Approximately 150 manorial custumals survive from England 1200-1349, representing the earliest written records of rural customs. My project will be the first to systematically investigate this rich body of evidence. It will generate an original quantitative survey of custumals, identifying chronological and geographical trends of their forms and contents in order to develop a better definition of these texts. It will then employ this data to explore how custumals structured relations between peasants and their lords, and how they contributed to cultures of writing in pre-plague rural English society.

In the host-pathogen arms race, antigenic variation is one of the most sophisticated virulence mechanisms. Some of the deadliest parasites, like African trypanosomes and malaria parasites, are able to systematically alter the identity of proteins displayed to the host immune system, causing high mortality and morbidity among the world's poorest populations. Trypanosomes are masters of disguise, expressing their variant-surface-glycoprotein in a monogenic fashion from thousands of possible genes - a fine example of extreme biology and a great model system. The pursuit for the machinery responsible for singular-antigen-expression has been a 50-year long quest and had remained elusive in every organism. Its recent identification in trypanosomes ((PMID: 31289266; 33432154) represents a timely opportunity to crack this long-standing mystery. This project aims to: -purify this novel protein complex and solve its tridimensional structure by cryoEM, which will be critical to understand its mechanism of action. -identify key post-translational modifications and characterise their functional/regulatory role. Therefore, the successful applicant will be trained on several cutting-edge technologies, including gene editing (CRISPR/Cas9), mass-spectrometry, next-generation sequencing, protein purification in native conditions and cryoEM. Notably, understanding the molecular mechanisms underpinning antigenic variation is invaluable, as it greatly challenges vaccine development against several organisms.

The proposed study specifically examines fertility, motherhood, and family experiences of black African transgender women in South Africa. Transgender (TG) is an umbrella term used to describe individuals who identify with a gender incongruent to their sex assigned at birth.

"Increased food production will critically depend on application of inorganic fertiliser. However, fertilisers greatly vary in their composition, their efficacy to promote crop yield and their impact on crop nutritional value. A prime example where different fertiliser efficacies manifest themselves is the form in which K+ is offered: Preliminary studies suggest that polyhalite forms of K (e.g. K2SO4.MgSO4.2CaSO4.2H2O) are more effective in augmenting plant growth than their traditionally used counterparts (i.e. potash in the form of KCl (MOP), K2SO4 (SOP) or KNO3). This may be due to improved 'balanced fertilisation' the benefits of which have long been known in agronomy. Furthermore, at the plant soil boundary, multiple interactions between uptake of minerals have been described (e.g. the stimulating action of K+ on uptake of NO3- or the inhibitory effect of Fe on Zn nutrition) which can be explained by competition and mutual effects on mineral bioavailability. To evaluate the physiological impact of Polyhalite, we will use rice cultivars to answer the following questions: -(1) How does K fertiliser type affect net K and N uptake? Different forms of K+ salt (constant total K+ molarity) will be applied in varying concentrations to rice roots. Net K+ and nitrogen (as NO3- and NH4+) uptake will be measured via depletion assays, using flame photometry for K+ and HPLC for NO3- and colorimetry for NH4+. Rice ecotypes with high and low KUE (K+ use efficiency) will be used to assess how K+ salt composition affects KUE. -(2)Does K fertiliser type affect plant nutrient distribution? Plant tissues derived from rice grown on different forms of K+ salt will be analysed using ICP-OES to obtain complete nutrient profiles. Sampling of root, young leaf, old leaf, flag leaf, stem and grain will occur at varying developmental stages to cover the entire growth cycle. Plants will be grown in hydroponics and pots (sand) with defined fertilisation regimes. -(3) How do different forms of K fertiliser affect microbial communities in the rhizosphere? Rice will be grown in the presence of different K fertiliser both in hydroponics (to mimic closed hydroponic cropping systems) and in pots (to mimic field cultivation), and growth parameters will be scored. To assess general microbe development, number of colony forming units of bacteria and fungi will be determined using 16S rRNA gene fingerprinting and Biolog Ecoplate kits respectively. "

The project focuses on advancing fibre-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology, a critical component of quantum-secured communication networks. The project aims to develop next-generation QKD systems that not only enhance secure bit rates and extend communication reach but are also oriented towards future integration with quantum memories. This forward-looking approach is crucial for enabling long-distance quantum communications, where quantum memories will play a key role. The primary aim of the project is to design and implement new QKD systems that apply emerging QKD protocols to improve secure bit rates and communication reach over fibre networks. The research will explore novel QKD architectures, such as Twin-Field (TF) QKD and measurement-device-independent (MDI) QKD, and will investigate how these systems can be oriented towards integration with quantum memories. The project employs an experimental research methodology with a focus on both optical and electronic engineering, with the added goal of future integration with quantum memories. Key techniques include high-speed optical and electronic systems, using semiconductor lasers, optical modulators, and high-speed RF electronics, implementing and testing emerging QKD protocols, exploring architectures that facilitate interaction between QKD systems and quantum memories for future scalability. This project aligns with EPSRC's strategies in Quantum Technologies, particularly in the development of quantum communication systems and secure data transmission. Additionally, the project contributes to EPSRC's priorities in ICT, Digital Economy, and Cybersecurity. The project is based at Toshiba Europe Ltd. This project primarily falls within EPSRC's remit as it is an Industrial CASE funded by EPSRC. However, it also touches on broader themes relevant to Innovate UK and UKRI strategies related to quantum technologies and future infrastructures. The methodology involves both experimental research and theoretical work.