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This thesis identifies a very strong correlation between the placement and alignment of Neolithic Cursus Monuments with previous cattle movement and therefore makes an original contribution to the Cursus Monument debate. The thesis explores the proposal that a correlation exists between the placement of Cursus Monuments within the landscape and the movement of domestic cattle throughout that landscape. Any possible correlation between these monuments and the movement of Neolithic pastoralist communities within the area has not been well explored in extant research. Previous Cursus Monument studies have tended to focus on the construction or post-construction phases of the monument, rather than on the reasons behind a Neolithic community's decision to locate and align these monuments where they did. The research in this study uses quantifiable data gathered by George et al (2007), who fitted GPS collars to American range cattle to determine the terrain over which cattle move, combined with GIS elevation and slope data from a GIS software programme supplied by Environmental Systems Research Institute. This has enabled a quantifiable examination of the landscape next to 50 Cursus Monument sites on or adjacent to the English chalkland belt to determine the movement of cattle, across the landscape at each individual monument site. Investigation into areas of natural restriction to the landscape and areas affected by winter flooding of pasture has enabled the identification of areas that could have aided cattle movement and husbandry at prime points during the early spring. The inclusion of boots-on-the-ground field observations across each of the 50 monument sites have helped overcome issues associated with previous studies where answers from a few ideal examples appear to have then been extrapolated to the rest. The linking of data on cattle movement (George et al 2007) to mainstream archaeological research has identified that the natural topography of the study group landscape has a very strongly correlation with the alignment of each Cursus Monument, where Cursus Monument sites appear to align with the potential route of cattle across the valley profile. It does not, however, appear to determine the precise location upon which the monument was constructed. Further investigation into areas affected by winter flooding of pasture, resulting in earlier nutritional grass growth upon which the cattle could feed, has identified that the precise location of Cursus Monument sites appears to have a strong correlation with these areas. The thesis identifies a strong correlation with cattle husbandry and determines individual factors such as association with spring meadows and an association with leading cattle to water which appear to have been significant factors in establishing the exact location for Cursus Monument sites. The thesis potentially suggests that Cursus Monuments commenced life as droveways, thereby perhaps identifying an initial practical function to the landscape prior to their probable ritual importance as Cursus Monument sites. A case study is undertaken to re-evaluate these ideas using research undertaken in the Milfield Basin in Northumberland, an area that appears to have had a droveway which did not develop into a Cursus Monument. Establishing a correlation between Cursus Monuments and earlier cattle movement opens the way for future study, through expanding the use of the methodology to upland Cursus Monument sites and Scottish Timber Cursus Monument sites.

INTRODUCTION: Impaired physical fitness may contribute to functional limitations and disability after stroke. Physical fitness (including cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength/power) can be improved by appropriate fitness training; this is of benefit to healthy people and patient groups but whether it is of benefit for people after stroke is unclear. The aim of this thesis was to determine whether physical fitness training is beneficial after stroke. OBJECTIVES: (1) Develop a rationale for fitness training by determining whether physical fitness after stroke is a) impaired, and b) associated with functional limitations and disability. (2) Develop and evaluate randomized controlled trial (RCT) evidence by a) determining the feasibility of a definitive RCT, and b) evaluating the benefits of fitness training after stroke. METHODS: (1) Systematic review of observational data and multiple linear regression of exploratory RCT baseline data determined the nature of fitness impairments and any associations with functional limitation and disability. (2) Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs established the effects of fitness training on disability, death and dependence. An exploratory RCT (‘STARTER’) compared the effects of a fitness training programme (cardiorespiratory plus strength training 3 days/week for 12 weeks) with an attention control (relaxation) on fitness, function, disability, mood and quality of life in 66 ambulatory people with stroke. RESULTS: (1) Systematic review of observational data showed cardiorespiratory fitness (peak oxygen uptake and economy of walking) and muscle strength were low after stroke; the impairments predicted functional limitation but links to disability were unclear. STARTER baseline data showed little impairment in economy of walking but lower limb extensor power was impaired (42-54% of values expected in healthy age and gender matched people) and this predicted functional limitation and disability. (2) The systematic review identified 12 RCTs (n=289) in 2003, and 24 RCTs (n=1147) when updated in 2007. The systematic reviews showed death was uncommon, and effects on dependence and disability were unclear. However training did improve fitness and cardiorespiratory training during rehabilitation improved ambulation. Most benefits resulted from task-related training. The STARTER fitness training intervention was feasible, with good attendance (>90%) and good compliance with intervention content (94-99%). At the end of the fitness training intervention there were small improvements in some cardiorespiratory fitness, physical function and quality of life outcomes compared with the control group, but these differences had diminished four months later. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength and power are impaired after stroke, so there is scope to increase fitness, and there are plausible benefits. (2) Physical fitness training after stroke is feasible, it improves fitness and has some functional benefits, in particular for walking ability. Effects on disability, death and dependence are not known. Further research is required to determine the timing, mode, duration, frequency and intensity of fitness training for optimum benefits, and investigate how benefits can be retained in the long-term.

The study examined the personal, social, and economic correlates of job-finding of young men. The data base was the National Longitudinal Survey, 1966-1969. Younger, less educated youth relied more heavily on informal channels. Increasing age and education led to a slight shift from informal to formal channels, although informal still dominated. As white youth matured they relied less on friends and relatives and schools and more on formal methods except schools. For both races increased education led to a rise in the use of formal techniques, particularly schools. While blacks relied more heavily on friends and relatives than did whites, race was less important than social class with higher social class youth showing a greater use of formal channels. Youth using formal channels tended to locate white-collar jobs, particularly professional and clerical; those relying on informal had a greater chance of locating blue-collar jobs. Whites found the highest "quality" jobs through private agencies, newspapers, and the "other" channel. Among both races friends and relatives generally led to lower quality jobs. An extensive review of the literature on job-finding is included. (Author)

This dissertation presents an exposition of the geometric theory of jet bundles, and describes some applications of this theory to the study of certain types of differential equation, principally those associated with the calculus of variations. The detailed structure of this dissertation is as follows. Chapter 1 contains a review of the properties of bundles and their vector fields and differential forms, and also describe the theory of derivations along bundle maps. Chapter 2 contains a coherent account of the theory of jet bundles. It includes a definition of derivations of type h* and v* and the vertical bracket of vector-valued forms, and also describes infinite jets in a way which clarifies the manifold structure of J°° and the properties of smooth functions on this space. Chapter 3 contains a description of the prolongations of bundle maps and of vector fields, and also explains some properties of repeated jets. Chapter 4 contains a definition of jet fields and their associated connections, and a summary of their properties. It also relates the construction of Backlund transformations to jet fields along bundle maps. Chapter 5 contains a brief history of the almost tangent structure on a tangent manifold and a generalisation of this structure to vertical endomorphisms on an arbitrary jet manifold and a vertical vector-valued m-form on a first-order jet manifold. Chapter 6 contains a short summary of the modern approach to Lagrangian and Hamiltonian systems in mechanics. It also includes a construction for a C art an form in higher-order field theories and an explanation of the relationship of integral sections of jet fields to extremals of variational problems. Finally, Chapter 7 contains a discussion of completely integrable evolution equations and their Hamiltonian structure. There is also an explanation of the Kac-Moody algebra interpretation of the Inverse Scattering Transform in terms of higher-order tangent manifolds.

In Capriccio. Richard Strauss and Clemens Krauss examine the very nature of opera with the core of their thesis being the relationship of words and music. A work that is, in essence, an extended discussion poses two problems to the composer and librettist: how to sustain the argument of the thesis without losing the attention of the audience, and how to prevent a conversational opera from sounding like endless recitative. Strauss and Krauss manage to present their case without having to resort to an actual discussion for the duration of the opera. Their characters are engaging, identifiable human beings who are also allegorical figures. Their participation in the stage action sustains the argument of the thesis even when the dialogue itself addresses other subjects. The players symbolize various facets of opera, theatre, and the public with all of them, principal and secondary characters, being sharply etched. The little stage action that Capriccio does contain is carefully paced and closely coordinated with the presentation of the work's thesis. The octets, similar in dramatic function to the central finale of a Mozart opera buffa, provide the climax of the stage action and come soon after the Fugal Debate, the centerpiece of the collaborators' argument. The final section of the central scene, which also contains the aforementioned octets and Fugal Debate, serves as the denouement of both the plot and thesis. Such close attention to dramatic structure gives Capriccio and the argument it presents cohesion and dramatic shape. The text itself is written in clear, concise prose and is set in Strauss's patented "conversational style." This style, a rapid syllabic declamation, is delivered "mezza voce" in order to simulate natural speech and is sung over continuous melos in the orchestra. This accompaniment keeps it from sounding like dry recitative. This study explores the work's characters, dramatic structure, vocal style, and the issues raised by Strauss and Krauss. Other topics to be addressed include the genesis of Capriccio. how the careers of the composer and librettist led them to write an opera about opera, common criticisms of the work, and Capriccio's place in the operatic repertoire today.