Physical Map Research Articles

High-resolution mapping of SrTm4, a recessive resistance gene to wheat stem rust

Key messageThe diploid wheat recessive stem rust resistance gene SrTm4 was fine-mapped to a 754-kb region on chromosome arm 2AmL and potential candidate genes were identified.Race Ug99 of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt), the causal agent of wheat stem (or black) rust is one of the most serious threats to global wheat production. The identification, mapping, and deployment of effective stem rust resistance (Sr) genes are critical to reduce this threat. In this study, we generated SrTm4 monogenic lines and found that this gene confers resistance to North American and Chinese Pgt races. Using a large mapping population (9522 gametes), we mapped SrTm4 within a 0.06 cM interval flanked by marker loci CS4211 and 130K1519, which corresponds to a 1.0-Mb region in the Chinese Spring reference genome v2.1. A physical map of the SrTm4 region was constructed with 11 overlapping BACs from the resistant Triticum monococcum PI 306540. Comparison of the 754-kb physical map with the genomic sequence of Chinese Spring and a discontinuous BAC sequence of DV92 revealed a 593-kb chromosomal inversion in PI 306540. Within the candidate region, we identified an L-type lectin-domain containing receptor kinase (LLK1), which was disrupted by the proximal inversion breakpoint, as a potential candidate gene. Two diagnostic dominant markers were developed to detect the inversion breakpoints. In a survey of T. monococcum accessions, we identified 10 domesticated T. monococcum subsp. monococcum genotypes, mainly from the Balkans, carrying the inversion and showing similar mesothetic resistant infection types against Pgt races. The high-density map and tightly linked molecular markers developed in this study are useful tools to accelerate the deployment of SrTm4-mediated resistance in wheat breeding programs.

Identification of Potential QTLs Related to Grain Size in Rice.

Rice is a major crop, providing calories and food for most of the world's population. Currently, the global population is rapidly increasing, and securing a yield of rice that can satisfy everyone is an ongoing challenge. The yield of rice can be increased by controlling 1000-grain weight as one of the important determining factors. Grain length, grain width, grain thickness, and 1000-grain weight, which determine grain size, are controlled by QTLs. To identify QTLs related to grain size, we screened and then mapped 88 RIL individuals derived from a cross between JJ625LG, which has a long grain size, long spindle-shaped grains, and low 1000-grain weight, and Namchan, which has short grains with round shape and heavy 1000-grain weight. In 2021 and 2022, 511 SNP markers were used to map QTLs related to grain size to a physical map. The QTLs found to be related to grain size are evenly distributed on chromosomes 2, 3, 5, 10, and 11. The mapping results also show that the QTLs qGl3-2, qRlw3, and qRlw3-2 of chromosome 3, and qGt5 and qRlw5 of chromosome 5 are, respectively, associated with GS3 and qSW5, which are the major genes previously cloned and found to be related to grain size. In addition, qGw10 and qGw10-1, which were additionally detected in this study, were found to be associated with Os10g0525200 (OsCPq10), a potential candidate gene involved in controlling grain size. This gene codes for a cytochrome P450 family protein and is reported to have a positive effect on grain size by interacting with proteins related to mechanisms determining grain size. In particular, OsCPq10 was screened in the same identified QTL region for 2 consecutive years, which is expected to have a positive effect on grain size. These results will be helpful for breeding elite rice cultivars with high yields through additional fine mapping related to grain size.

Identification and characterization of stripe rust, leaf rust, leaf spot, and common bunt resistance in spring wheat

AbstractHundreds of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) have been reported in diverse types of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) populations, but direct comparisons of QTLs in different studies and populations are still challenging due to the lack of physical positions for most QTLs. Here, we used the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC) RefSeq v2.0 physical map of all markers to map QTLs associated with leaf spot (Ls), leaf rust (Lr), stripe rust (Yr), and common bunt (Cbt) resistance in two recombinant inbred line populations. QTL mapping was conducted using the IWGSC physical map of 3158 and 5732 markers and disease severity data of Peace/Carberry and Attila/CDC Go populations evaluated in three to eight environments. We uncovered a total of 82 QTLs associated with Yr (36), Ls (18), Lr (15), and Cbt (13) resistance in the individual and overall means of all combined environments. Among them, 29 were associated with all combined environments, which accounted for 0.5%–20.9% individually and 12.4%–41.2% of the total disease severity per trait. Three (QLr.dms‐2D.2, QLs.dms‐5B, and QYr.dms‐5B.2) of the 29 QTLs were common in both populations. Fourteen out of the 29 QTLs were stable as they were identified both in the overall means and most of the individual environments. Ten chromosome arms harbored a cluster of QTLs associated with resistance to two to four diseases. This methodology would serve as one of the resources to compare QTLs identified in different populations and studies based on the improved physical information of all markers instead of population‐specific and consensus linkage maps.

Predictive and Regenerative Medicine for Humans

In human history, finding a cure for the devastating disease of cancer has been a long, ongoing battle. Recently, scientific research has shown several feasible bio-medicinal ways for the treatment of cancer. The first method is through predictive regenerative medicine, which converts (breast) cancer cells back into phenotypically benign cells using continually updated predictions from Bayesian inference models. Another common method is the rewriting of damaged coordinating genes, but this has underlying moral issues — who can authorize the right to alter human genes? To investigate these methods, this paper will discuss elementary point-set topologies, physical gene mapping, and gene sequencing. The main purpose of this paper is to establish a statistical method with the help of mathematics in our biological life science. The proposed method can be applied in the case of manipulating genetic transcription and expression with a suitable Bayesian inference model (for genetic reprogramming). The peak value of cancer cell conversion is its Bayesian regression (based on the model’s parameters) from the corresponding Bayesian inference (for the normal posterior distribution, prior and likelihood). The relevant predictive conditions can be determined from the respective model, which could be used to reveal elements that help cancer cell conversion maximization/minimization. Practically, we may apply both of the Bayesian optimization and the related attribute adjustment (to the Oct4, SoX2, Klf4 and c-Myc transcription factors) that can induce the reprogramming of cancer cells. The expected outcome is that we can biomedical-engine the cancer cells conversion. To go a further step, one may apply my proposed Net-Seizing Theory to capture the genetic mutations that underly cancer disease. It is hope that we can design the corresponding universal strategy to heal cancer. Finally, one may establish an intelligent warning mechanism for those high risked cancer candidates but NOT for the thinking control in most of the dictatorship countries.

Chromosome-level assembly of the Rangifer tarandus genome and validation of cervid and bovid evolution insights

BackgroundGenome assembly into chromosomes facilitates several analyses including cytogenetics, genomics and phylogenetics. Despite rapid development in bioinformatics, however, assembly beyond scaffolds remains challenging, especially in species without closely related well-assembled and available reference genomes. So far, four draft genomes of Rangifer tarandus (caribou or reindeer, a circumpolar distributed cervid species) have been published, but none with chromosome-level assembly. This emblematic northern species is of high interest in ecological studies and conservation since most populations are declining.ResultsWe have designed specific probes based on Oligopaint FISH technology to upgrade the latest published reindeer and caribou chromosome-level genomes. Using this oligonucleotide-based method, we found six mis-assembled scaffolds and physically mapped 68 of the largest scaffolds representing 78% of the most recent R. tarandus genome assembly. Combining physical mapping and comparative genomics, it was possible to document chromosomal evolution among Cervidae and closely related bovids.ConclusionsOur results provide validation for the current chromosome-level genome assembly as well as resources to use chromosome banding in studies of Rangifer tarandus.

Chamoli flash floods of 7th February 2021 and recent deformation: A PSInSAR and deep learning neural network (DLNN) based perspective

The February 7, 2021, Joshimath flood scenario was one such event that caused widespread damage and led to complete washout of the many hydroelectric power projects located on the course of Dhauliganga River. The physical monitoring and mapping of such events is a difficult task that often involves deployment of labour force in inhospitable terrains. Therefore, remote sensing techniques are used for the mapping and machine learning model-based predictions for future scenarios. Synthetic Aperture RADAR (SAR) remote sensing has been widely used over the years for accurate estimation of many natural and anthropogenic disaster events. This study utilizes Persistent Scatterer SAR interferometry (PSInSAR) technique to map the surface displacement of the 2021 flood scenario and make predictions for future displacement using a Deep Learning Neural Network (DLNN) model. 16 images of both ascending and descending pass were taken for the estimation of Line of Sight (LOS) displacement velocity mapping between January 2020 and April 2021 for Tapovan area. Further, 36 images from January 2020 to December 2022, in ascending and descending passes were used for prediction and validation of future LOS surface displacement using a DLNN model for Joshimath town to see the possible impact of February 7, 2021 event. The PSInSAR LOS displacements were found to be −1.2 ​cm–1.2 ​cm between January 1, 2020 and April 14, 2021, for Tapovan region where the floods had occurred on February 7, 2021. The predicted LOS displacement was observed to be −10 cm–10 ​cm for December 2022 for Joshimath town. These observations clearly indicate the impact of the event to Joshimath town and as one of the causative factors of recent observations of widespread cracks in the buildings in the region.

Structural genome variants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa clone C and PA14 strains.

Plasticity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa chromosomes is mainly driven by an extended accessory genome that is shaped by insertion and deletion events. Further modification of the genome composition can be induced by chromosomal inversion events which lead to relocation of genes in the affected genomic DNA segments, modify the otherwise highly conserved core genome synteny and could even alter the location of the replication terminus. Although the genome of the first sequenced strain, PAO1, displayed such a large genomic inversion, knowledge on such recombination events in the P. aeruginosa population is limited. Several large inversions had been discovered in the late 1990s in cystic fibrosis isolates of the major clonal lineage C by physical genome mapping, and subsequent work on these examples led to the characterization of the DNA at the recombination breakpoints and a presumed recombination mechanism. Since then, the topic was barely addressed in spite of the compilation of thousands of P. aeruginosa genome sequences that are deposited in databases. Due to the use of second-generation sequencing, genome contig assembly had usually followed synteny blueprints provided by the existing reference genome sequences. Inversion detection was not feasible by these approaches, as the respective read lengths did not allow reliable resolution of sequence repeats that are typically found at the borders of inverted segments. In this study, we applied PacBio and MinION long-read sequencing to isolates of the mentioned clone C collection. Confirmation of inversions predicted from the physical mapping data demonstrated that unbiased sequence assembly of such read datasets allows the detection of genomic inversions and the resolution of the recombination breakpoint regions. Additional long-read sequencing of representatives of the other major clonal lineage, PA14, revealed large inversions in several isolates, from cystic fibrosis origin as well as from other sources. These findings indicated that inversion events are not restricted to strains from chronic infection background, but could be widespread in the P. aeruginosa population and contribute to genome plasticity. Moreover, the monitored examples emphasized the role of small mobile DNA units, such as IS elements or transposons, and accessory DNA elements in the inversion-related recombination processes.

A new dynamic programming algorithm for the simplified partial digest problem

The simplified partial digest problem (SPDP) models an effective and robust method for building physical maps using restriction site analysis. Blazewicz and Kasprzak proved that SPDP is NP-hard. The best-known solution for SPDP is an O(n1.52n/2)-time backtracking algorithm, where n is the number of sites. Blazewicz et al. had an O(n2q)-time dynamic programming algorithm, where q≤n+1 is the number of distinct intersite distances. When q is small, their algorithm solves SPDP efficiently. We give a new dynamic programming algorithm that requires O(qn(n/q+1)q−1) time. This time complexity is O(nq) for any q and is better than O(n1.52n/2) when q≤n/6. For example, for q=n/7, the running time is O(n223n/7). We also give an O(nlgn)-time algorithm for q=2. This result improves the previous upper bound of O(n4) and solves an open problem by Blazewicz and Kasprzak.

Genome-wide Development and Physical Mapping of SSR Markers in Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is one of the important sugar crops. Thus, development of molecular tools to understand molecular mechanism of agronomic traits such as root yield and sucrose content by using comprehensive genome analysis is important for sugar beet molecular breeding. A prime to such a comprehensive genome analysis is high throughout marker development. In the present study, mining of sugar beet genome for simple sequence repeats (SSRs) revealed 37704 motifs. Dinucleotide repeats were the most abundant accounting for 69.3 %. A total of 22500 SSR primers were developed and these markers were physically mapped in sugar beet genome. The markers distributed over nine chromosomes and the map had a higher resolution (16.73 kb SSR-1). Also 102 SSR markers were found to be putatively associated with carbohydrate synthesis. The present study is the first report of genome-wide development of SSR markers and construction of SSR based physical map in sugar beet. SSR markers increased the number of available sugar beet specific SSR markers by 55-fold. SSR markers developed in the present study are valuable molecular genetic tools for comprehensive genome analysis to facilitate sugar beet molecular breeding

A Wheat 660K SNP array-based high-density genetic map facilitates QTL mapping of flag leaf-related traits in wheat.

A high-density genetic map containing122,620 SNP markers was constructed, which facilitated the identification of eight major flag leaf-related QTL in relatively narrow intervals. The flag leaf plays an important role in photosynthetic capacity and yield potential in wheat. In this study, we used a recombinant inbred line population containing 188 lines derived from a cross between 'Lankao86' (LK86) and 'Ermangmai' to construct a genetic map using the Wheat 660K single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. The high-density genetic map contains 122,620 SNP markers spanning 5185.06cM. It shows good collinearity with the physical map of Chinese Spring and anchors multiple sequences of previously unplaced scaffolds onto chromosomes. Based on the high-density genetic map, we identified seven, twelve, and eight quantitative trait loci (QTL) for flag leaf length (FLL), width (FLW), and area (FLA) across eight environments, respectively. Among them, three, one, and four QTL for FLL, FLW, and FLA are major and stably express in more than four environments. The physical distance between the flanking markers for QFll.igdb-3B/QFlw.igdb-3B/QFla.igdb-3B is only 444kb containing eight high confidence genes. These results suggested that we could directly map the candidate genes in a relatively small region by the high-density genetic map constructed with the Wheat 660K array. Furthermore, the identification of environmentally stable QTL for flag leaf morphology laid a foundation for the following gene cloning and flag leaf morphology improvement.

Development and cytological characterization of wheat-Thinopyrum intermedium translocation lines with novel stripe rust resistance gene.

Wheat stripe rust is a destructive disease in many cool and temperate regions around the world. Exploiting novel sources of resistance can provide wheat cultivars with robust and durable resistance to stripe rust. The wheat-Thinopyrum intermedium addition line TAI-14 was proven to carry a stripe rust resistance gene (named as YrT14) on the alien Th. intermedium chromosome. In order to transfer the resistance gene to wheat, wheat-Th. intermedium translocation lines were created by irradiating the pollen of the line TAI-14. We totally obtained 153 wheat-Th. intermedium translocation lines, among which the long alien segmental translocation line Zhongke 78 and the intercalary translocation line Zhongke 15 not only showed good integrated agronomic traits but also were identified as highly resistant to stripe rust in both seedling and adult plant stages. The alien chromatin in Zhongke 15 was identified as an insertion into the satellite of chromosome 6B, a type of translocation never reported before in chromosome engineering. By screening Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) and Expressed Sequence Tag (EST) markers as well as the markers developed from RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) data, 14 markers were identified specific for the alien chromosome and a physical map was constructed. Both Zhongke 78 and Zhongke 15 could be used as a novel source of stripe rust resistance for wheat breeding, and the linked marker T14K50 can be used for molecular marker-assisted breeding. Finally, based on the karyotype, reaction to stripe rust, and genome resequencing data of different wheat-Th. intermedium translocation lines, the stripe rust resistance gene YrT14 was located to an 88.1 Mb interval from 636.7 to 724.8 Mb on Th. intermedium chromosome 19 corresponding to 7J or 7Js.

Physical mapping of a new powdery mildew resistance locus from Thinopyrum ponticum chromosome 4AgS.

Thinopyrum ponticum (Podp.) Barkworth and D.R. Dewey is a decaploid species that has served as an important genetic resource for improving wheat for the better part of a century. The wheat-Th. ponticum 4Ag (4D) disomic substitution line Blue 58, which was obtained following the distant hybridization between Th. ponticum and common wheat, has been stably resistant to powdery mildew under field conditions for more than 40 years. The transfer of 4Ag into the susceptible wheat cultivar Xiaoyan 81 resulted in powdery mildew resistance, indicating the alien chromosome includes the resistance locus. Irradiated Blue 58 pollen were used for the pollination of the recurrent parent Xiaoyan 81, which led to the development of four stable wheat-Th. ponticum 4Ag translocation lines with diverse alien chromosomal segments. The assessment of powdery mildew resistance showed that translocation line L1 was susceptible, but the other three translocation lines (WTT139, WTT146, and WTT323) were highly resistant. The alignment of 81 specific-locus amplified fragments to the Th. elongatum genome revealed that 4Ag originated from a group 4 chromosome. The corresponding physical positions of every 4Ag-derived fragment were determined according to a cytogenetic analysis, the amplification of specific markers, and a sequence alignment. Considering the results of the evaluation of disease resistance, the Pm locus was mapped to the 3.79-97.12 Mb region of the short arm of chromosome 4Ag. Because of its durability, this newly identified Pm locus from a group 4 chromosome of Th. ponticum may be important for breeding wheat varieties with broad-spectrum disease resistance.

Phenotypic characterization of the wheat temperature-sensitive leaf color mutant and physical mapping of mutant gene by reduced-representation sequencing

Few available leaf color mutants in crops have greatly limited the understanding of photosynthesis mechanisms, leading to few accomplishments in crop yield improvement via enhanced photosynthetic efficiency. Here, a noticeable albino mutant, CN19M06, was identified. A comparison between CN19M06 and the wild type CN19 at different temperatures showed that the albino mutant was temperature-sensitive and produced leaves with a decreased chlorophyll content at temperatures below 10 °C. Genetic analysis suggested that the albinism was controlled by one recessive nuclear gene named TSCA1, which was putatively assigned to the region of 718.1–729.8 Mb on chromosome 2AL using bulked-segregant analysis and double-digest restriction site-associated DNA. Finally, molecular linkage analysis physically anchored TSCA1 to a narrowed region of 718.8–725.3 Mb with a 6.5 Mb length on 2AL flanked by InDel 18 and InDel 25 with 0.7 cM genetic interval. Among the 111 annotated functional genes in the corresponding chromosomal region, only TraesCS2A01G487900 of the PAP fibrillin family was both related to chlorophyll metabolism and temperature sensitivity; therefore, it was considered the putative candidate gene of TSCA1. Overall, CN19M06 has great potential for exploring the molecular mechanism of photosynthesis and monitoring temperature changes in wheat production.

Selection, recombination and population history effects on runs of homozygosity (ROH) in wild red deer (Cervus elaphus)

The distribution of runs of homozygosity (ROH) may be shaped by a number of interacting processes such as selection, recombination and population history, but little is known about the importance of these mechanisms in shaping ROH in wild populations. We combined an empirical dataset of >3000 red deer genotyped at >35,000 genome-wide autosomal SNPs and evolutionary simulations to investigate the influence of each of these factors on ROH. We assessed ROH in a focal and comparison population to investigate the effect of population history. We investigated the role of recombination using both a physical map and a genetic linkage map to search for ROH. We found differences in ROH distribution between both populations and map types indicating that population history and local recombination rate have an effect on ROH. Finally, we ran forward genetic simulations with varying population histories, recombination rates and levels of selection, allowing us to further interpret our empirical data. These simulations showed that population history has a greater effect on ROH distribution than either recombination or selection. We further show that selection can cause genomic regions where ROH is common, only when the effective population size (Ne) is large or selection is particularly strong. In populations having undergone a population bottleneck, genetic drift can outweigh the effect of selection. Overall, we conclude that in this population, genetic drift resulting from a historical population bottleneck is most likely to have resulted in the observed ROH distribution, with selection possibly playing a minor role.

In Silico Integrated Analysis of Genomic, Transcriptomic, and Proteomic Data Reveals QTL-Specific Genes for Bacterial Canker Resistance in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Bacterial canker of tomato, caused by Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm), is a devasting disease that leads to significant yield losses. Although QTLs originating from three wild species (Solanum arcanum, S. habrochaites, and S. pimpinellifolium) were identified, none of the QTLs was annotated for candidate gene identification. In the present study, a QTL-based physical map was constructed to reveal the meta-QTLs for Cmm resistance. As a result, seven major QTLs were mapped. Functional annotation of QTLs revealed 48 candidate genes. Additionally, experimentally validated Cmm resistance-related genes based on transcriptomic and proteomic studies were mapped in the genome and 25 genes were found to be located in the QTL regions. The present study is the first report to construct a physical map for Cmm resistance QTLs and identify QTL-specific candidate genes. The candidate genes identified in the present study are valuable targets for fine mapping and developing markers for marker-assisted selection in tomatoes for Cmm resistance breeding.

Using geographic information systems to link population estimates to wastewater surveillance data in New York State, USA.

Sewer systems provide many services to communities that have access to them beyond removal of waste and wastewater. Understanding of these systems' geographic coverage is essential for wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE), which requires accurate estimates for the population contributing wastewater. Reliable estimates for the boundaries of a sewer service area or sewershed can be used to link upstream populations to wastewater samples taken at treatment plants or other locations within a sewer system. These geographic data are usually managed by public utilities, municipal offices, and some government agencies, however, there are no centralized databases for geographic information on sewer systems in New York State. We created a database for all municipal sewersheds in New York State for the purpose of supporting statewide wastewater surveillance efforts to support public health. We used a combination of public tax records with sewer access information, physical maps, and municipal records to organize and draw digital boundaries compatible with geographic information systems. The methods we employed to create these data will be useful to inform similar efforts in other jurisdictions and the data have many public health applications as well as being informative for water/environmental research and infrastructure projects.

A multi-region algorithm for N-TH coupling calculation and its application to nuclear thermal propulsion reactor

Physical field mapping problem is generally faced in multi-physics coupling calculations, and multi-region (usually divided by different physical properties) coupling further increases the problem’s difficulty. The multi-region algorithm can achieve the solid–fluid conjugate heat transfer for the multi-region Neutronic and Thermal-Hydraulic (N-TH) coupling calculation. This paper proposed a multi-region algorithm for solving neutronic fields and further coupled it with multi-region heat transfer in OpenFOAM. The multi-region algorithm solves the neutron transport equation region-by-region and establishes a new coupling boundary condition to eliminate the obstacles to communication between adjacent regions. The multi-region algorithm is developed in OpenFOAM as a neutron transport solver and verified by the 2D-IAEA, 2D-TWIGL, and the 3D-TAKEDA benchmarks. The multi-region neutron transport solver and the original Conjugate Heat Transfer (CHT) solver are coupled to establish a multi-physics coupling platform. Hence, the multi-physics solver can provide pin-by-pin neutronics and thermal hydraulics results for multiple regions (including solid or fluid regions) based on the same set of grids. The geometric adaptability and parallel performance of the coupling platform are superior, which depends on the inherent characteristics of the OpenFOAM platform. The coupling platform is used to perform N-TH coupling calculations for the Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) reactor's Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) assemblies, demonstrating the coupling calculation capability of the multi-region algorithm for complex reactor geometry systems. The calculation results show intense N-TH coupling effects in the NTP assemblies, which can provide an essential reference for nuclear thermal propulsion reactor design.

Mapping-Ofrenda: mapping as mourning in the context of migration

ABSTRACT This paper proposes the concept of mapping-ofrenda, which envisions mapping as a form of mourning and remembering while living in the context of migration. Inspired by the traditional Mexican ofrenda, the mapping-ofrenda aims to collect, curate, and represent posthumous memories. It can be produced collaboratively or individually, built with physical or digital maps, shared with other people, or kept private, and be dedicated to a single deceased or to an entire community. Through the process of co-designing two online ofrenda-maps with two Latina-American women living in Montreal (Canada) we identified some of the potential of mapping-ofrenda, including its capacity to stimulate our memories and remember stories on the verge of disappearing, to ground them to places, and to share them with people that might live far away. Mapping-ofrenda can also be a way of making visible the global geography of migration through highly intimate memories and acknowledging both the very personal and the highly universal need to remember and grieve. Finally, the main value of mapping-ofrenda in the context of migration, may be its capacity to reactivate and strengthen existing links and connections between people that are still alive but that may live far away.

Georeferencing at a Health Service,

Objective: to analyze the use of physical and digital georeferencing techniques in the service of health from a community asset experience. Methods: in the framework of an exploratory study with a mixed method, with a recurrent transformative design,a social cartography was carried out that included the analysis of physical and digital georeferencing. Results: the community territorial experience is part of the concrete experience, digital mappings as a result of technological tools and ICT development were used, with social mappings that directly linked the communities. On the onehand, it is an input that allowed to know the general context to streamline processes and on the other hand, other elements were highlighted in the practices, such as sociocultural, economic and political elements. Conclusions: in the globalized world, the use of physical and digital maps enrich the processes of assessment and community participation, they are configured as a means, but not an end, which provides decisionmakers with a tool to dynamize interaction and community empowerment processes.

Mechanical and physical characterization mapping of evaporitic rocks from Abu Dhabi city and its surroundings

Safe and sustainable engineering structure designs always require carefully and detailed mechanical and physical characterization of rocks. Abu Dhabi city, which is the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have been fast developing and industrializing region in the country and it is located on evaporitic rocks. Construction companies in this city often face some technical problems associated with evaporite bedrocks. Mechanical and physical characterization of rocks in either in-situ or laboratory is relatively expensive, takes significant time, efforts and adequate rock specimens must be tested to achieve reliable and representative values. In this study, extensive field and laboratory studies were carried out and 152 evaporitic rock blocks, which represent the study area, were collected from 27 locations. Large number test samples were prepared, tested and the mechanical and physical characterization maps, which are prepared by interpretation of the obtained data sets from 27 locations, for each considered parameters like Unconfined Compressive Strength (USC), Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS), P Wave Velocity (Vp), Porosity (n), Water Content (wc) etc. Availability of such characterization maps for evaporitic rocks in the Abu Dhabi city vicinity will be practical, useful, economical and certainly provides vital information for the construction businesses, engineers, and decision makers.