of antibodies and to enable assessment of the breadth of the vaccine-induced transmissionblocking immune response. To examine the induction of cross-stage protective immunity against asexual blood-stage parasites, mice were challenged with P. yoelii 17X pRBCs. Moderate protection was observed in mice immunised with gametocytes + PHAD liposomes in the single-component vaccine experiment, but this was not reproduced in the multicomponent vaccine experiment. The heterologous species blood-stage challenge using a rodent parasite does not appear to be a robust or reproducible model for assessing cross-stage immunity induced by a vaccine containing human parasites or parasite antigens. Future preclinical evaluation could be conducted in Aotus monkeys to evaluate the induction of crossstage protection against homologous challenge with P. falciparum asexual blood-stage parasites. Malaria remains a global public health issue which urgently requires more effective strategies to control the transmission of the malaria parasite. A multi-component vaccine which could target parasite antigens across different hosts could be critical for stopping parasite transmission. Through the experiments conducted in this project we have generated important data which supports further development of the TBV candidates examined here and provides further justification of a multi-component vaccine utilising multiple antigens to target the malaria parasite at different points in the Plasmodium life cycle. However, further studies are still needed to be able to progress the multi-component vaccine candidate into clinical evaluation.

This study, based on British and South African archival records, much of them previously classified, examines the Anglo-South African partnership for the collective defence of the strategically important sea route round the Cape of Good Hope from 1945 to 1975 during the era of post-war British imperial drawdown, with an increasingly isolated South Africa, defined by its racial policies, taking a strident nationalist and anti-Communist path. It is a study of international naval cooperation, basing and interoperability, and of the related development of the South African Navy, within the context of diplomatic and defence relations between London and Pretoria and as part of broader Commonwealth and Western defence arrangements during the Cold War. The defence of the Cape sea route, which had been vitally important to Britain and the Allied cause during the Second World War, was achieved through the interconnected 1921 Anglo-South African Simon’s Town arrangements and the subsequent Simon’s Town Agreement which superseded them in 1955. These agreements formed a continuum that provided for the safeguarding of the Cape sea route during this period. Despite being the subject of intense political controversy linked to abhorrence of apartheid, presenting successive British Governments with the dilemma of balancing strategic relevance and political liability, there was an overall continuity of strategic themes throughout the period. This was largely because of the fundamental and continued belief by both signatories in the strategic importance of one of the world’s most vital sea routes. Although strategically still relevant, the Agreement was finally terminated in 1975 essentially for political reasons at a time when Britain had finally withdrawn from East of Suez and was refocussing on its NATO commitments, and when South Africa was becoming increasing isolated internationally because of its apartheid policies. The Agreement and the preceding Simon’s Town arrangements nonetheless served the grand strategic and national interests of both nations and the broader Western alliance effectively during the first three decades of the Cold War.

Amidst the global biodiversity crisis, eastern and southern Africa's rangelands stand out as one of the most critical regions for conservation attention. They contain much of the world's biodiversity and some of the only intact large mammal assemblages. However, over the next 50 years, these ecosystems will be disproportionally threatened by the global-scale impacts of land transformation and climate change. So far, the primary response to the global biodiversity crisis, both globally and within eastern and southern Africa, has been through an increase in the extent of protected areas (PAs). Yet, PA expansion has been unable to halt biodiversity loss. This thesis explores the factors driving this negative ecological trajectory at the livestock-wildlife interface in Africa's rangelands. First, I use a Kenyan case study to demonstrate that the current PA network inadequately represents biodiversity, indicating that conservation practice and policy need to extend across "working landscapes", such as rangelands and agricultural areas, to prevent loss. Second, I create a metric to show, for the first time, that PAs in eastern and southern Africa are under immense pressure along their boundaries, threatening their utility. Because of this, I argue that we must develop conservation strategies that cut across species and land-use boundaries to alleviate pressure on PAs and ensure that global biodiversity targets are met. To understand how best to alleviate these pressures, I use a social-ecological systems (SES) lens to identify the drivers of biodiversity loss at the livestock-wildlife interface, using data collected across six ecosystems in southern Kenya. To do so, I compiled a wide variety of socio-economic and ecological data. This includes land price data collected from scraping websites, data from multiple sources of long-term changes in climate, rangeland productivity, and wildlife and livestock numbers, and the collation of data on ecosystem boundaries and land tenure. Specifically, I collected and synthesised one of the most extensive data sets on the status of any rangeland by mapping the extent of livestock enclosures, fencing, and agriculture across 35,000 km2 in southern Kenya. My analysis of these data demonstrates how the profit-driven turnover of ownership, subdivision and transformation of land in southern Kenya is rapidly underway, fragmenting ecosystems, changing governance structures, and degrading rangelands. This process is causing widespread detrimental impacts to savanna biodiversity and the sustainability of the pastoral social-ecological system. Our comprehensive analysis exposes proximate anthropogenic stressors as overwhelmingly strong drivers of ecosystem-level change, currently eclipsing the impact of climate change, and confirms their importance for conservation within the rangelands of eastern and southern Africa. The lesson from southern Kenya is that African savannas can quickly flip from rain-driven to human-driven ecosystems. Thus, conservation solutions must focus on local drivers of change, which must be traced back to the higher-level socio-economic and political developments to which they are responding. In the face of global change, it is evident that economic incentives, underwritten by devolved management and governance of rangelands and wildlife, will be vital for conservation in this region. Ensuring there is an instrumental value of wildlife for landowners and national governments is critical, allowing landholders to convert wildlife and biodiversity from a short-term liability into a long-term asset. A landscape-based approach working across scales and sectors while incorporating and reacting to these SESs complexities is a critical step in addressing these shortcomings. I provide an example of this approach in southern Kenya, in what we term "inside-out" conservation. This broader perspective improves the chances that global biodiversity targets and sustainable development goals are aligned. It also ensures that limited conservation resources are used to benefit both people and wildlife through PAs and in the larger, more functional landscapes in which they are embedded.

Background An estimated 285 million people are vision impaired, 90% live in developing countries. There is little research examining ways in which mid-level cadres can optimally contribute to eliminating avoidable visual impairment. This research sought to explore how the capacity of Pacific Eye Nurses (PENs) can be further developed and better supported to provide quality care. Methods Using a Delphi process, PENs defined and prioritized elements of quality care. In semi-structured interviews 27 PENs shared their positive experiences, challenges, contexts, and processes of improving care. A theoretical framework of self-regulation, synthesized from professionalism, social-cognitive theory, and quality improvement, underpinned the qualitative data analysis. Findings PENs perceive that they are clinically competent and capable of making a difference. PENs descriptions of self-regulation and quality care are concordant with literature from Western countries: PENs set goals, often to meet patient needs, and undertake self-reflection. If they detect a discrepancy they attempt to improve care by engaging with local health systems and other practitioners, rather than through professional development. PENs also describe changes to their perspective leading to innovations in care and intrinsic rewards. These improvements appear strongly influenced by their reflective and metacognitive processes, values, beliefs, commitment, and emotions, interacting with contextual factors. Reported challenges to care provision include competing goals, such as guideline-directed care versus care responsive to patients perceived expectations, and attitudes towards traditional medicine. Discussion This research proposes a unique practitioner-centred approach underpinned by a transformative self-regulation framework, which provides insight into improving health care quality. This approach expands upon both the synthesized framework and upon existing concepts of self-regulation as maintaining a certain level of care. Even small changes can transform both care, and practitioners themselves, through a deeper understanding of their inner self and abilities. The framework places practitioners and patients at the centre of complex socio-cultural, professional, and health systems. Practitioners add value to care by challenging their own attitudes, beliefs, and behaviour, augmenting and strengthening health systems from within. Recommendations for ongoing capacity development; cognitive, emotional, and systems support should encourage practitioners to use a flexible approach to enhance care and mitigate breakdowns in self-regulation.

This study examines fertility wants, attitudes, and intentions to have a child to illustrate differences that exist within the unmarried population in terms of union status and sexual orientation. Using data on 15,418 men and women from the 2006-2010 National Survey of Family Growth (Cycle 7), I find that fertility attitudes and intentions to have a child differ significantly by union status. Married men and women have more positive attitudes towards children than those who are unmarried. Singles and cohabiters lag behind married men and women in their intentions to have a child, and cohabiters have significantly less certain fertility intentions than singles. However, cohabiters have greater odds of wanting a child than marrieds and singles. There are, however, gender and age differences. At older ages, cohabiting women have significantly greater intentions to have a child than older marrieds and singles. The results also demonstrate differences between sexual minorities and heterosexuals. While many sexual minorities want to have children and intend becoming parents, their attitude towards children is less positive and they report less certain fertility intentions than heterosexuals. However, while sexual minority men, in general, have the least certain fertility intentions of all groups, when in a couple, their intentions to have a child surpass those of sexual minority women and heterosexual men. These findings provide evidence of many differences in fertility wants, attitudes, and intentions across sexual orientation, union status, gender, and age. This study adds to the growing literature on sexual minority families and demonstrates ways in which sexual minorities are similar to or different from heterosexuals in their family formation desires and attitudes. It also offers suggestions for future research on fertility intentions among unmarried men and women and the meaning of marriage and cohabitation among this group.