Variabilité de l’industrie lithique entre les structures de l’habitation no 1 de Mezhyrich,site du Paléolithique supérieur d’Ukraine

The investigation of the lithic assemblages from three archaeological structures of the Upper Palaeolithic Mezhyrich site, mammoth bone dwelling no. 1, nearby located pit no. 7 and workshop with a portion of cultural layer situated on the border of the pit, exhibits a sufficient diversity of the main indexes of flint assemblages. According to the latter, the main flint resources, cores and large pieces of flint, as well as blades and several tools (scrapers), were kept just in the dwelling. At the same time, the remains of “debitage” and the modification products of several tools (burin spalls) are more numerous in the pit and the workshop. The higher percentages of backed microliths, included the forms with diagnostic projectile impact fracture, and burins with several working edges are also observed in the assemblages of the last two archaeological structures.     

Wheat Zapper: a flexible online tool for colinearity studies in grass genomes

In the course of evolution, the genomes of grasses have maintained an observable degree of gene order conservation. The information available for already sequenced genomes can be used to predict the gene order of nonsequenced species by means of comparative colinearity studies. The “Wheat Zapper” application presented here performs on-demand colinearity analysis between wheat, rice, Sorghum, and Brachypodium in a simple, time efficient, and flexible manner. This application was specifically designed to provide plant scientists with a set of tools, comprising not only synteny inference, but also automated primer design, intron/exon boundaries prediction, visual representation using the graphic tool Circos 0.53, and the possibility of downloading FASTA sequences for downstream applications. Quality of the “Wheat Zapper” prediction was confirmed against the genome of maize, with good correlation (r?>?0.83) observed between the gene order predicted on the basis of synteny and their actual position on the genome. Further, the accuracy of “Wheat Zapper” was calculated at 0.65 considering the “Genome Zipper” application as the “gold” standard. The differences between these two tools are amply discussed, making the point that “Wheat Zapper” is an accurate and reliable on-demand tool that is sure to benefit the cereal scientific community. The Wheat Zapper is available at http://wge.ndsu.nodak.edu/wheatzapper/.     

The enhanced tool‐kit of two groups of wild bearded capuchin monkeys in the Caatinga: tool making,associative use,and secondary tools

The use of stones to crack open encapsulated fruit is widespread among wild bearded capuchin monkeys (Cebus libidinosus) inhabiting savanna‐like environments. Some populations in Serra da Capivara National Park (Piauí, Brazil), though, exhibit a seemingly broader toolkit, using wooden sticks as probes, and employing stone tools for a variety of purposes. Over the course of 701.5 hr of visual contact of two wild capuchin groups we recorded 677 tool use episodes. Five hundred and seventeen of these involved the use of stones, and 160 involved the use of sticks (or other plant parts) as probes to access water, arthropods, or the contents of insects' nests. Stones were mostly used as “hammers”—not only to open fruit or seeds, or smash other food items, but also to break dead wood, conglomerate rock, or cement in search of arthropods, to dislodge bigger stones, and to pulverize embedded quartz pebbles (licking, sniffing, or rubbing the body with the powder produced). Stones also were used in a “hammer‐like” fashion to loosen the soil for digging out roots and arthropods, and sometimes as “hoes” to pull the loosened soil. In a few cases, we observed the re‐utilization of stone tools for different purposes (N=3), or the combined use of two tools—stones and sticks (N=4) or two stones (N=5), as sequential or associative tools. On three occasions, the monkeys used smaller stones to loosen bigger quartz pebbles embedded in conglomerate rock, which were subsequently used as tools. These could be considered the first reports of secondary tool use by wild capuchin monkeys. Am. J. Primatol. 71:242–251, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Late Paleo-Indian Activity At The Lubbock Lake Site

Abstract

Excavations at Lubbock Lake (41 LU1), Southern High Plains of Texas, revealed the presence of a complex, late Paleo-Indian feature containing a camping area and bison (Bison antiquus) kill/butchering locale. The feature is found within a cienega or marsh deposit and dates from 8300 to 8600 years. At least two camping episodes are indicated, separated by the kill/butchering event. Camp debris consists of a projectile point midsection, unifacial and bifacial tools, and flakes. Faunal debris includes remains of butchered pronghorn antelope, rabbits, ducks, grouse, and turtles. The kill/butchering locale contains remains of four bison and three fetuses, a bone expediency tool, a reworked projectile point base, unifacial butchering tools, and flakes. Projectile points, other lithic tools, and age of the feature indicate a Firstview occupation. From faunal and geologic data, site environs are reconstructed as a marshlands rimmed by a narrow border of wet meadows grading into a mixed grass prairie. Although several late Paleo-Indian kill/butchering locales are known on the Southern High Plains, this feature is the first late Paleo-Indian camp.     

Between simplicity and complexity: The knapping flexibility on cobbles at the early Neolithic site of Zengpiyan Cave (12–7 ka), Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,southern China

The cobble industry in southern Chinese provinces was for a long time called large and simple “chopper-chopping tool tradition,” which persisted from the Early Pleistocene to the Middle Holocene. This recognition is 50% true and 50% false because it does not reflect the entire archaeological reality. On the one hand, the so-called “chopper-chopping tool” category often characterizes or dominates the lithic assemblages; on the other hand, a “chopper” from site A could be different from another “chopper” in site B. This distinction is important since the typological names lost their validity when conducting comparative studies inter- and intra-sites. The cobble tool industry of the Zengpiyan cave site (Guilin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China) is an excellent example of this terminological dilemma, which presents some extent of both simplicity and complexity, underestimated in its production strategies. We could also find substantial flexibility between the two ends (simplicity and complexity) during the selection and exploitation of the cobble/pebble blanks. Although chopper-chopping tools are predominant at the site, the variability of their morpho-structures and techno-functional organization indicate that they are not just simple chopper-chopping tools sensu stricto but have their specific characteristics which could not be found in their typological names. In this context, we need to re-evaluate the previously so-called “choppers” in south China with a techno-functional approach before comparing different lithic assemblages. Compared with other contemporary sites, the Zengpiyan technical system is not far from those found in South China and mainland Southeast Asia. For example, it has similarities with the Sonvian phenomenon in northern Vietnam and some other sites in southern China. While very different from the Hoabinhian technocomplex, the Zengpiyan assemblage raises questions about the kinship with other Late Pleistocene lithic facies. Further technological studies on a larger number of sites in these regions are still needed to understand better the prehistoric techno-cultural relationships between the industrial assemblages of southern China and those bordering the Far East.     

Unicorn “holotype” skeleton from the Late Pleistocene spotted hyena den site Sewecken-Berge (Germany)

Late Pleistocene Ice Age spotted hyena remains are described from the “Unicorn holotype skeleton” gypsum karst site Quedlinburg-Sewecken-Berge, Germany (Central Europe). The hyena population consists of adolescent to late adult individuals (96% of hyena NISP; 15% of megafauna NISP) indicating a commuting den site type. The comparisons to other European bone assemblages support hunting specialization on woolly rhinoceros (19% of NISP) and horses (27% of NISP). Specialization on bovids (Bison/Bos) can be added for this site. The megafauna contain few Eemian warm period remains of a large horse Equus ferus fossilis. Most (95%) of the megafauna is attributed to the Late Pleistocene glacial (Weichselian/Wuermian). Horse bones are dominated by distal leg elements from the smaller Przewalski horses Equus ferus przewalskii (26% of NISP). The Unicorn “holotype” skeleton originates from a composed horse skull, vertebrae and front legs, whereas the elephant remains added to this biologically not valid species must have been a straight-tusked elephant tusk.     

A Plainview Kill/Butchering Locale On The Llano Est Acado-The Lubbock Lake Site

Abstract

The Lubbock Lake site is a multi-component, stratified locality on the Llano Estacada (Southern High Plains). Part of a Plainview (Paleo-Indian) period bison kill/butchering locale is being excavated. Cultural designation is based on recovered projectile points, stratigraphic position, and radiocarbon dates. Tool assemblage consists of lithic and bone expediency tool kits. Geological, faunal, and paleoenvironmental settings create an interpretative framework for the cultural event. Only part of the Plainview lifeway system is reflected at the site. The locale represents a different level of social organization than seen at other Plainview period bison kill sites. Preliminary statements include a few differences and similarities between excavated Plainview sites.     

地理信息系统在动物考古学研究中的应用： 以贵州马鞍山遗址出土的动物遗存为例

目前,地理信息系统（GIS）在多学科领域的融合方面已经发挥了极为明显的作用。但是,在动物考古学研究中,尤其是在东亚地区,这一手段的使用还明显有所欠缺。本文尝试将这一技术手段应用于贵州马鞍山遗址(距今约43~16 kaBP)出土动物遗存的研究之中。在上千件石制品与数十件骨制品之外,马鞍山遗址还出土有大量的动物化石,从而使其成为检验与实践地理信息系统的一个良好媒介。本文以ArcGIS软件包中的空间分析工具为技术依托,重点对遗址出土的大型动物（包括Bubalus sp 和 Megatapirus augustus) 的骨骼单元分布模式进行了更为准确的统计与分析。本项研究表明,相对于传统方法而言,GIS系统在大型动物遗存的量化统计方面具有独特而重要的价值;此外,这一技术手段还有望在第四纪其他学科的研究中得到发挥与应用。     

Mixed Mode of Ligand-DNA Binding Results in S-Shaped Binding Curves

Abstract

S-shaped binding curves often characterize interactions of ligands with nucleic acid molecules as analyzed by different physicochemical and biophysical techniques. S-shaped experimental binding curves are usually interpreted as indicative of the positive cooperative interactions between the bound ligand molecules. This paper demonstrates that S-shaped binding curves may occur as a result of the “mixed mode” of DNA binding by the same ligand molecule. Mixed mode of the ligand-DNA binding can occur, for example, due to 1) isomerization or dimerization of the ligands in solution or on the DNA lattice, 2) their ability to intercalate the DNA and to bind it within the minor groove in different orientations. DNA- ligand complexes are characterized by the length of the ligand binding site on the DNA lattice (so-called “multiple-contact” model). We show here that if two or more complexes with different lengths of the ligand binding sites could be produced by the same ligand, the dependence of the concentration of the complex with the shorter length of binding site on the total concentration of ligand should be S-shaped. Our theoretical model is confirmed by comparison of the calculated and experimental CD binding curves for bis-netropsin binding to poly(dA-dT) poly(dA-dT). Bis-netropsin forms two types of DNA complexes due to its ability to interact with the DNA as monomers and trimers. Experimental S-shaped bis-netropsin-DNA binding curve is shown to be in good correlation with those calculated on the basis of our theoretical model. The present work provides new insight into the analysis of ligand-DNA binding curves.     

Tree cricket baffles are manufactured tools

Tree crickets use sound to attract mates and make acoustic baffles to increase their sound production efficiency. It has been recently discovered that these insects use a flexible yet inherited behavioural programme to make acoustically optimal baffles. Whether these baffles qualify as tools, however, remains controversial. Here, baffle‐using and baffle‐making behaviours are analysed using the most current and authoritative definition of tool use. The current definition of tool use does not require the tool to be detached from the substrate and includes attached but manipulable external objects. Given this schema, tree cricket baffles, which are attached but manipulated prior to use, must be considered tools. The mode of manufacture for a baffle is “Subtract,” and the mode of use is “Drape”.     

Human temporal bone from the lower Paleolithic site of Castel di Guido, near Rome, Italy

The Castel di Guido site, with an estimated age of approximately 300,000 years, has yielded abundant animal remains, Acheulian stone and bone bifaces, and small tools. On the surface of the original deposit, turned over by agricultural activities, fragments of human remains were discovered between 1980 and 1986, including a temporal bone described here.     

Additional evidence for bone technology in the southern African Middle Stone Age

Few Middle Stone Age sites have yielded convincing evidence for a complex bone technology, a behavior often associated with the emergence of modern cultures. Here, we review the published evidence for Middle Stone Age bone tools from southern Africa, analyze an additional nine bone artifacts recently recovered from Middle Stone Age levels at Blombos Cave, describe an unpublished bone tool from probable Middle Stone Age levels at Peers Cave, examine a single bone awl found at Blombosch Sands (an open site near Blombos Cave), and reappraise marked bone artifacts and a bone point recovered from Klasies River. To determine the chronological and cultural attribution of these artifacts, document bone-manufacturing techniques associated with the southern African MSA, and discuss the symbolic significance of the markings present on some of these objects we use (1) available contextual information; (2) morphometric comparison of Later Stone Age, Modern San, and purported Middle Stone Age projectile points; (3) analysis of the carbon/nitrogen content of bone tools and faunal remains from Peers and Blombos caves; and (4) microscopic analysis of traces of manufacture and use. Previously undescribed bone artifacts from Blombos Cave include a massive point manufactured on weathered bone, two complete awls and two awl tips manufactured on small-sized mammal and bird bone, a probable projectile point with a tang manufactured by knapping and scraping, a shaft fragment modified by percussion, used as retoucher and bearing a set of incised lines on the middle of the periosteal surface, and two fragments with possible engravings. The point from Peers Cave can be assigned to the Middle Stone Age and bears tiny markings reminiscent of those recorded on projectile points from Blombos and used as marks of ownership on San arrow points. The awl from Blombosch Sands and the bone point from Klasies River can be attributed to the Later Stone Age. Two notched objects from Klasies are attributed to the Middle Stone Age and interpreted as tools used on soft material; a third object bears possible deliberate symbolic engravings. Although low in number, the instances of bone artifacts attributable to the Middle Stone Age is increasing and demonstrates that the bone tools from Blombos Cave are not isolated instances. New discoveries of bone tools dating to this time period can be expected.     

Fossil Bison and Artifacts from The Mona Lisa Site,Calgary, Alberta

Abstract

In November, 1968, salvage excavations at the site of an art gallery under construction in urban southwest Calgary, Alberta, Canada, revealed a Paleo-Indian bison kill. The single kill level lay at a depth of more than 250 em. in flood plain deposits of the Bow River, now flowing more than a mile north of the site. The bone bed was overlain by a thick deposit of Mazama Ash (6600 years B.P.). A bone radiocarbon date of 8080 ± 150 years B.P. (G.S.C.-1209) was obtained. Intermittent pedigenesis and fineness of enclosing sediments indicate an overbank flood plain situation for the kill; evidently the site area was repeatedly flooded, probably seasonally, before and after the kill episode. No evidence of a jump-off is present, although this is inconclusive at present. In the 30 square meters excavated at Locality A there was evidence for three activity loci relating to processing of carcasses. The lithic sample includes only crude butchering tools, precluding cultural assignment. Several bone tools, most of them fashioned from tibiae, appear to have been used as expedient and expendable butchering tools at the kill. Some modification of the butchering of lower limbs is noted, apparently to facilitate the production of the bone tools.     

Social evaluation of municipal solid waste management systems from a life cycle perspective: a systematic literature review

Purpose

The social aspects of municipal solid waste management (MSWM) systems are underpinning their sustainability and effectiveness. The assessment of these systems from a life cycle perspective is widespread throughout environmental life cycle assessment (LCA), but few studies have used social life cycle assessment (S-LCA). The present study is an innovative review with the objective to analyse and describe the current level of development of S-LCA applications in MSWM, and to identify the main methodological challenges and best practices, aiming at recommending approaches to harmonise future S-LCA applications in MSWM.

Materials and methods

A systematic review of the literature found 36 relevant scientific articles. These were submitted to bibliometric and content analysis, which includes an analysis of how methodological aspects of the four phases of S-LCA were applied in comparison with best practice and existing guidelines.

Results and discussion

There was a predominance of case studies in developing countries (59%) and evaluation of the stages of collection/transportation, pre-processing (sorting) and landfilling (55%). There were more studies focusing on stakeholders, “workers” and “local communities” and in the impact subcategories “employment”, “working hours”, “health and safety/working conditions”, “community involvement/participation” and “health and safety/living conditions of community”. There was great variability in the application of the method (47% of the studies included methodological developments). However, the 39% based on UNEP guidelines were closer to a methodological consensus.

Conclusion

In general, studies need more detail and clarity in describing the methodological decisions used. Improvements are needed for issues that limit the S-LCA method, including the difficulties of covering the entire life cycle, relating impacts to the functional unit, standardizing impact assessment methods, addressing allocation and data quality issues and interpretation of results and their limitations. Improvements can be achieved by using participatory methods in the selection of categories, subcategories and impact indicators, as well as by clarifying the definition of a product system and detailing “cut-off criteria” of processes/organizations and the impact of these decisions on results.

     

Fusion expression and purification of four disulfide-rich peptides reveals enterokinase secondary cleavage sites in animal toxins

Animal toxins are powerful tools for testing the pharmacological, physiological, and structural characteristics of ion channels, proteases, and other receptors. However, most animal toxins are disulfide-rich peptides that are difficult to produce functionally. Here, a glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion expression strategy was used to produce four recombinant animal toxin peptides, ChTX, StKTx23, BmP01, and ImKTx1, with different isoelectric points from 4.7 to 9.2. GST tags were removed by enterokinase, a widely used and effective commercial protease that cleaves after lysine at the cleavage site DDDDK. Using this strategy, two disulfide-rich animal toxins ChTX and StKTx23 were obtained successfully with a yield of approximately 1–2 mg/l culture. Electrophysiological experiments further showed that these two recombinant toxins showed good bioactivities, indicating that our method was effective in producing large amounts of functional disulfide-rich animal toxins. Interestingly, by analyzing the separated fractions of BmP01, StKTx23, and ImKTx1 using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, four new enterokinase secondary cleavage sites were found, consisting of the sequences “WEYR,” “EDK,” “QNAR,” and “DNDK.” To our knowledge, this is the first report of the presence of secondary cleavage sites for commercial enterokinase in animal toxins. These findings will help us use commercial enterokinase appropriately as a cleavage tool in the production of animal toxins.     

“Stepping-sticks” and “seat-sticks”: New types of tools used by wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in Sierra Leone

In Tenkere, Sierra Leone, a community of wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) spent long hours eating the fruits and flowers of the Kapok (Ceiba pentandra) tree. The branches of this species are covered in sharp thorns which make movement in their high canopies problematic for the chimpanzees. In an apparent attempt to increase their mobility and to ease the discomfort of lengthy bouts of eating in these trees, some of the Tenkere chimpanzees have been observed using stick tools as foot (“stepping-sticks”) and body (“seat-sticks”) protection against the painful thorns. This form of tool-using is culturally unique to the Tenkere chimpanzees, as at other sites where these apes have been observed eating parts of kapok trees, there are no published records of this tool technology. In three of the stepping-stick tool use incidents, the chimpanzee used the tool(s), held between their greater and lesser toes, in locomotion. This form of tool use is the first recorded case of habitually used tools that can be justifiably categorized as being “worn” by any known wild population of Pan troglodytes. Am J Primatol 41:45–52, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Texture of SS Cross-linked Gelatin Gels

Relations among sensory properties, physical characteristics and the kinds of force supporting gel structure were studied by using thiolated gelatin.

Breaking stress of the gelatin gel was greatly influenced by contents of disulfide bonds in the gel. Young’s modulus of the gel was affected by its temperature. As to sensory properties of the gelatin gel, “hardness” highly correlated with Young’s modulus and “brittleness” correlated with breaking stress.

Therefore, it could be concluded that in the case of the gelatin gel, “hardness” was mainly attributed to hydrogen bonds and “brittleness” was to chemical bonds like disulfide linkages.     

Maritime interdiction: Evolution of a strategy

Abstract

The principles of blockade have evolved from maritime siege by the Dutch in 1584, to an internationally sanctioned “coercive blockade”; intended to compel Iraq to leave occupied Kuwait in 1990. This strategy, viable through the centuries, remains a powerful tool in the military strategist's repertoire for meeting the challenges of low level and regional conflicts. Planning a “coercive blockade”; is difficult. In a combined and joint service operation, the careful development of force composition; command, control, and communication (C³) structures; and rules of engagement, becomes extremely critical. International law considerations permeate every level of planning and execution. A careful study of contemporary operations is necessary to create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that address operational and legal issues for the future use of this creative method of international coercion.     

Structures of Arg‐ and Gln‐type bacterial cysteine dioxygenase homologs

In some bacteria, cysteine is converted to cysteine sulfinic acid by cysteine dioxygenases (CDO) that are only ～15–30% identical in sequence to mammalian CDOs. Among bacterial proteins having this range of sequence similarity to mammalian CDO are some that conserve an active site Arg residue (“Arg‐type” enzymes) and some having a Gln substituted for this Arg (“Gln‐type” enzymes). Here, we describe a structure from each of these enzyme types by analyzing structures originally solved by structural genomics groups but not published: a Bacillus subtilis “Arg‐type” enzyme that has cysteine dioxygenase activity (BsCDO), and a Ralstonia eutropha “Gln‐type” CDO homolog of uncharacterized activity (ReCDOhom). The BsCDO active site is well conserved with mammalian CDO, and a cysteine complex captured in the active site confirms that the cysteine binding mode is also similar. The ReCDOhom structure reveals a new active site Arg residue that is hydrogen bonding to an iron‐bound diatomic molecule we have interpreted as dioxygen. Notably, the Arg position is not compatible with the mode of Cys binding seen in both rat CDO and BsCDO. As sequence alignments show that this newly discovered active site Arg is well conserved among “Gln‐type” CDO enzymes, we conclude that the “Gln‐type” CDO homologs are not authentic CDOs but will have substrate specificity more similar to 3‐mercaptopropionate dioxygenases.     

A New Glyptodont (Xenarthra: Cingulata) from the Late Miocene of Argentina: New Clues About the Oldest Extra-Patagonian Radiation in Southern South America

Glyptodonts (Xenarthra, Cingulata) are one of the most amazing Cenozoic South American mammals, with some terminal forms reaching ca. two tons. The Paleogene record of glyptodonts is still poorly known, although some of their diversification is observable in Patagonian Argentina. Since the early and middle Miocene (ca. 19–13 Ma), two large clades can be recognized in South America. One probably has a northern origin (Glyptodontinae), while the other one, called the “austral clade”, is interpreted to have had an austral origin, with the oldest records represented by the “Propalaehoplophorinae” from the late early Miocene of Patagonian Argentina. In this scenario, the extra-Patagonian radiations are still poorly known, despite their importance for understanding the late Miocene and Pliocene diversity. Here, we carry out a comprehensive revision of late Miocene (Chasicoan Stage/Age) glyptodonts of central Argentina (Buenos Aires and San Juan provinces). Our results show that, contrary to what is traditionally assumed, it was a period of very low diversity, with only one species recognized in this region, Kelenkura castroi gen et sp. nov. Our phylogenetic analysis shows that this species represents the sister taxon of the remaining species of the “austral clade”, representing the first branch of the extra-Patagonian radiation. Additionally, K. castroi is the first taxon showing a “fully modern” morphology of the caudal tube.