Cultural conservatism and variability in the Acheulian sequence of Gesher Benot Ya‘aqov

The Acheulian Technocomplex exhibits two phenomena: variability and conservatism. Variability is expressed in the composition and frequencies of tool types, particularly in the varying frequencies of bifaces (handaxes and cleavers). Conservatism is expressed in the continuous presence of bifaces along an immense time trajectory. The site of Gesher Benot Ya‘aqov (GBY) offers a unique opportunity to study aspects of variability and conservatism as a result of its long cultural-stratigraphic sequence containing superimposed lithic assemblages. This study explores aspects of variability and conservatism within the Acheulian lithic assemblages of GBY, with emphasis placed on the bifacial tools. While variability has been studied through a comparison of typological frequencies in a series of assemblages from the site, evidence for conservatism was examined in the production modes expressed by the reduction sequence of the bifaces. We demonstrate that while pronounced typological variability is observed among the GBY assemblages, they were all manufactured by the same technology. The technology, size, and morphology of the bifaces throughout the entire stratigraphic sequence of GBY reflect the strong conservatism of their makers. We conclude that the biface frequency cannot be considered as a chrono/cultural marker that might otherwise allow us to distinguish between different phases within the Acheulian. The variability observed within the assemblages is explained as a result of different activities, tasks, and functions, which were carried out at specific localities along the shores of the paleo-Hula Lake in the early Middle Pleistocene.     

The Acheulean massive scrapers of Gesher Benot Ya'aqov-a product of the biface chaîne opératoire

The presence of large scrapers has been reported from Acheulean sites worldwide but they are rarely described in detail. At Gesher Benot Ya'aqov (GBY), a similar group of artifacts, named here "massive scrapers," was identified as a significant component of the lithic assemblage. In this paper, we define and describe this Acheulean tool type and discuss its size, morphology, and technology. We demonstrate that at GBY these tools were shaped on flakes that were side-products of the reduction sequence to produce bifaces (handaxes and cleavers). We hypothesize that these blanks were rejected as potential bifaces during the knapping sequence but considered suitable for the retouching of massive scrapers, and were set aside for future work. We support our view with data from archaeological finds younger than those of GBY, as well as with evidence from controlled experimental knapping and ethnoarchaeological observations. We then discuss the contribution of this elaborate knapping strategy to our understanding of Lower Paleolithic hominin behavior, particularly in the domains of multifaceted planning and foresight.     

The effect of phenobarbital and 3′-methyl-N,N-dimethyl-4-aminoazobenzene administration on catalytic,binding and immunological properties of ligandin subunits in rat liver

Following administration of phenobarbital to rats, liver ligandin content, bilirubin binding, glutathione-S-transferase and steriod isomerase activities by 150% and the 22 000-dalton subunit was selectively increased. Following adminstration of 3′-methyl-N,N-dimethyl-4-aminoazobenzene, rat liver ligandin content and steroid isomerase decrased by 65%, glutathione-S-transferase incrased by 100%, bilirubin binding was abolished, and the relative proportion of the 22 000- and 25 000-dalton subunits remained unchanged.     

芽前胡的化学成分

从成都产芽前胡Peucedanum turgeniifolium Wolff.中分离鉴定了12个化合物,分别为香豆素化合物佛手柑内酯(bergapten)(1),异欧芹属乙素(isoimperatorin)(2),(±)diisovaleryl-cis-khellactone(3),(±)dihydrosamidin(4),(±)peuformosin(5),(±)cis-khellactone(6),8-(2’,3’-二羟基,3’-甲基-丁基)-伞形花内酯[8-(2’3’-dihydroxy,3’-methyl-butyl)-umbelliferone](7),(±)selinidin(8),turgeniifolin A(9)以及非香豆素化合物硬脂酸(stearic acid),β-谷甾醇(β-sitosterol),甘露醇(d-mannitol)。     

Strontium isotopes in Melanopsis sp. as indicators of variation in hydrology and climate in the Upper Jordan Valley during the Early-Middle Pleistocene, and wider implications

Aquifers dominated by Pleistocene basalts and Jurassic to Cretaceous calcareous rocks feed the Hula basin which is drained by the Jordan River into Lake Kinneret. The sedimentary sequence of Lower-Middle Pleistocene Benot Ya‘akov Formation (BYF) exposed by excavations of the 0.78 Ma lake-side site of Gesher Benot Ya‘aqov (GBY) consists of six cycles representing ca. 100 ka history of the Hula basin. This study characterizes the types of water sources in the catchment, tests the use of the Strontium (Sr) isotopes in the common extant snail Melanopsis sp. as a tracer for water in its habitat, and uses this tracer in the fossil specimens from GBY to investigate the palaeohydrology of the Hula paleolake during the corresponding period.The Sr isotope composition (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) of extant Melanopsis shells in the Hula catchment range widely (0.7046-0.7079). These analyses define distinct groups of water sources and aquifers, while the Jordan River at the GBY site has values around 0.70685. The values for fossil Melanopsis from GBY vary along stratigraphy; they are highest around 0.70710 in Cycles 1 and 2, decrease to around 0.70685 in Cycle 3, and exhibit upward trending fluctuations in the subsequent cycles to 0.70703 in Cycle 6. This trend reveals the dominance of the Hermon Jurassic aquifer during the earlier, colder periods before the Matuyama-Brunhes Boundary (MBB) and enhanced influence of the Golan basaltic aquifers, in subsequent warmer periods, indicating that the MBB coincides with climate warming as supported by other indicators. Hence, this global geochronological indicator of 0.78 Ma is also potentially a global palaeoclimatic marker. The similarity between the Sr isotope composition of the Jordan River waters and Melanopsis and those from Cycle 3 suggests that the current climate corresponds to that of the warmest period within the record of GBY, clarifying the comparative interpretation of this 100 k.yr. climate record.     

CLEC1B Expression and PD-L1 Expression Predict Clinical Outcome in Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Tumor Hemorrhage

Spontaneous tumor hemorrhage (TH) is frequently observed in solid tumors including human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). TH implies fast-growing and worse tumor immunological microenvironment; however, the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. CLEC1B is a signature gene highly associated with tumor progression. PD-L1 expression is a key biomarker predictive of immune checkpoint therapies, which showed astonishing effect on various types of tumor. We assume that, in HCC, TH may closely associate with the expression of these two molecules. In this study, 136 patients with HCC were enrolled. qRT-PCR showed that CLEC1B expression is significantly lower in HCC tumor tissue. Immunohistochemistry of HCC tissue microarrays demonstrated that PD-L1_high and CLEC1B_low expressions were significantly correlated with TH and clinicopathological features indicating worse HCC progression. According to univariate/multivariate analysis, a combination of PD-L1_high and CLEC1B_low expression was an independent prognostic factor indicating the poor outcome. The prognostic value of PD-L1_high and CLEC1B_low was validated by Cox proportional-hazard analyses. Collectively, tumor with TH is closely associated with CLEC1B_low & PD-L1_high expression, which may imply high response of PD-L1/PD-1 immune checkpoint therapies. CLEC1B may be a potential therapeutic target for PD-L1/PD-1 immunotherapy. PD-L1_high and CLEC1B_low can be a valuable prognosis factor implying worse clinical outcomes.     

Chlorophyll isolation,structure and function: major landmarks of the early history of research in the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union

This paper covers major events of the early history of chlorophyll research in the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union from 1771 until 1952, when the modern period of studies on photosynthesis began in full swing. Short biographical sketches of key scientists, reviews of their major research contributions and some selected photographs are included. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Lentic Basommatophora molluscs and hygrophilous land snails as indicators of habitat and climate in the Early-Middle Pleistocene (0.78 Ma) at the site of Gesher Benot Ya‘aqov (GBY), Israel

The lentic Basommatophora molluscs and hygrophilous land snails of the Early-Middle Pleistocene site of Gesher Benot Ya‘aqov (GBY), 0.78 Ma, crossed by the Matuyama-Brunhes chron boundary [MBB] were studied in order to reconstruct their specific habitats and possible reactions to climate change along the site sequence. Samples of equal sizes from 27 of the 46 layers along the 100 k.yr. time-span of the site were examined. About 2000 specimens of 21 lentic and hygrophilous species belonging to five families: Planorbidae (11), Lymnaeidae (6), Acroloxidae (2), Carychiidae (1) and Succineidae (1) were identified. The family with the largest biodiversity is the Planorbidae and of these, the most abundant species include Gyraulus piscinarum (937), Planorbarius corneus (210) and Radix labiata (160). The recent known zoogeographic origin of 81% of the species is Palaearctic and Holarctic.The MBB coincides with remarkable environmental changes reflected in molluscs, other faunal and floral elements and stable isotopes. The Planorbidae and Lymnaeidae reach greater abundance (90% and 80% of their assemblages, respectively) pre-MBB, while Acroloxidae, Succineidae and Carychiidae are more abundant (74%, 64% and 90%) post-MBB.Our data indicate that GBY molluscs show a two-phase pattern (shallow and deep lake) in each of the five defined cycles. Their numbers increase during the shallow water phases, thus the site climate changes from cold and humid in the oldest layers, to dry and cold up to the MBB and few succeeding layers. Between cycles 2 and 3, post-MBB, we see a short period of warm and humid climate that enables the influx of African and Asian elements. At the same time, cold climate species of Euro-Siberian and Palaearctic origin disappear. The succeeding layers indicate a cooler and humid climate. Finally, the sequence indicates deep water in the oldest layers and desiccation towards MBB and deeper water post-MBB.     

野生石芽茶营养成分与药用成分的分析

对广西野生石芽茶中的营养成分及其药用成分进行了系统分析检测。结果表明,该茶叶含有丰富的氨基酸、维生素和无机元素等营养成分,且其药用成分总黄酮的含量为28.4％,明显高于其它茶叶。