In Using Leaders as Insider Witnesses Without Prosecuting Them, the Special Court for Sierra Leone May Have Legitimised Impunity

There is a determination on the part of the international community that perpetrators of crimes during conflicts should not escape punishment for the roles they play during crises by either committing these offences themselves or by authorising their commission for such actions. Since most crimes are not documented, which makes it hard to acquire the proof or evidence required for conviction, the courts or tribunals rely on the testimony of individuals who witnessed the crimes that have been committed. Such individuals are known as insider witnesses. In cooperating with the prosecution, if they themselves had been among the perpetrators or part of the accomplices, they are sometimes given, though not in all cases, a reduced sentence, as part of the plea bargain with the prosecution. However, agreeing to testify does not exempt one from punishment. This is because there is an underlying principle that individuals who commit such crimes must be held accountable; the same principle is aimed at ending impunity for crimes committed during conflicts such as these that offend international law. The Mandate of Special Court for Sierra Leone was to prosecute those individuals who bear the greatest responsibility…, including those leaders who, in committing such crimes, have threatened the establishment of and implementation of the peace process in Sierra Leone. 1 However, Prosecutors at various stages of the trials engaged some of these leaders as insider witnesses, without prosecuting them. Consequently, these leaders evaded punishment for their alleged crimes. In this process, the Special Court may have legitimised impunity

The Egf-Ras-Erk Pathway and the Nkx-5/hmx Homeodomain Protein Mls-2 Promote Tube Development in the C.elegans Excretory System

Tubular epithelial cells are one of the most abundant cell types in multicellular organisms. Tubular cells transport gases and liquids, and funnel harmful excretory waste from our bodies. It is clear that Receptor Tyrosine Kinase (RTK) signaling is essential for the formation of many tubular organs such as our kidneys and blood vessels. However, which steps in tube development require RTK signaling is less well understood. The C.elegans excretory system is a primitive renal system with just three essential cells (duct, pore, and canal cells), providing a simple yet dynamic system to study tube specification and morphogenesis. In the C.elegans excretory system, we demonstrated that the EGF-Ras-Erk signaling pathway specified the excretory duct tube versus the pore tube fate. In addition, EGF-Ras-Erk signaling influenced the positions that the duct and pore cells adopted within the tubular network. And finally, after position and fate determination, EGF-Ras-Erk signaling had a continued role in maintaining organ architecture of the duct tube. Goals for future research will be to determine how EGF-Ras-ERK signaling controls these genetically distinct steps during tube development. In a separate project, I studied the Nkx5 homeodomain transcription factor, MLS-2, which was identified in a mutagenesis screen by a former graduate student in the lab. I discovered a role for MLS-2 in promoting proper cell shape of the duct and pore. mls-2 cooperated with the EGF-Ras-Erk pathway to turn on lin-48/Ovo during duct morphogenesis. I speculate that MLS-2 and other Nkx5 family members have conserved functions in promoting shape acquisition in cells that adopt complex morphologies similar to the duct and pore

Antimalarial Evaluation of Quinoline-triazoleMn(I) and Re(I) PhotoCORMs

Malaria remains a disease of global health concern, as thousands of people fall victim to it annually. Despite the continuous development of new malaria chemotherapies, the parasite has adapted and mutated, conferring multi-drug resistant strains. The constant emergence of drug-resistant strains of malaria and the decrease in efficacy of most front-line treatments calls for the urgent development of new antimalarial chemotherapeutic drugs. It is of great importance to develop compounds that target resistant strains of malaria. Chloroquine is one of the most significantly studied antimalarials to date and its derivatives have been mainstays in malaria treatment. It has also been established that carbon monoxide (CO) is able to prevent Experimental Cerebral Malaria (ECM) (a severe form of malaria) through the prevention of haemoglobin oxidation.This study investigated the synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation as antiplasmodial agents of two new quinoline-1,2,4-triazole ligands and their respective Mn(I) and Re(I) tricarbonyl complexes. The two ligands differ in the presence of an extended amino-propyl chain conjugated to the quinoline scaffold, which has proven to confer greater antimalarial activity. Furthermore, the complexes were evaluated for their potential as photoCORMs (photo-induced Carbon Monoxide Releasing Molecules) and the CO-releasing effects on the antiplasmodial activity were evaluated. Two manganese tricarbonyl complexes (Mn-1 and Mn-2: contains amino-propyl chain) were evaluated for their CO-releasing properties upon photoexcitation with UV light at 365 nm. Both complexes release CO upon photoexcitation in DCM, DMSO/PBS and DMSO/growth medium solutions. The rate of CO-release is medium-dependent and the Mn-1 complex releases CO faster than the Mn-2 complex. The ligands and metal complexes were evaluated for their in vitro antiplasmodial activity against the NF54-chloroquine-sensitive and the K1-chloroquine-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum). All tested compounds show good antiplasmodial activity with IC50 values in the low micromolar range. The manganese and rhenium analogues exhibit similar antiplasmodial activities, with IC50 values of 3.81 μM and 4.61 μM in the CQ sensitive strain respectively. Both complexes retain their activity in the CQ-resistant strain with resistance indices of 1. The ligand containing the amino-propyl chain (L2) exhibits the greatest antiplasmodial activity with IC50 values of 0.33 μM and 0.69 μM in the CQ-sensitive and -resistant strains respectively. The manganese complex thereof (Mn-2) has IC50 values of 0.54 μM and 1.16 μM in the CQ-sensitive and -resistant strains respectively. The antiplasmodial activity of the manganese complexes Mn-1 and Mn-2 increases 7- and 3- fold respectively upon photoexcitation at 365 nm in the K1-CQ-resistant strain. The increase in antimalarial activity exhibited upon light-induced CO-release presents a promising mechanism of combating drug-resistant P. falciparum. Mechanistic studies of these compounds indicate that they potentially work via β-hematin inhibition, with the metal complexes being greater inhibitors than CQ. Upon photo-induced CO-release, the β-hematin inhibition of complex Mn-1 increases drastically

Knowledges, fuelwood and environmental management in Kisumu district, Kenya

Fundamental issues of natural resource management revolve around diverse worldviews, knowledges and practices, which cannot all be captured within the policy framework. The Western worldview, which reflects mainly the utilitarian, economistic view of resources, has influenced and shaped the trend management of natural resources has taken world-wide. The Western worldview contrasts with local knowledges, which are uniquely innovative, highly dynamic, tacit, contextual and/or locality-specific. This thesis explores the fuelwood problem in Nyando Division of Kisumu District in Kenya, seeking both a holistic understanding and an emphasis on the interface between official policy and local rural practice, including the varying knowledges. The study focused on two case study clans, Muga and Kadhier in Awasi and Kochogo Locations, respectively. Most fuelwood in the study areas is from on-farm and multiple accessible sources. This contradicts the 'fuelwood orthodoxy' school which associates fuelwood consumption with deforestation and 'woodfuel crisis'. Aerospace imageries clearly illustrated a change and decline in stand density of the woody vegetation cover in Nyando Division over time. Differences in fuelwood availability and inequalities in endowment of wood/tree resources in and between the study localities exemplify critical questions of entitlement in the face of 'abundance'. Tree planting was not seen to be synonymous with fuelwood availability. This scenario promotes the fuelwood trade, high dependence on fuelwood purchase and supplements of crop residues by local households. Land privatisation has exacerbated the situation. Distances travelled to collect fuelwood have decreased as people turn to alternative and purchased fuels. Opportunities in the study area for the resolution of the fuelwood problem include promotion of less culturally restricted and less economically valuable trees, and a more farmer-sensitive approach from government and NGOs which recognises farmers as active partners in the interface between policy and rural practice

Understanding the Perceptions, Preferences, and Attitudes towards Investment through Digital Platform of a Big, Growing, and Young Customer Segment in Indonesia

The hype of digitalization has impacted several industries including finance. Several innovations have been launched such as robo-advisory investment platform which minimize the involvement of human in investment process. One of the companies that provides this service is company X which is based in Indonesia. On the other hand, there is a growing new segment which is projected to increase tremendously and is called ‘the billion dollars consumers’; muslim millennials. Company X aims to serve this growing segment thus understanding their needs and values become crucial aspect. In this work, the researchers used quantitative methods and statistical analysis to study the behaviors of Indonesian Muslim millennials. The relation between financial literacy, Islamic financial literacy, and investment behavior is studied using factor analysis and t-test analysis. Online questionnaire was deployed to 379 respondents and analyzed further. Findings suggest that in average both financial and Islamic financial literacies of the respondents are 58,5% and 54,3% respectively thus cannot be classified as sufficient. However, investors tend to have significantly higher financial literacy score than the non-investor group. In addition, the findings highlighted that investment decisions are driven mostly by religious beliefs and firm image, whereas digital solution is also seen as preferable and important. Consequently, the findings from this work will provide inputs for companies that are contemplating on targeting their goods at the fast-growing Indonesian Muslim millennials population

Changes in anxiety levels through the education years in the MPharm programme

Objective: Over 8.2 million people were affected by anxiety in the UK in 2013 and it is currently the world has most experienced mental health disorder. Previous research has indicated that a rising level of anxiety in higher education students is resulting in decreased academic success and progress. This research explores student’s perceptions of whether anxiety levels change throughout their course, whether it improves or worsens from the first year to the final year in the course and its effect on academic achievements. Methods: A survey-based approach was taken with questionnaires handed out to students in their 4th year of the MPharm programme at the University of Wolverhampton. Results: Fifty completed questionnaires were analysed by age, gender and ethnicity in order to identify patterns and trends. The results were in conformity with previous research findings that anxiety severity increases through education years and it is affecting educational performance and progress. There were68% of all students who participated stated they were currently experiencing anxiety and 86% of those stating their anxiety was now worse than it was in their sixth form years. On average, participants chose a minimum of four factors that triggered anxious episodes; 36% of participants stated that anxiety affected their grades all of the time and 44% were affected during written exams only. Conclusion: This study suggests further research into anxiety is needed to address this growing phenomenon and mechanisms are needed in order to accommodate the needs of students who are affected

Morphologic Response of a River Channel to Sand Mining in River Tyaa, Kitui County, Kenya

Over 40 billion tons of sand is mined worldwide every year which is estimated to be higher than the natural replacement rates. In Kenya, the rate of sand mining is raising concerns over its environmental effects since it is not regulated. This paper presents findings on the geomorphic effects of sand mining in the ephemeral River Tyaa channel in Kitui County. The study adopts the concept of feedback response mechanism of a natural geomorphic system. Through purposive sampling River Tyaa was selected for the study, where rampant sand mining was reportedly taking place. Random sampling on the five sand mining sites identified came up with a representative site namely Kanginga on which systematic sampling was applied while collecting data at both the active and control sites. Data on channel width, depth and slope angles was obtained through physical measurements while data on quantity of sand mined was obtained from Mwingi Sand Mining Cooperative. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyse data whereby the model compared active and control sites. Test results indicated that sand mining had significantly increased river channel’s width (O.R. =1.531), depth (O.R. =1.527) and slope angles (O.R. =1.634) at active mining sites compared to control sites as deduced from the respective Odds Ratios. It concluded that sand mining had altered channel’s morphology resulting to adverse environmental effects such as loss of riparian vegetation and channel incision. It recommended curbing of illegal sand mining through licencing operators and reducing quantity of sand mined by closing some mines. Furthers, it recommended monitoring through regular Environmental Impact Assessment (E.I.A) and Audit (E.A) to inform protection of the river system from degrading

Beyond somatosensation: Mrgprs in mucosal tissues

Mas-related G coupled receptors (Mrgprs) are a superfamily of receptors expressed in sensory neurons that are known to transmit somatic sensations from the skin to the central nervous system. Interestingly, Mrgprs have recently been implicated in sensory and motor functions of mucosal-associated neuronal circuits. The gastrointestinal and pulmonary tracts are constantly exposed to noxious stimuli. Therefore, it is likely that neuronal Mrgpr signaling pathways in mucosal tissues, akin to their family members expressed in the skin, might relay messages that alert the host when mucosal tissues are affected by damaging signals. Further, Mrgprs have been proposed to mediate the cross-talk between sensory neurons and immune cells that promotes host-protective functions at barrier sites. Although the mechanisms by which Mrgprs are activated in mucosal tissues are not completely understood, these exciting studies implicate Mrgprs as potential therapeutic targets for conditions affecting the intestinal and airway mucosa. This review will highlight the central role of Mrgpr signaling pathways in the regulation of homeostasis at mucosal tissues

EXPOSING THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY INADEQUATE LEADERSHIP IN PUBLIC AND COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS AS WELL AS POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS

The saying "leaders are born, not made" is frequently used to describe leaders especially those whose contributions stick in people's memories! So, who exactly is a leader? In essence, the ability to bring about the change one wants to see in their organization makes one a leader. Nowadays, a CEO of a business isn't always a leader. Conversely, someone possesses a set of competencies that further an organization's goals and objectives. An inadequate skill of a leader regarding management and guidance within a team or the business environment is referred to as poor leadership. There are several ways in which this can show up, including stating unclear objectives, inadequate communication among team members, a lack of accountability and transparency, and a lack of team member support to actualize results. An ineffective leadership may affect a team's ability to accomplish goals and objectives since it breeds mistrust and disdain for the leader. A widely acknowledged concept of leadership remains elusive despite extensive research. It is stated by Talat et al. (2015) that "there are almost as many definitions of leadership as there are people who have attempted to define the concept." Examples of these definitions include the ones that follow; leadership is a broad process that requires authority, accountability, and power delegation, according to Talat et al. (2015). Employees are followers of leaders in an organization, who need their assistance to enable them to achieve their own and the company's goals and objectives. This creates a win-win situation if managed properly. Hence, leadership styles encompass all facets of interacting inside and outside a company, managing or resolving problems, assisting and directing employees to do their jobs, and setting an example for others to follow and infuse.  Article visualizations