Exploring the potential impacts of waste disposal sites on ocean ecosystem contamination in Newfoundland: a geospatial analysis and public perception study

This study endeavors to identify historical (closed) and currently operational landfill/waste disposal sites in Newfoundland that might be environmentally sensitive. The primary focus is to understand the potential impacts of these sites on neighboring water bodies and ocean ecosystems. Through the utilization of geospatial analysis, this study examines how waste disposal sites in Newfoundland could possibly contaminate water bodies and ocean ecosystems. Additionally, the study assesses public perceptions concerning the ecological and human health implications of waste disposal sites on the surrounding environment. Employing a geographic information system and the multiple criteria decision-making model, this study assesses the influence of waste disposal sites on nearby water bodies and the ocean. By implementing an analytical hierarchical process, a variety of environmental factors such as soil composition, topography, groundwater vulnerability index, hydrogeology, land use, and land cover are systematically ranked to determine the environmental vulnerability of each waste disposal site. The outcome is presented through a vulnerability assessment map, which categorizes dumpsites based on their level of vulnerability—high, moderate, or low. Recognizing the potential of public engagement to bolster social justice and draw attention to pertinent issues, this study integrates a diverse group of stakeholders such as community members, town councilors, mayors, landfill managers, public health experts, environmental scientists and engineers, provincial government officials, recyclers, and waste disposal service providers. Interviews were conducted with these stakeholders to gain their perspectives on the potential impacts of waste disposal sites on ocean contamination in Newfoundland. From the transcribed interview data, multiple thematic areas pertaining to present waste management practices and the environmental and health ramifications of waste disposal sites were comprehensively identified

Creación de personaje en la técnica clown de la puesta en escena "Los merolicos"

La creación de personaje en la técnica clown para la puesta en escena “Los merolicos

Epigenetic mapping of the metabolome reveals mediators of the epigenotype-phenotype map

Identifying the sources of natural variation underlying metabolic differences between plants will enable a better understanding of plant metabolism and provide insights into the regulatory networks that govern plant growth and morphology. So far, however, the contribution of epigenetic variation to metabolic diversity has been largely ignored. In the present study, we utilized a panel of Arabidopsis thaliana epigenetic recombinant inbred lines (epiRILs) to assess the impact of epigenetic variation on the metabolic composition. Thirty epigenetic QTL (QTLepi) were detected, which partly overlap with QTLepi linked to growth and morphology. In an effort to identify causal candidate genes in the QTLepi regions and their putative trans-targets, we performed in silico small RNA and qPCR analyses. Differentially expressed genes were further studied by phenotypic and metabolic analyses of knockout mutants. Three genes were detected that recapitulated the detected QTLepi effects, providing evidence for epigenetic regulation in cis and in trans These results indicate that epigenetic mechanisms impact metabolic diversity, possibly via small RNAs, and thus aid in further disentangling the complex epigenotype-phenotype map

Function and evolution of plant peptides and protein interactions

In this thesis work, we try to understand the function and evolution of small/short plant peptides that are induced under oxidative stress and to further understand the functions of members of two plant transcription factor (TF) families viz. the MADS domain and AT-Hook proteins. An important feature of plant stress response comprises the production of peptides with signaling, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Our primary aim was to identify novel translatable sORFs in the model plant A. thaliana as the number of peptides annotated is very few when compared to other eukaryotes. We identified several Transcriptionally Active Regions (TARs) that might encode putative Stress-Induced Peptides (SIPs) and we hypothesize that the SIPs may rely on specific interactions with larger proteins. Another aim of my PhD research was to study the protein interaction network of the MADS domain TFs in context of the γ triplication event at the origin of core eudicots. MADS-domain TFs are key regulators of reproductive development in plants and understanding the evolution of this class of TFs would help us to understand how modern-day plants evolved. Our study provides clarity through direct observation of ancestral networks. Using network simulations, we evaluated how elementary processes contributed to hierarchical modularity in the MADS domain protein interaction network. Additionally, we tried to understand the gene expression divergence of the AT-Hook TFs as the relation between the AHL protein family members and differences in life cycle between polycarpic and monocarpic plant species is not fully understood.nrpages: 188status: publishe

Large-scale docking predicts that sORFencoded peptides may function through protein-peptide interactions in Arabidopsis thaliana

Several recent studies indicate that small Open Reading Frames (sORFs) embedded within multiple eukaryotic non-coding RNAs can be translated into bioactive peptides of up to 100 amino acids in size. However, the functional roles of the 607 Stress Induced Peptides (SIPs) previously identified from 189 Transcriptionally Active Regions (TARs) in Arabidopsis thaliana remain unclear. To provide a starting point for functional annotation of these plant-derived peptides, we performed a large-scale prediction of peptide binding sites on protein surfaces using coarse-grained peptide docking. The docked models were subjected to further atomistic refinement and binding energy calculations. A total of 530 peptide-protein pairs were successfully docked. In cases where a peptide encoded by a TAR is predicted to bind at a known ligand or cofactor-binding site within the protein, it can be assumed that the peptide modulates the ligand or cofactor-binding. Moreover, we predict that several peptides bind at protein-protein interfaces, which could therefore regulate the formation of the respective complexes. Protein-peptide binding analysis further revealed that peptides employ both their backbone and side chain atoms when binding to the protein, forming predominantly hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds. In this study, we have generated novel predictions on the potential protein-peptide interactions in A. thaliana, which will help in further experimental validation.status: publishe

Towards equality: priority issues of concern for women in policing in Assam

"Police departments must foster diversity, inclusion, and equality of opportunity for all within their ranks. In India, women comprise nearly half the population but are poorly represented in the police across most states. Set in the context of the state of Assam, this discussion paper outlines priority issues of concern in relation to the situation of women in the Assam Police. These are grounded in the lived experiences and perspectives of women police themselves, gleaned through interactions with women police across ranks and in different units. Specifically, it examines issues of concern linked to: women’s representation in the police general trends in deployment of women and the degree of opportunities available to them working conditions and the challenges women face We begin this paper by briefly outlining the organizational structure of the Assam Police and the current legal and policy framework – both Central and state – in place that sets standards and benchmarks for women’s representation in the police. We move on to discussing highlights of the extent of representation of women in the Assam Police through available statistics (as of 2016), and presenting the priority issues of concern which are affecting women’s working lives and opportunities for growth within the police. Finally, we provide a set of preliminary recommendations towards bettering the conditions and opportunities for women police.

Large-scale docking predicts that sORF-encoded peptides may function through protein-peptide interactions in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Several recent studies indicate that small Open Reading Frames (sORFs) embedded within multiple eukaryotic non-coding RNAs can be translated into bioactive peptides of up to 100 amino acids in size. However, the functional roles of the 607 Stress Induced Peptides (SIPs) previously identified from 189 Transcriptionally Active Regions (TARs) in Arabidopsis thaliana remain unclear. To provide a starting point for functional annotation of these plant-derived peptides, we performed a large-scale prediction of peptide binding sites on protein surfaces using coarse-grained peptide docking. The docked models were subjected to further atomistic refinement and binding energy calculations. A total of 530 peptide-protein pairs were successfully docked. In cases where a peptide encoded by a TAR is predicted to bind at a known ligand or cofactor-binding site within the protein, it can be assumed that the peptide modulates the ligand or cofactor-binding. Moreover, we predict that several peptides bind at protein-protein interfaces, which could therefore regulate the formation of the respective complexes. Protein-peptide binding analysis further revealed that peptides employ both their backbone and side chain atoms when binding to the protein, forming predominantly hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds. In this study, we have generated novel predictions on the potential protein-peptide interactions in A. thaliana, which will help in further experimental validation

ARA-PEPs: a repository of putative sORF-encoded peptides in Arabidopsis thaliana

Many eukaryotic RNAs have been considered non-coding as they only contain short open reading frames (sORFs). However, there is increasing evidence for the translation of these sORFs into bioactive peptides with potent signaling, antimicrobial, developmental, antioxidant roles etc. Yet only a few peptides encoded by sORFs are annotated in the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana.status: publishe

ARA-PEPs: a repository of putative sORF-encoded peptides in Arabidopsis thaliana

Abstract Background Many eukaryotic RNAs have been considered non-coding as they only contain short open reading frames (sORFs). However, there is increasing evidence for the translation of these sORFs into bioactive peptides with potent signaling, antimicrobial, developmental, antioxidant roles etc. Yet only a few peptides encoded by sORFs are annotated in the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana . Results To aid the functional annotation of these peptides, we have developed ARA-PEPs (available at http://www.biw.kuleuven.be/CSB/ARA-PEPs ), a repository of putative peptides encoded by sORFs in the A. thaliana genome starting from in-house Tiling arrays, RNA-seq data and other publicly available datasets. ARA-PEPs currently lists 13,748 sORF-encoded peptides with transcriptional evidence. In addition to existing data, we have identified 100 novel transcriptionally active regions (TARs) that might encode 341 novel stress-induced peptides (SIPs). To aid in identification of bioactivity, we add functional annotation and sequence conservation to predicted peptides. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the largest repository of plant peptides encoded by sORFs with transcript evidence, publicly available and this resource will help scientists to effortlessly navigate the list of experimentally studied peptides, the experimental and computational evidence supporting the activity of these peptides and gain new perspectives for peptide discovery

Epigenetic mapping of the Arabidopsis metabolome reveals mediators of the epigenotype-phenotype map

Identifying the sources of natural variation underlying metabolic differences between plants will enable a better understanding of plant metabolism and provide insights into the regulatory networks that govern plant growth and morphology. So far, however, the contribution of epigenetic variation to metabolic diversity has been largely ignored. In the present study, we utilized a panel of Arabidopsis thaliana epigenetic recombinant inbred lines (epiRILs) to assess the impact of epigenetic variation on the metabolic composition. Thirty epigenetic QTL (QTLepi) were detected, which partly overlap with QTLepi linked to growth and morphology. In an effort to identify causal candidate genes in the QTLepi regions or their putative trans-targets we performed in silico small RNA and qPCR analyses. Differentially expressed genes were further studied by phenotypic and metabolic analyses of knockout mutants. Three genes were detected that recapitulated the detected QTLepi effects, providing evidence for epigenetic regulation in cis and in trans. These results indicate that epigenetic mechanisms impact metabolic diversity, possibly via small RNAs, and thus aid in further disentangling the complex epigenotype-phenotype map