Earliest Cranio-Encephalic Trauma from the Levantine Middle Palaeolithic: 3D Reappraisal of the Qafzeh 11 Skull,Consequences of Pediatric Brain Damage on Individual Life Condition and Social Care

The Qafzeh site (Lower Galilee, Israel) has yielded the largest Levantine hominin collection from Middle Palaeolithic layers which were dated to circa 90–100 kyrs BP or to marine isotope stage 5b–c. Within the hominin sample, Qafzeh 11, circa 12–13 yrs old at death, presents a skull lesion previously attributed to a healed trauma. Three dimensional imaging methods allowed us to better explore this lesion which appeared as being a frontal bone depressed fracture, associated with brain damage. Furthermore the endocranial volume, smaller than expected for dental age, supports the hypothesis of a growth delay due to traumatic brain injury. This trauma did not affect the typical human brain morphology pattern of the right frontal and left occipital petalia. It is highly probable that this young individual suffered from personality and neurological troubles directly related to focal cerebral damage. Interestingly this young individual benefited of a unique funerary practice among the south-western Asian burials dated to Middle Palaeolithic.     

Two γ-tubulin isoforms are differentially expressed during development in Helianthus annuus

The cytoskeleton is involved in major developmental events in plant cell growth and differentiation. Nucleation events play a key role in the dynamic and organization of the microtubule (Mt) cytoskeleton. Among many proteins involved in Mt nucleation, γ -tubulin has been identified as an essential component of the Mt organizing centers (MTOC). In protoplasts, somatic embryogenesis induction has been correlated with remodeling of Mt cytoskeleton. We have investigated the specific developmental expression of γ -tubulin in Helianthus annuus . Two γ -tubulin isoforms have been detected by immunoblotting, with bands at 52 and 58 kDa. The larger γ -tubulin (58 kDa) is present in all the sunflower tissues tested and is associated with the nucleus. The smaller γ -tubulin (52 kDa), differing from the former at the carboxy-terminal end, is only present in meristematic and dedifferentiated cells and is not bound to the nucleus. This first demonstration of the presence of two γ -tubulins in plant cells is discussed in terms of distinct roles in the nucleation and organization of Mts.     

Developmental changes in high-affinity uptake of GABA by cultured neurons

High-affinity uptake of [³H]-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was studied in cultures of neonatal rat cortical neurons grown on pre-formed monolayers of non-neuronal (glial) cells. Both the maximum rate (V _max) and, to a smaller extent, theK _m of [³H]GABA uptake increased with time. In addition, in parallel with these changes, 2,4-diaminobutyric acid and cis-3-aminocyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid (ACHC), compounds which are considered typical substrate/inhibitors of GABA uptake in neurons, became progressively stronger inhibitors of [³H]GABA uptake. Consequently, the present results may mean that the studies using uptake, of [³H]GABA, [³H]ACHC, or [³H]DABA as a specific marker for GABAergic neurons differentiating during the ontogenetic development of the central nervous system may have to be interpreted with caution.     

On nine Tropodiaptomus-species (Copepoda,Calanoida) from equatorial East Africa

Of the nine species of Tropodiaptomus occurring in Equatorial East Africa, seven are redescribed and figured in great detail. Their relationships are discussed. A primary homonym is eliminated, and types are indicated wherever possible.     

Pseudophillipsia azzouzi nov. sp. Trilobite griffithididé Permien du Djebel Tebaga (Tunisie)

Pseudophillipsia azzouzi nov. sp., found by L. Memmi and J. David in the Dolomies superieures Series of the Djebel Tebaga, takes part of the Ps. sumatrensis-Group. Its stratigraphical position in the Kazanian-Pamirian boundary is in accordance with the global distribution of that Group. The tunisian species, characterized by its ornamentation (particularly of the pygidium), is also remarkable by its large size, twice that of the type-species.     

A study of a Man-made freshwater reservoir in Eastern Flanders (Belgium), with special reference to the vertical migration of the zooplankton

Summary A study is made of the vertical migrations of several zooplankters in a recent artificial freshwater reservoir in the lower part of Belgium. Two series of cyclical observations were made, the first one during summer stagnation (30 hours), the second one during autumn overturn (48 hours).In both cases numerous plankton collections were made at different depths and a number of physico-chemical features of the water, suspected to show a diurnal rhythm too, were determined (temperature, O₂, pH, HCO _inf3 ^sup– ).Using the statistical technique basically developed by Ricker, significant vertical migrations were found during the stratification period and for every species that was taken into consideration.During overturn, vertical migrations were much less evident and in some cases even doubtful.The causality of this phenomenon is briefly discussed.

---

Résumé Les migrations verticales de plusieurs espèces d'animaux planctoniques dans un bassin d'eau douce artificiel en basse Belgique font l'objet de cette étude.Deux séries d'observations ont été effectuées, dont la première pendant la période de stratification estivale (30 heures d'observations) et la seconde au cours de la circulation automnale (48 heures d'observations).De nombreuses pèches ont été faites (toutes les trois heures ou toutes les heures et demie), à diverses profondeurs.Simultanément, un nombre de facteurs physico-chimiques, présentant eux aussi un rhythme journalier, ont été déterminés (pH, HCO _inf3 ^sup– , O₂, températures).La démonstration des migrations verticales s'est faite à l'aide des techniques de statistique développées essentiellement par Ricker.Des migrations verticales trés prononcées se sont produites pendant la période de stratification. Par contre, pendant l'overturn la structure verticale du plankton était plutôt homogène et les migrations verticales avaient perdu beaucoup de leur netteté. Dans certains cas elles sont peut-être absentes ou camouflées par des mouvements horizontaux.La causalité de cette différence marquante entre les deux périodes de l'année fait l'objet d'une brève discussion.

---

---

Asvirant F.N.R.S.-N.F.W.O., België.     

Calorimetric measurement of free energy utilization by Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter

Summary Calorimetric estimates of the utilization efficiency of the free-energy derived from substrate oxidation by cell suspensions of two nitrifying bacteria, Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter, provided two ranges of values: 11 to 27% and 15 to 51%, respectively. About 15 to 30% of the utilized free-energy is used for driving endergonic reactions other than CO₂ fixation, probably the synthesis of polyphosphates.The molar heat of substrate oxidation does not seem to be influenced by the age of cells harvested during growth or by the length of the incubation period during which cells have been kept in a buffer suspension in a starved condition. The loss of respiratory activity measured either by oxygen uptake or heat evolution in the presence of the specific substrate, nitrite or ammonium, decreases according to kinetics which are influenced by the aerobiosis of the suspension. The viability of the starved cells decreases in a way which is similar to that of the respiratory activity. It seemed impossible to obtain cells which had lost their viability but kept the ability to oxidize their substrate.Two inhibitors of the respiratory chain, quinacrine and cyanide, are without effect on the molar heat of substrate oxidation and consequently on the free-energy utilization efficiency. 2.4 dinitrophenol did decrease the rate of heat evolution during substrate oxidation at concentrations at which the rate of oxygen uptake was not depressed, with the consequences that free-energy efficiency was apparently increased.     

Assess the human and environmental vulnerability for coastal hazard by using a multi-criteria decision analysis

This study provides an integrated approach using geographical information system (GIS) based on a multi-criteria approach (MCDA) to assess coastal vulnerability, resulting from human activity, population density, erosion, and climate change-induced sea level rise. A coastal vulnerability index (CVI) for erosion and floods was calculated and mapped (～24 km in length; ～400 m in width, and 11.47 km² in surface) for the lagoon barrier of Nador located on the Mediterranean coast of Morocco. Results suggest that 54% (～13 km) of the shoreline is moderately vulnerable, while 42% (～10 km) is highly vulnerable and only 4% (1 km) present a low vulnerability. The vulnerability map of the socio-economic activities indicates that most wetlands and forest areas 83% (～31 ha) and 50% (～440 ha) respectively, present low vulnerability. 52% percent of artificial areas (～23 ha), 73% of agricultural land (～128 ha), and 41% of natural areas (～363 ha) present moderate vulnerability. However, the level of vulnerability of the remaining artificial and agricultural areas classifies from high to very high. The north-western sector was classified as the most vulnerable area, characterized by an erosion (?0.6 m/yr to ?1.20 m/yr) for 70% of this area, while the south-eastern part shows a low to moderate vulnerability marked by an erosion (?0.1 m/yr to ?1m/yr) for 40% of this area. Coastal vulnerability maps have potential as decision tools to prepare and respond to sea level rise, and identify exposed coastal zones, as such contributing to national climate action and disaster risk reduction sustainable development goals (goals 13 and 11, respectively).     

Partial modelling of the perennial crop cycle misleads LCA results in two contrasted case studies

Purpose

As highlighted in recent reviews, there is a need to harmonise the way life cycle assessment (LCA) of perennial crops is conducted. In most published LCA on perennial crops, the modelling of the agricultural production is based on data sets for just one productive year. This may be misleading since performance and impacts of the system may greatly vary year by year. The purposes of this study are to analyse how partial modelling of the perennial cycle through non-holistic data collection may affect LCA results and to make recommendations.

Methods

Three modelling choices for the perennial crop cycle were tested in parallel in two contrasted LCA case studies: oil palm fruits from Indonesia, and small citrus from Morocco. Modelling choices tested were as follows: (i) a chronological modelling over the complete crop cycle of orchards, (ii) a 3-year average from the productive phase, and (iii) various single years from the productive phase. In both case studies, the system boundary was a cradle-to-farm gate with a functional unit of 1 kg fresh fruits. LCA midpoint impacts were calculated with ReCiPe 2008 in Simapro©V.7. We first analysed how inputs, yields and potential impacts varied over time. We then analysed process contributions in the baseline model, i.e. the chronological modelling, and finally compared LCA results for the various perennial modelling choices.

Results and discussion

Agricultural practices, yields and impacts varied over the years especially during the first 3–9 years depending on the case study. In both case studies, the modelling choices to account or not for the whole perennial cycle drastically influenced LCA results. The differences could be explained by the inclusion or not of the yearly variability and the accounting or not of the immature phase, which contributed to 7–40 or 6.5–29 % of all impact categories for oil palm fruit and citrus, respectively.

Conclusions

The chosen approach to model the perennial cycle influenced the final LCA results for two contrasted case studies and deserved specific attention. Although data availability may remain the limiting factor in most cases, assumptions can be made to interpolate or extrapolate some data sets or to consolidate data sets from chronosequences (i.e. modular modelling). In all cases, we suggest that the approach chosen to model the perennial cycle and the representativeness of associated collected data should be made transparent and discussed. Further research work is needed to improve the understanding and modelling of perennial crop functioning and LCA assessment.