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Termites are predominantly tropical insects and the greatest abundance of species and genera occurs in the humid tropics. In Peninsular Malaysia, as in other countries, they are known pests of agricultural crops, timbers in service, and forest trees. On the other hand, they are by far more important as essential links in the dynamics of the tropical forest ecosystems as they speed up the decomposition processes. Termites are therefore economically very significant. This present study sets out to document the termite fauna of the country and has been based on the material collected by the author and colleagues of the Forest Research Institute during country wide field trips. A total of 132 spp. have been dealt with in the text, of which 62 have hitherto been unrecorded. A number of these are recognised as possibly new species. With this study, the total known termite fauna in the country comes to 178 spp. belonging to 42 genera and 3 families. The systematic studies revealed that unsatisfactory taxonomic status do exist for some of the genera and species dealt with. These are discussed and pointed out wherever relevant. All these limitations to current Malaysian termite taxonomy are further taken up in the discussions following the systematic treatment. The P. Malaysian fauna was also compared with those of the neighbouring countries which showed that Borneo and Sumata have close faunal similarities. The biogeography of most of the Malaysian genera has also been looked into and discussed. Five discrete papers have been included into the thesis to provide an insight into aspects of termite biology. Two of these deal with the biology and feeding habits of Cryptotermes cynocephalus, a common drywood termite. The role of the termite Microcerotermes dubius which causes gap formation is discussed in Paper 3 and in the next paper it has been shown that, despite being resident within the humid rainforests, the termite Dicuspiditermes nemorosus does maintain distinct annual cycles. In the last paper, already published, an unique defence behaviour by Prohamitermes mirabilis has been reported. This termite uses ready made round pellets to seal off entry points into the nest when cells are exposed.

Meeting future demands of food security will require enhanced rice production that is more environmentally sustainable. To achieve this it is important to know the genetic and molecular mechanism controlling the root traits. High throughput phenotyping which can keep pace with genotyping is needed, but for many researchers this needs to be cheap as well as meaningful. Here a very simple, low cost and reliable method of assessing root depth of seedling using a layer of diuron-soaked filter paper buried 25 cm deep in a soil-filled box has been developed which is suitable for screening of hundreds of accessions. The assumption is that deep-rooting plants die quicker. This method was then used to screen five established rice panels. Deep rooted cultivars were screened from a panel of an aus panel from IRRI and a panel of Brazilian and Japanese cultivars by using this method. Root QTLs were detected by using bi-parental mapping population and GWA study was performed in two panels, the rice diversity panel (RDP-1) and Bengal Assam Association Population. Assessing 139 RILs from Bala x Azucena bi-parental population revealed heritability of 55% for herbicide symptoms where eleven QTLs were detected, many of which were co-localised with previously reported root QTLs in this population. A GWA study was performed using RDP1) of 356 accessions with 44k SNP markers. Analysis revealed 17% of phenotypic variation of herbicide score was attributable to rice sub-population where the aus showed the deepest rooting systems. A number of QTLs have been identified and a number of positional candidate gene lists were produced. A further 298 cultivars from Bengal and Assam were screened and GWA was performed using 2 M SNP database available from sequencing. ANOVA revealed 37% variation for herbicide score explained by genotype. Soil-filled rhizotron were used to assess 12 of these cultivars, revealing strong xx correlations between deep root traits and herbicide score, confirming the reliability of this method. GWA revealed a number of significant SNPs associated with the traits in this population. Finally a set of mutant gene (LOC_Os09g31478, LOC_Os05g40330, LOC_Os11g34140) which are functional candidate gene for root growth QTLs were studied. Here hydroponic phenotypic screening approach were used to identify the T-DNA mutant lines. However, no convincing mutants were revealed. The herbicide screening method has been shown to be a quick and robust system for the assessment of deep rooting rice plants in soil. This method can now be used for screening large number of cultivars and the identification of QTLs and candidate genes.

This thesis concerns the theoretical study of the low-energy interaction of antihydrogen atoms (¯H) with hydrogen molecules and antiprotons (p¯) with hydrogen molecular ions. Both systems are of interest to experiments currently under way at CERN aiming to trap and study antihydrogen atoms. To date limited work has been carried out on these systems. Only four papers on the ¯H-H2 system have been published and so far only semi-classical results have been published for p¯-H+ 2 . For both systems potential energy surfaces are constructed by fitting analytical functions to ab initio calculated energies. A combination of a neural network and suitable long-range asymptotic functions are used to fit the surfaces of both systems. The resulting surfaces are more accurate than those of previous work and should be useful for further studies. Quantum mechanical scattering calculations are carried out using the S-matrix Kohn variational method. It is shown that basis sets which are effective for normal chemical systems are not suitable for mixed matter/antimatter interactions. Instead, a basis set of multidimensional Gaussian functions, tailored to the potential, is used to converge the scattering calculations. For ¯H-H2 scattering the diatomic is approximated as a rigid rotor. Elastic and rotationally inelastic scattering calculations are presented. Hadronic annihilation calculations are also presented along with the first calculation of leptonic annihilation cross sections for this system. Scattering calculations for the p¯-H+ 2 system are carried out with approximations made to the potential. The strength of the interaction between the antiproton and hydrogen molecular ion, which at long range becomes Coulombic, requires large basis sets. The necessary modifications required to use the Kohn method with a Coulomb potential are discussed. A preliminary calculation of Pn-H elastic scattering is also carried out.

This research examines WHY and HOW a new approach to Enterprise Strategy and IT planning can be adopted in the European national financial sector by using Enterprise Architecture (EA). EA has been promoted as a key tool for transformation and modernisation of the enterprise. By following best practices from successful case studies and the European Central Bank (ECB), the claim is that the adoption of EA will ensure that IT resources and business processes are planned, leveraged, and coordinated better in national financial sectors. In our five supporting papers, several qualitative case studies in Europe were investigated by applying an interpretive perspective. According to common belief EA connects business and IT; it is an important tool for survival and growth. Many EA endeavours, however, fail. The question is how can risks of EA implementation failure be reduced at an early stage? Underlying questions concern: why would a particular organisation need EA, can implementation risks be identified and are solutions available to reduce the failure rate? In order to answer research questions a literature study is performed to build the Business Transformation Enablement Program framework (BTEP). It advocates deliberate motivation, active risk management and an iterative and incremental implementation of EA. Next to the literature, the framework is validated through the Small National Bank (SNB) implementation. Data was collected in both structured, semi-structured and ad-hoc methods. Grounded theory techniques were used to analyse the data logically, using existing theory only as prior constructs. The theoretical abstractions, generalisations and experience generated in the research process have been published and availed to specialised groups.

This mathematics thesis deals with combinatorial representation theory. Cells were introduced in a 1979 paper written by D. Kazhdan and G. Lusztig, and have intricate links with many areas of mathematics, including the representation theory of Coxeter groups, Iwahori–Hecke algebras, semisimple complex Lie algebras, reductive algebraic groups and Lie groups. One of the main problems in the theory of cells is their classification for all finite Coxeter groups. This thesis is a detailed study of cells in type Bn with respect to certain choices of parameters, and contributes to the classification by giving the first characterisation of left cells when b/a = n − 1. Other results include the introduction of a generalised version of the enhanced right descent set and exhibiting the asymptotic left cells of type Bn as left Vogan classes. Combinatorial results give rise to efficient algorithms so that cells can be determined with a computer; the methods involved in this work transfer to a new, faster way of calculating the cells with respect to the studied parameters. The appendix is a Python file containing code to make such calculations.

This Research paper addresses the topic of "Libyan Exploration and Production sharing agreement" in comparison with the "Iranian buy back contract". This thesis discusses at length, the legal developments of "petroleum agreements" in both the states from the beginning of concession era until the discontinuation of the countries' commitment to those arrangements as a result of the overthrow of the Monarchical Government in Libya in 1969 and in Iran in 1979. The thesis also analyses respective Governments' strategy of eliminating or preventing international oil companies (IOCs) controlling the petroleum industry with the need for the knowledge, experience and finance of those companies. The thesis also give stress on both types of contracts to the IOCs, the essential legal differences between the Libyan EPSA (Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement) and the Iranian BBC (Buy Back Contract) etc. The thesis mainly focuses on the two methods of contracting: Exploration Production Sharing Agreement (EPSA) and the Buy Back Contract (BBC). The EPSA was devised as a government vehicle in 1973 to achieve the main objective to control the oil industries, while at the same time to obtain foreign finance and technology. Of a similar approach, the Iranian government adopted Buy Back Contract (BBC) to obtain the necessary foreign services, capital and expertise, while also restricting and preventing the direct involvement of IOCs in the petroleum industry as required by certain Articles of the Iranian Constitution, including 44, 45, and 81. The governments in both Libya and Iran, following the Revolutions, attempted to become more self-reliant in developing the petroleum industry and keeping foreign involvement to a minimum so far as control of oil industries are concerned. But since nationalistic ambition did not bring desired economic results, both governments are forced to modify their respective policies and types of contract to include terms that were favourable or attractive to IOCs. However, despite of such vital improvements, these contracts still appearing to be unattractive and inconsistent, with implications that would continue to affect the parties to the contract. A number of defects still exists in the method of contracting which needs to be resolved in order to render the business environment in their petroleum industry more attractive. The thesis consists of eight chapters, with chapter one introduces the topic and outlines the main arguments that will be dealt with in the thesis. Chapter two provides the historical background to the petroleum industries. Chapter three examines briefly the Libyan political background. Chapter four focuses on the historical developments of the Libyan oil industries. Chapter five is entirely devoted to consideration of the development of the EPSA in Libya. Chapter six examines the historical developments of the petroleum industries in Iran in the post-war period, beginning with the nationalisation policy in 1951. This chapter also discusses the legal basis and contractual structure of the Iranian BBC. Chapter seven critically analyses the main terms of both the Libyan EPSA IV, the latest BBC in place and the Iranian BBC contracts. Chapter eight summarises the major findings of the study.

The work presented in this paper represents an attempt made by using chemical and physical methods to find the reasons for the variations in site quality which appear in soils bearing a heath flora. In order to do this, the soil samples were collected from under four different heath communi-ties; namely, Calluna, Desohampsia, Ulex, and Pteris*. These communities were selected since field observations on planted areas had Indicated tnat the Calluna and the: Desohampsia communities could, in general, be regarded, as indicating soil conditions somewhat less favourable for tree growth than were those indicated by the whin and the bracken communities. Several complete profiles and a number of " short " profiles were opened under each of these communities and after field descriptions had been prepared, representative samples of the layers were taken for analysis. Although all of the soils belonged to the same group: the podsols: it soon became evident that there were differences in the type of podsole and that these differences were related, to a certain extent, to the vegetative cover. Accordingly, in the paper a des-cription of each profile is presented and these descriptions are followed by the results of the laboratory analyses and their bearing upon field observations and the problems of afforestation sites. Calluna commonly known as the ling, Pteris as the bracken fern, and Ulex as the whin or the gorse. In conclusion, the main characteristics of the soils from the ecological, physical, and chemica1 standpoints are summarized and discussed, and, on. the basis of the results obtained, suggestions are made as to the possibilities of improving these undesirable heath types.

The growing interest in positive factors that promote thriving and flourishing in psychology research and education in recent years has prompted an increased focus on the importance of non-intellectual or transferrable skills, in particular character strengths, social, and interpersonal abilities. A recent UK government white paper was published citing the importance of character in education; however, the extant research literature is largely drawn from American and Australian populations, with the majority of studies being cross sectional. Researchers and educators should be cautious of causal interpretations and generalisation of these findings to other populations. Research from the UK, with its differing culture and education system, is limited, and there is a clear need for longitudinal, UK research to clarify both the nature of these causal relationships, and whether USA findings can be generalised to the UK. Such research is particularly important in order to accurately inform and evaluate any potential applications of strengths based approaches in education. The current thesis reports findings from a short term, longitudinal study of the influence of self-perceived strengths on teacher assessments and exam results in a cohort of UK adolescents from 3rd to 4th year across two schools in Aberdeen. Pupils completed self-report measures of strengths (Strengths Assessment Inventory – Youth; SAI-Y), coping (WOC-R), Optimism (LOT-R), and Trait Affect (PANAS) at three time points: baseline (time 1), 8 months later (time 2), and a further 5 months later (time 3). Teacher assessments of pupil progress by subject for each participant were obtained following time 2 data collection and participant exam results after time 3. Chapter 1 (study 1a) reports the psychometric validation of a relatively new strengths measure for children and young people (SAI-Y) in a UK adolescent population, based on time 1 data. Findings show the psychometric properties and factorial structure of the SAI-Y compare well with previous validation studies, indicating this measure is a valid tool for describing character strengths in UK as well as US adolescents. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to derive an empirical factor structure for the SAI-Y. The psychometric data and analyses suggest that the factorial structure of the SAI-Y is different in the study population, but that the new 12 factor structure is valid for this sample. In addition, relative to the other measures used in this study, the SAI-Y captures a range of differing constructs relative to the WOC-R, PANAS and LOT-R, so that the SAI-Y is a useful, psychometrically valid tool for measuring a wider range of non-intellectual abilities in future strengths based research. Chapter 2 (study 1b) reports findings on the predictive relationship between pupils self-reported strengths at time 1, and teacher assessments of pupil progress at time 2, as investigated using exploratory and stepwise regression analyses. Findings showed that Pupils who score highly on Functional Behaviour (SAI-Y) tend to be assessed as excelling or performing in line with expectations by teachers 8 months later. In particular, pupils who self-report higher levels of Functional Behaviour are more likely to be assessed as excelling than performing as expected, in that functional behaviour was more strongly predictive of Green (excelling) than of Amber (performing as expected) assessments. Chapter 3 (study 1c) reports the results of exploratory and stepwise regression analyses to determine the predictive relationships between pupil self-reported strengths and exam results. Findings indicate that Functional Behaviour is consistently predictive of 13 successful academic achievement, particularly for higher levels of attainment (e.g. cumulative Total Score, A and B awards at N5, and proportion of exams passed at N5 level). Chapter 4 (study 1d) addresses the predictive relationships between teacher assessments of pupil progress and exam results, based on data from time 1 and 3. Analyses of Pupil Progress assessments for pupils participating at Time 1 and 3, using both exploratory and stepwise regression, showed a consistent, predictive relationship between Green (exceeding expectations) assessments and higher levels of exam success (N5 total score, percentage of passes at N5, and number of A, B, and C grades at N5). Analyses indicate Amber pupil progress to be a consistent predictor of almost all levels of exam success. Chapter 5 (study 1e) Investigates the Influence of time on predictors of outcomes (Teacher Assessments and Exams), as well as the relative influence of Strengths and Teacher Assessments on Exam Outcomes. Longitudinal regression analyses to assesses the influence of time in the predictive relationships found between Strengths and positive outcomes (Teacher Assessments and Exams), as well as the relative predictive influence of Strengths and Teacher Assessments on Exam outcomes, were conducted based on data from Time 1 and Time 3. Findings are interpreted and discussed in the context of strengths based educating, successful learning, and positive youth development; recommendations for future research directions are considered.

The aim of this doctoral research was to explore CAM use in pregnancy from the perspectives of pregnant women and health professionals. The research was conducted in four phases: a systematic review of the published literature from 2008-2012; cross sectional surveys of two cohorts of women during the first and last trimester; and a cross sectional survey of health professionals (midwives, obstetricians, anaesthetists) at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital. The systematic review reported a significant proportion of women used CAM during pregnancy with prevalence rates ranging from 5.8% to 74.2%. The study of health professionals identified that more than 30% of respondents have prescribed, referred or advised the use of CAM to pregnant women. The main associated factor for CAM use was, 'personal use of CAM', with an odds ratio of 8.26 (95% CI 3.09–22.05; P < 0.001). Two thirds of women (63%) reported using CAM, excluding vitamins and minerals, during early pregnancy. The independent predictors of CAM use identified were: use by family and friends (OR 4.1, 95% CI 2.3–7.3, p < 0.001); ethnicity (non-white British) (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.8–6.8, p < 0.001); and use prior to pregnancy (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.2–4.8, p = 0.014). Two thirds of women (61.4%) reported using CAM, excluding vitamins and minerals, during the third trimester. The independent associated factors for CAM medicine use identified were: CAM use before pregnancy (odds ratio [OR] 4.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.39–7.95, P<0.001); a university education (OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.46–4.0, P<0.001), and CAM use by family or friends (OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.61–3.47,P<0.001). The lack of an evidence based approach together with the reliance on the advice of family and friends is of concern given the lack of robust data of efficacy and safety. To date, four peer reviewed papers from this doctoral research have been published.

Background: Maternal mortality is a major public health problem worldwide, especially in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). The majority of these deaths are due to direct (obstetric) complications. However, almost one third of maternal deaths globally are caused by indirect (non-obstetric) causes, including non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes mellitus (DM) and various forms of long-standing hypertension (excluding pre-eclampsia and eclampsia). Much is known about the contribution of the direct causes to overall levels of maternal deaths. However, less is known about the contribution of NCDs to maternal deaths and morbidity, yet these diseases are increasingly being observed in LMIC and among younger populations. Women of childbearing age are particularly vulnerable because of the effects these conditions may have on pregnancies and the unborn baby. Aim: This thesis aims to explore the existing situation of NCDs in pregnancy (DM and hypertension in particular) from a public health perspective and to identify how health systems in LMIC need to respond, so as to more effectively address the growing burden of NCDs. The case study of Jamaica is examined in depth. Rationale: In deciding which NCDs to focus on, consideration was given to the burden and its effect on pregnancy outcomes. The leading NCDs causing death worldwide in women are cardiovascular conditions. Among these conditions, hypertension was chosen because it is the most commonly occurring worldwide. DM was chosen because of its associated link with hypertension, and also because it is among the NCDs with high morbidity worldwide. The focus on Jamaica was because it is an upper middle-income transitioning country that is faced with the problem of NCDs. Jamaica is also among the few LMIC that reports on indirect causes of maternal deaths that includes NCDs. Method: Public health principles were used in this thesis, to: investigate the burden of DM and hypertension; understand related risk factors; and inform development of prevention strategies for addressing the problem. To assess the burden of disease in LMIC, two systematic reviews were conducted: studies 1a and 1b, investigating the epidemiology of DM and hypertension in pregnancy (up to one year post-delivery). Secondary data analyses of lifestyle and maternal mortality surveillance data were conducted to examine the burden of NCDs and their associated risk factors in further depth within the setting of Jamaica (study 2). Building up the case study of Jamaica, key informant interviews (study 3) were conducted to explore the existing health system organisation in relation to maternity care for NCDs and to propose options for the future. Key findings: The first systematic review found that the prevalence of gestational DM among pregnant women ranged from 0.4 to 24.3%. Up to 0.7% of pregnant women had pre-existing DM (types 1 and 2) in LMIC. Mortality and the prevalence of postpartum DM were scarcely reported. In the second systematic review, the prevalence of gestational hypertension ranged from 0.3 to 60% and that of chronic hypertension ranged from 0.2 to 24%. Prevalence of preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension ranged from 0.1% to 20.6%, and that of unspecified hypertension was 4.1%. The percentage of maternal mortality due to gestational hypertension and chronic hypertension ranged from 2.5 to 5.5% and 1.0 to 4.6% respectively. Amongst the papers included in the review, studies reporting on prevalence were not always population-based and varying definitions of the conditions in pregnancy were used. The secondary data analyses revealed that 6.6% of women of reproductive age in Jamaica were diabetic, 24.1% were hypertensive and 62.8% were overweight or obese. Overweight or obesity was identified as a risk factor for DM and hypertension among women of reproductive age. Furthermore, being in employment and of high gravidity and parity were risk factors associated with hypertension and being overweight or obese. Of the maternal deaths examined, 2.0% were due to DM, 20.7% were due to hypertension and 7.9% were associated with overweight or obesity. The commonest comorbidities among women who died due to DM and hypertension were conditions that affected the circulatory or cardiovascular system such as subarachnoid haemorrhage and cardiomyopathies. Most of the overweight or obese women who had died suffered from obstetric complications, which were the underlying causes of their death. Among the three conditions, hypertensive women had the highest proportions of their babies dying undelivered and preterm live births, while diabetic women had the highest proportions of non-viable outcomes. Key informants from Jamaica provided insights as to how their health system is dealing with the growing burden of NCDs in pregnancy. The problem of NCDs in pregnancy is already being addressed in the island through the implementation of relevant policies targeting these conditions. This include policies that affect service delivery such as the introduction of special clinics for women with NCDs during pregnancy and after delivery, upgrading of some types of health facilities to perform obstetric services and the introduction of home visits. In addition, Jamaica introduced the national health fund to promote equity and access to essential medicines for NCDs and has also abolished user fees. The introduction of maternal-foetal medicine consultants to provide specialist inputs to women with NCDs in pregnancy has also been implemented. However, there were gaps in the health system in the care provided for NCDs in pregnancy which included; resource constraints (financial, health workforce and drugs and supplies), obstetrician inertia to change, lack of training of staff, referral and follow up constraints, poor multidisciplinary team approaches, deficiencies in the health management information system (HMIS) and lack of reward or encouragement for combating NCDs. Conclusion: The large variation in prevalence rates of DM and hypertension found in the systematic reviews may be a reflection of variations in geography or populations, case definitions, study approach and data quality. A comprehensive picture of the burden due to these conditions in pregnancy (and up to one year) in LMIC was not possible to obtain from the systematic reviews because of the sparseness of population-based data. Survey and surveillance data in Jamaica allowed further investigation on the epidemiology of NCDs in pregnancy and highlighted that a considerable burden exists, underscoring the necessity for a responsive health system to manage medical conditions in pregnancy. Although health systems interventions are already in place in Jamaica, challenges and gaps still remain. These could be addressed by learning lessons from other countries' approaches to organising care and by drawing from existing frameworks for delivery of care.

This thesis proposes a reading of Colin Gunton's and Frank Macchia's theology that emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit as a necessary component of their respective thought. In this thesis I will argue that for both theologians the doctrine of the Holy Spirit is foundational to understanding their doctrine of God, Christology and Ecclesiology. First, by using a chiastic structure, I will demonstrate that each theologian has an approach to Pneumatology that places a particular stress on the work of the Holy Spirit in the Church. By explicating the relationship between Pneumatology and Ecclesiology, it will be evident that both theologians view the Church as the eschatological perfecting work of the Spirit. Second, I will argue that God's being as a being-in-communion stresses the personhood of the Holy Spirit. Since God is the creator of the universe, through Gunton I will demonstrate that the doctrine of God has relevance for an understanding of our reality. Third, I will argue that for both theologians, Augustine's pneumatic analogy of 'bond of love' is adjudged inadequate and needs revision to secure the proper personhood of the Holy Spirit in relation to the Father and Son. The Holy Spirit is the person who perfects the divine nature and personhood of the Father and Son. Fourth, I will argue that Gunton and Macchia have developed a type of Spirit Christology: Gunton presents a radicalized version of Chalcedon and Macchia formulates his account through 'Spirit baptism.' Throughout the paper, I will demonstrate that Pneumatology is not isolated to establishing the deity of the Holy Spirit, sanctification or individual subjective illumination. Lastly, the doctrine of God, Christology, Ecclesiology and Eschatology cannot be construed without a proper account of Pneumatology that takes into consideration the eschatological and perfecting work of the third person.

The collected papers represent a coherent body of research which enquired into a particular moment of educational reform in the Adult Literacies field in Scotland. The research is conceptualised as bricolage - an emergent process employing a variety of research methods and analytic frameworks to enquire into the reification of ‘the social practice approach', which, following the Adult Literacy and Numeracy in Scotland (ALNIS) report of 2001, became a central tenet of adult literacies education in Scotland. Seemingly derived from the New Literacy Studies (NLS), the concept of ‘the social practice approach' implies a critical pedagogy. Its prominence in the discourses of adult education in Scotland might indicate critical practice. This research indicates otherwise. Appropriated by policy and practitioners within a web of power relations, the discourse of ‘the social practice approach' may have come to act on practice in ways which are antithetical to its theoretical origins. The research illuminates a complex process of transformation in an apparently radical educational discourse.

This thesis specifies and estimates a number of econometric models aiming to identify the main factors which influence households mortgage choice decisions. The study is motivated by the fact that variable and short-term fixed-rate mortgage contracts dominate the UK mortgage market. This is important because the prevalence of such mortgage contracts has important consequences for the transmission mechanisms of monetary policy decisions and systemic risks. The main contribution of this paper is the provision of empirical evidence regarding the continued existence of a regional dimension within the UK's mortgage market. Results suggest a persistent tendency towards the selection of variable mortgage contracts in Northern England, Scotland and Wales. Another contribution is the empirical investigation of whether supply-side-driven factors influence mortgage choice, and whether recent innovations such as securitisation are playing an important role in decreasing the share of variable mortgage lending in the UK. The results from this research indicate that securitisation provides funds for fixed term mortgage products, while the profit margins for variable lending reduce the supply of fixed rate products. A further contribution is the empirical validation of simultaneity in mortgage size to mortgage rate decisions. The research applies cross sectional, panel and time series analyses, employing innovative econometric techniques and unique research data files. The implications of the findings primarily relate to the need for the enforcement of regional considerations in governmental mortgage and housing affordability programs. Recommendations include government encouragement of fixed rate mortgage contracts in new schemes. Future research may be placed in the context of the dynamic relationship between fixed term lending flows, securitisation and financial regulations.

Women who experience early natural menopause, or surgical menopause, may be prone to any morbidity and mortality risk related to oestrogen deficiency. The thesis aimed to explore the long-term sequelae of the menopause by investigating current knowledge about the relationship between early age at natural menopause, any surgical menopause, and early age at surgical menopause, and future mortality, incident cancer, and incident circulatory disease. The thesis also investigated the long-term sequelae of menopause using data from a nested cohort of UK women from the Royal College of General Practitioners’ Oral Contraception Study [RCGP OCS]. Methods A portfolio of systematic reviews was conducted. To assess whether a young age at natural menopause, any surgical menopause, and a young age at surgical menopause were associated with mortality and ill-health, data from the RCGP OCS were analysed using Cox regression and competing risks. Results Systematic reviews: 153 papers were included, of varying quality. The heterogeneity of included studies’ exposure and reference groups meant that meta-analysis was not possible. Younger age at natural menopause was strongly associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality, but not cancer-related death. A suggestion of an increased risk was found for cardiovascular death. Young natural menopause protected strongly against incident endometrial and weakly against ovarian cancers. Few studies examined cervical cancer and age at natural menopause was not a risk factor. Colorectal cancer was not consistently associated with age at natural menopause. Young age at natural menopause was associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease [CHD], but not cerebrovascular disease. Little evidence was found that surgical, compared with natural menopause was associated with any mortality outcomes. Surgical menopause tended to protect against ovarian cancer but no effect was found for cervical cancer. The relationship between colorectal cancer, or cerebrovascular disease, and surgical menopause is unclear. More evidence showed that surgical menopause may increase the risk of CHD. Limited evidence for young age at combined natural and surgical menopause found it to increase the risk of all-cause mortality and perhaps cardiovascular death. There was no association with risk of cancer death. No clear associations were found for early age at combined natural and surgical menopause and any of the specific cancers examined, or cerebrovascular disease. There may be an association with CHD, but its evidence base was weak. Nested cohort of the RCGP OCS: Premature menopause was associated with decreased risk of: all-cause, cancer-, and circulatory-related mortality, all incident cancer, other cancers, and CHD. Premature menopause was not associated with: incident breast, main gynaecological, or colorectal cancer; all circulatory disease, cerebrovascular disease, or other circulatory disease. For early natural menopause, a significantly decreased risk was observed for: death from all causes, cancer, and non-cancer, non-circulatory causes; incident all cancer, colorectal cancer (borderline), other cancers; incident all circulatory disease and CHD. No significant risk was observed for circulatory mortality; incident breast or main gynaecological cancer; incident cerebrovascular disease or other circulatory disease. Compared with natural menopause, surgical menopause increased circulatory-related mortality only. The risk of incident main gynaecological cancers was decreased. The other incident cancer outcomes were not associated with surgical menopause. Risk of any, and each type of incident circulatory disease was not significantly altered with surgical menopause.

Introduction: Sporadic CJD (sCJD) has a varied clinical and pathological phenotype. This variability is felt to be influenced by patients' genotype at codon 129 on the prion protein gene (PRNP); and has associations with PrPres protein type. There is a polymorphism at codon 129 of PRNP, which results in three genotypes (MM, MV, VV). Additionally, the protease resistant protein (PrPres) seen in patients with CJD can also be classified according to certain biochemical characteristics. The protein types are determined by their mobility on western blot electrophoresis and their degree of glycosylation (type 1, 2a, 2b). In 1996, Parchi and Gambetti categorised cases by sub-types relating to these findings (broadly speaking: MM1, MM2, MV1, MV2, VV1 and VV2) suggesting this as an explanation for the clinical and pathological diversity of the condition (Parchi 1996). Relatively recently a significant minority of patients have been found to have both PrPres protein types present in the brain. Two recent papers have proposed a revised classification system, taking into account the co-occurrence phenomenon, suggesting there are further distinct groups of patients with sCJD (Cali 2009, Parchi 2009). Methods: 108 patients referred to the UK CJD surveillance system, confirmed to have had sporadic CJD at post-mortem, were included in the study. All cases had PRNP genetic analysis to exclude genetic CJD and establish their codon 129 status. Biochemical analysis of disease-associated prion protein via western blot was undertaken in the temporal, parietal and occipital lobes and the thalamus in all patients. A structured assessment of the clinical features seen both at presentation and during the patients' illness was undertaken. A summary of the pathological findings for the patients was also recorded. The clinical and pathological features were then analysed for the relative influence of the codon 129 genotype, protein typing and the combination of the two as the revised sub-type, according to the 2009 Parchi classification system. Results: 26 out of 108 patients had mixed PrP isotypes on western blot analysis. On comparing the most common of these mixed groups [MM 1(+2)] with those patients with the same genotype and predominant protein type [MM1], there were subtle differences in the clinical phenotype and pattern of investigation results. However, the major clinical findings were the same. In general, there was a trend towards increased disease duration with increasing relative ratios of type 2 proteins. On reviewing the pathological findings there were no findings unique to any genotype-isotype sub-group. Conclusions: While there were differing trends, the lack of distinct clinical or pathological findings by genotype-isotype sub-type suggest that these groups do not represent unique strains of prions, but rather groupings over a spectrum of disease. Therefore, more detailed biochemical analysis leading to a revised classification may be more accurate, but currently adds limited useful extra clinical information.

China does not comply with its WTO obligations except in principle and experiences the problem that the incumbent carrier may use technical and commercial mechanisms to maintain market dominance. This is possible because of weaknesses in the Chinese interconnection regulations and difficulties in the application of Chinese anti-competition law to interconnection. The thesis aims to provide a model for interconnection that may be used to deal with the present market dominance in the Chinese interconnection service market. In order to achieve this aim, the thesis identifies the weaknesses in the Chinese interconnection regulations which may be utilized by the incumbent carrier to impede fair competition in the interconnection service market by comparing the Chinese regulations, and the relevant regulations in the WTO Reference Paper and the relevant U.S. interconnection regulations. On the other hand, the thesis also assesses the application of Chinese anti-competition law to interconnection. Consequently the thesis consists of two main parts. Part I includes chapter two, three, four and five. This part focuses on identifying the disadvantages in the present interconnection principles in force in China, technical conditions of interconnection and interconnection charges, and sets out the remedies that will be useful in preventing the incumbent carrier from using technical and commercial mechanisms to maintain market dominance. Part II covers chapter six and seven. This part focuses on the application of Chinese anti-competition law to interconnection, and provides a way to fine-tune the possible disputes rose in interconnection from the perspective of Chinese Anti-monopoly Law.

In this study, the first clashes between Western explorers and the Far East, as well as relations between Britain and China from the eve of the First Opium War (FOW) to the establishment of the British diplomatic residence in Beijing under the treaty regime, have been discussed from a legal point of view. This thesis provides a look at the circumstances of Britain’s encounter with China, their defeat of China through two Opium Wars and their use of unequal treaties to put China into a position of disadvantage. A study of British archives demonstrates the complexity of, and nuance in international law between China and the West from the 1830s to 1860. British national archives allow investigation of the legal perspective on the issues around the opium trade and the way in which it led to the FOW. The archives also shed light on the Second Opium War (SOW) and on the Western acquisition of privileges through the unequal treaties signed at the end of both wars. In its relations with China, Britain left behind the rules and practices which they recognised as the contemporary law of nations and instead, whenever the British financial and economic interest was affected, resorted to force. This paper’s purpose is to show the limitation, according to Chinese Confucian thought, of the self-perception of the Western conception of law and the justice. In fact, this thesis will also show how some British legal advisors and politicians took the side of China and how they argued that Britain had violated the principles of international law. They recognised that China was a sovereign nation and that international law applied in its relations with Britain. Thus this study uncovers aspects of history of international law in the 19th century neglected because of the later prospering of racial theories.

Critical scholarship on nineteenth-century educational reform has highlighted several key changes in the approach to, and organisation of knowledge in the modern era: the rise of a highly specialised disciplinary culture, the growing importance of the university as a centre for the transmission and creation of new knowledge, and the paradoxical growth in accessibility as well as inaccessibility to higher education emerge as key themes in contemporary scholarship on the topic. Although highly valuable in their own right, these studies tend to view 'cultures of knowledge' as teleologically developing to their current state while neglecting theories of pedagogy that interpreted knowledge and learning not as the by-products of a top-down transmission of knowledge from 'master' to 'disciple', but rather as a collaborative process of communication rooted in the fragility of a shared dialogue. By focusing on the theory of universal education outlined by Jean-Joseph Jacotot (1770- 1840) in his Enseignement Universel, this study explores the philosophical intricacies of a system of pedagogy which premises its validity not on theories of 'objective reality' and the transmission of 'facts', but rather on practices of communication and shared thought that eo-produce the pedagogical moment. This set of practices-in addition to problematising the notions of the 'learning subject', the 'knowledgeable master', and the 'institution of education' -addresses issues that are still pertinent to critical debates about the nature and goals of education. In particular, Jacotot's conception of the non-methodical pedagogical relation provides an insightful counterpoint to the notion of the post-historical university in Bill Readings' The University in Ruins, which argues for an ungrounded institution with commitments to Thought rather than Knowledge. This paper elaborates Jacotot's pedagogical theory and reads it alongside Readings' propositions in order to suggest a 'pedagogy of presence' which roots the pedagogical encounter in a dialogue of immediacy and the singularity of subjective identity.

This research extends our understanding of disclosure on the internet by considering a different research setting, namely Jordon. Two main objectives were addressed in this thesis; (1) to explore online status of listed companies and the extent to which websites are utilized to disclose IR-related information, and (2) to investigate factors influencing companies to have websites and to disclose IR information. The first objective involved a survey analysis in 2007. This showed that out of the 187 companies included in the survey, only 105 had active websites. A web-based scoring sheet was used to assess the level to which websites are utilized as an investor relations tool. Results revealed that websites are generally used to disseminate historical financial information that usually appears in paper based annual reports. The second objective of the study was approached through a mixed method paradigm, which employed quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative analysis showed that only two variables were found significant in predicting online presence; size and sector. On the other hand, the extent of web-based IR disclosure is positively significant with size, governmental ownership, institutional ownership, number of shareholders, and Banks. In addition it was found that this usage is significant and negative with company age. Semi-structured interviews with companies and market regulators were also carried out to investigate motivations and influences of online reporting. Interviewees explained that the decision to have an online presence was motivated by a desire to enhance company’s image and reputation, although the decision itself was often triggered by the decision to enter new, non-Jordanian markets. Moreover, the existence of international activities with other companies as well as merging with other international companies affected the way a company uses its website or how it updates and restructures the website’s components. In addition, management’s flexibility in facilitating the process of adopting new technologies was also pointed out by some interviewees as a factor affecting the level to which a company uses its website in general as well as for its IR activities in particular.

The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) was adopted in 1998. The Statute provides that the ICC has jurisdiction over „the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole‟. These crimes are: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. The Rome Statute defines the first three of these, but not the last. At the time this Statute was being drafted, the international community could not agree on a definition of the crime of aggression, so it could not be inscribed fully into the Statute. Instead, it was agreed to include aggression within the subject-matter jurisdiction of the Court, but, in accordance with Article 5(2) of the Rome Statute, the ICC cannot not exercise jurisdiction over this crime until a proper definition has been established by states parties and an agreement is reached on the conditions under which the ICC may prosecute the crime. The present researcher believes that the omission of the crime of aggression from the Court‟s jurisdiction is one of the main defects of the Rome Statute. This thesis explores whether it is possible to establish a satisfactory definition of the crime of aggression and, if so, what this might be. It argues that aggression as an international crime can and should be defined. This thesis will examine the history of the crime of aggression in order to determine whether its definition should build upon previous efforts, or whether it would be better to start afresh. It has been found in this thesis that today‟s dilemma over the crime of aggression cannot be separated from its past; its current status is indeed the result of an accumulative process that began long ago. In addressing the question of the definition of aggression, this thesis also examines critically the contemporary law on the use of force by states in order to identify the lawful and unlawful uses of force that might be relevant to the crime of aggression. In particular, the focus will be on some of the most controversial uses of force, such as pre-emptive self-defence, humanitarian intervention and the use of force to secure the right of self-determination. A precise determination of the scope of the lawful use of force should facilitate the establishment of a definition of the crime of aggression. This thesis concludes that the rules of international law concerning aggression are dispersed across various instruments. This has led, in turn, to the existence of a vague legal stance on the matter when applied to specific cases, especially when dealing with concepts of a v controversial nature, such as pre-emptive self-defence and humanitarian intervention. Moreover, these instruments seem to circumvent the question of individual criminal responsibility for committing the crime of aggression. Hence, it is necessary to close this gap in the international system by producing a single document containing a definition of aggression that takes into account all of these aspects. Overall consideration will be given to the various proposed definitions of the crime of aggression that were submitted before, during and after the Rome Conference of 1998. Particular attention, however, will be paid to the latest proposal made by the Special Working Group on the Crime of Aggression. This thesis argues that this proposal, as the result of profound and detailed consideration of various aspects of the crime, should form the basis of any definition to be adopted at the forthcoming ICC Review Conference. However, the study also suggests that certain components of the proposed definition should be amended and, therefore, a new proposal for the definition of the crime will be proffered at the end of this paper. This thesis will also examine the conditions under which the ICC should exercise its jurisdiction over the crime of aggression. Based on the assumption that determining the existence of state‟s act of aggression is a pre-condition for prosecuting an individual for the crime of aggression, the question that needs to be addressed centres on which organ should determine whether or not a state has committed an act of aggression. In short, this thesis maintains that as the Security Council is entrusted with the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, it should be consulted in situations relating to the determination of the existence of an act of state aggression. It is also argued, however, that the Council‟s determination on whether a state has committed aggression should not be binding on the Court, which should be able to review the Council‟s determination. It is further argued that if the Security Council fails to make such a determination, then the ICC should go forth to commence its own investigation with respect to the crime.

There are many different notions of stratified spaces. This thesis concerns homotopically stratified spaces. These were defined by Frank Quinn in his paper Homotopically Stratified Sets ([16]). His definition of stratified space is very general and relates strata by “homotopy rather than geometric conditions”. This makes homotopically stratified spaces the ideal class of stratified spaces on which to define and study stratified homotopy theory. In the study of stratified spaces it is useful to examine spaces of popaths (paths which travel from lower strata to higher strata) and holinks (those spaces of popaths which immediately leave a lower stratum for their final stratum destination). It is not immediately clear that for adjacent strata these two path spaces are homotopically equivalent and even less clear that this equivalence can be constructed in a useful way. The first aim of this thesis is to prove such an equivalence exists for homotopically stratified spaces. We will define stratified analogues of the usual definitions of maps, homotopies and homotopy equivalences. Then we will provide an elementary criterion for deciding when a strongly stratified map is a stratified homotopy equivalence. This criterion states that a strongly stratified map is a stratified homotopy equivalence if and only if the induced maps on strata and holink spaces are homotopy equivalences. Using this criterion we will prove that any homotopically stratified space is stratified homotopy equivalent to a homotopically stratified space where neighborhoods of strata are mapping cylinders. Finally we will develop categorical descriptions of the class of homotopically stratified spaces up to stratified homotopy. The first of these categorical descriptions will involve categories with a topology on their object and morphism sets. The second categorical description will involve only categories with discrete object spaces.

David Scott (1806-1849) recorded his developing religious and aesthetic philosophies in private notes and in published essays, and his aesthetic ideal is exemplified in works expressing metaphysical aspects of man. Comparison of his purely imaginative works on paper with some of the exhibited history paintings - inspired by the Bible, classical sources and literature - reveals enduring themes and motifs and the consistent application of the central concepts of his aesthetic philosophy from an early age.

Advances in health and medical technology which anticipate, closely monitor and treat pregnant women have reduced the number of explained ante partum stillbirths and reduced the overall stillbirth rate. However, unexplained ante partum stillbirth has been proportionally increasing in both developed and developing countries. Few studies have attempted to assess determinant factors related to unexplained ante partum stillbirth. No clear guidelines have been drawn up to screen those who are at risk for unexplained ante partum stillbirth. This thesis aims to identify possible determininant factors for unexplained ante partum stillbirth. A structured review of studies on unexplained ante partum stillbirths was conducted to identify the determinant factors. A review of stillbirth risk factor in Malaysia was carned out based on published papers. To obtain new information on this topic population study using 10 years of Scottish data has been conducted. The outcome of the structured review, Scottish study and Malaysian review showed that extreme maternal age and increasing gestational age significantly increase the risk of having unexplained ante partum stillbirths. Smoking and a previous history ofstillbirth were additional risk indicators that could be identified during the antenatal period. Nullipara and a parity of more than 3 also contribute to the risk ofunexplained ante partum stillbirth. Maternal obesity was shown in the structured review to be consistent in all studies in increasing the risk, but the risk of obesity could not be assessed for either the Malaysian or Scottish studies. Identification of these risk factors and the ability to monitor them closely may help reduce the number of stillbirths classified as unexplained.

This thesis concerns institutional identifications. It starts from a premise that identities emerge in and through narrative and sets out to explore the links between narrative, identity and discourse from the point of view of someone embarking on a research career in the University. Not that it started out that way. To begin with I was interested in the professional identifications of teachers, having recently been a teacher myself. But following the move to a lecturing post in the School of Education it became apparent that I was losing my identity as a teacher and instead developing an identification as a researcher within what I have referred to as ‘the University at the time of the RAE' (Research Assessment Exercise). As this happened I realised I had been presented with an opportunity to investigate these processes of identification from the inside out as I moved from being a teacher, to becoming a researcher. In doing this I developed two main strategies: in one strand of the research I interviewed teachers to gather narratives of practice, because in that way I could investigate the processes involved in doing ‘being a researcher' — gathering and analysing data, writing research publications, presenting research at conferences (as well as applying the theoretical concepts I developed as part of this research to my own situation); and I started to gather data relating to my work within the academy, that positioned me as a researcher. This strand of the research made use of an autoethnographic methodology that I called ‘participant self observation'. In this way I observed what I did as a researcher and how I related to the discourse in which I was enmeshed. The structure of the thesis reflects this doubled approach: the findings from the research with teachers have been written up and presented as research papers; and this is set against texts developed from the autoethnograph research. I refer to this as an ‘anacoluthonic' structure i.e. a disjunction in the PhD which serves to open up a critical space for the examination of research and the PhD as text itself. The aims of the research are therefore: To explore processes of identification in the academy and the ways in which such identifications are narrated; Through the presentation and analysis of texts to evoke ‘a self in the academy. To examine, reflexively, the methodological processes involved in order to develop a critique of the research; The research draws on the approach to discourse analysis developed by Laclau and Mouffe (1985), which is linked to a Lacanian concept of subjectivity; and makes use of the theoretical notion of ‘interpellation' as set out by Althusser (1971). The thesis also draws on the work of Deleuze and Guattari (1987, 2004 [1979]). Narratives are posited as being the means by which individuals are linked to discourses and narrative is thus theorised as being an ideological process with reductive properties. Within this framework a theoretical concept of identification is developed which discusses resistance/complicity and agency/autonomy as key factors.

The main findings of the thesis are: Scotland's local parties are poorly resourced, and rely heavily upon their members and activists to provide them with the facilities they need to continue operating; A degree of ambivalence is evident in local parties both about their place in intra-party relations, and in respect to the impact respondents felt their activities had upon various democratic indicators; Despite some short-term upward movement for two parties in the 1990s, the membership levels of Scottish constituency parties are currently on a downward trend; The membership recruitment and retention activities of Scotland's constituency parties do not appear to lead to local organisations having higher memberships; Activist density is estimated in relation to membership size, voters and the constituency electorate as a whole. The picture that emerges is of only a small number of members being active between elections in each constituency, while the proportion of local activists to a party's constituency voters and to the constituency electorate as a whole is also low; Assessment of activity levels demonstrates that sizeable proportions of each party's organisations are classified as "paper branches" that are virtually inactive between elections. Local parties seem most active in terms of organisational maintenance activities such as holding meetings and fundraising. Where they claim to communicate with the electorate, relatively traditional activities such as leaflet delivery and newsletter publishing predominate; Local parties were relatively well prepared for the 2003 Scottish parliament election. By the simple indicator of numbers of election volunteers, levels of activity increased across all parties between the start and towards the end of the campaign; Constituency parties primarily ran mobilising campaigns in 2003. While they did make conversion efforts, canvassing and polling day activities revolved primarily around parties, own voter, not undecided voters. Campaign activities essentially revolved around traditional methods of campaigning, such as leaflet delivery, and largely failed to embrace 'new' or distinctively Scottish aspects of electioneering; Creation of an index of campaigning demonstrated that very few local organisations fell into the high effort category. Instead, the vast majority of each party's associations were classified as expending medium effort on the 2003 campaign; The impact of various aspects of campaigning upon electoral outcomes was assessed. Particularly important for each party's constituency organisations was the number of volunteers working for the local party towards the end of the campaign.

Describes investigations in three areas of aromatic chemistry, namely, the preparation and properties of aromatic organoboron compounds, the reactions of carbonyl compounds with aromatics, and the structure and synthesis of naturally occurring carbonyl compounds. The papers cover an extended period, from 1955 to 2003, during which time spectroscopic techniques developed greatly.  The early work did not have the advantage of modern NMR and MS techniques let alone X-ray crystal structure determination and had to rely on the limited structural information provided by UV and IR measurements.

The implementation of sustainable development may seem a simple concept when written on paper.  However to balance environmental conservation with traditional social-economic development represents one of the main challenges for current and future generations.  The present PhD study discusses global sustainable development concepts and the critical role of the local Agenda 21 (AG21) implementation process, in the developing region of the Brígida sub-basin, located in the Brazilian hinterland.  The case study indicates that this will be a challenge in many other localities around the world as municipal governments in general do not have the capacity to effectively implement the process.  The thesis argues that in order to achieve sustainable development it is necessary not only to promote sustainable actions but also to correct environmental problems due to past unsustainable social-economic development.  Recent studies indicate that regional environmental assessment (REA) has been effective in supporting sustainable development.  However traditional plan and project planning even though subjected to an environmental assessment, and financed by national and/or international funds may not be sustainable in the long-term because they become dependent on external funding.  Additionally research findings demonstrate that relying solely on control strategies through environmental laws has not reduced degradation or supported permanent sustainability.  The provision of incentives (educational and financial) to protect the environment rather than penalising society for causing degradation can be shown to be effective and can support the sustainable development process. Society can gradually be motivated through incentives to participate co-operatively in permanent sustainable development actions to achieve a better world.  The research analyses various approaches such as stakeholders participatory events, modern municipal management instruments, corporate compensation systems and ecotax incentive and disincentive schemes to formulate a comprehensive and original municipal environmental management and incentive scheme (MEMS-MIS).  The MEMS-MIS scheme seeks to improve municipal institutional capabilities to implement AG21’s using permanent funding from ecotax revenue.

Introduction: A joint grant application, lead by the University of Aberdeen and the National Health Service Grampian, was successful in securing £1.1million pounds from the Scottish Executive, Health Department. The grant funding was for the establishment of a national pilot telemedicine network in Scotland. The purpose of the network was to provide an accident and emergency teleconstruction service to community hospitals based in the northeast of Scotland. The establishment of this service allowed several academic studies to be completed. Aims of the thesis: to conduct a systematic review of peer reviewed publications describing the use of accident and emergency teleconsultations for primary care. The review examines technical feasibility, clinical effectiveness, cost effectiveness and user satisfaction; To develop, deliver and evaluate a training course for telemedicine users involved in accident and emergency teleconsultations; To introduce and evaluate an accident and emergency teleconsultation service; To produce guidelines for the introduction of future clinical telemedicine services. Systematic Review: Thirty one papers were selected for review. The results indicated that accident and emergency teleconsultations were technically feasible, clinically effective and produced a high degree of user satisfaction. There was a lack of evidence to demonstrate that these teleconsultations were cost effective. Training: Before establishing a telemedicine service the following steps were identified as being important: identifying the required training competencies; Delivering a "hands on" training programme based on the required training competencies; Reinforcing the training programme with an instruction booklet; Ensuring that trainees have at least weekly practice; Measuring the level of user competence. Evaluation: The present study suggests that: A telemedicine service must be needs driven; The workload must be sufficient to maintain the skill and confidence levels of the staff who use the service; There must be a commitment, at the main centre, to service provision; Telemedicine 'champions' should be identified and encouraged; Clear telemedicine protocols must be produced and distributed; Both the equipment and the communication infrastructure must be reliable; The equipment must be 'user-friendly'; Training must be given to establish and maintain user competence; The staffing and training implications of treating patients locally instead of sending them to the main centre must be addressed; The service must be objectively evaluated. Guidelines: Based on the information provided by the study, a series of guidelines have been produced. These guidelines are suitable for use by any individual or group in seeking to implement a clinical telemedicine service.

This thesis investigates critically constructions of, and responses to, the declining number of salmon returning annually to Scottish rivers. The focus of the research is on four related empirical topics: quantification of salmon; hatcheries and the stocking of rivers; predation of salmon by humans and animals; and Scotland's salmon management system. These topics are studied through the concepts of 'knowledge' and 'nature', following similar work in cultural geography and science studies. The research is based on a series of semi-structured interviews, guided site visits and participant observation. It also draws on responses to consultation papers, scientific research on salmon and angling literature. A reflexive approach to the research is maintained. The apparent decline of salmon stocks is often understood through quantitative calculations. During quantification, individual caught fish are transformed into numerical representations that are combined with those of other fish from around Scotland. These individual fish come to represent the Scottish national catch of salmon. Discussions of salmon stocks blur boundaries between 'scientific' and 'local' knowledges, as anglers and salmon managers freely combine national statistics with their own experimental knowledge. Three of the most significant responses to the salmon's decline are: the use of hatcheries; the imposition of management measures such as catch-and-release angling; and the control of animal predators of salmon. The thesis studies the acceptance of different animals and practices as 'appropriate' in various contexts. In discussing the stocking of rivers, perceptions of 'wildness' are key to the acceptance of hatchery-reared fish. In the conclusion, the thesis calls for a more symmetrical understanding of relationships between humans and animals, and 'scientific' and 'local' knowledges.

This thesis analyses legal issues related to evidence and contract laws in the context of electronic commerce. Electronic commerce raises a number of legal problems such as the need for authentication, liabilities, whether electronic records are admissible as evidence and whether electronic transmissions are considered writing where writing is required. Many legal systems have faced or will face some questions, such as whether electronic evidence is inadmissible only in the ground of being created or stored electronically? Should the law of evidence be reformed in order to meet the new technologies? It is questionable whether electronic communications and records can or should meet the legal requirements of "writing" and "signature". Do electronic and digital signatures satisfy the legal requirements? It has been argued that it is not logical and reasonable to apply legal requirements that have been constituted in the ground of paper-based communication on electronic communication. Electronic contracts raise some legal issues, including whether the contract must be in a particular form or authenticated; when the message is sent and received; whether it is received in the same form as it is sent; validity, time and place of communication; cross-offers and battle of forms issues. All these issues are considered from UK common law point of view and according to CISG, UNIDROIT Principles, PECL, UNCITRAL Model Laws and the Uniform Commercial Code. Electronic contracts involve consideration whether a computer can properly be used to enter into a contractual relationship, to which existing rules on contract negotiation may need to be developed to suit formation of contracts by means of computer and telecommunications and whether old rules are appropriate today. This study examines other legal problems relating to contracts formed on the Internet, including the use of electronic agents, enforceability of mass-market licences, electronic payments and choice of law and jurisdiction issues.

The notebooks and papers of Captain Alexander Matheson (c. 1833-1897), a shipowner from Dornie, Kintail, are commonly referred to as the Dornie Manuscripts.  The bulk of the collection consists of Gaelic verse and song taken down from the oral recitation of old people in Wester Ross, and composed, for the most-part, by poets native to that area. The main aim of this thesis is to present a representative selection of Gaelic verse from Alexander Matheson’s collection.  Sixteen texts have been selected for full editorial treatment, ten of which are not known from any other written source.  These texts are presented in a standardised Gaelic orthography, in chronological order, together with appropriate notes and references.  Also included are relevant indexes, appendices, and a glossary. A substantial part of the thesis consists of transcripts of all the Gaelic verse from the Dornie Manuscripts, with cross-references to other versions and appropriate notes.  An index of the poets featured in the collection is included. The introduction to the thesis contains a brief biography of the collector, a description of non-verse material in the manuscripts, and an account of previous work based on the Dornie Manuscripts.

This analysis examines and explains the emergent model of crisis management manifest at the end of the first decade of the post-Cold War era. The end of the Cold War heralded fundamental and widespread changes in many ways but it did not, as events continue to demonstrate, confine to history the phenomenon of international crises. Indeed, evidence suggests that the post-Cold War period has witnessed an increase rather than a decrease in the incidence of crises. However, what has changed is what constitutes a crisis, the range of responses available to those who manage them and the criteria by which a successful outcome may be gauged. Changes too are apparent in time-scales and attitudes of decision-makers. These changes are not constants in all crisis situations: moreover, their impact varies. Whilst this transition is evolutionary and incremental, it is nonetheless fundamental and real. The transition from the Cold War model of crisis management to the post-Cold War model has not been smooth or by deliberate design: it has evolved somewhat haphazardly. Using the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis as a template of Cold War crisis management, comparison and contrast is made with the three post-Cold War crises in which the major powers became entangled; the 1990-91 Gulf War, the Bosnian crisis which lasted from 1991 until 1995, and the 1998-99 Kosovo crisis. This analysis examines what has changed, whilst assessing any change in import of what has not. To do this necessitates drawing upon a variety of topics that merited detailed study in their own right. However, this paper does not seek to provide a history of UN operations, nor is it an analysis of pure strategic theory or a treatise on United States foreign policy. The most obvious differences between the two eras are to be found in the changed relationship between the United States and Russia, formerly the USSR, and consequently the significant reduction in the likelihood of global nuclear conflict. With the nuclear threshold so dramatically raised and the starkness of strategic superpower stand-off removed, other features of crises have been afforded commensurately greater prominence. Indeed the removal of restraint conditioned by the certain knowledge of mutual destruction has coincided with an increase in the incidence of crises.

This thesis reports on an evaluation of competence-based vocational education practice in Scotland, with particular reference to Scottish Vocational Qualifications. The research was undertaken between 1996-1999 and included a national survey of higher level SVQ students in Scotland, an analysis of national database on N/SVQs and case study research with providers and students. It was found that participation in the 'new vocationalism' was highly gender patterned, had little impact on education and training targets and was skewed in favour of particular awards and occupational groups. The criterion-based assessment methodology proved more time-consuming for the students than the staff, with the emphasis on producing paper-based portfolios of evidence. A particular concern emerging from the research was the superficial nature of learning taking place on competence-based vocational education programmes and the role of the Local Enterprise Companies. These findings are discussed in the context of the growth in 'outcome-based' approaches to education adopted by policy makers in Scotland. It is argued that the narrow instrumentalist employer-led standards used to underpin education practice are ill-suited to developing a highly skilled professional workforce for the next century.

Ultrasonic cleaning baths are routinely used for cleaning dental and surgical instruments. The importance of efficient cleaning prior to sterilisation is great. Micro-organisms can survive the sterilisation process as debris can act as an insulator. The information available on ultrasonic field distributions in cleaning baths is limited. A thermal technique, employing a thermistor probe coated with an absorbing material measures the temperature rise when the field is switched on compared to no sound temperature. Contour plots of the field of the cleaning bath resulted from point-to-temperature. Contour plots of the field of the cleaning bath resulted from point-to-point measurements. Optical methods were also employed for qualitative measurements of the field. The main optical method used in this study is the Sarvazyan, dye/paper method where dye patterns represent the distribution of the field's cavitation activity at that area. Titanium coated mica was also used for seeding the bath. When the field was switched on, these particles migrated towards the antinodes, the distribution of particles in the field gives qualitative measure for the field. Aluminium surfaces were sonicated and erosion with pitting was evident after 30-60 minutes sonication time. Some plates were examined under an SEM. Cleaning efficiency was directly examined by coating perspex and stainless steel plates with blood. The plates were left to dry for 24 hours then sonicated. Water and Decon-90® detergent gave very similar removal times, with the detergent to achieve cleaning marginally faster compared to water. A disinfectant-detergent was also used, Virkon®. The results with Virkon were disappointing, red cells were caused to lyse up by Virkon and as a result a colloidal mixture was formed. This mixture was not able to be removed ultrasonically, even after an hour or more sonication time. Manual brushing was required in that case. In general all baths tested showed a non-uniform field pattern that can result in insufficient cleaning.

Three colonies of wood-ants Formica lugubris were taken from native Caledonian pinewoods and re-established in the laboratory. Experiments were conducted during which each of these colonies was provided with two discrete patches at which foragers could drink from filter papers saturated with aqueous solutions of sucrose; these patches were replenished continuously with the solutions. Three series of experiments were conducted in which the hypothesis tested was that the ants would distribute themselves between the patches according to the ideal free distribution. During the first series of experiments, the rate of supply of sucrose was manipulated by changing the concentrations of the solutions while maintaining equal rates of supply. Under each concentration ratio an equilibrium distribution was established. When the concentrations were equal, foragers distributed in a ratio of 1:1. When the concentrations were unequal the proportion of foragers at the richer patch was consistently less than the proportion of sucrose available there; ratios of sucrose of 1:2 and 1:4 were associated with equilibrium distributions of foragers in the ratios of approximately 1:1 and 1:2 respectively. In the second series of experiments, it was shown that these ratios were dependent on the overall rate of regeneration of the solutions; increases in the overall rate of regeneration were associated with increased proportional occupation of the richer patch. Throughout this experiment, the concentrations of the solutions were 7% w/v and 28% w/v and the rates of regeneration of the solutions at both patches were equal. Distributions were established at four different rates of regeneration. At the lowest rate of regeneration (0.2ml.h-1) the proportion of foragers at the richer patch was significantly lower than the ideal free prediction of 0.8. At the three higher rates of regeneration (0.4ml.h-1, 0.6ml.h-1 and 0.8ml.h-1) the proportion of foragers at the richer patch was significantly greater than the proportion of sucrose available there.

This thesis focuses on consideration of gender differences in the academic profession. Analysis utilises a unique dataset, rich in its variable base, for academic staff from five old established Scottish universities during 1995-1996. These universities are institutions with a strong sense of tradition and respected research reputations. We therefore analyse the most research orientated segment of the academic profession, the established universities, arguably the most influential, as their behaviour may be an important signal to the entire profession. This study is the first systematic investigation of this sector of the labour market in the UK. It focuses on three main issues: subject specialisation and the distribution of academics across faculties; male and female salaries in academia; and the determinants of job satisfaction for academics across gender and components of job satisfaction. The analysis undertaken attempts to develop the economic literature on gender differences in a number of ways. First it analyses these issues in the context of a single profession. It attempts to replicate with British data some US findings. It undertakes for the academic profession, analysis which has previously only been undertaken at a national level. Finally, it runs analysis with a set of variables more relevant to the study of gender differences in academic than have been used in previous papers. Analysis reveals a gross gender salary differential in the order of 30% for the whole dataset, or 15% when research assistants are excluded. Gender differences in promotion opportunity, subject choice, salary affiliation, but not overall job satisfaction are uncovered, although reports of satisfaction with salary, job security and promotion prospects do vary by gender. We find evidence of the role of discrimination, individual choice and differential productivity in the explanation of gender differences uncovered.

There is evidence in the literature that drought avoidance/tolerance in many annual crop plants is associated with root system characteristics. However, investigations on the morphological traits associated with drought resistance of tree crops is very limited. Identification of such traits would be useful in screening genotypes for drought tolerance. To assess the impact of environmental conditions on plant behaviour requires a carefully defined test environment, a procedure for monitoring changes in the environment and the testing of the test environment for reliability. The filter paper procedure was modified, calibrated and adopted to monitor soil water potential in experimental pots. A multi-compartmental pot system was developed to a create discontinuous soil water distribution. Wax and coarse sand were used to create spatially variable soil water potentials in adjacent pot compartments and the effects were assessed using broad bean as the test plant. Wax affected root morphology but sand did not. The vertically segmented pot set-up proved to be effective for the assessment of genotypic differences in rooting patterns in response to heterogeneously distributed soil water. Genotypic variations in morphology and growth patterns of whole root systems in coconuts were studied under favourable soil moisture conditions. The root systems of coconut cultivars varied in size, growth, patterns and in individual characteristics. Differences were apparently related to the drought tolerance of cultivars. Differences were associated with important differences in patterns of dry matter partition. Three coconut cultivars were evaluated in relations to root system responses to dehydration in the surface soil.

Al Khlata Formation is an oil-bearing reservoir in Oman. Its origin during the Late Palaeozoic Gondwanan glaciation in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula is demonstrated by its glaciogenic deposits. Outcrops of the AI Khlata Formation occur in a belt parallel to the Huqf fold axis, the best outcrops being found in the two wadis Al Khlata North and South. In the southern wadi, glacial deposits rest directly on dolomites of the Pre-Cambrian Khufai Formation, which have NE-SW trending glacial striations. One of the key aspects of this study was a detailed investigation of the outcrops which allowed the identification of the different facies units. Measured wadi-wall sections and lateral facies mapping allowed a better understanding of the complex nature of the depositional processes. This has further been integrated with the result of shallow boreholes cores to refine the correlation between the outcrops of Wadis AI Khlata North and South, and also the AI Khlata sequence in five oil wells between the Rahab and AI Huwaisah fields. Furthermore, a brief visit was made to Iceland to see a small active ice sheet and its marginal glacio-fluvial sediments, and also to W. Australia to see cores of the Permo-Carboniferous Hoya Formation from the Canning Basin for comparison with the Al Khlata Formation sequences. The AI Khlata Formation comprises four fades associations, which are further subdivided into facies. These are: (1) Diamictite Facies Association, which has been divided into a Massive Diarnictite Facies and a Stratified Diarnictite Facies, (2) Conglomerate Facies Association including Cross-stratified Sandy Conglomerate, Gravel Lag and Massive Gravel, (3) Sandstone Facies Association divided into Crossbedded Sandstone and Pebbly Sandstone and Rippled Sandstone, and (4) Fine-grained Facies Association which, in turn, has been divided into a Deformed SiltiMudstone, Laminated SiltstonelMudstone, Black ShalelMudstone, and Graded Rhythmite. These facies have been recognised in both outcrop and cores. Earlier workers proposed that the direction of ice flow was from the SW to NE. This is not accepted in this paper, where evidence is presented to support an ice-flow direction from NE to SW. Later fluvial flow towards the NE possibly resulted from the collapse of the continental margin towards a new Proto-Arabian Sea. The thesis presents a new hypothesis for the origin of the AI Khlata Formation. It is proposed that the Early Permian glaciation in Oman resulted from crustal uplift just prior to the calving of a microcontinent along the NE Arabia margin of Gondwana and the creation of Neo-Tethys. It is suggested that the triple-junction area, where Neo-Tethys and the Proto-Arabian Sea were later to meet, was a site of sufficient thermal uplift to become a centre of mountain glaciation.

The first class of compounds investigated was the benzimidazoles. They are widely used in the pharmaceutical industry and have a low toxicity towards human and animal life, therefore, they are potentially suitable for use in a marine environment. These compounds have been reported to have some, although limited, use as corrosion inhibitors. With the aid of a molecular modelling package several benzimidazole molecules were functionalised to resemble the known inhibitor disodium sebacate. Satisfactory corrosion inhibiting properties were found for these compounds. The second compound to be investigated was Westvaco Diacid. It is a biodegradable, non-toxic, renewable natural resource, derived from the paper pulping process. It was found that by chemically altering its structure its corrosion inhibiting properties could be increased. The third source of potential corrosion inhibitor which was investigated was rapeseed oil. Again it is a non-toxic, renewable natural resource, consisting of the triglycerides of a mixture of fatty acids. Rapeseed oil was chemically modified, the products were not as potent corrosion inhibitors for mild steel as the previous classes of compound that were described. The corrosion inhibiting properties of the products which had been synthesised were tested by the weight loss method, on mild steel coupons, over a twenty day period, in distilled water and 10^-3M potassium chloride solution. Examples of each class of compound showed no bactericidal activity when tested against sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB's). With the exception of the rapeseed oil derivative, all of the above compounds were tested for their corrosion inhibiting properties at high temperatures (80^oC). Again the corrosion inhibiting properties were determined by the weight loss method, on mild steel coupons, in both distilled water and 10^-3M potassium chloride solution.

The hypothesis of this paper is twofold. Firstly, Wesley was preoccupied with the issues being discussed by the British moralists; especially, the issue of liberty and necessity as this had a direct bearing on his doctrine of salvation. Secondly, the Methodist leader was attempting constantly to fulfill the enlightenment project of providing a rational basis for and justification of morality. Wesley's preoccupation with these issues in the development of his doctrine of entire sanctification promoted the constant need to balance his theological expression. Wesley's Thoughts upon Necessity published in 1774 was no isolated step into "the arcanum of speculative theology." Throughout his life Wesley argued for free will in the hope of exonerating God from being identified as the author of evil. This argument culminates in his essay against the evidently compatibilist and deterministic arguments of Jonathan Edwards, David Hartley, and Lord Kames. Wesley's central doctrine was entire sanctification. Since this doctrine's support derived from the twin pillars of original and actual sin, a refutation of the notion that man is not a free agent had to be made to prevent the collapse of his theology. The tension could not be relieved by logical explication, and it persisted in the various theological corollaries to the necessity issue. The incompatibility of the tenets of human freedom and divine omnipotence/omniscience prompted Wesley into a constant balancing of his theological expression on the paradox obtaining between the tenants of orthodox Christain belief. He remained a "free-willer" while guarding reason against the excesses of religion and promoting the cause of true religion in the face of that same reason.

This paper is a broad examination of the ship as portrayed in Scottish art from AD700 to AD1914. It examines the activities of Scottish ship painters and questions whether there are any styles that are distinctively Scottish within the genre. The earliest examples are anonymous relief carvings on Pictish stelae (St Orland's Stone) and West Highland gravestones (The Rodil Galley). Marine painting as a developed form was introduced to the British Isles from the Netherlands. Practitioners generally tended to concentrate in areas that were the focus of marine activity. Thus the genre was initially strong in the south of England and gradually diffused through the United Kingdom to Scotland, when the latter became a major centre for ship owning and ship building in the nineteenth century. Most Scottish marine artists of the eighteenth century practised their craft in England (eg. W. Anderson and JC Schetky). In the nineteenth century Scotland was important in its own right and Salmon and Clarke developed a sub-genre described as the 'Clyde Style'. This was categorised by a mixture of precise draughtmanship and clear atmospheric lighting which modulated and integrated the melange of elements within the picture field. Local artists fulfilled the needs of local maritime communities, especially among the fishing and whaling centres of north-east Scotland. Apart from the Clyde Style there was no real departure from the national style of ship portraiture. Ship portraiture tends to be conservative and rather international. It does not to any great extent adopt the stylistic trends which modify other branches of the arts. The criteria for an acceptable ship portrait is a combination of precise technological draughtsmanship with an ability to portray the elemental forces of sea and sky. The patrons tended to be knowledgeable seamen and what they expected was essentially a romantic paradigm of man's ability to confront the raw forces of nature with the fruits of his own technology.

Three colonies of red wood-ants Formica aquilonia were maintained in the laboratory on Tenebrio larvae and aqueous sucrose solution (7&'37 w/v). The laboratory was artificially lighted for 14hrs/day between August and April; the temperature was kept above 5°C. The foragers of each colony obtained sucrose from two sites to which the food was delivered at defined rates: flow rates to paired sites were in the ratios 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1. The foragers approximated to the ideal free distribution between sites. Colour-marking showed that certain individuals foraged at a preferred site: other ants moved to whichever site provided the better feeding rate. Further colour-marking showed that foragers become faithful to a site soon after discovering it; their fidelity does not increase with use of the site. Recruitment to food in Formica aquilonia was investigated: no recruitment was observed when ants discovered 7% w/v aqueous sucrose, but foragers which discovered 28&'37 w/v sucrose solution, provided after the colony was without sucrose for a day, laid chemical trails on returning to the nest. Food was provided at two novel sites, each connected to the nest by a paper bridge. In one case, foragers used the same bridge to travel to and from the site; in the other, they arrived via the bridge, but returned by a separate, one-way route. Traffic increased more with time on the two-way than on the one-way bridge, implying that returning repletes left a trail on the homeward route, probably of hind-gut fluid, which other ants subsequently followed. Formica aquilonia foragers may exchange information during contact. Most ants which were contacted by a replete forager did not subsequently go to a feeding site, but when they did so they tended to select the site used by the replete.

This thesis comprises a series of papers and linking commentaries on familial and non-familial factors associated with high blood pressure. Part one describes studies which investigated the relationship between dietary sodium and arterial blood pressure in young adults with and without a family history of high blood pressure. The studies, based on complete ascertainment of blood pressure in a single population, careful sampling of positive and negative family histories, characterisation of sodium intakes by seven consecutive 24 hour urine collections, and comparison, using a double-blind randomised controlled crossover design, of blood pressures during two four week periods, with mean sodium intakes below 50 mmol and above 120 mmol per day, provided strong evidence against the hypothesis that offspring with a family history of high blood pressure have an increased susceptibility to dietary sodium. A study using the same experimental design showed that short-term moderate dietary sodium restriction did not lower blood pressure in patients with mild hypertension in general practice. Part two reviews the practical applications of familial aggregation of blood pressure, based on a population of 864 young adults and their parents, whose blood pressures had been measured eight years previously. A family history of hypertension, based on one hypertensive parent, is a poor predictor of blood pressure levels in young people, and provides no basis for a high risk strategy for the prevention of high blood pressure. When parental blood pressure data are used to compare young people with contrasting predisposition to high blood pressure, the method of choice is to compare individuals whose parents belong either both to the top or both to the bottom of the blood pressure distribution (the high/high, low/low approach). A novel sampling method is also described, comparing groups from the corners of a scattergram, with offspring blood pressures on one axis, and parental pressures on the other (the 'four corners' approach). This approach identifies familial and non-familial correlates of high blood pressure in young people, and may point the way to more detailed pathophysiological and genetic studies.

This thesis investigates the feasibility of designing a simple nuclear medicine data processing system based on an inexpensive microcomputer system, which is affordable to small hospitals and to developing countries where resources are limited. Since the main need for a computer is to allow dynamic studies to be carried out, the relevant criteria for choosing the computer are its speed and memory capacity. The benchmark chosen for these criteria is renography, one of the commonest nuclear medicine procedures. The Acorn Archimedes model 310 microcomputer was found to meet these requirements, and a suitable camera-computer interface has been designed. Because of the need for ensuring that the gain and offset controls of the interface are set optimally before connecting to the camera, it was necessary to design a circuit which produces a test pattern on the screen for use during this operation. Having also developed and tested the data acquisition and image display software successfully, atttention was concentrated on finding ways of characterising and measuring the performance of the computer interface and the display device, two important areas which have been largely neglected in the quality control of camera-computer systems. One of the characteristics of the interface is its deadtime. A procedure has been outlined for measuring this by means of a variable frequency pulse generator and also for interpreting the data correctly. A theoretical analysis of the way in which the interface deadtime affects the overall count rate performance of the system has also been provided. The spatial linearity, resolution and uniformity characteristics of the interface are measured using a special dual staircase generator circuit designed to simulate the camera position and energy signals. The test pattern set up on the screen consists of an orthogonal grid of points which can be used for a visual assessment of linearity, while analysis of the data in memory enables performance indices for resolution, linearity and uniformity to be computed. The thesis investigates the performance characteristics of display devices by means of radiometric measurements of screen luminance. These reveal that the relationship between screen luminance and display grey level value can be taken as quadratic. Characterisation of the display device in this way enables software techniques to be employed to ensure that screen luminance is a linear function of display grey level value; screen luminance measurements, coupled with film density measurements, are also used to optimise the settings of the display controls for using the film in the linear range of its optical densities. This in turn ensures that film density is a linear function of grey level value. An alternative approach for correcting for display nonlinearity is by means of an electronic circuit described in this thesis. Intensity coding schemes for improving the quality of grey scale images can be effective only if distortion due to the display device is corrected for. The thesis also draws attention to significant variations in film density which may have their origins in nonuniformities in the display screen, the recording film, or in the performance of the film processor. The work on display devices has been published in two papers.