Deviation and Fantasy: On the Question of the Status of the Bible as Fantasy

The paper explores the possibility of classifying the Bible as a work of fantasy, or as a work including fantastic elements. It looks into the unique status of Biblical fantasy and the challenges to such a classification, including its literary features and presumption of ontological realism. The paper defines fantasy as a literary work whose content is characterized by surfeit or deviation to which no extra-textual ontological pretension is attributed. However, the argument goes beyond the ontological theme to stress the significance of the transcendent in both religious literature and fantasy. The Bible is viewed as fantasy in this sense and in some additional senses already within some of its own parts (such as Lamentation and Job). The paper studies these texts in this context and in relation to the theory of fantasy

In Vitro Antiplasmodium Effects of Dermaseptin S4 Derivatives

The 13-residue dermaseptin S4 derivative K(4)S4(1-13)a (P) was previously shown to kill intraerythrocytic malaria parasites through the lysis of the host cells. In this study, we have sought peptides that will kill the parasite without lysing the erythrocyte. To produce such peptides, 26 compounds of variable structure and size were attached to the N terminus of P and screened for antiplasmodium and hemolytic activities in cultures of Plasmodium falciparum. Results from this screen indicated that increased hydrophobicity results in amplified antiplasmodium effect, irrespective of the linearity or bulkiness of the additive. However, increased hydrophobicity also was generally associated with increased hemolysis, with the exception of two derivatives: propionyl-P (C3-P) and isobutyryl-P (iC4-P). Both acyl-peptides were more effective than P, with 50% growth inhibition at 3.8, 4.3, and 7.7 μM, respectively. The antiparasitic effect was time dependent and totally irreversible, implying a cytotoxic effect. The peptides were also investigated in parallel for their ability to inhibit parasite growth and to induce hemolysis in infected and uninfected erythrocytes. Whereas the dose dependence of growth inhibition and hemolysis of infected cells overlapped when cells were treated with P, the acyl-peptides exerted 50% growth inhibition at concentrations that did not cause hemolysis. Noticeably, the acyl derivatives, but not P, were able to dissipate the parasite plasma membrane potential and cause depletion of intraparasite potassium under nonhemolytic conditions. These results clearly demonstrate that the acyl-peptides can affect parasite viability in a manner that is dissociated from lysis of the host cell. Overall, the data indicate the potential usefulness of this strategy for development of selective peptides as investigative tools and eventually as antimalarial agents

Pneumococcal cumulative acquisition rate per 100 participants by cohort and weeks since start of training.

<p>Pneumococcal cumulative acquisition rate per 100 participants by cohort and weeks since start of training.</p

Timing of acquisition of pneumococci during training in confined setting in Israel, identified by multivariable repeated measures analysis^a.

a<p>Controlling for sharing drinking glass frequency, company and three seasons.</p>b<p>1003 observations included n unbalanced model, including contribution until loss to follow-up.</p>c<p>593 observations included in balanced model, i.e. including only those who were sampled in all 5 visits.</p

Observed and expected cluster units of pneumococcal clones in three cohorts of trainees, Israel, 2007.

a<p>A cluster unit was defined by the presence of >50% of identified clones in one of the 3 cohorts.</p>b<p>Expected number of cluster units in the current study for each cluster unit size was derived by multiplying the observed number of groups with the same clone and the same size by the <i>P</i>-value for being a true cluster unit.</p>c<p>For clonal group of 5, if minimal number needed for cluster unit is defined as ≥4 (as was the observed cluster unit) then <i>P</i> value is .037.</p

Figure 2

<p>A. Pneumococcal carriage prevalence by cohort and weeks since start of training. B. Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval for pneumococcal carriage prevalence during training compared to first visit, adjusted for season and frequency of sharing drinking glass.</p