The sinner, the stranger, the sacrifice maker : an apocryphal autobiography

textThis report serves as a kind of explanation and expansion upon the work I have taken on the past few months. It explores how the concepts of memory and perspective play a role in the narratives that we create. I accomplish this through my work with board games and theatrical recreations. It further discusses the ways in which I address the importance of narrative and story telling through both style and the reinterpretation of my own biography.Studio Ar

Kintsugi urbano en la avenida del ferrocarril, Ibagué, Colombia (1921-1970)

La avenida del ferrocarril de la ciudad de Ibagué comunica la zona antigua con la moderna y el sector comercial con el sector de servicios. Esta comunicación es también una separación, caracterizada por las diferencias topográficas y la carencia de elementos que estimulen el tejido social. La fragmentación que se genera a su alrededor contiene la pauperización del espacio urbano y arquitectónico, por lo cual se constituye en el motivo de estudio que busca presentar soluciones a partir de la comprensión de las dimensiones espaciales que se involucran en su desarrollo histórico. Consecuentemente, se analizan los factores de segregación espacial derivados de la interacción entre el paisaje natural y el urbano para presentar posibles soluciones mediante una analogía metodológica con el Kintsugi o reparación de los daños para su reconversión en una nueva pieza ética y estética.The railroad avenue communicates the old city with the modern and the commercial with the services sector. This communication is also a separation, characterized by the topographical differences and the lack of elements that stimulate the social fabric. The fragmentation generated around it contains the pauperization of urban and architectural space, which is why it is the study motive that seeks to present solutions based on the understanding of the spatial dimensions that are involved in its historical development. Consequently, the spatial segregation factors derived from the interaction between the natural and the urban landscape are analyzed to present possible solutions according to the methodology of the Kintsugi or repair of the damages for its reconversion in a new ethic and aesthetic piece

Does abscisic acid affect strigolactone biosynthesis?

Strigolactones are considered a novel class of plant hormones that, in addition to their endogenous signalling function, are exuded into the rhizosphere acting as a signal to stimulate hyphal branching of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and germination of root parasitic plant seeds. Considering the importance of the strigolactones and their biosynthetic origin (from carotenoids), we investigated the relationship with the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA). Strigolactone production and ABA content in the presence of specific inhibitors of oxidative carotenoid cleavage enzymes and in several tomato ABA-deficient mutants were analysed by LC-MS/MS. In addition, the expression of two genes involved in strigolactone biosynthesis was studied. * • The carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase (CCD) inhibitor D2 reduced strigolactone but not ABA content of roots. However, in abamineSG-treated plants, an inhibitor of 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED), and the ABA mutants notabilis, sitiens and flacca, ABA and strigolactones were greatly reduced. The reduction in strigolactone production correlated with the downregulation of LeCCD7 and LeCCD8 genes in all three mutants. * • The results show a correlation between ABA levels and strigolactone production, and suggest a role for ABA in the regulation of strigolactone biosynthesis

Human Mas-related G protein-coupled receptors-X1 induce chemokine receptor 2 expression in rat dorsal root ganglia neurons and release of chemokine ligand 2 from the human LAD-2 mast cell line

Primate-specific Mas-related G protein-coupled receptors-X1 (MRGPR-X1) are highly enriched in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons and induce acute pain. Herein, we analyzed effects of MRGPR-X1 on serum response factors (SRF) or nuclear factors of activated T cells (NFAT), which control expression of various markers of chronic pain. Using HEK293, DRG neuron-derived F11 cells and cultured rat DRG neurons recombinantly expressing human MRGPR-X1, we found activation of a SRF reporter gene construct and induction of the early growth response protein-1 via extracellular signal-regulated kinases-1/2 known to play a significant role in the development of inflammatory pain. Furthermore, we observed MRGPR-X1-induced up-regulation of the chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) via NFAT, which is considered as a key event in the onset of neuropathic pain and, so far, has not yet been described for any endogenous neuropeptide. Up-regulation of CCR2 is often associated with increased release of its endogenous agonist chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2). We also found MRGPR-X1-promoted release of CCL2 in a human connective tissue mast cell line endogenously expressing MRGPR-X1. Thus, we provide first evidence to suggest that MRGPR-X1 induce expression of chronic pain markers in DRG neurons and propose a so far unidentified signaling circuit that enhances chemokine signaling by acting on two distinct yet functionally co-operating cell types. Given the important role of chemokine signaling in pain chronification, we propose that interruption of this signaling circuit might be a promising new strategy to alleviate chemokine-promoted pain

The FAIR kinetic characterization of CoaBC from Staphyloccocus aureus

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.Wessels, F. 2025. The FAIR kinetic characterization of CoaBC from Staphyloccocus aureus. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/b494b9ef-2398-49ed-8755-daed429af9d4Currently in enzymology research, scientists are frequently facing reproducibility issues, mainly because crucial metadata are not reported. These include the precise reaction conditions, comprehensive experimental conditions, and procedures used for data analysis. To address this crises, there is an urgent need to report both the experimental conditions and data to ensure the Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability and Reusability (FAIR) of enzymatic data. Furthermore, coenzyme A (CoA) is an essential co-factor to all living organisms since it is involved in numerous metabolic and cellular pathways. This metabolic pathway has raised strong interest as a drug target against various pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), which is considered as one of the leading causes for hospital associated infections. Currently, the bi-functional enzyme complex consisting of phosphopantothenoylcysteine synthetase (PPCS) and phophopantothenoylcysteine decarboxylase (PPCDC), also referred to as CoaBC, the second and third enzymes in the CoA biosynthesis pathway has not yet been characterised kinetically for S. aureus. Therefore, the aim of this project is to kinetically characterize this enzyme in accordance with the FAIR guidelines. To achieve this aim, CoaBC and 4’-phosphopantetheine adenylyltransferase (PPAT), which is responsible for catalyzing the reversible conversion of 4’-phosphopantetheine (PPanSH) to dephospho-CoA (DePCoA) with the release of pyrophosphate (PPi), from S. aureus were expressed and purified using Ni²+-based Immobilised metal affinity chromatography (IMAC). Followed by SDS-PAGE analysis to confirm the purity and identity of these two enzymes. Thereafter, the activity of PPCS and PPAT were assayed by measuring the produced PPi in a coupled assay, linking PPi to the oxidation of two NADH molecules, which could be measured spectrophotometrically at 340 nm. The OT-2 liquid handler was utilized to automate microtiter plate-based kinetic assays to ensure that experimental protocols can be tightly integrated with the data analysis workflows. The kinetics of PPCS and PPAT were studied using initial rate kinetics by selecting the linear section at the start of each reaction through visual inspection. Three different mechanistic scenarios for PPCS were investigated, which included the random binding mechanism, sequential binding mechanism and Bi-Uni-Uni-Bi- Ping-Pong mechanism. Among these, the Bi-Uni-Uni-Bi-Ping-Pong mechanism was identified as the best model to describe the activity for PPCS based on the different Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) values obtained for each mechanism. In addition, we successfully obtained parameters for PPCS (Bi-Uni-Uni-Bi-Ping-Pong mechanism) and PPAT. However, Kictp of PPCS for this mechanism was practically non-identifiable. Moreover, during the second step of the reaction catalysed by CoaBC, CO₂ is released; this cannot be measured spectrophotometrically. Thus, we constructed a CoaBC-PPAT combined kinetic model using PySCeS, where datasets with CoaBC and PPAT and datasets without PPAT were combined and the kinetic parameters previously obtained for the first step of CoaBC and PPAT were included, to fit the kinetic parameter values for the second step catalysed by CoaBC. We were able to parametrize kcat2 but found Km;ppancys to be structurally non-identifiable. Finally, experimental conditions, kinetic parameters and kinetic models were stored in an EnzymeML document using PyEnzyme software. Therefore, this study not only provided the starting point for the kinetic characterization of CoaBC from S. aureus using microtiter-plate based assays, but also showed how using PyEnzyme software can facilitate the capturing of metadata and data in a structured and standardized manner, in an attempt to address the reproducibility crisis.Master

La superposición de cartografía histórica como método de análisis morfológico y toma de decisiones urbanísticas. Ibagué, Colombia, 1935-2016

Ibagué es una ciudad intermedia colombiana en cuyo centro existe una zona socialmente deprimida y comercialmente efervescente. Para solucionar sus problemáticas se realizó una propuesta de rediseño urbanístico dentro del marco de los planes parciales nacionales, finalmente incorporados a los principios de planeación del Ministerio de Vivienda en el año 2012. Sin embargo, el plan no se ha ejecutado, por lo cual tiene una condición de idealidad y probabilidad, común a los planeamientos urbanísticos desde 1935. Para comprender las convergencias y divergencias entre estos planes y la realidad urbanística, se realizó un análisis del sector utilizando el método histórico-artístico en su componente objetual ajustado para el análisis de morfologías. La superposición cartográfica para la identificación de tendencias evidencia el continuodesconocimiento de las dinámicas históricas y el desacierto en los procesos de planeación. La investigación aporta criterios de análisis que pueden ayudar a la incorporación de estudios morfológicos históricos para la toma de decisiones urbanísticas en sectores similares y en ciudades que presentan superposiciones entre las políticas nacionales y el desarrollo municipal

La indemnización económica como parte de la reparación integral en los delitos contra la vida

In this paper, the issue of economic compensation in crimes against life is analyzed, particularly focusing on how the lack of standards affects the determination of adequate comprehensive reparation. The objective of this research is to examine the scope of economic compensation within the Ecuadorian legal system and propose criteria to improve its quantification. This work explores the need to guarantee adequate compensation for those who have lost a loved one and face a system lacking clear guidelines. A deductive methodology is employed, beginning with fundamental concepts of comprehensive reparation and damage, and subsequently identifying the limitations within the current system. The conclusion underscores the importance of the Ecuadorian regulatory system incorporating criteria to enable judges to set appropriate economic compensation that meets the needs of victims.En el presente trabajo se analiza la indemnización económica en los delitos contra la vida y cómo la falta de estándares afecta la determinación de una adecuada reparación integral. El objetivo de esta investigación es examinar el alcance de la indemnización económica dentro del sistema legal ecuatoriano y proponer criterios que permitan mejorar su cuantificación. Este trabajo explora la necesidad de garantizar una compensación adecuada para aquellos que han perdido a un ser querido y se enfrentan a un sistema que no presenta lineamientos claros. Para esto, se utiliza una metodología deductiva, partiendo de las nociones básicas de reparación integral y del daño para posteriormente identificar las limitaciones que existen dentro del sistema actual. Al concluir se evidencia la importancia de que el sistema normativo ecuatoriano incluya criterios para que los jueces puedan fijar una correcta indemnización económica que satisfaga las necesidades de las víctimas

America's involvement in the affairs of the World

Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2012.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 90-99).Does America have an obligation, whether through foreign aid, military involvement, or by spreading democracy, to change the world? This thesis answers these above questions in intimate detail through the moral framework of the teachings and life of Jesus. It is not a paper designed to evangelize or convert; rather, it is designed to assess whether America' s current involvement on the international stage is done with respect to Jesus' primary teachings of compassion and love. Ultimately, we discover that the US has a lot of work to do, and that this country does not fully follow Jesus' word. The foreign aid America provides has many negative consequences, our military involvement is often unneeded and leads to failure, and our efforts to spread democracy have often been marred by violence. This is not a thesis decrying America and all it stands for. Instead, it is a thesis that analyzes America's past, present, and future involvement in the world, and recommends how America can better follow the moral framework of love and compassion laid down by Jesus Christ.by Leif Francel.M.C.P