Class invariants for certain non-holomorphic modular functions

Inspired by prior work of Bruinier and Ono and Mertens and Rolen, we study class polynomials for non-holomorphic modular functions arising from modular forms of negative weight. In particular, we give general conditions for the irreducibility of class polynomials. This allows us to easily generate infintely many new class invariants

Begotten Anew: Divine Regeneration and Identity Construction in 1 Peter

This thesis argues that the divine regeneration metaphor in 1 Peter is fully integrated into the author’s theological goal of constructing Christian identity in ethnic terms. The author grounds Christian regeneration on Christ’s resurrection (Chapter 2, 1:3) and the preaching of the word, through which the imperishable seed is implanted in believers (Chapter 3, 1:23-25). Believers are then socialized into their new identity by feeding on spiritual milk like newborn babes (Chapter 4, 2:1-3) and being built into a spiritual house and corporate temple (Chapter 5, 2:4-10). All of these images contribute to Christian ethnic identity by activating different aspects of Jewish and Greco-Roman perceptions of what constituted ethnic identity. Chapter 1 prepares the groundwork for this study by reviewing previous scholarship on Petrine regeneration, metaphor theory, and ancient and modern perceptions of ethnicity. This chapter also maps the letter’s structure to provide a bird’s eye view of the letter as a whole. The following chapters then examine one Petrine metaphor in light of its Jewish and early Christian precedents. In most cases, 1 Peter is in continuity with Jewish and Christian traditions, though the author of the letter always recasts these traditions for his own purposes. Each of these metaphors link together to bring the reader into the interpretive process as an active participant. These metaphors also relativize the importance of physical familial relationships, heritage, and group belonging in favor of heightened awareness of Christian membership. People acquire ethnic identities through birth and by living according to the group’s values. In 1 Peter, believers acquire their new identity through their divine regeneration, but this regeneration must be fostered, maintained, and developed by living holy lives dedicated to God in order to become his chosen people

SB33-10/11: UM Recycling Fee

SB33-10/11: UM Recycling Fee. This resolution passed with unanimous consent during the March 30, 2011 meeting of the Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM)

Die wirtschaftliche Betrachtung des gemischten Einsatzes von regenerativen und konventionellen Energieträgern zur Bereitstellung von elektrischer Energie in Österreich

Diese Arbeit befasst sich mit der ökonomischen Analyse der elektrischen Energieversorgung von Österreich. Es wird neben der technischen Erläuterung der unterschiedlichen fossilen und erneuerbaren Versorgungssysteme detailliert auf die inländische Energiewirtschaft eingegangen sowie ausgewählte Referenzkraftwerke nach ihren Stromgestehungskosten untersucht. Die Zielsetzung beruht auf der Erforschung der spezifischenGestehungskostenstruktur von konventionellen und regenerativen Bereitstellungsverfahren der elektrischen Energi

Autophagy Quantification and STAT3 Expression in a Human Skin Organ Culture Model for Innate Immunity to Herpes Zoster

The goal of this project was to document the autophagy response in human neonatal skin organ culture (SOC) after infection with varicella-zoster virus (VZV). The VZV-infected SOC model has attributes of herpes zoster, in that an injection of virus into the skin is analogous to exit of virus from the sensory nerve termini into skin during herpes zoster. Cultures were maintained for 28 days and periodically examined for an autophagy response by quantitation of autophagosomes with Imaris software. Expression of the STAT3 protein was plentiful in the VZV-infected SOC. Abundant autophagy was observed in VZV-infected SOC between 14 and 28 days after infection, while autophagy in mock-infected SOC was minimal (p = 0.0003). The autophagic response after infection of SOC with a recombinant VZV genome containing the herpes simplex virus ICP34.5 neurovirulence gene was similar to wild-type VZV (p = 0.3). These results suggested that the VZV-infected SOC system resembled biopsy data from herpes zoster infection of skin. An enhanced autophagy response has now been reported after infection with two additional alpha herpesviruses besides VZV, namely, pseudorabies virus and duck enteritis herpes virus; both lack the ICP34.5 protein

Treating triple negative breast cancer cells with erlotinib plus a select antioxidant overcomes drug resistance by targeting cancer cell heterogeneity

Among breast cancer patients, those diagnosed with the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtype have the worst prog-nosis. TNBC does not express estrogen receptor-alpha, progesterone receptor, or the HER2 oncogene; therefore, TNBC lacks targets for molecularly-guided therapies. The concept that EGFR oncogene inhibitor drugs could be used as targeted treatment against TNBC has been put forth based on estimates that 30-60% of TNBC express high levels of EGFR. However, results from clinical trials testing EGFR inhibitors, alone or in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy, did not improve patient outcomes. Results herein offer an explanation as to why EGFR inhibitors failed TNBC patients and support how combining a select antioxidant and an EGFR-specific small molecule kinase inhibitor (SMKI) could be an effective, novel therapeutic strategy. Treatment with CAT-SKL-a re-engineered protein form of the antioxidant enzyme catalase-inhibited cancer stem-like cells (CSCs), and treatment with the EGFR-specific SMKI erlotinib inhibited non-CSCs. Thus, combining the antioxidant CAT-SKL with erlotinib targeted both CSCs and bulk cancer cells in cultures of EGFR-expressing TNBC-derived cells. We also report evidence that the mechanism for CAT-SKL inhibition of CSCs may depend on antioxidant-induced downregulation of a short alternative mRNA splicing variant of the methyl-CpG binding domain 2 gene, isoform MBD2c

The Arg233Lys AQP0 Mutation Disturbs Aquaporin0-Calmodulin Interaction Causing Polymorphic Congenital Cataract

Calmodulin (CaM) directly interacts with the aquaporin 0 (AQP0) C-terminus in a calcium dependent manner to regulate the water permeability of AQP0. We previously identified a missense mutation (p.R233K) in the putative CaM binding domain of AQP0 C-terminus in a congenital cataract family. This study was aimed at exploring the potential pathogenesis of this mutation causative of cataract and mainly identifying how it influenced the binding of AQP0 to CaM. Wild type and R233K mutant AQP0 with EGFP-tag were transfected separately into Hela cells to determine the expression and subcellular localizations. The co-immunoprecipitation (CoIP) assay was used to detect the interaction between AQP0 and CaM. AQP0 C-terminus peptides were synthesized with and without R233K, and the binding abilities of these peptides to CaM were assessed using a fluorescence binding assay. Localizations of wild type and R233K mutant AQP0 were determined from EGFP fluorescence, and the chimeric proteins were both localized abundantly in the plasma membrane. Protein expression levels of the culture cells showed no significant difference between them. The results from CoIP assay implied that R233K mutant presented more weakly in association with CaM than wild type AQP0. The AQP0 C-terminal mutant peptide was found to have 2.5-fold lower binding affinity to CaM than wild type peptide. These results suggested that R233K mutation did not affect the expression, location and trafficking of the protein but did influence the interaction between AQP0 and CaM. The binding affinity of AQP0 C-terminus to CaM was significantly reduced. Due to lack of the modulation of the Ca2+-calmodulin complex, the water permeability of AQP0 was subsequently augmented, which might lead to the development of this cataract

Österreichisches Projekt Grundlagen zur Züchtung, Vermehrung und Sorten-/Saatgutprüfung für den Biolandbau: Ergebnisübersicht

In the Austrian research project “Basic principles for breeding, multiplication and variety testing for organic agriculture” (from 2004 until 2008) novel methods for the assessment of the suitability of seed and cultivars for organic farming were developed and evaluated by an interdisciplinary co-operation of researchers, breeders and variety testers. Organic farming requires specific combinations of crop plant characters, especially seed health and resistance against seed-borne diseases. Another crucial feature is the competitive ability against weeds. Early development was found to significantly increase the competitiveness of different crop plants. Genotypic variation in characters necessary for an efficient utilisation of below-ground resources was also investigated, e.g. interrelations between root development and drought stress tolerance and between mycorrhiza formation and nutrient use efficiency. Based on the results obtained in various cultivar trials, it can be concluded that genotypes suitable for organic growing conditions may be pre-selected from early breeding material of conventional breeding programmes. The selected breeding material must subsequently be rigorously tested on organically managed fields starting from the first yield trials at the latest. The project results were communicated to farmers and advisors during field days and excursions. They will be applied in the breeding of new cultivars