Interacting with the Trail: A Comprehensive Approach to Developing an Environmental Education Program for Agnolakely Private Nature Reserve

Madagascar is a diverse island, biologically and geographically. This has led to the development of endemic species and high biodiversity within the landscape. Unfortunately, due to poverty, extraction of natural resources, and a growing population, these species have become threatened. Agnolakely, is a private nature reserve, located in eastern Madagascar that is trying to combat these challenges through reforestation projects and land protection. Agnolakely is not only of ecological value, but is also integral in the community structure. As Agnolakely expands it has become essential to implement education and outreach for the reserve. This study was designed to collect biological and social information about Agnolakely and the surrounding area to inform educational and published materials. The development of the educational materials for primary school aged children were based on research supporting experiential learning and links between the environment and the community. Trail activities, pre- and post- lessons for primary schools, a field guide, and a brochure were created using the information from this study

Moral Panic Revisited: Part 1

Abstract included in text

Sword or shield? The influence of international organizations in counterterrorism law and policy making

The protections afforded citizens in human rights treaties drafted by international organisations such as the United Nations may frequently be seen as a way of protecting unpopular minorities such as offenders from the “tyranny of the majority”.Yet, criminal justice policies promulgated by these same bodies can often cut, swordlike, deep into citizens’ freedoms. This tension – between drives towards human rights, on the one hand, and towards criminalisation and punitive measures on the other –is particularly acute in the field of counterterrorism, where bodies such as the UN Security Council have been active since the events of 9/11. Taking the field of counterterrorism as an exemplar, it is the aim of this paper to explore the tension between the “shield” and “sword” functions of international organisations, drawing on two case studies. The first concerns the United Nations where the security of the state has secured a major advantage over the ethic of human rights, within rather than in conflict with the UN framework of international oversight. The second examines the European Union, where the enactment of a significant body of counterterrorism legislation since 9/11 has driven radical and permanent change with significant implications for human rights

Child Abuse, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Criminal Law

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child ("UNCRC"), adopted by the UN General Assembly on November 20, 1989, is essentially a bill of rights for children incorporating welfare rights, protection rights and social justice rights. It has the distinction of being the world's most ratified Convention (the USA and Somalia are the only countries not to have ratified it), indicating a high level of consensus among the international community in relation to the rights contained within it. Ireland signed the UNCRC on September 30, 1990 and ratified it, without reservation, nearly two years later on September 21, 1992. While this did not incorporate the Convention into Irish law,2 upon ratification the State entered into a binding obligation in international law to ensure its terms are honoured. It may be seen as a minimum threshold standard with which domestic legislation must comply and "the yardstick by which the Government, voluntary agencies and individuals measure their actions and efforts in protecting the welfare of children"

AHR Activation and T-Cell Expression in eYFP Mice

The objective of this study was to determine what blood cell types express the B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein-1 (BLIMP-1) gene. Such findings would be instrumental in research regarding the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) which is important in immune responses. The experimental model was a transgenic mouse that expresses the enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (eYFP) under the control of the BLIMP-1 promoter. Testing was carried out in two parts; (1) testing mice for eYFP presence and (2) testing mice for phenotypic cell markers. Cell samples were tested via flow cytometry. During phase one of testing it was found that positive mice showed an average of 0.972% eYFP positive cells, and negative mice showed an average of 0.138% eYFP positive cells. In the second phase it was found that the eYFP+ cells express several different markers, including CD3, CD4, CD8, and, CD11b. Additional testing needs to be completed to further understand what these cells express, but this preliminary data is promising for the future of the AhR and cell trafficking

Transcriptome-Wide Characterization of APOBEC1-Catalyzed RNA Editing Events in Macrophages

RNA editing refers to the process by which the sequence of RNA is altered through the insertion, deletion or modification of specific nucleotides. Editing of mRNA transcripts can increase the informational complexity encoded by the genome by producing alternative protein isoforms through specific posttranscriptional RNA editing events. Additionally, RNA editing in non-coding regions of mRNA transcripts has been shown to influence gene expression in a tissue-specific manner. In mammals, mRNA editing serves a diverse set of biological roles in neuronal function, host defense and lipid metabolism. The major mRNA editors acting in mammals include the adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADARs) and Apolipoprotein B mRNA Editing Catalytic polypeptide-1 (APOBEC1). The ADARs and APOBEC1 were originally characterized as catalysts for previously characterized biologically important RNA-editing events that resulted in specific coding changes; study of additional editing activity was limited by standard sequencing techniques. APOBEC1 in particular was characterized in the small intestine as mediating a specific editing event in the coding region of Apolipoprotein B (Apob). APOBEC1-dependent RNA editing in Apob mediates the tissue-specific differential expression of Apob isoforms, a process important for intestinal lipid metabolism and transport. The development of next-generation sequencing has allowed for transcriptome-wide discovery of RNA editing activity and has resulted in the identification of more than 10,000 RNA editing events, pointing to more biological functions for RNA editing than had been previously appreciated. To search for additional APOBEC1 editing events, our lab developed a comparative RNA-Seq screen for the transcriptome-wide identification of enzyme-specific RNA editing events. Applying this technique to small intestine enterocytes, the site of known APOBEC1 activity, we identified over 30 novel APOBEC1 editing events in transcript 3’UTRs, which represents the first example of physiological APOBEC1 editing outside of the Apob transcript. These newly identified editing events were located in evolutionarily conserved regions of transcript 3’UTRs, suggesting that this editing activity may have functional relevance. The discovery of additional editing activity for APOBEC1, as well as the fact that it is expressed in a number of immune cell types, suggests that APOBEC1, like other members of the AID/APOBEC family, may contribute to cellular immune processes. The focus of the work presented in this thesis is the identification and characterization of physiological APOBEC1 editing activity in bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs). Using a comparative RNA-Seq screen, I identified more than 100 novel APOBEC1 editing events in BMDMs. This APOBEC1 activity occurred in two distinct editing patterns and fell within evolutionarily conserved regions of transcript 3’UTRs. Luciferase reporter assays were utilized to assess the consequences of APOBEC1 3’UTR editing on protein expression and identified a number of combinations of editing events that affect translational outcomes. To determine if APOBEC1 editing could modulate protein expression by altering miRNA targeting, high-throughput sequencing of RNA isolated by cross-linking immunoprecipitation (HITS-CLIP) of the Argonaute (Ago) proteins was performed on wild-type and APOBEC1-deficient cells. HITS-CLIP yielded transcriptome-wide maps of Ago binding and potential miRNA seed regions. While there was considerable overlap between loci targeted by both Ago and APOBEC1, little evidence was found for APOBEC1 disruption or creation of miRNA seed targets. Overall, this work characterizes abundant APOBEC1 activity in BMDMs that can modulate protein expression levels by a miRNA-independent mechanism. These results point to broader functions for APOBEC1 in transcript regulation and host defense

Transcriptome-Wide Characterization of APOBEC1-Catalyzed RNA Editing Events in Macrophages

RNA editing refers to the process by which the sequence of RNA is altered through the insertion, deletion or modification of specific nucleotides. Editing of mRNA transcripts can increase the informational complexity encoded by the genome by producing alternative protein isoforms through specific posttranscriptional RNA editing events. Additionally, RNA editing in non-coding regions of mRNA transcripts has been shown to influence gene expression in a tissue-specific manner. In mammals, mRNA editing serves a diverse set of biological roles in neuronal function, host defense and lipid metabolism. The major mRNA editors acting in mammals include the adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADARs) and Apolipoprotein B mRNA Editing Catalytic polypeptide-1 (APOBEC1). The ADARs and APOBEC1 were originally characterized as catalysts for previously characterized biologically important RNA-editing events that resulted in specific coding changes; study of additional editing activity was limited by standard sequencing techniques. APOBEC1 in particular was characterized in the small intestine as mediating a specific editing event in the coding region of Apolipoprotein B (Apob). APOBEC1-dependent RNA editing in Apob mediates the tissue-specific differential expression of Apob isoforms, a process important for intestinal lipid metabolism and transport. The development of next-generation sequencing has allowed for transcriptome-wide discovery of RNA editing activity and has resulted in the identification of more than 10,000 RNA editing events, pointing to more biological functions for RNA editing than had been previously appreciated. To search for additional APOBEC1 editing events, our lab developed a comparative RNA-Seq screen for the transcriptome-wide identification of enzyme-specific RNA editing events. Applying this technique to small intestine enterocytes, the site of known APOBEC1 activity, we identified over 30 novel APOBEC1 editing events in transcript 3’UTRs, which represents the first example of physiological APOBEC1 editing outside of the Apob transcript. These newly identified editing events were located in evolutionarily conserved regions of transcript 3’UTRs, suggesting that this editing activity may have functional relevance. The discovery of additional editing activity for APOBEC1, as well as the fact that it is expressed in a number of immune cell types, suggests that APOBEC1, like other members of the AID/APOBEC family, may contribute to cellular immune processes. The focus of the work presented in this thesis is the identification and characterization of physiological APOBEC1 editing activity in bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs). Using a comparative RNA-Seq screen, I identified more than 100 novel APOBEC1 editing events in BMDMs. This APOBEC1 activity occurred in two distinct editing patterns and fell within evolutionarily conserved regions of transcript 3’UTRs. Luciferase reporter assays were utilized to assess the consequences of APOBEC1 3’UTR editing on protein expression and identified a number of combinations of editing events that affect translational outcomes. To determine if APOBEC1 editing could modulate protein expression by altering miRNA targeting, high-throughput sequencing of RNA isolated by cross-linking immunoprecipitation (HITS-CLIP) of the Argonaute (Ago) proteins was performed on wild-type and APOBEC1-deficient cells. HITS-CLIP yielded transcriptome-wide maps of Ago binding and potential miRNA seed regions. While there was considerable overlap between loci targeted by both Ago and APOBEC1, little evidence was found for APOBEC1 disruption or creation of miRNA seed targets. Overall, this work characterizes abundant APOBEC1 activity in BMDMs that can modulate protein expression levels by a miRNA-independent mechanism. These results point to broader functions for APOBEC1 in transcript regulation and host defense

The Impact of Social Media on Reputational Risk

In the era of social media, reputation is a crucial feature of business activity and can help companies attract customers and reach the economies of scale and scope that justify their investment. Reputational risk is a challenging topic. This is partly because it involves temporal perception and stock market frenzy like we saw with the first bubble, Tulipmania, and the Dotcom Bubble. These potential threats have strengthened due to social media platforms playing a main role in these “panic-in, panic out” investing behaviors. As we see from many company crises, this reputational value can grow and then disappear in moments. Accordingly, it is difficult to quantify reputational risk and yet that is what makes it so intriguing. Social media has exacerbated the speed of information and misinformation. This is likely contributing to the increased volatility and the overstated short term movements in markets and individual stocks.”Today, more companies are bringing in outside resources to supplement their internal reputational risk research. Regulators, industry groups, consultants, and individual companies have developed elaborate guidelines over the years for assessing and managing risks in a wide range of areas, including commodity prices, control systems, supply chains, political instability, and natural disasters. These processes will help managers do a better job of assessing existing and potential threats to their companies’ reputations and deciding whether to accept a given risk or to take actions to avoid or mitigate it. In this project, I focus my research on analyzing the impact of social media and measuring the economic component of total reputational risk of four corporations: United Airlines, Tesla Motors, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and Facebook. I will be measuring the effects of adverse events on firm reputation by building an analysis of reputation tolerances by stakeholder. The stakeholder groups included in this analysis are Media, Customers, Regulators, and Investors. It will include the impact on reputation on recent issues/reactions/ interpretations and actions required. My hope is that this project will shed some light on how reputation and branding risk are as important or even more important than any other company metric

ASBOs and Behaviour Orders: Institutionalised Intolerance of Youth?

This paper argues that the introduction of Behaviour Orders in Ireland creates a legal mechanism which facilitates the imposition of the majority conception of order within the community on its more marginalised members such as children and young people, much as has happened with ASBOs in the UK. The paper begins by suggesting that order/disorder is defined and imposed in the community by the more powerful elements within it and that what constitutes order/disorder is necessarily variable according to the experiences and perceptions of community members. A close legal analysis of the new Irish legislation governing Behaviour Orders is presented, and parallels with the British legislation are highlighted, with a view to examining the ways in which the law institutionalises the majority conception of order.The social and legal aspects of the paper are drawn together in the argument that the ambiguity surrounding the definition and interpretation of anti-social behaviour renders Behaviour Orders an imprudent response to anti-social behaviour amongst young people in the community