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This thesis examines the letter of James from the perspective of mission, applying a missional hermeneutic to the letter. This is an approach that understands the mission of God's people as intricately linked to the prior mission of God, or missio Dei. In this sense, the whole of Scripture is missional since it records the narrative of God's redemptive mission. Thus, texts such as James, which have been previously neglected in mission literature, can be fruitfully explored. I begin with recent developments in Jacobean scholarship that set the foundation for my own reading and then consider the use of James in mission literature, showing the lack of engagement with the letter in this field. I then outline the development of missional hermeneutics, in which several streams have been developed to date, three of which can be interwoven to provide a robust reading of the text. These ask how the text draws on and speaks into the missio Dei, how it forms God's people to participate in this and how the author uses biblical tradition for this purpose. From this basis I investigate the letter, following a structure that reflects the presentation of the different themes of James as they appear in the first chapter and are then developed in the rest of the letter. I explore the missional implications of diaspora and restoration, perfection in trials, wisdom and the double-souled, poverty and wealth, and active faith and right speech. James offers a distinctive contribution to mission theology through these themes. The author builds a missional identity that draws on OT and the Jesus tradition that focuses on the attractional nature of the audience as God's people. Thus, this thesis brings the voice of James to the missional conversation and contributes to scholarship on the letter.

This thesis is an examination of the financial consequences of corporations engaging in socially responsible activities. It is motivated by the recognition that a socially responsible approach can fundamentally change the conduct and operation of business, which in turn may have a significant impact on financial outcomes both for individual companies as well as the wider economy. If social responsibility improves financial performance then managers, investors and society at large can have confidence that these activities increase prosperity as well as social welfare, making them unequivocally desirable. Four empirical studies were undertaken of different but related financial aspects of corporate social responsibility (CSR), specifically; the determinants of social responsibility and the effect of social responsibility on profitability, market value and stock return. In chapter two corporate social responsibility was found to be consistently and positively related to company size and certain industry characteristics, in particular companies that deal directly with the public (rather than with other companies) and companies in extractive and regulated industries were associated with a greater engagement in CSR. Although in some instances a positive link was found between return on assets and subsequent levels of corporate social responsibility the results were not consistent suggesting that higher than average profitability is not a prerequisite or consistent spur to additional social responsibility. A new methodology was also deployed, system GMM as another way of assessing the corporate social responsibility / corporate financial performance relationship; this gave broadly similar results. Chapter three assessed the relationship between social responsibility and responsibility on profitability. There was a positive significant association with return on assets but generally insignificant results when return on sales was used as the measure of financial performance. This may indicate that social responsibility is materially associated with a better utilisation of the internal assets used by a business but that this does not extend to obtaining better margins from external customers. Alternatively it may indicate that CSR has no consistent unambiguous effect on financial results or finally that it is difficult to witness an effect by using a cross sectional approach. To more directly assess if social responsibility has an impact on financial performance a time series analysis was also carried out, no significant result was found. However given the degree of inertia in corporate social responsibility the five years of data available is unlikely to be a sufficiently long to detect any effect. Chapter four contains a study of the effect of corporate social responsibility on market value. This uses value relevance methodology which is a relatively new approach and has the advantage of both directly addressing the principal concern of critics of CSR, that it impairs shareholder wealth. On average corporate social responsibility was found to be associated with higher market value and by implication a better level of profit and/or lower levels of risk. The final empirical study in chapter five examined the role of corporate social responsibility and risk as a way of parsing the result in the previous chapter and assessing whether investor cash flow or risk was the cause of enhanced market valuations. This also has the advantage of directly looking at stock returns which is a prime concern of ethical investors. Three different methodologies were used; in each case the effect noted was small and generally not significant, suggesting that social responsibility has little discernible effect on risk and hence stock return in the UK. Overall it appears that corporate social responsibility is associated with greater market value but that no consistent unambiguous significant association between corporate social responsibility and profitability could be found using a cross sectional study. The methodologies used in the various chapters are quite different and there are also obvious differences between market value and profitability, however a more consistent result should be expected. When more extensive data sets become available a longer run time series analysis should provide additional information on the effect of corporate social responsibility on financial performance and provide a useful adjunct to this study.

Public participation is an increasingly prominent policy in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. This thesis locates one example of participation within wider debates about the constitution of contemporary society, changing welfare-state governance, and the challenges of operationalizing such initiatives. It relates the particularities of this case to practical, policy and theoretical questions. The thesis begins by considering the rise of participation in historical context, relating its aims to social-theoretical commentaries on late-modern society. This framework informs an examination of rationales for participation, an analysis of policy discourses on public involvement in health, and consideration of the challenges of making participation happen. The remainder of the thesis presents the results of an empirical study of one example of participation: service-user involvement in a programme of pilot cancer-genetics services, managed by the third-sector organization Macmillan Cancer Support. Using interview, observational and documentary data collected over a three-year period, it offers a longitudinal perspective on the practice of involvement, drawing on various actors’ perspectives. Considered over five empirical chapters are competing rationales for involvement put forward by different groups of actors, the micro-processes of involvement, and the varied outcomes of negotiations across the seven pilots studied. In reconciling the theoretical and policy literatures with empirical findings, the thesis highlights certain tensions. Policy-level ambiguities permit the coexistence of multiple discourses about the purpose of involvement, the identity of those involved, and the influence it should command, resulting in conflict as participation is put into practice. Policies designed to avoid directiveness and facilitate local discretion create dilemmas for those charged with implementation, especially third-sector organizations whose intermediary role means they must reconcile divergent views of diverse stakeholders in participation practice. The result is a situation where pragmatic negotiations take precedence over any theoretical or normative vision for participation in determining its remit, scope and influence.

The thesis aims to chart the development of the Diocese of Nottingham from 1850 to 1915, and through a comparison with the historiography of the period, to show how far it correlates with the accepted norms of nineteenth and early twentieth century Catholic development. Methodologically, the thesis aims to pioneer an in-depth integrated study on the development of the Diocese of Nottingham from 1850 to 1915, a largely unstudied area as far as Catholics and Catholicism is concerned. The period studied commences with the Restoration of the Hierarchy, (1850), and terminates with the resignation of Bishop Brindle in 1915. There is a unity in the period chosen as it encompasses the Episcopacies of one Diocesan Administrator, Bishop William Bernard Ullathorne (1850-1, who was concurrently Bishop of Birmingham), and Bishop Joseph William Hendren, (1851-3), Bishop Richard Roskell (1853-74), Bishop Edward Bagshawe (1874-1901), and Bishop Robert Brindle (1901-15). While the thesis addresses the way the Bishops tackled the problems they faced on taking up their appointments, as well as the ways in which they dealt with the demands placed upon them by Westminster, the emphasis is on the broader Catholic community and the way it evolved. This is dealt with through a wide-ranging analysis which locates local developments within a national framework. While each chapter has a dominant focus for organisational reasons, the thesis aims is to show how matters inter-related, and subsequently affected the Diocese's developmental path. The overall outline of the Diocese's historical background between 1850 and 1915, is described through a study of the characteristics, aims and methods used by Bishop Ullathorne, and the Bishops of Nottingham, in their attempts to turn the Diocese of Nottingham from a 2 concept on paper in 1850, to being an important part of the cultural, social and religious landscape of the East Midlands by 1915. Succeeding chapters deal with ultramontanism and how it was uniquely interpreted locally, defining who comprised the local Catholic community, the evolution of a Diocesan political ethos, education, and anti-Catholicism: the latter may be seen as perhaps the example par excellence of the need for integrated studies. The primary sources used in this thesis bring new perspectives to the study of nineteenth century Catholicism, and their use greatly extends our knowledge and understanding of the period. This is especially true as they have not been applied before to an understanding of the Nottingham Diocese. Use has been made of around 80 newspapers (daily, twice weekly and weekly) and monthly magazines, both Catholic and Protestant, published across the Diocese, as well as national publications. In several cases, as in Nottingham and Leicester, their attitudes varied from being anti- to pro- Catholic, which meant a greater degree of balance in the understanding of events. Use was also made of newly available papers from the De Lisle, Gainsborough, and Howard families that have not been used before. Other material was personally collected from the descendants of nineteenth century families. In addition to papers from the Orders' Archives, the Westminster and Birmingham Arch-Diocesan Archives, the Vatican and other Diocesan Archives have been consulted, such as those at Northampton, Salford and Leeds. The Nottingham Archives provided material that has not been used before, including the extant papers of Bishops Ullathorne, Hendren, Roskell, Bagshawe, Brindle, and Dunn. Access was given to extracts from the Chapter Minutes and newly deposited material from priests who were active in the period. As well as explaining how the Nottingham Diocese developed between 1850 and 1915, the thesis deals with the differences noted locally between `Catholicism' and 3 `Catholic'. Attempts are made to explain the dichotomy noted; namely that while `Catholicism' entailed hatred and led to anti-Catholicism, individual `Catholics' were frequently admired and respected. The thesis will make an important contribution to our knowledge in a number of ways. Fundamentally, it is the only macro-diocesan study of its type. The newly available content will provide an increased data base for studies of nineteenth-century Catholicism. By synthesising the information, localised trends have been established which are compared to, or used to correct, generalisations portrayed in the historiography of secondary literature that currently exists. The newly available information can also be used to test some of the hypotheses used regarding Catholics. The structure of the thesis will hopefully lay down a model for further Diocesan studies.

In healthy subjects Deep Inspiration (DI) transiently dilates the airways, while many asthmatics show bronchoconstriction by a mechanism which is incompletely understood.I investigated how the method of assessment affects the response. The response as measured by specific airway conductance (SGaw) appeared to contradict that measured by forced expiration. This led to the formulation of a novel hypothesis to explain the asthmatic bronchoconstrictor response: That the negative intra-thoracic pressure associated with DI may temporarily increase airway oedema and thus reduce lumenal diameter. This was tested by comparing the effects of non-forced with forced inspiration (through resistance). In the asthmatic group, forced inspiration produced significantly more bronchoconstriction. Airway hyperresponsivenessin asthma has been attributed to impaired ability of DI to stretch airway smooth muscle. The seminal study `confirming' this, I argue, is flawed. I have re-tested the hypothesis. The asthmatic response was significantly greater than the control response even when DI was prohibited. Asthmatic hyperresponsivenessis therefore not attributable entirely to an abnormal asthmatic response to DI. Many asthmatics display an apparent capacity for unlimited airway narrowing in response to bronchial challenge; most healthy subjects demonstrate a maximal (limited) response. The maximal response measured by a DI independent index represented a greater % change from baseline than the maximal established by a DI dependent index. This suggested some bronchoprotection resulting from DI but also the existence of a distinct mechanism which ultimately limited narrowing. I reasoned that the capacity for unlimited airway narrowing is most likely a function of smaller airways. I investigated indices of small airway function and found they predicted the ultimate response much earlier in challenge than FEV 1, suggesting a possible practical test of the capacity for unlimited narrowing. I postulate that the clearly established but limited relationship between the responses to DI and bronchial challenge may reflect the dependence of the response to DI on the degree of inflammation within the airway wall whereas the response to challenge may be determined by its overall thickness.

This thesis examines the impact of early analytical philosophy on issues that, in turn, impact on work in current philosophy of language and mind. The contribution made by the thesis is therefore twofold: firstly it addresses exegetical issues regarding the origins of the analytical tradition and, secondly, extracts from this study insights into the current state of the philosophies of language and mind. I begin by discussing Frege's revolutionary work in logic and isolate three doctrines which I hold to be essential to the philosophical study of content: the independence of thoughts from the psychological process of thinking, the distinction between sense and reference, and the recognition that thoughts are structured unities. The thesis explores, defends, and develops these three notions and argues, ultimately, that any attempt to provide a philosophical account of thought and meaning must make provision for these concerns. The thesis divides into five chapters, following a historical and thematic course. Chapter one introduces the central doctrines of Frege's philosophy and those of Russell's Principles of Mathematics. The problem of the unity of the proposition is introduced and the differing approaches to the problem offered by Frege and Russell are compared and evaluated. Chapter two examines in detail Russell's attempts to overcome the paradoxes of set theory in his development of the logical theory of Principia Mathematica. Special attention is given to the role of the theory of descriptions and the substitutional theory of classes and relations, as well as the later ramified theory of types and multiple relation theory of judgement, exploring how the problem of the unity of the proposition plays a pivotal role in determining the successes and failures of these approaches. These issues are further developed in chapter three by examining Wittgenstein's criticisms of Russell's logical theory and the subsequent development of Wittgenstein's own solution to these problems in his Tractatus Logic-Philosophicus.

This thesis is presented for the award of a Ph.D in laser and chemical physics. The principal doctrine of the work seeks to investigate the dynamical response of a variety of small molecules (CS2, CO2, N2O, CH3I, etc.) in an intense (typically 10e16 W cm-2) femtosecond (10e-15 s) linearly polarised laser pulse. The resulting ions are detected in a linear time-of-flight (TOP) mass spectrometer. The polarisation vector of the laser light is rotated with respect to the TOP spectrometer axis and the ion yield measured. In this way the preferred direction of ejection of fragment ions can be determined and the mechanisms responsible can be deduced. The other experimental investigation concerns using short-pulse (femtosecond duration) intense laser pulses to sensitively and unambiguously detect molecules of interest (dangerous and environmentally sensitive species). By increasing both the intensity and reducing the duration of the laser light the method, termed femtosecond laser mass spectrometry (PLMS), is shown to be a universal and powerful analytical tool. The sensitivity is achieved via complete ionisation of all species within the ionisation region of the laser pulse and unambiguous identification is achieved via rapid by-passing of dissociative states of the parent species.

Currently available upper-limb prostheses do not meet the needs or aspirations of the amputee. Many technical challenges have been given as the limiting factors on the further development of these prostheses. Generally developments have occurred as incremental developments on three existing moderately successful archetypes; the cosmetic, body-powered and myoelectric prostheses. Continued development on these archetypes appears to be further separating prostheses into those primarily considered cosmetic and those primarily considered functional. However, amputees have a need both for function and cosmesis from their prostheses. Technology currently being developed for actuation and control in other laboratories indicates that the previous limitations placed on prosthesis design may be challenged. Therefore, it is appropriate to look for new design archetypes. This thesis describes the development, implementation and evaluation of mechanical analogies of the skeletal components of the human hand and arm which have the potential to inform the design of a new generation of upper-limb prostheses integrating cosmesis and function in a single device. The research has been undertaken using a form of practice led design research methodology. This iterative methodology uses physical models for both evaluation and also as a means of encouraging end-user involvement in the design process. These evaluations are then used in subsequent cycles of research activity. The research has concentrated on developing mechanical analogies of the joints of the hand, wrist, forearm and elbow. The joints of the hand are shown to have a simple and similar structure. Therefore, a modular mechanical archetype has been elucidated that results in a hand configuration made from multiple similar modules positioned at different points throughout the hand. However, the wrist and forearm contain more complex joints which have been found to be unique to their anatomical position. The selection of appropriate prototyping techniques has been an integral part of the research. Problems have arisen in assessing the degree of analogy achieved because the intact joints of the human skeleton are covered by soft tissue that has not been part of the skeletal analogy implemented. Additionally, it is postulated that there are subtleties to human movement which are not reflected in standard anthropometric measures. Therefore, a two stage evaluation has been undertaken that assesses the quality of the analogy realised in the models. This consists of goniometric measures to quantify basic angular rotations whilst qualitative evaluations by professionals with a good anatomical knowledge have been used to assess the more subtle movements within the joints. The skeletal mechanical analogy developed through this research has been shown through evaluation to simulate the articulations of the human upper-limb. The model embodies design principles that appear to have short and long term significance to the field of prosthetics. The production of a tangible model has not only aided evaluation but has also stimulated research in other centres into ways of actuating and controlling a future upper-limb prosthesis. Additionally, the mechanical analogy may have applications in the field of telepresence robotics, aerospace and the entertainment industry.

The present thesis is a detailed examination of bullying behaviour in Young Offender Institutions and assaultive behaviour in adult prisons and Young Offender Institutions. An amalgam of methods of enquiry were used throughout, which comprised i) questionnaires, ii) structured interviews. Hi) focus groups, iv) standardised measures of personality, intelli^ce and social background, v) analysis of official discipline report records, vi) analysis ff official assault incident report records and vii) analysis of computerised prisoner records. This mixture of methods, known as 'triangulation', was adopted in an attempt to achieve a more reliable and valid representation of bullying and assaultive behaviour occurring within penal establishments. Information was obtained from a variety of subject groups, including convicted young offenders, young offenders on remand, convicted adult prisoners, adult prisoners on remand, prison officers, prisons management and specialist staff working in the prisons. Data were analysed by means of parametric and non-parametric statistical techniques. Seven cross-sectional studies were designed and conducted, the results of which are reported herein. The first five studies examined only Young Offender Institutions. Concerning young offenders, the levels of bullying ivere comparatively high when compared with studies done on analogous populations. Among young offenders, the most common types of bullying were similar to those shown in previous studies, such as taxing, threats and name calling. More staff in Young Offender Institutions perceived bullying as a problem both nationally and in their own establishment than did young offenders. While staff and young offenders had discordant opinions as to the levels and types of bullying taking place within Young Offender Institutions, they had concordant views as to the characteristics of 'bullies' and 'victims'. The types of bullying (i.e. covert and overt) varied considerably according to type of Young Offender Institution and type of young offender under study. The introduction of an anti-bullying initiative in one Young Offender Institution appeared to change the way bullying was manifested, as noted in the prison records, by reducing overt bullying behaviour and increasing more subversive and covert bullying. The remaining two studies in the thesis examined assault in both adult prisons and Young Offender Institutions. Results revealed that the typology of assaults in adult prisons and young offender establishments were dissimilar in important respects. In Young Offender Institutions the assaults on prisoners were more likely to be 'spontaneous' and result in less severe injury to the victim, whereas in adult prisons the assaults were more likely to be 'planned' and result in more severe injury to the victim. When looking at sub-groups within Scottish prisons and Young Offender Institutions using discriminant function analysis, victims of assaults on prisoners were distinguishable from both perpetrators of assaults on staff and perpetrators of assaults on other prisoners, using a range of social background factors. Victims of assault in adult prisons were more accurately identified (91% correctly identified, compared with 43% at 'chance') than victims in Young Offender Institutions (73% correctly identified, compared with 47% at 'chance'). The introduction of anti-bullying initiatives into young offender establishments, and in particular, how they might effect overt and covert bullying in contrasting^ ways, is reflected upon. Moreover, the importance of obtaining information from a variety of subject groups and an amalgam of data gathering techniques ts highlighted. The utility of using factors relating to an inmate's social background, personality and intelligence to predict involvement in bullying is discussed. Finally, the main findings from the thesis are discussed in relation to the relevant literature, practical implications for intervention and areas where future research may be necessary.

The pyrolysis mechanisms of many organometallic compounds are of great interest because of their potential use as precursors in the production of semiconductor materials, particularly compound semiconductors of elements from groups HI and V of the periodic table. Often there are competing molecular and radical processes contributing to the overall decomposition mechanisms. This study used electron spin resonance detection of radical intermediates coupled with final product analysis to determine the relative importance of these processes. The very low pressure pyrolyses of triethylgallium, triethylindium and triisopropylgallium were shown to occur by radical pathways and to occur predominantly on the surface of the pyrolysis tube. Isopropyl radicals were observed to further decompose on the surface to yield propene, and this reaction was favoured on Ga-rich surfaces and at high temperatures. A similar reaction was not observed for ethyl radicals on any surface. Gas-phase molecular elimination reactions are shown to contribute only at high pyrolysis temperatures. Hexamethyldisilane was pyrolysed at low and very low pressures and decomposed by a radical process. The very low pressure (10-4 Torr) pyrolysis occurred on the surface of the pyrolysis tube and resulted in the formation of the unexpected (CH3)2Si(H)CH2 radical by an unknown mecanism. At 1 Torr, gas-phase reactions predominated and (CH3)3Si was the major radical formed. Pyrolysis of n5-CH3C5H4Mn(CO)3 gave a vinyl-type radical, the precise identity of which could not be determined, rather than the CH3C5H4 radical proposed in gas-phase pyrolysis studies. CH3Mn(CO)5 and CH3COMn(CO)5 were also shown to decompose by a different mechanism to that observed in gas-phase studies. Pyrolysis of n5- C5H5Mn(CO)3 produced little evidence of surface decomposition and produced radicals suggested by gas-phase studies. The difficulty in identifying the products of the pyrolysis of these compounds prevented the drawing of more detailed conclusions.

This thesis is a constructivist defence of the foundations of rights. Rights are the product of a choice-situation between rational agents; that is, agents who seek the greatest share of certain basic goods but who also recognize that their deliberations are constrained by moral considerations. The conceptual character of rights as prerogatives to pursue one's interests is a reflection of this construction procedure. It is crucial to the argument that the goods over which agents deliberate be of equal intrinsic value, and this requires that we have a certain conception of rational agency and a defensible metaphysics of the self. Much of the thesis is concerned with exploring the problems associated with different conceptions of the self and self-interest. It is argued that language, or communicative competence, is central to the development of both self-consciousness and deliberative rationality, and this fact has significant implications for how we should conceive of the moral foundations of rights. Constructivism stands opposed to intuitionism and utilitarianism and in Part I (after an initial conceptual analysis of rights) all three theories are discussed. Part II is devoted to a consideration of the nature of self-interest (or prudence) and the self (personal identity), whilst Part III advances a "solution" to the problems raised in Part II. Writers whose work receives critical attention include Rawls, Hare, Nagel, Parfit, Searle, Habermas and Apel.

A study was required of the methods of protecting chemical reactors against overpressure. At present the use of bursting discs, or pressure relief valves is not only normal but virtually mandatory. There are, however, some uncertainties and difficulties in the design of venting systems based on bursting discs and pressure relief valves and some evidence of failures of such systems. There is also some pressure to permit alternative means of protection based on control systems, including trip and interlock systems.

A simulation model of the lichen epiphyte ecosystem has been built, using both experimental results and published data. The vertical zonation of lichen epiphytes on Oak and Birch trees on S. Dartmoor was defined in the field by means of point quadrat sampling. The detailed physiology of three lichen species has been investigated in relation to two major environmental factors - water availability and radiation intensity. Measurements of thallus net assimilation rates at various water contents have been made using an infra - red gas analyser and various flow systems. A method of determining water content and NAR simultaneously was used. These experiments have led to the discovery that respiration and photosynthesis are linked in the light. This conclusion has been confirmed in a further set of experiments. The water content of the thallus at which optimum NAR occurs has been shown to differ between individuals of any given species and from species to species. These differences,as well as variations in thallus physiology and composition, have all been shown to be inter - related and correlated with the habitat of each thallus. Environmental measurements have been made in the field, and also laboratory measurements of internal resistance and bark water holding capacity. Water availability was determined in the field by the use of evaporimeters and small automatic recording conductivity sensors. Light intensity measurements were made in the field using a pair of matched photocells. The simulation model was built to calculate the net assimilation rate of lichen thalli at six heights in the model tree over a period of two years. Environmental and physiological parameters were obtained from the above observations end from published work. Meteorological data was obtained from the Meteorological Office in the form of hourly record cards for the Plymouth (Mount Batten) station. Modifications were made to the simulation program as it was developed and in order to test the effect of altering some of the environmental parameters. The final simulated output from the computer gives weekly net assimilation totals for P. caperata at six heights, for a simulated period of two years.

The discovery of emergent phenomena arising from the interplay between magnetism, ferroelectricity and structure in multiferroic materials provides a myriad of potential capabilities in future solid state technologies. Despite extensive investigations in this field, many unsolved issues surround magnetoelectric coupling in several multiferroic systems, and in many cases there are competing approaches that attempt to describe their underlying mechanisms. Collectively, the projects in this thesis represent a two-pronged approach that utilises the complementary techniques of Raman light scattering and neutron diffraction as a means to investigate the contentious role of crystal structure in magnetoelectric coupling for the type-II multiferroic RMnO3 (R = Tb, Dy) and RMn2O5 systems (R = Tb, Ho, Y), and furthermore in potentially-multiferroic ErFeO3. The isotopic substitution of oxygen-18 significantly modifies the lattice dynamics of transition-metal oxide systems. In many materials, this can result in isotope-induced shifts in magnetic, ferroelectric, or superconducting phase transition temperatures that provide new understanding into the underlying physical processes that define their properties. Remarkably, oxygen-isotope substitution in RMnO3 (R = Tb, Dy) systems does not alter the onset of the multiferroic regime, indicating that magnetoelectric coupling is primarily a magnetically-driven phenomenon within these compounds. The combination of Raman scattering and neutron diffraction techniques allowed several key insights to be obtained. For both RMnO3 and RMn2O5 systems, Raman spectroscopy revealed that magnetically-driven ferroelectricity imposes significant effects that alter mode energies and lifetimes which indicate displacement-induced ferroelectricity. Furthermore, we observe remarkable structural behaviours in the form of altered bond lengths or faint Bragg reflections that indicate the existence of symmetry breaking. Our Raman study on ErFeO3 presents evidence of broken symmetry hitherto unobserved, as well as the interplay between magnetism and structure from strong interactions between different magnetic sublattices. Our combined approach provides crucial answers in understanding the emergent phenomena derived from the complex interplay between magnetic, ferroelectric and structural properties within these materials.

Elephant crop consumption can have negative direct and indirect consequences for subsistence farmers (e.g. crop losses, livelihood vulnerability, fear) and can result in a reduction in support for the conservation of elephants, which are IUCN classified as vulnerable, and can even result into physical conflicts that can lead to injuries and death of people and elephants. In this thesis, I examine how decisions that elephants make in their movements and foraging behaviour, and farmers make in their mitigation methods, influence elephant crop consumption in the eastern panhandle of the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Chapter 2 shows that elephant corridors are important for exploratory movements of elephants towards the river, and that sexual segregation occurs in elephants' responses to agricultural fields. Female elephants showed encamped movements in agricultural fields at night and during the dry season, supporting the predation-risk hypothesis, as crop consumption was safest for elephants at these times. Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 suggest that the local natural diet of elephants may be deficient in micronutrients - in particular phosphorus - which indicates that elephants need to consume large amounts of vegetation in order to satisfy their micronutrient levels. This makes crops an optimal alternative, due to their higher levels of absolute phosphorus and dry matter intake. Chapter 5 reveals that one-off inputs of materials to support farmers to deter elephants from their fields do not result in the sustainable mitigation method use desired by providers of materials. In order to empower farmers to live with elephants, external bodies such as government and non-governmental organisations could increase logistical support, and facilitate the improvement of the supply-chain of materials for mitigation methods. Crop consumption mitigation could be improved if sexual segregation in crop consumption patterns are taken into account and crops are harvested earlier (Chapter 2), if alternative micronutrient sources are provided in elephant corridors (Chapter 3 and Chapter 4) and farmers are included in the development and implementation of mitigation method interventions (Chapter 5).

Visually guided navigation represents a long standing goal in robotics. Insights may be drawn from various insect species for which visual information has been shown sufficient for navigation in complex environments, however the generality of visual homing abilities across insect species remains unclear. Furthermore variousmodels have been proposed as strategies employed by navigating insects yet comparative studies across models and species are lacking. This work addresses these questions in two insect species not previously studied: the field cricket Gryllus bimaculatus for which almost no navigational data is available; and the European desert ant Cataglyphis velox, a relation of the African desert ant Cataglyphis bicolor which has become a model species for insect navigation studies. The ability of crickets to return to a hidden target using surrounding visual cues was tested using an analogue of the Morris water-maze, a standard paradigm for spatial memory testing in rodents. Crickets learned to re-locate the hidden target using the provided visual cues, with the best performance recorded when a natural image was provided as stimulus rather than clearly identifiable landmarks. The role of vision in navigation was also observed for desert ants within their natural habitat. Foraging ants formed individual, idiosyncratic, visually guided routes through their cluttered surroundings as has been reported in other ant species inhabiting similar environments. In the absence of other cues ants recalled their route even when displaced along their path indicating that ants recall previously visited places rather than a sequence of manoeuvres. Image databases were collected within the environments experienced by the insects using custompanoramic cameras that approximated the insect eye viewof the world. Six biologically plausible visual homing models were implemented and their performance assessed across experimental conditions. The models were first assessed on their ability to replicate the relative performance across the various visual surrounds in which crickets were tested. That is, best performance was sought with the natural scene, followed by blank walls and then the distinct landmarks. Only two models were able to reproduce the pattern of results observed in crickets: pixel-wise image difference with RunDown and the centre of mass average landmark vector. The efficacy of models was then assessed across locations in the ant habitat. A 3D world was generated from the captured images providing noise free and high spatial resolution images asmodel input. Best performancewas found for optic flow and image difference based models. However in many locations the centre of mass average landmark vector failed to provide reliable guidance. This work shows that two previously unstudied insect species can navigate using surrounding visual cues alone. Moreover six biologically plausible models of visual navigation were assessed in the same environments as the insects and only an image difference based model succeeded in all experimental conditions.