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A strong interplay between quantum coherence and a noisy protein environment was used to explain the high efficiency of exciton transport through the photosynthetic Fenna-Matthews-Olson (FMO) complex. Aspects of this transport process were simulated experimentally using a three-site system composed of RF coupled magnetic sub-states of the F=1 state of rubidium 87. The effect of a noisy environment was modelled by a noisy pure dephasing classical field that perturbed the site energies. An optimum noise power for efficient transport in a linear network was observed and in addition, the theoretically predicted localisation, environmental noise assisted quantum transport (ENAQT) and Zeno-like regimes were identified. Transport through the system was also found to be strongly dependent on the frequency components of the applied perturbation. Low frequency perturbations, below the dressed state splitting of the system, were found to induce transport using sub-resonance transfer paths. Dephasing assisted transport (DAT, modelled using a broadband noise source), and vibration assisted transport (VAT, modelled as a structured noisy environment with a Lorentzian centred on the dressed state energy splitting) were compared. It was found that VAT was a faster transport mechanism than DAT.

Vaccination is the most effective way to control a global disease such as tuberculosis (TB); however, conventional intradermal (ID) injection of the licensed TB vaccine, BCG, provides only limited protection. Mucosal delivery of vaccines to pulmonary surfaces is a loqical approach to generate a protective immune response at the primary site of infection. Non-human primate (NHP) models have been used to compare the safety and immunogenicity of mucosal and ID TB vaccination strategies using BCG and modified vaccinia virus Ankara expressing TB antigen 85A (MVA85A). Mucosal vaccination strategies were well tolerated and induced potent antigen-specific CD4 and CD8 T-cell responses, including polyfunctional T-cells in the lung and peripheral immune compartment. Systemic immune responses induced by mucosal BCG revaccination and MVA85A boost vaccination were relatively transient, whereas antigen-specific responses detected in mucosal tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples were more persistent. Unlike ID vaccination, aerosol vaccination with MVA85A did not induce a detectable serum anti-vector antibody response. Polyfunctional CD4 T-cells were detected in BAL and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) following aerosol and ID BCG vaccination. The immunogenicity of aerosol-delivered BCG was dose dependent and consisted of both Th 1 and Th 17 cytokine responses. The aerosol BCG-induced T -cell response measured in BAL and PBMC was significantly delayed relative to ID-vaccination, with a similar trend apparent in serum anti-PPD IgG levels. Mucosal CD4 and CD8 populations were polarised toward an effector memory phenotype, whereas frequencies of peripheral central memory T-cells increased significantly, and remained elevated, following aerosol vaccination. Expression of the 04131 integrin lung homing markers remained consistently high on C04 and C08 T-cells isolated from BAL, and varied on peripheral T -cells. These studies indicate, that delivery of TB vaccines to the pulmonary surfaces is practical and safe, with the potential to target the cell-mediated immune response to the lung. The comparison of aerosol and ID BCG vaccination highlighted differences in the mycobacteria-specific immune response that may contribute to the enhanced protection previously reported from aerosol BCG studies, and will inform future investigations of mucosal TB vaccination strategies.

This thesis presents research results in two general areas of the solid-state laser technology commonly used in defence applications. The first area uses volume Bragg gratings (VBGs) as cavity mirrors, giving wavelength selection, linewidth reduction and improved frequency doubling efficiency. The second area is in extending the operating temperature range of diode-pumped Nd-doped pulsed lasers through the use of VBGs, external-cavity absorber-locked diode lasers and enhancements of pump chamber efficiency. For a laser-diode end-pumped Nd:YVO4 solid-state laser, a VBG laser cavity, with output powers of up to 6.2W is demonstrated at 1064 nm. With a conversion efficiency of 0.4 and M2 of 1.2, the laser linewidth is reduced by a factor of 16, to 72 pm, compared to a conventional dielectric mirror cavity. Intra-cavity losses due to the VBG are shown to be 2%. The 1064nm VBG cavity is then Q-switched using an AO modulator to generate peak powers of 2.3 kW. The second harmonic generation in a MgO:PPSLT crystal produced a 20% increase in second harmonic power, compared to a cavity with a conventional dielectric mirror. The improvement is attributable to the reduced linewidth. A similar configuration, but using a VBG with 98% reflectivity at 1342 nm, generates up to 3.8W of output power. The use of two VBG mirrors in a single cavity, further narrows the linewidth, allowing for output powers up to 2.3 W, in a single longitudinal mode. In-cavity heating of the VBG is found to give a reduction in reflectivity, a shift in the centre wavelength and increased linewidth. This is both modelled and experimentally demonstrated. For enhanced pumping of high-energy Q-switched Nd:YAG zigzag-slab lasers, two techniques of externally locking the wavelength of the QCW laser diodes are demonstrated. A chirped 808nm VBG locks the wavelength of a newly developed chirped quantum-well laser-diode array, without the need for fast-axis collimation. Locking over a temperature range of 50 C is demonstrated, with a predicted locking range of 70 C. As an alternative to VBG locking, a laser diode bar locked at 885nm is also demonstrated by using a thin Nd:YVO4 absorber. Filtered feedback locks the spectrum into peaks, which are in the Nd:YAG absorption bands over a 45 C range. In a parallel effort, a pump laser array configuration that increases the overall absorption path length from 1 to 3 cm in a side-pumped zigzag slab is demonstrated. By optimising the bounce lengths of the pump light and the inclusion of multi-wavelength laser bars, operation up to 80 C is demonstrated with an absorption efficiency of 80%. By adjusting the diode drive pulse duration, a Q-switched laser using this pump head operates from -40 to +60 C with a constant energy of 60 mJ. The operational temperature range of this configuration is shown to be over 120 C.

Previous research has shown low rates of seeking professional help for mental distress in the UK. Explanatory Model (EM) theory (Kleinman, 1977) can be used to understand this. The media influences EMs in the general population, while at the same time it is likely that EMs presented in the media reflect those held by the general population. Thematic analysis of 10 UK newspapers was undertaken. Eight types of portrayal of mental distress and help-seeking were distinguished as themes. EMs presented were relatively crude reflections of medical models; except for one theme which used more holistic EMs. Female journalists appeared to be writing about distress in a more sympathetic way than their male counterparts. Of concern was the stigmatising content of several themes. Areas for possible future research and intervention are discussed.

Dental erosion is an increasing problem in many countries around the world, and research in this field has increased dramatically in recent years. Dental erosion is the dissolution of tooth tissues by acids that are not of bacterial origin; most commonly these originate from the diet. Methods to reduce erosion are of great import; the application of milk-derived proteins such as casein and casein-derived proteins are of current interest as anti-erosion agents and are the subject of the work presented here in this thesis. The efficacy of casein and casein-derived proteins as agents to inhibit dissolution of hydroxyapatite in simple citric acid solutions are investigated in chapters 3 and 4 with two different in vitro models. It was found that these proteins inhibit hydroxyapatite dissolution over a range of erosion timescales, concentrations and exposure times. The effect of an in vitro formed salivary pellicle is also examined and the proteins were shown to retain their efficacy. The efficacy of these proteins to inhibit the earliest stages of erosion (surface softening) and more progressed stages of erosion (bulk tissue loss) are investigated in chapter 5 using atomic force microscopy nanoindentation and non-contact optical profilometry respectively. It was found that again these proteins inhibit both surface softening and bulk tissue loss of bovine enamel. The nature of the protective mechanism due to casein is investigated in chapter 6 using a range of complementary, inter-disciplinary techniques such as atomic force microscopy, x-ray reflectometry and sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The protective effect is ascribed to a thin protein film, of 6.6 nm in thickness, forming on the mineral surface. In conclusion, casein and casein-derived proteins are shown to have anti-erosion properties and potential as oral healthcare products.

This thesis concerns the motion of oceanic vortices and comprises two parts. Part I examines the dynamics of point vortices in a two-layer fluid near large amplitude, sharply varying topography, e.g. continental shelf regions. Topography takes the form of an infinitely long step change in depth and the two-layer stratification is chosen such that the height of topography in the upper layer is a small fraction of the overall depth, enabling quasi-geostrophic theory to be used in both layers even though the topography is large amplitude. An analytic expression for the dispersion relation of free topographic waves in this system is found. Weak lower-layer vortices are studied using linear theory and, depending on their sign, are able to produce significant topographic wave radiation in their wakes. Upper-layer vortices produce relatively small amplitude topographic wave radiation. Contour dynamics results are used to investigate the nonlinear regions of parameter space. For lower-layer vortices linear theory is a good approximation, but for upper-layer vortices complicated features evolve and linear theory is only valid for weak vortices. The motion of hetons (two vortices, one in each layer) and dipoles are also studied. Part II involves the investigation and prediction of the motion of Loop Current Eddies (LCE's) in the Gulf of Mexico. By incorporating the major features of LCE's into a simple eddy model it is attempted to discover if it is possible to deduce the characteristics of a distant eddy from a set of measured velocities at a fixed location and further, predict the subsequent motion of the eddy. First, a circular model for the eddy shape is adopted and the Helmholtz equation is solved in the far-field. Second, a more sophisticated, precessing, elliptical model is developed, the solution involving Mathieu functions. In both cases comparison with actual current meter data is used to demonstrate the validity of the models.

This Executive Summary describes a four-year Engineering Doctorate programme at the University of Warwick’s, Warwick Manufacturing Group. The objective of the doctorate was to investigate how to “create the conditions for innovation”. The Executive Summary presents three aspects of the work. Firstly, the methodology that was employed, secondly, a set of guidelines that show how companies can create the conditions for innovation, and finally, two innovations that the author had primary responsibility for developing. These innovations are TaxiCall and a business training game entitled “The Business of Innovation”. The conditions for innovation that have been identified are, senior management support and commitment, organisational capacity and structure, processes that facilitate risk and exploration, people who are committed and motivated to innovate, the integration of ideas and people from contexts alien to the business, a deep understanding of customers' expressed and unexpressed needs. TaxiCall is an innovative solution to the problem taxi passengers face when hailing a vehicle. It provides a means for a passenger to speak directly to the driver of the nearest available “for hire” taxi to arrange a journey. The author was responsible for developing the idea for TaxiCall into a defined business proposal. This proposal included strategy development, market analysis, a financial and marketing plan and a technical solution. The proposal received £0.5m to further develop the concept of TaxiCall into a viable business. As a consequence of this further development, £8m investment was made in order to launch TaxiCall as a service branded Zingo into the London market late in 2002. The Business of Innovation is a training game that has been designed to address the issue of why companies, who succeed with one technology, often fail to succeed with the one that follows it. It does this by allowing participants to experience why incumbent companies struggle to successfully manage technological discontinuous innovations. The author used this game with approximately 100 participants of Warwick Manufacturing Group’s MSc and Executive Development programmes. Evidence was gathered concerning its ability to meet its stated objectives with a majority of 86% of participants finding it a useful learning experience. The game has subsequently been adopted by a number of training organisations serving a variety of industry sectors.

Torsion is a property of space-time which is not incorporated into the standard formulation of general relativity but which appears as a consequence of unification schemes for fundamental forces. It is, therefore, important to understand its physical consequence. This thesis begins with an introduction to a non-propagating version of torsion theory as an extension to general relativity. The theory can be described in terms of a pair coupled field equations with torsion algebraically linked to elementary particle spin. In order to develop the theory it is necessary to postulate a form for the energy-momentum tensor of spinning matter which is not prescribed in the classical domain. The two main candidates that have been proposed for a spinning fluid are considered. Chapter two contains an independent reworking of Zerilli's [1] perturbation calculation of a particle falling into a Schwarzschild black hole. The perturbation equations are found and the resulting wave equations are derived. The special case of a particle falling radially is considered in detail. Chapter three contains new work which employs the method of Zerilli in torsion theory to consider a particle with spin falling radially into a black hole. The changes to the black hole are found for each of the two energy-momentum tensors of Chapter one. This enables us to discount one of these as unphysical. The differential equations describing the gravitational radiation released by this system are derived. Finally in Chapter four these equations are solved to find the gravitational radiation from a spinning particle falling radially. These may be significant for observational assessments of torsion theory.

The research encompasses a sociological history of the development of Gloucester Rugby Football Club from its origins in 1873 to the conclusion of the 1913/14 season. The research design is based around a case study of a sports organisation that would become one of the elite Rugby Union Football Clubs. The methodology is qualitative and naturalistic, drawing upon extensive club archives, Rugby Football Union archives, reports of events and developments contained in local Gloucester newspapers, and publications relating to the club's history. Data analysis and interpretation utilises the "grounded theory" methods of open and axial coding recommended by Glaser and Strauss. Themes incorporated into this coding framework and those that emerged from its application are firstly components in the constructions of civic, collective (associated more narrowly with "the club") and masculine identities. With regard to the latter theme, the structuring and nature of a "gender order" and the nature of gender relations that are both implicated in its construction, and emerge from it, provide contributory sub-themes. Secondly, changing patterns of player violence and spectator disorder are explored. Finally the responses of the club's administrators to the managerial imperatives associated with, and contributing to, processes of commercialisation and professionalisation are investigated. These three themes are framed as a series of "transitions" in the club's development. The organising theoretical frameworks that guide the interpretation of data and against which research outcomes will be tested are the Gramscian notion of hegemony and a central component of figurational sociology, the Eliasian theory of a European "civilising process". The research concludes that the early development of the club, from a "team" of middle-class men to a fully-fledged gate-taking club effectively owning its own ground, was firmly in the hands of middle-class groups. The changing composition of the dominant middle class group, from a professional/merchant to a predominantly industrial/retail base, significantly affected the local development of rugby in Gloucester and of the club. Ideological control, in the face of growing diffusion and popularity of rugby amongst Gloucester1 working class communities and as members of these communities were recruited into the club, was maintained through an interlocking set of values and behaviours. These involved, primarily, "rule adherence" and financial probity as guiding principles alongside compromise to local demands for competitive structures and to "ways of playing and spectating" that had a high degree of cultural consonance amongst the local working class. The research uncovers the emergence of a matrix of interlocking components that constitute what has become a robust and enduring cultural paradigm that incorporated a sense of collective sporting identity expressed through Gloucester Rugby Football Club. It was this paradigm that lay at the heart of Gloucester RFC's difficulties, relative to other clubs, in adjusting to developments associated with the transition to the legitimation of professionalism in English Rugby Union football in 1995.

This thesis investigates the manufacture and use of ceramics over four centuries in Lincolnshire, and considers the evidence for date and function of the pottery itself and for the social standing and economy of the potters, late survivors of the medieval peasant craftsman tradition. Documentary and physical evidence are both searched to produce the most comprehensive possible list of sites and potters names, and to highlight the areas of doubt where neither type of source can give sufficient proof. The methods of pottery production are also examined and two specific types of vessels are discussed in detail as examples of the search for -=origins. From this point the search widens to consider the importation principally by sea of pottery from other parts of the country and from Europe, and the prices of such wares are compared with prices of local products. This leads to certain conclusions about the economic pressures on local potters and their adjustments to deal with new problems and changing expectations. Contemporary sources, depositional evidence and context are next used to study the names and function of pottery, and finally the principles of dating are discussed, and a series of pottery groups are analysed to test the reliability and transferability of dating. Throughout pottery making is compared with comparable trades and Lincolnshire's position with that of the wider ceramic world.