Pre-Columbian treponemal disease from 14th century AD Safed,Israel, and implications for the medieval eastern Mediterranean

In 1912, 68 medieval crania were excavated from a cave at Safed in the eastern Mediterranean and brought to the United Kingdom. It is only recently that these skulls have been studied for evidence of disease. One adult individual demonstrates multiple lesions of the cranial vault, compatible with treponematosis. Radiocarbon dating suggests the year of death to be between 1290-1420 AD. This range equates to the mamluk period, just after the crusades. This is the oldest dated case of treponematosis in the Middle East, and the first to confirm its presence there before the epidemiologically important transatlantic voyage of Christopher Columbus. The finding has significant implications for our understanding of the introduction of the disease to the Middle East and of the medieval diagnosis of ulcerating skin conditions by medical practitioners in the Mediterranean world.     

Rethinking the boundaries of Kawasaki disease: toward a revised case definition

This paper describes the historical evolution of the Kawasaki disease (KD) case definition and its limitations for identification and treatment of children at risk for coronary artery aneurysms (CAA). The dominant view of pathogenesis is that an unknown agent infects infants and children, who then develop the signs of KD. Some of the infected infants and children then develop CAA, and a few die from myocardial infarction. Because the etiologic agent remains unknown, diagnosis of KD relies on observation and recognition of the clinical signs that comprise the KD case definition criteria. This approach has been successful in identifying and treating many children at risk for CAA. Unfortunately, however, it has delayed the effective treatment of children who fail to meet the KD case definition criteria but who, nevertheless, develop CAA. The original case definition was developed before the general acceptance of CAA as sequelae of KD, the availability of the echocardiogram, and effective treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin. Despite an evolution in awareness, detection, and treatment of possible CAA sequela, the case definition has not been altered so as to incorporate this knowledge. Our investigation explores the transformation of the case definition from an epidemiological instrument to a diagnostic tool. We urge the construction of a more sensitive KD case definition that includes signs and laboratory findings associated with CAA.     

Technical note: A method for assignment of the weight of characters

The weight of characters is a crucial step in different population analyses. We propose a new formula to facilitate this while establishing a scale that follows the criteria of the probability of change in each character. This method is described for drawing of median‐joining networks, yet it could also be used for other methods in which the weight of the characters is required. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Analysis of treponemal disease in North Africa: The case for Bejel in the Sudan,but absence in West North Africa

Although the periostitis in ancient Sudanese Nubians was clearly treponemal in origin, the challenge was to determine if were the same as the variety (Bejel) historically documented in this century. Comparison with known Bejel in Negev Bedouin revealed an indistinguishable character and pattern of disease. This pattern was easily distinguished from the polyostotic pattern of Yaws. Invariable presence of irregular/striated cortical surface striations (in the presence of sabre shin deformity) and absence of dental abnormalities distinguished the lesions from those of venereal syphilis. Bejel has existed in the Sudan for at least 2000 years, but was apparently not present in other areas of North Africa 3000–7000 years ago.     

Technical note: a re-evaluation of stature estimation from skeletal length in the grave

Several methods for stature estimation have been proposed over the years. Among these methods is anatomical reconstruction, regression based on long bone lengths, and measuring skeletal vertex - talus length in the grave for individuals buried in a supine position. Recent studies have dealt with the applicability of skeletal length in the grave (Petersen: Int J Osteoarchaeol 15 (2005) 106-114) and anatomical reconstruction (Raxter et al.: Am J Phys Anthropol 130 (2006) 374-384). The results from the latter study calls into question the results of the former study. Therefore an investigation of the potential bias of using skeletal length in the grave as an estimate of living stature has been performed. Twenty Medieval Danish skeletons were measured both in situ and in the laboratory, and the anatomically reconstructed stature (Raxter et al.: Am J Phys Anthropol 130 (2006) 374-384) was compared with the skeletal length in the grave. The results show that 2.5 cm should be added to skeletal length in the grave in order to obtain an unbiased estimate ofliving stature.     

A Time for Celebration: 40th Anniversary of GSC and 15th Anniversary of BIG,CAS

正This special collection of Genomics, ProteomicsBioinformatics (GPB) is dedicated to anniversary celebrations of two organizations, of which GPB is an official journal under their auspices. One is the Genetics Society of China (GSC), which was established 40 years ago, and the other is the Beijing Institute of Genomics (BIG), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS),     

Analysis of bomb radiocarbon data for common thresher sharks,Alopias vulpinus,in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean with revised growth curves

Environmental Biology of Fishes - Bomb radiocarbon dating was used to determine the periodicity of band pair formation in the vertebral centra of three common thresher sharks (Alopias vulpinus)....     

Technical note: A report on the Forensic Anthropology Database for Assessing Methods Accuracy

We report on the functionality, available support, and research capability of the Forensic Anthropology Database for Assessing Methods Accuracy (FADAMA; DOJ DUBX0213). FADAMA is an online repository for case data from identified forensic skeletal cases. The goal of FADAMA is to address the lack of adequate measures for assessing accuracy and reliability of forensic anthropology methods. FADAMA requires users to apply for access with their university or organization credentials. Verified users may upload and download anonymized case data via the user interface, after signing a terms of service agreement outlining ethical behavior. Case data uploads require information about the actual biological profile of the decedent and the forensic anthropology estimations. Uploading case data takes approximately 15–25 min. FADAMA users currently have 85 methods to select from when entering case data, with the capability to add new methods as they are developed. Access to the database is free, and online video tutorials are available for users covering database functionality. Currently, the database houses anonymized case data for over 350 identified cases from across the U.S. Funding has been allocated for a database technician to assist offices with large caseloads to upload cases. As it stands, the database is easy to use, and maintains thoughtful tools to assist users. The power of the database to identify trends in both method accuracy and usage is apparent, and will continue to grow as more cases are added.     

Technical note: GAMMORA,a free,open-source,and validated GATE-based model for Monte-Carlo simulations of the Varian TrueBeam

PurposeMonte Carlo (MC) is the reference computation method for medical physics. In radiotherapy, MC computations are necessary for some issues (such as assessing figures of merit, double checks, and dose conversions). A tool based on GATE is proposed to easily create full MC simulations of the Varian TrueBeam STx.MethodsGAMMORA is a package that contains photon phase spaces as a pre-trained generative adversarial network (GAN) and the TrueBeam’s full geometry. It allows users to easily create MC simulations for simple or complex radiotherapy plans such as VMAT. To validate the model, the characteristics of generated photons are first compared to those provided by Varian (IAEA format). Simulated data are also compared to measurements in water and heterogeneous media. Simulations of 8 SBRT plans are compared to measurements (in a phantom). Two examples of applications (a second check and interplay effect assessment) are presented.ResultsThe simulated photons generated by the GAN have the same characteristics (energy, position, and direction) as the IAEA data. Computed dose distributions of simple cases (in water) and complex plans delivered in a phantom are compared to measurements, and the Gamma index (3%/3mm) was always superior to 98%. The feasibility of both clinical applications is shown.ConclusionsThis model is now shared as a free and open-source tool that generates radiotherapy MC simulations. It has been validated and used for five years. Several applications can be envisaged for research and clinical purposes.     

Lessons from Appalachia in the 20th Century: Poverty, Power, and the "Grassroots"

Through an exploration of settings in eastern Kentucky, southwest Virginia, and western North Carolina, this article explores lessons that poor and working class people have to offer about grassroots activism in response to processes of economic restructuring and political disenf ranchisement. In addition to displacing simplistic perspectives on Appalachia, the purpose of this discussion is to consider how anthropologists might more effectively convey the insights of—not simply about—the peoples we study into public policy and debates on "the poor. [Keywords: Appalachia, activism, poverty, economic restructuring]     

A Brief History of the Changing Occupations and Demographics of Coleopterists from the 18th Through the 20th Century

Systematic entomology flourished as a branch of Natural History from the 1750s to the end of the nineteenth century. During this interval, the “era of Heroic Entomology,” the majority of workers in the field were dedicated amateurs. This article traces the demographic and occupational shifts in entomology through this 150-year interval and into the early twentieth century. The survey is based on entomologists who studied beetles (Coleoptera), and who named sufficient numbers of species to have their own names abbreviated by subsequent taxonomists. In the eighteenth century, 27 entomologists achieved this level of prominence, of whom 37% were academics, 19% were doctors, 11% had private incomes, 19% were clergymen, and 8% were government officials. Many of those with private incomes were members of the European aristocracy, and all but one were European men. The nineteenth century list included 192 entomologists, of whom 17% were academics, 16% were museum curators, 2% were school teachers, 15% were doctors, 6% were military men, 7% were merchants, 2% were government entomologists, 6% had private incomes, 5% were clergymen, 5% were government officials, and 4% were lawyers. The demographics of entomology shifted dramatically in the nineteenth century. Whereas many of the noteworthy entomologists of the eighteenth century were German, Swedish, or French, in the nineteenth century, many more European countries are represented, and almost one-fifth of the noteworthy entomologists were from the United States. The nineteenth century list, like the eighteenth century list, contains no women. By the twentieth century, 63% of 178 noteworthy systematic entomologists were paid professionals, teaching entomology courses in universities, or studying insect taxonomy in museums and government-sponsored laboratories. Only one person on the twentieth century list had a private income, but women (ten individuals) were included on the list for the first time.     

Empirical calibrated radiocarbon sampler: a tool for incorporating radiocarbon‐date and calibration error into Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of ancient DNA

Studies of DNA from ancient samples provide a valuable opportunity to gain insight into past evolutionary and demographic processes. Bayesian phylogenetic methods can estimate evolutionary rates and timescales from ancient DNA sequences, with the ages of the samples acting as calibrations for the molecular clock. Sample ages are often estimated using radiocarbon dating, but the associated measurement error is rarely taken into account. In addition, the total uncertainty quantified by converting radiocarbon dates to calendar dates is typically ignored. Here, we present a tool for incorporating both of these sources of uncertainty into Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of ancient DNA. This empirical calibrated radiocarbon sampler (ECRS) integrates the age uncertainty for each ancient sequence over the calibrated probability density function estimated for its radiocarbon date and associated error. We use the ECRS to analyse three ancient DNA data sets. Accounting for radiocarbon‐dating and calibration error appeared to have little impact on estimates of evolutionary rates and related parameters for these data sets. However, analyses of other data sets, particularly those with few or only very old radiocarbon dates, might be more sensitive to using artificially precise sample ages and should benefit from use of the ECRS.     

Technical note on the isolation of HIV from peripheral lymphomonocytes: use of PHA

As a part of ongoing study about the role that different technical factors may play in influencing the sensibility of HIV isolation procedures, the authors have evaluated the effects of PHA stimulation of infected cells on HIV replication in cell cultures. Data presented demonstrate that the use of PHA in cell cultures for HIV isolation causes a slower viral replication and, in some cases, inhibits HIV growth.     

Technical note: A volumetric method for measuring the longitudinal arch of human tracks and feet

Fossil footprints (i.e., tracks) were believed to document arch anatomical evolution, although our recent work has shown that track arches record foot kinematics instead. Analyses of track arches can thereby inform the evolution of human locomotion, although quantifying this 3-D aspect of track morphology is difficult. Here, we present a volumetric method for measuring the arches of 3-D models of human tracks and feet, using both Autodesk Maya and Blender software. The method involves generation of a 3-D object that represents the space beneath the longitudinal arch, and measurement of that arch object's geometry and spatial orientation. We provide relevant tools and guidance for users to apply this technique to their own data. We present three case studies to demonstrate potential applications. These include, (1) measuring the arches of static and dynamic human feet, (2) comparing the arches of human tracks with the arches of the feet that made them, and (3) direct comparisons of human track and foot arch morphology throughout simulated track formation. The volumetric measurement tool proved robust for measuring 3-D models of human tracks and feet, in static and dynamic contexts. This tool enables researchers to quantitatively compare arches of fossil hominin tracks, in order to derive biomechanical interpretations from them, and/or offers a different approach for quantifying foot morphology in living humans.