1025 research outputs found
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Out of Ugarit: Origins of the Biblical God in Ancient Syria
No full textFor many twenty-first century Christians, Jews, and Muslims, suggesting that their religion was founded in “idolatry” would be unacceptable. The faithful cling to the monotheistic principle as laying the groundwork for their religious world-views. But archaeological tablets unearthed in the ancient Syrian city of Ugarit complicate this notion by telling about deities such as Asherah, Baal, and El, who strongly resemble Yahweh. The Ugaritic myths have many parallels to biblical passages, and the Ugaritic divinities share many personal traits with the Abrahamic God. When analysed closely, this material suggests that Yahweh was born out of this earlier polytheistic tradition, which likely carried on in Israel for centuries after its founding
The Effect of Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibition on PPARγ expression in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes
No full textRecently, new molecular pathways are being investigated to find potential treatments for obesity. One of the mechanisms being studied is the interaction between the extra cellular matrix (ECM) and adipocytes. The murine 3T3-L1 cell line has been commonly used as a model for adipogenesis in mammalian tissues. Despite extensive research, there is still little known about the ECM’s role in adipocyte differentiation. We investigated the roles of the ECM enzymes, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), on adipogenesis. Cells were treated throughout differentiation with the MMP inhibitor, ilomostat. . Expression of the essential protein, Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor gamma (PPARγ) was evaluated using Western Blotting. In addition, cells were treated with the PPARγ agonist, rosiglitazone, and others with both ilomostat and rosiglitazone. The results of our study will help to better understand the interactions between the ECM and adipose tissues and may help to find future treatments to obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic diseases
Coyote (Canis latrans) diet in relation to high population centers in Pennsylvania
No full textCoyotes are known to incorporate domestic animals least partially in their diet. This dietary pattern has led to constant conflict with humans. The goal of this study is to better understand the coyote’s dietary patterns which may lead to a decrease in interspecies conflict. The expectation being counties with high population centers will have a higher percent of small and domestic animals in their diet. Areas with a city, borough, college, etc. which possessed a population of \u3e50% the average county population in Pennsylvania were considered high populated centers. Stomachs were collected across 10 counties from 2009-2012. Contents used for identification were primarily bone fragments and hair. Contents were identified using ad hoc reference collections. Identified species comprised largely of white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, and voles, Microtus spp. Given the small sample size statistical tests were not possible, however, results suggest a higher percent of small animals in areas with high population centers. More research is needed
Game-Based Learning in Third Grade
No full textWhile student teaching in third grade classrooms, both Robert Long and Dylan Scillia independently studied game-based learning and its effect on one\u27s teaching practice. This presentation will detail the findings of their self-studies as pre-service teachers as they discovered how incorporating play practices in their pedagogy enhanced their practice as educators. Examples will be showcased and compared between presenters
The Driving Demand: Media, Manufacturers, and American Car Enthusiasts 1970s-1980s
No full textThrough media, enthusiasts engaged in discourse both about their culture and the economics of the automotive industry, and therefore developed a sense of identity and work ethic through play. Car hobbyist media was the most present in advertisements and magazines, thus it posed two paradigms: car makers telling customers what they wanted and car buyers telling the manufacturer what to make. Specifically, it was the car enthusiasts collectively imposing their demands against the American car industry. There are changes over time in car media marketing through advertising and magazines. These case studies of advertisements and brochures from car dealerships from the 1970s and 1980s show a cultural shift in the market and on different buyers, both regular and enthusiast. Volkswagen, and other imports, had a postmodernist theme in marketing to stand out against modernism of the “big 3” of Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler, which shows the power of demand
Magnetic Levitation
No full textThe idea of defying gravity always seemed to go against the laws of physics. However, with the assistance of magnets, this can be doable. Static magnetic levitation is not possible, but once the magnets are put into motion, they can induce a magnetic field. Experiments were performed to determine the best materials to achieve magnetic levitation. Neodymium magnets, a copper sheet, and motors were three of the most pivotal supplies. The positioning of these materials was also examined. Magnetic levitation is an applicable innovation. Many forms of transportation are looking into using the idea to improve efficiency. Different matters of physics were analyzed in order to comprehend the concept of magnetic levitation
Get off at the Nearest Exit: Strategic Decisions of Members of the United States Congress
No full textPoliticians often seek elected office for opportunistic and ambitious reasons. While there is literature discussing the reasons politicians seek election, there is a missing link in discussing political exits. Even though there are Members of Congress (MCs) who choose not to run for re-election every cycle, this paper explores their reasons and the emerging trends that are causing a number of these exits. The author posits that factors such as gender, previous vote share, job dissatisfaction, and terms served will have an impact on the reason behind departure. Analysis of Congressional exits across the 112th through the 115th Congresses reveals that the nature of the Congress in which a member serves will have an impact on whether or not to seek re-election
Akan & Euro-Christian Ontology Contrasted: Disciplinary Decadence and Neocolonialism
No full textA comparative study of Akan and Euro-Christian personal ontology -- the socio-cultural assumptions about the elements that make up a person -- cannot be performed in a scholarly void in which it is filed away to a catalogue of anthropological novelty. Though overtly conservative theorists are the most clearly suspect in their relegation of everything outside of western philosophical canon to curiosities, the dominant strain of deconstructionist postmodern critical theory in western liberal academia is at least as guilty of defanging the study of philosophy through its multiplicitous reduction of all thought to discursive contingency
Survival of the Fittest: Authoritarian Regime Survival During the Third Wave of Democratization in Latin America
No full textDemocracy reached its peak in 2005, when 46 per cent of states in the world were ranked as “Free” while only 23% were ranked as “Not Free”, representing a potential culmination of a successful wave of democratization. The cyclical alternation between democratic and authoritarian regimes has beginnings in 1828, and subsequently resulted in three defined waves of democratization. The third wave of democratization had a large impact on what we now consider the Third World or developing countries in Latin America and Asia. By looking at variables such as regime type, legislative elections and parties, economic growth, and foreign aid this research will focus on survival of Latin America and seeks to understand why and how these factors contribute authoritarian survival during waves of democratization. Ultimately, hoping to gain insight on the current position of democracy and authoritarianism in the region today
THE EFFECTS OF INTRAGUILD PREDATORS ON CHEMICALLY- MEDIATED FEEDING INTERFERENCE ON THE WOLF SPIDER PARDOSA MILVINA
No full textThe wolf spider, Pardosa milvina, is eaten by the larger wolf spiders Trochosa ruricola and Hogna lenta. Hogna and Trochosa females eat more than males and may represent a greater predation threat to Pardosa. Pardosa may benefit by chemically discriminating between these predators based on species identity and sex. Pardosa reduce activity in the presence of silk and excreta from larger wolf spiders, but this may also interfere with prey capture. We measured variation in Pardosa cricket predation when in the presence of silk and excreta cues from male or female Hogna, Trochosa, or various combinations of these as well as in the presence of single versus multiple predator cues. Pardosa delay cricket predation in the presence of any predator cue compared to controls and significantly reduced feeding in the presence of multiple compared to single predator cues, but predator sex and species made little difference in feeding response