Life Sciences Commons^™

Human Skeletal Remains From The Burial Caves At Sha‘Ar Efrayim (Pp. 75–78), Yossi Nagar

'Atiqot

The anthropological study of the human skeletal remains from the five burial caves at Sha‘ar Efrayim pointed to a difference between the burial traditions of the Chalcolithic population and those of the Early Bronze Age I population. The most prominent difference is the absence of infants in the Chalcolithic burials, in contrast to their presence in the EB I sample. This might indicate there was no population continuity between these two succeeding periods.

The Mollusc Remains From The Burial Caves At Sha‘Ar Efrayim (Pp. 73–74), Henk K. Mienis

'Atiqot

The excavation of the Sha‘ar Efrayim burial caves yielded thirteen shells belonging to two kinds of molluscs—a Cone shell and a Bittersweet—all of which probably served as burial gifts. The presence of a species of Cone shells native to the Red Sea indicates some kind of trade with populations living farther to the south.

The Faunal Remains From The Burial Caves At Sha‘Ar Efrayim (Pp. 67–72), Liora Kolska Horwitz

'Atiqot

The faunal remains from the Sha‘ar Efrrayim burial caves (Nos. 1, 3–5) were attributed to two main periods, in accordance with the other finding in the caves: Late Chalcolithic and Late Chalcolithic–Early Bronze Age I. They comprise a small, but important, sample, representing a wide range of both domestic and wild taxa. These remains seem to be the first convincing evidence of animal offerings in Late Chalcolithic/EB IA contexts in the southern Levant.

The Flint Assemblages From Sha‘Ar Efrayim Burial Caves 1–3 (Pp. 55–62), Hamoudi Khalaily

'Atiqot

Analysis of the flint tools retrieved from the Sha‘ar Efrayim burial caves (Nos. 1–3) revealed the presence of Neolithic, Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age artifacts, suggesting a wider time span for the use of the caves. The flint industry was apparently local, mainly exploiting materials in the immediate vicinity of the site.

Provenance Study Of Selected Chalcolithic And Early Bronze Age I Pottery From Sha‘Ar Efrayim (Pp. 63–66), Anat Cohen-Weinberger

'Atiqot

The petrographic analysis of the finds from Sha‘ar Efrayim was conducted in an attempt to gain a better understanding of the cultural interaction of the site with other regions. For this purpose, fifteen Chlacolithic-period and Early Bronze Age clay artifacts were examined and grouped according to the characteristics of the raw material. The results shed light on the different raw materials used for specific vessel types in various periods, and provide important data for further discussions, e.g., regarding trade patterns during these periods.

A Chalcolithic And Early Bronze Age I Burial Ground Near Sha‘Ar Efrayim In The Sharon Plain (Pp. 1–53), Edwin C.M. Van Den Brink

'Atiqot

Near Sha‘ar Efrayim, in the Sharon coastal plain, five karstic burial caves were uncovered, belonging to two burial phases: from the Chalcolothic periodand Early Bronze Age I. The finds attributed to the Chalcolithic period included clay coffins and domiform ossuaries—both exhibiting red-painted designs and applied features—and typical pottery vessels, e.g., V-shaped bowls, cornets, fenestrated bowl stands, holemouths, lug handles and achurn(?). The EB I assemblage comprised Gray Burnished Ware, vessels with wavy-ledged handles and high looped handles and a potstand. Other finds include bone objects, beads, metal finds and an outstanding clay female figurine. Post EB I finds were retrieved …

Pull Or Play? The Interpretation Of A Novel, Ai-Powered On-Field Decision Support Tool., Lynne Becker, Dafne Badilla, Osho Yonzon, Xiaoyu Wu, Roland Rocafort, Erik Viogan Phd, Devansh Manocha

Journal for Sports Neuroscience

The document titled "Pull or Play? The interpretation of a novel, AI-powered on-field decision support tool" explores the development and application of the Injury Impact Severity Score (IISS)™ for assessing traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), particularly in sports settings. It addresses the limitations of current assessment tools like the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and proposes a more objective approach using patient-reported data and machine learning algorithms.

Key points include:

• Background: TBIs are a significant health concern with under-reported cases and a lack of effective research. Current assessment tools like the GCS have limitations in accuracy and speed, especially in dynamic …

Fos Expression In The Periaqueductal Gray, But Not The Ventromedial Hypothalamus, Is Correlated With Psychosocial Stress-Induced Cocaine-Seeking Behavior In Rats, Nicole M Hinds, Ireneusz D Wojtas, Desta M Pulley, Stephany J Mcdonald, Colton D Spencer, Milena Sudarikov, Nicole E Hubbard, Colin M Kulick-Soper, Samantha De Guzman, Sara Hayden, Jessica J Debski, Bianca Patel, Douglas P Fox, Daniel F Manvich

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Psychosocial stressors are known to promote cocaine craving and relapse in humans but are infrequently employed in preclinical relapse models. Consequently, the underlying neural circuitry by which these stressors drive cocaine seeking has not been thoroughly explored. Using Fos expression analyses, we sought to examine whether the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) or periaqueductal gray (PAG), two critical components of the brain's hypothalamic defense system, are activated during psychosocial stress-induced cocaine seeking. Adult male and female rats self-administered cocaine (0.5 mg/kg/inf IV, fixed-ratio 1 schedule, 2 h/session) over 20 sessions. On sessions 11, 14, 17, and 20, a tactile cue was present …

Mitochondrial Mrna And The Small Subunit Rrna In Budding Yeasts Undergo 3'-End Processing At Conserved Species-Specific Elements, Michael Anikin, Michael F Henry, Viktoria Hodorova, Hristo B Houbaviy, Jozef Nosek, Dimitri G Pestov, Dmitriy A Markov

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Respiration in eukaryotes depends on mitochondrial protein synthesis, which is performed by organelle-specific ribosomes translating organelle-encoded mRNAs. Although RNA maturation and stability are central events controlling mitochondrial gene expression, many of the molecular details in this pathway remain elusive. These include

Climate Influence On Both Spatial And Temporal Patterns Of Rocky Intertidal Community Structure In San Diego, California, Emily Jenkins

Theses

The rocky intertidal ecosystem, the coastal area between high and low tides, serves as a critical buffer between land and sea. This ecosystem supports a diverse array of species and provides rich opportunities for exploration and education. With the influence of climate change, this ecosystem faces significant shifts in species distribution, resilience and recovery from environmental disturbances, as well as habitat loss (Jackson & McIlvenny 2011; Jueterbock et al. 2013; Menge & Gravem 2022; Rilov et al. 2021; Sagarin & Barry 1999). Between 2014-2016, climate anomalies El Niño (ENSO) and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) combined to create a period …

Understanding Market Outlooks, Elliott James Dennis

Cornhusker Economics

As 2024 has concluded, many industry analysts will reflect on the market trends and forces that shaped 2024 to make improved decision making in 2025. This is a pivotal time to evaluate the factors influencing commodity markets and plan for the future. Market outlooks play a vital role in this process, offering agricultural producers and industry stakeholders valuable insights into price trends, production forecasts, and market dynamics. By analyzing data from government agencies, universities, and private firms, these outlooks help users anticipate and navigate market fluctuations, whether through short-term forecasts or long-term projections spanning decades. With advances in technology and …

Community-Centered Climate Resilience Strategies For Agriculture In Chile's Los Lagos, Asa B. Stone, Cristián Kremer F., Mark C. Stone

Cornhusker Economics

Community-centered approaches using the SETS framework facilitate equitable community-academia partnerships that co-create climate resilience strategies. By integrating local insights with academic research ethically and equitably, PLL aims to develop evidence-based, culturally relevant, and technologically feasible strategies. This holistic approach not only enhances community resilience but also ensures the sustainable management of water resources in the Los Lagos Region.

Structure And Mechanism Of Biosynthesis Of Streptococcus Mutans Cell Wall Polysaccharide., Jeffrey S. Rush, Svetlana Zamakhaeva, Nicholas R Murner, Pan Deng, Andrew J Morris, Cameron W Kenner, Ian Black, Christian Heiss, Parastoo Azadi, Konstantin V Korotkov, Göran Widmalm, Natalia Korotkova

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Streptococcus mutans, the causative agent of human dental caries, expresses a cell wall attached Serotype c-specific Carbohydrate (SCC) that is critical for cell viability. SCC consists of a polyrhamnose backbone of →3)α-Rha(1 → 2)α-Rha(1→ repeats with glucose (Glc) side-chains and glycerol phosphate (GroP) decorations. This study reveals that SCC has one predominant and two more minor Glc modifications. The predominant Glc modification, α-Glc, attached to position 2 of 3-rhamnose, is installed by SccN and SccM glycosyltransferases and is the site of the GroP addition. The minor Glc modifications are β-Glc linked to position 4 of 3-rhamnose installed by SccP and …

Stratification System With Dual Human Endogenous Retroviruses For Predicting Immunotherapy Efficacy In Metastatic Clear-Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma, Xiaofan Lu, Yann-Alexandre Vano, Xiaoping Su, Virginie Verkarre, Cheng-Ming Sun, Wenxuan Cheng, Li Xu, Fangrong Yan, Salma Kotti, Wolf Hervé Fridman, Catherine Sautes-Fridman, Stéphane Oudard, Gabriel G Malouf

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Endogenous retrovirus (ERV) elements are genomic footprints of ancestral retroviral infections within the human genome. While the dysregulation of ERV transcription has been linked to immune cell infiltration in various cancers, its relationship with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) response in solid tumors, particularly metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), remains inadequately explored.

Methods: This study analyzed patients with metastatic ccRCC from two prospective clinical trials, encompassing 181 patients receiving nivolumab in the CheckMate trials (-009 to -010 and -025) and 48 patients treated with the ipilimumab-nivolumab combination in the BIONIKK trial. ERV expression was quantified using the ERVmap algorithm …

Optimized Methods To Quantify Tumor Treating Fields (Ttfields)-Induced Permeabilization Of Glioblastoma Cell Membranes, Melisa Martinez-Paniagua, Sabbir Khan, Nikita W Henning, Sri Vaishnavi Konagalla, Chirag B Patel

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a lethal primary brain cancer with a 5.6% five-year survival rate. Tumor treating fields (TTFields) are alternating low-intensity electric fields that have demonstrated a GBM patient survival benefit. We previously reported that 0.5-24 h of TTFields exposure resulted in an increased uptake of FITC-dextran fluorescent probes (4-20 kDa) in human GBM cells. However, this approach, in which a fluorescence plate-based detector is used to evaluate cells attached to glass coverslips, cannot distinguish FITC-dextran uptake in live vs. dead cells. The goal of the study was to report the optimization and validation of two independent methods to quantify …

A Deconvolution Framework That Uses Single-Cell Sequencing Plus A Small Benchmark Data Set For Accurate Analysis Of Cell Type Ratios In Complex Tissue Samples, Shuai Guo, Xiaoqian Liu, Xuesen Cheng, Yujie Jiang, Shuangxi Ji, Qingnan Liang, Andrew Koval, Yumei Li, Leah A Owen, Ivana K Kim, Ana Aparicio, Sanghoon Lee, Anil K Sood, Scott Kopetz, John Paul Shen, John N Weinstein, Margaret M Deangelis, Rui Chen, Wenyi Wang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Bulk deconvolution with single-cell/nucleus RNA-seq data is critical for understanding heterogeneity in complex biological samples, yet the technological discrepancy across sequencing platforms limits deconvolution accuracy. To address this, we utilize an experimental design to match inter-platform biological signals, hence revealing the technological discrepancy, and then develop a deconvolution framework called DeMixSC using this well-matched, that is, benchmark, data. Built upon a novel weighted nonnegative least-squares framework, DeMixSC identifies and adjusts genes with high technological discrepancy and aligns the benchmark data with large patient cohorts of matched-tissue-type for large-scale deconvolution. Our results using two benchmark data sets of healthy retinas and …

Milk Yield Of Cows With Different Genetic Potential On Grass And Grass-Legume Tropical Pastures, C E. Lascano, P Avila

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A grazing experiment was carried out at CIAT's Quilichao research station to assess the effect of legumes selected for acid soils on milk production of cows with different genetic potential. Pastures of Brahiaria dictyoneura cv. Llanero and Andropogen gayanus cv. Carimagua l, alone and in association with Centrosema acutifolium (CIAT 5568) and C. macrocarpum (CJAT 5713), were grazed by Holstein and Zebu crossbred cows using a Latin square crossover design. Fat corrected milk (FCM) yield of Holstein cows was 17 and 19% higher in the associations of B. dictyoneura and A. gayanus, respectively, than in the grass-only pastures. With the …

Fattening Heifers On Nitrogen Fertilized And Irrigated Pastures: A Productive And Sustainable System For The Tropics?, F Champanhet, M Mahieu

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Beef production from nitrogen-fertilised and irrigated pastures was studied for 4,S years on vertisols, South Martinique (rainfall 1400 mm). Digitaria decumbens (pangola) pastures received 230��7S-ISO kg/ha/year N-P·K and were rotationally grazed (S days grazed, 30 days rested) all year round with a fixed stocking rate (6.6 heifers/ha). Mean live-weight gains were: 1121 kg/ha/year and 170 kg/head/ year. Pangola showed good persistence and cover at the end of the experiment exceeded 9S%, It is concluded that heifers fattening on nitrogen-fertilised pastures is a productive and stable system.

Comparative Use Of Digitaria Decumbens And Cynodon Nlemfuensis By Local Suckling Ewes In Martinque (Fwi), Maryline Boval, Gisele Alexandre, M Mahieu, P Cruz, M Meuret

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Pastures of Digitaria decumbens (Dd) and Cynodon nlemfuensis (Cn) were each grazed by 64 native suckling ewes ( 40 ewes/ha) in Martinique. Forage characteristics, ewe feeding behaviour and lamb growth were studied. The available herbage mass (kg DMJLW0-75/day) was lower for the Dd pastures than for the Cn pastures: 295 v. 355 for the leaves (P<0.05) and 820 v, 1360 for the stems (P<0.01), respectively. There was no difference in the diurnal activities (grazing, ruminating) between the ewes in the 2 groups. Number of bites/min was higher on Dd pasture than that for Cn: 31 v. 26 (P<0.001), Pre­weaning daily weight gain (g/day) was higher for the Dd lambs group than for Cn: 170 v. 140 (P<0.01). The lamb mortality rate(%) was respectively: 15 v. 27 (P<0.05). Pasture management problems are discussed.

Stockpiling Of Brachiaria Decumbens For Steer Maintenance During The Dry Season, Esther G. Cardoso, V.P B. Euclides, J.M Da Silva

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A Brachiaria decumbens pasture was evaluated in a factorial experiment (2 stocking rates and 2 pasture managements). Eight steers averaging 370 kg live weight (LW) were allocated to the paddocks at the beginning of the wet season ( 1 December). For the deferred management treatment, half of the area was closed off at the end of the rainy season ( 15 March to 15 June) for utilisation as stockpiled feed during the dry season (15 June to 30 October). B. decumbems was capable of fattening Nellore steers during the rainy ·season, but maintained steer live weight (LW) only in the …

Seasonal Changes In The Chemical Composition Of Cultivated Tropical Grasses In The Savannas Of Brazil, M.C M. Macedo, V.P B. Euclides, M.P De Oliveira

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Five tropical grasses; Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, B, decumbens cv. Basilisk, Panicum maximum cv. Coloniilo, P. maximum cv, Tobiatil, P. maximum cv. Tanzania-I, were planted on a dark red latosol (Oxisol) and grazed for 3 rainy and 3 dry seasons . The original savanna vegetation was removed, the soil cultivated and fertilised with 1000 kg/ha of dolomitic limestone, 350 kg/ha of single superphosphate, 100 kg/ha of KCI and 40 kg/ha of fritted traced elements. Treatments were arranged in a RCB design with 3 replicates. Paddocks were 1.5 ha. Grazing pressure was adjusted to approximately 8 or 15 kg of …

Evaluation Of Panicum Maximum Cultivars Under Grazing, V.P B. Euclides, M.C M. Macedo, A Vieira, M P. Oliveira

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A grazing trial was conducted in Brazil, for a 3-year period, to study animal production from Panicum maximum cultivars (Coloniao, Tobiatii and Tanz5nia-1). Three 1.5-hn paddocks of each cultivar were stocked continuously with 3 steers, and additional grazers were added or removed as required to ensure similar grazing pressure in each treatment. Steers on Tanzania-I had a superior average daily gain (ADG) to those on Tobiatii and Coloniffo. However, the lack of difference in carrying capacity between Tanzdnin and Tobiatil pastures resulted in similar live-weight gain (LWG)/ha. The ADG and LWG/ ha of Coloniilo were significantly lower than the other …

Evaluation Of Brachiaria Decumbens And Brachiaria Brizantha Under Grazing, V.P B. Euclides, A H. Zimmer, M P. Oliveria

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A 3-year grazing trial was conducted in Brazil, to relate changes in sward characteristics of B. decumbens and B. brizantha to animal live-weight gain (LWG). Three 1.5-ha paddocks of each grass species were stocked continuously with 3 steers, and additional grazers were added or removed as required to ensure similar grazing pressure in each treatment. Despite similar (P>0.85) annual average daily gains (ADO) of steers grazing both species, the ADO of steers grazing B. brizantha pasture was significantly (P<0.05) higher during the wet season, and significantly (P<0.05) lower in the dry period, when compared with those on B. decumbens. Annual LWG per area of both species were also similar (P>0.85). The best predictor of ADO was …

Effects Of Grain Supplement For Steers Grazing Stargrass Pastures On Subsequent Feedlot Gains And Carcass Characteristics, G.M.J Horton, W D. Pitman, E M. Hodges

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Performance of steers (181 kg) grazing slargrass pastures was evaluated al 2 levels of grain supplementation in comparison with unsupplemenled cattle and with steers in drylot fed a high-roughage diet. Supplements during the 140-day winter period were fed at 1.0 (moderate) and 1.5% body weight (BW)lday (high), followed by 0.40 kg (moderate) and 0.5% BW/day (high) during the 98-day spring grazing period. Gains during a subsequent 100-dny, high-energy feeding period and resulting carcass characteristics were also compared. Gains during !he grazing period did not differ between !he 2 levels of supplement. Daily rate of gain of unsupplemented cattle (0.44 kg) …

Large-Scale Property Demonstrations Of The Effect Of Sexa Stylo And Phosphorus On Beef Cattle Growth In Central Queensland, Australia, C H. Middleton, K J. Murphy, G W. Blight, Vicki-Lee Hansen

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Seca style (Stylosanthes scabra) was oversown into black speargrass (Heteropogon comortus)•dominant pasture after a burn at 2 sites in central Queensland, and the pasture was continuously grazed. At one site with <5 ppm bicarbonate-extractable soil P, Seca growth was poor and gave only a small animal growth response (18 kg/steer/year) over native pasture. With the addition of superphosphate (27 kg P/ha) the Seca-native grass produced an additional live-weight gain of 70 kg/ steer/year over the native pasture control. At a second site with 6-8 ppm available soil P, Seca grew well, and with a P supplement given to steers, live-weight gains were 40 kg/steer/year more than for P­supplemented animals grazing native pasture. Oversowing Seca into native pasture with P as fertiliser or a supplement can dramatically improve animal performance. The project was conducted on private properties and was aimed to focus producer attention on this technology, which is suited to large areas of northern Australia.

Improving Hill Agriculture Systems In Nepal: A Case Study, B N. Tiwari, J B. Abington

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The Kingdom of Nepal is characterised by complex, diverse smallholder farming systems in which crops, livestock and forest resources are all interlinked. Traditional feeding practices throughout the hills are coming under severe pressure due to the high density of livestock. Consequently, acute shortages of forage are e, experienced, especially during the dry winter season. A case study is presented In which the integration of forage management into the whole farming system is practised, User groups are improving community grazing lands by the introduction of more productive herbage and fodder tree species. Fodder is sold to livestock farmers, animal management is …

Development Of Forage Systems For Dairying In Subtropical Australia, R J. Moss, K F. Lowe

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The development of productive dairy farm systems integrating irrigated temperate pastures with rain-grown tropical pastures in subtropical Australia is described, Milk production increased from 2976-34211/cow (P<0,01) with increased temperate pasture allowance from 0. I to 0.2 ha/cow, and this increase was similar for nitrogen­fertilised ryegrass or clover-ryegrass mixtures, Temperate pastures provided cows with a high protein diet (20-30% crude protein}, enabling energy-rich grain and molasses concentrates to be efficiently used, Increasing supplementation to S kg grain/cow day increased milk yields to S109 I/lactation. Nitrogen fertilisation of perennial tropical grasses enabled higher stocking rates to be used and, together with the increases in production/cow, increased farm output from 464S I/ha to 7300 I/ha.

Use Of Blood Urea Nitrogen Concentration To Predict Response To Protein Or Energy Supplementation In Grazing Cattle, A C. Hammond, W E. Kunkle, D B. Bates, L E. Sollenberger

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In healthy ruminants, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations are positively correlated with ruminal ammonia nitrogen concentrations and are indicative of the protein to energy ratio in the diet. Our objective was to determine whether BUN could predict the biological response (average daily gain, ADG) to protein or energy supplementation in free­grazing steers and heifers on tropical grass pastures, Change in ADO (-0.0S to 0.30 kg) due to protein supplementation was linearly related to BUN concentration (6,2-15,5 mg/di) in control cattle (P<0.05, slope= 0.023, r = 0.69, s = 0.07 kg). BUN concentrations of 9-12 mg/di were a transition range t��tow which ADG response to protein supplementation was greater (P«J.05) and above which ADG response was lesser (P<0, l 0) than the response within thls range. Change in ADO due to energy supplementation was not related to BUN in control cattle, but the range of BUN in our trials was limited to concentrations above 9 mg/di. Concentration of BUN may be a useful tool for predicting biological response to protein supplementation of grazing beef cattle.

Utilization Of Faba Bean (Vicia Faba L.) Fodder And Silage In Ruminants, P C. Gupta, M A. Akbar

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Two feeding experiments were conducted to find out the nutritive value of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) green fodder and silage, In the first experiment, mixtures of faba bean and oat (Avena sativa) green fodders in proportions of 1:1, 1:2 and 2:1, respectively, were fed to lambs randomly divided in to 3 groups of 6 each for 50 days, The DM intake of lambs, change in their body weights and digestibility co-efficients of various nutrients did not differ (P>0.05) among the 3 groups. However, the values of DCP in different rations varied significantly (P<0.05) but not that of TDN. In the second experiment, pure faba bean was ensiled for 50 days and offered to sheep, which maintained their body weights. It was concluded that effective utilisation of green faba bean in sheep could be achieved either by ensiling or by mixing it with other forages like oat. Feeding of faba bean and oat mixture al 2:1 ratio gave optimum growth in lambs,

Utilization Of Leucaena Leucophala As Fodder For Buffaloes, P C. Gupta, M A. Akbar

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A feeding trial was conducted for 122 days to assess the effect of feeding Leucaena leucophala day on growth rate, utilisation of nutrients, and its toxic effects, if any, in 15 Murrah male buffalo calves about 1 year old. Calves in control group (Tl) were maintained on concentrate mixture and ad lib. wheat straw. The protein of concentrate mixture was replaced at 25% and 50% levels by leucaena protein in the rations of group T2 and T3, respectively, Leucaena hay was isonitrogenous (CP about 19%). The mimosine, tannin and 6-carotene in leucnena hay were 2.50%, 7.33 mg/g and 504.24 mg/kg, …