The stable isotope ratios of carbon (d13C), nitrogen (d15N) and sulphur (d34S) are measured to examine human diet, social stratification, mobility and animal husbandry practices. Three locations... Show moreThe stable isotope ratios of carbon (d13C), nitrogen (d15N) and sulphur (d34S) are measured to examine human diet, social stratification, mobility and animal husbandry practices. Three locations comprising four sites from the Yellow River Valleys of north China are investigated: Nancheng (Hebei Province), Xishan (Gansu Province), Liyi and Shanren (Shaanxi Province), and this work represents one of the largest and most detailed isotopic research projects ever conducted in China. This thesis focused on time periods and cultures that were previously underrepresented, in the literature such as the early Bronze/Iron Ages to the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC). Further, this thesis found new evidence concerning dietary patterns, social stratification (or lack thereof), animal husbandry practices and human mobility during these formative pre-Qin Empire periods. Show less
Understanding the molecular mechanisms of survival and migratory pathways in cancer cells is essential to better comprehending cancer progression, metastasis formation and drug resistance, thereby... Show moreUnderstanding the molecular mechanisms of survival and migratory pathways in cancer cells is essential to better comprehending cancer progression, metastasis formation and drug resistance, thereby benefiting the development of novel anticancer treatments. The overall goal of the work is to better understand the role and mechanism of focal adhesion mediated signaling in the control of anticancer drug-related survival signaling of breast tumor cells in vivo as well as the regulation of cell migration of breast tumor cells in vitro. Mainly, we focused on the role of the focal adhesion associated proteins (focal adhesion kinase and paxillin) in cell survival, cytoskeleton reorganization and migration. Moreover, we would like to identify the pattern of C-X-C chemokines and corresponding receptors that mediate the downstream signaling events in tumor cell migration and invasion. Show less
