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Kinetically controlled hetero-fusion is a systems-level behaviour of polymer nanoparticle populations
No full textParticle fusion is key for establishing communication between biological components. For this reason, whole cell fusion plays a crucial role in many processes, including infection, muscle formation and tissue repair. Analogous co-assembly between synthetic nanoparticles represents a similar type of communication mechanism in artificial systems. Other approaches to control such co-assembly rely on incorporating anisotropic recognition units onto particle surfaces to provide a thermodynamic driving force. Here we present a fundamentally different approach, where hetero-fusion between two populations of undecorated polymer nanoparticles is regulated using kinetic control. Fusion extent is tuned simply by adjusting polymer chain length. Fusion is probed using an elemental tagging strategy for cryogenic scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with electron energy loss spectroscopy (cryo-STEM-EELS). Our results demonstrate the emergence of a complex process between populations of synthetic nanoparticles akin to communication. We anticipate such systems-level behaviour that results from hetero-fusion can enable future technologies
Neural crest induction requires SALL4-mediated BAF recruitment to lineage specific enhancers
No full textNeural crest induction begins early during neural plate formation, requiring precise transcriptional control to activate lineage-specific enhancers. Here, we demonstrate that SALL4, a transcription factor associated with syndromes featuring craniofacial anomalies, plays a critical role in early cranial neural crest (CNCC) specification. Using SALL4-het-KO human iPSCs to model clinical haploinsufficiency, we show that SALL4 directly recruits BAF to CNCC-lineage specific enhancers at the neuroectodermal stage, specifically when neural crest gene expression is induced at the neural plate border. Without functional SALL4, BAF is not loaded at chromatin, leaving CNCC enhancers inaccessible. Consequently, the cells cannot undergo proper CNCC induction and specification due to persistent enhancer repression, despite normal neuroectodermal and neural plate progression. Moreover, by performing SALL4 isoform-specific depletion, we demonstrate that the SALL4A is the isoform essential for CNCC induction and specification, and that SALL4B cannot compensate for SALL4A loss in this developmental process. In summary, our findings reveal SALL4 as essential regulator of BAF-dependent enhancer activation during early stages of neural crest development, providing molecular insights into SALL4-associated craniofacial anomalies
Wavelet Probabilistic Recurrent Convolutional Network for Multivariate Time Series Classification
No full textA new test for the mechanical characterisation of composite pultruded rods under compression
No full textTraditional direct compression tests on pultruded rods typically generate stress concentrations around the gripping regions, preventing accurate measurement of the true compressive strength. This paper introduces the ‘cradle test’, a novel experimental methodology designed to better characterise the compression performance of such materials. The setup consists of a polymeric beam that ‘cradles’ a pultruded rod, which is adhesively bonded to the beam. The method produced consistent failure within the gauge length and clear evidence of compression-dominated failure modes. A complementary
technique based on full-field digital image correlation (DIC) strain measurements was also developed to obtain the complete strain vs. stress response. The approach is extendable to the characterisation of other materials
Explainable AI (XAI) and Human Cognition for Decision-Making in Telecom SMEs under VUCA Conditions
No full textTelecom SMEs operate in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) business environment in which opaque artificial intelligence systems (AI) complicate strategic and operational decision-making further by interacting with pre-existing cognitive challenges inherent in these contexts. This paper introduces three interlinked frameworks -EIARA (Emotional-Intuitive-Analytical-Reflective-Awareness), TIER (Trustworthiness-Interpretability-Ethics-Reliability) and DMQS (Decision Making Quality Score) - designed to embed the Explainable AI (XAI) in managerial cognition and organizational decision processes. Research adopts a pragmatic, action-oriented approach, synthesizing multidisciplinary literature and practical knowledge without collecting empirical data. EIARA conceptualizes the cognitive states involved in the interpretation of AI recommendations by managers, TIER outlines principles at the system level to support trust and alignment, and DMQS provides a composite metric to assess the quality of decision-making. The paper discusses theoretical and management implications and proposes future research directions, laying the groundwork for cooperation between humans and AI that increases transparency, accountability and resilience in the context of VUCA
Poverty, Inequality and Engendering Sickle Cell Disorders in Sierra Leone.
No full textSickle Cell disease is a highly racialised disease in high-income countries in the Global North. It is perceived as a rare disease, largely affecting people of African and other minoritised ethnic groups despite being a major global genetic condition. This chapter focuses on the impact of such international neglect on the lives of women affected by SCD in the West African country of Sierra Leone. This participatory qualitative study conducted with the voluntary sector involved semi-structured interviews with 36 women. It set out to explore the experiences of female caregivers of children with SCD and of women with SCD. Using a social determinants of health approach, it illustrates how SCD is exacerbated by the national intersections of poverty, patriarchy and gender, against a post-colonial backdrop. We found there were differences in experiences of SCD depending on socio-economic circumstances, social support, knowledge of SCD, lifestyles and how those determinants interacted with intersectional factors like age, type of SCD, disability, experiences of pregnancy and caring responsibilities. We also found that female caregivers and women with SCD noted particular times in their lives when being a woman with SCD was especially risky. We argue that in policy and practice, we need to reconceptualise SCD as a social justice and human rights issue in keeping with the impact of a major global genetic condition
A dynamic optimization framework for computation rate maximization in UAV-assisted mobile edge computing
No full textThe file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.Mobile edge computing (MEC) significantly boosts the computing power and reduces the energy consumption of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, serving as a valuable complement to cloud computing. The application of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for MEC systems can effectively alleviate the issue of insufficient or damaged communication facilities in remote areas, further expanding the scope of MEC applications. In this article, we present a system model for UAV-assisted wireless-powered MEC systems in a dynamic environment with the objective of maximizing the computation rate of user devices. Due to the complexity of the optimization objective in dynamic environments, we propose a swarm intelligence-based optimization framework with a mechanism for responding to environmental changes, which is intended to enhance population diversity in both static and dynamic environments with the aim of overcoming premature convergence. We integrate particle swarm optimization and harmony search into the proposed framework, naming them DOPSO and DOHS, respectively. Simulation results for two offloading modes in UAV-assisted MEC systems indicate that the proposed framework significantly outperforms other dynamic optimization algorithms
A Critical Evaluation of the Customary Justice System in Nigeria: A Human Rights Approach for Integration
No full textThis thesis critically evaluates the traditional justice system (TJS) in Nigeria from a human rights perspective, with the overarching aim of determining its potential for meaningful integration into the formal justice system (FJS) to enhance access to justice. Although traditional justice mechanisms are widely recognised and utilised across Nigeria, they are not statutorily codified or formally legislated as in other jurisdictions such as Ghana. Their existence and legitimacy derive from historical continuity, social acceptance, and judicial recognition, rather than from constitutional enactment. This research examines how such systems function in practice, their relationship with state law, and their capacity to uphold fundamental rights and legal standards.
At the heart of this research lies a normative and empirical inquiry into whether the TJS, in its current form and practice, upholds or undermines fundamental human rights, and how it may be reimagined to promote a more inclusive, responsive, and equitable justice system. Adopting a human rights-based approach (HRBA) as the primary analytical lens, the study centres on core principles such as participation, accountability, non-discrimination, equality, empowerment, and the rule of law to interrogate the compliance of traditional justice practices with regional and international human rights principles, especially concerning equality, due process, and protection of vulnerable populations. These principles serve both as evaluative criteria and as normative goals for justice reform.
The research draws on qualitative fieldwork conducted in eleven communities (Egi clan, Rivers Sate, Owerri, Isiala Mbano, Mbaise, Obowu in Imo State and Enugu and Nsukka in Enugu State and Ibadan, Ogbomoso in Oyo State, Ife in Osun State and Egba clan in Abeokuta, Ogun state) of Nigeria between April and June 2022. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 60 participants, including traditional rulers, chiefs, elders, youths, members of customary courts and councils, women leaders, legal practitioners, and human rights experts. The study focused on gathering rich empirical data on the structure, process, values, and perceived legitimacy of the eleven selected traditional justice systems. These data were analysed using a triangulated approach, combining qualitative content analysis and thematic analysis, to assess perceptions of justice, fairness, procedural safeguards, and access to remedies within the TJS, especially for women, children, persons with disabilities, and marginalised groups.
Findings indicate that traditional justice institutions are often the first and only recourse for dispute resolution for many Nigerians, particularly in areas where the formal legal system is physically, financially, or culturally inaccessible. These systems are valued for their participatory nature, proximity, flexibility, speed, and rootedness in local norms. However, significant human rights concerns persist. These include gender-based discrimination, lack of procedural safeguards, limited opportunities for appeal or redress, exclusion of women and youth from dispute settlement roles, and the absence of formal oversight or accountability mechanisms. In many cases, TJS practices conflict with constitutional guarantees of equality and international human rights obligations under instruments such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), both of which Nigeria has ratified.
Despite these tensions, the study demonstrates that traditional justice systems are not inherently incompatible with human rights norms. Rather, it offers a culturally resonant and socially legitimate foundation upon which human rights principles can be localised and operationalized. The research advocates for a transformative approach that does not seek to abolish or assimilate the TJS into the formal system, but rather to strengthen its legitimacy, capacity, and compliance with human rights through institutional reform, capacity building, legal education, and participatory dialogue. This includes the development of human rights-aligned traditional justice standards, community-led monitoring mechanisms, gender-sensitive training for traditional adjudicators, and formalised interfaces between the traditional and formal systems without eroding their indigenous foundations.
This thesis contributes original empirical insights and theoretical reflections to legal scholarship. First, it generates original empirical data on the structure and function of TJS in Nigeria, filling a significant gap in academic and policy literature. Second, it deepens understanding of how plural legal systems operate in postcolonial African states, particularly that where customary law is recognised but not constitutionally entrenched, thereby contributing to ongoing debates on justice reform, legal modernisation, and postcolonial legal transformation in pluralist societies. Finally, it challenges binary assumptions that place traditional and formal systems in opposition, recommending instead for an integrated, rights-respecting, and contextually grounded justice framework that would enhance legal pluralism in Nigeria in a manner that promotes access to justice, protects fundamental rights, and affirms legal diversity.
In conclusion, this thesis advocates for a reimagined justice system that embraces the lived realities of its people, acknowledges reforms, and integrates the traditional justice system through a human-based approach. It argues that bridging the divide between state and traditional justice institutions is essential for promoting a more inclusive, equitable, and culturally relevant access to justice in Nigeria. By aligning traditional practices with regional and international human rights standards, the research highlights the potential for a pluralist justice model that enhances legal empowerment, democratic governance, and social cohesion. The study ultimately calls for a shift in perspective of viewing justice not as a solely state driven mechanism, but as a participatory process rooted in the lived realities, dignity, and rights of all Nigerians
'Facilitation regimes' and maritime trade in Nigeria: A critical appraisal of Nigeria's Implementation of the IMO FAL and the WTO TFA
No full textThe interdependency between international trade and maritime transport cannot be overstated. With over 80 per cent of global trade by volume carried out by maritime transport, the procedures and processes in and around the maritime domain can either aid or act as barriers to global trade. These procedures and processes, collectively referred to in this study as 'facilitation rules', are the subject of national, regional, continental and multilateral frameworks and regulations. In this study, Nigeria’s engagement with international trade facilitation regimes, specifically the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL) and the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), was critically examined. This focus is because both are central to the global facilitation regime; the nexus between the FAL and TFA has been underexplored, while previous studies seem not to have considered the impact of the compartmentalisation of the trade facilitation regimes on the ability of developing countries that are signatories to these treaties to effectively utilise them to their benefit.
Using Nigeria as a case study, the study critically evaluates Nigeria's engagement with the FAL and the TFA to ascertain the impact of both international treaties on Nigeria's efforts to achieve an effective facilitation regime in its maritime trade. By critically exploring Nigeria's engagement with the specified facilitation regimes, the study sheds light on the impact of international standards on Nigeria's trade facilitation regime, specifically and the maritime trade sector more generally. To facilitate the foregoing, the study was underpinned by a research problem that highlights the compartmentalisation of the frameworks created by both the FAL and TFA in both literature and practice, despite their interconnected objectives of reducing trade costs and streamlining cross-border procedures.
The key finding of the study is that the benefits derivable by Nigeria from the utilisation of the facilitation regimes subsumed in the FAL and TFA are limited by a plethora of regulatory and governance issues. This ranges from non-compliance with the strictures of Nigeria’s dualist legal system to multiple institutional inefficiencies like the overlapping mandates of ministries, departments and agencies of the Nigerian government, corruption, prebendalism, and limited technical capacity. Furthermore, the study highlighted that although Nigeria has recorded improvement in trade volumes and balance in recent years, the inefficiencies associated with the operationalisation of the facilitation frameworks continue to inflict significant costs on Nigeria’s trade fortunes and its integration into the global supply chain. Premised on the foregoing, it was concluded that the fragmented engagement with facilitation regimes in Nigeria is indicative of deeper structural and governance challenges.
Flowing from the foregoing, this thesis proposes a contextualised understanding of the mechanics of the negotiation, domestication, and operationalisation of multilateral trade facilitation instruments by developing countries, such as Nigeria. More specifically, the study recommends harmonising facilitation regimes, coordinating among stakeholders, and enhancing infrastructural and technological investments to address these gaps
East Midlands Top 500: Who's still missing form the boardroom?
No full textThis report briefly analyses the female representation on boards in the top 500i East Midlands companies. The data which covers 2023ii and 2024 shows a disappointing average board size of 19% women. More broadly, female leadership remains low, with only four female Chairs, seven CEOs, and 10 CFOs.
Significant disparities also exist across industries, with business services and manufacturing sectors outperforming construction and retail in terms of gender diversity. Most companies fall short of the UK’s 40% gender diversity target, highlighting the need for greater inclusion of women at senior levels of management