Ancient Features Research Articles

Antioxidants by nature: an ancient feature at the heart of flavonoids' multifunctionality.

Antioxidants by nature: an ancient feature at the heart of flavonoids' multifunctionality.

Adrenergic signaling gates astrocyte responsiveness to neurotransmitters and control of neuronal activity.

How astrocytes regulate neuronal circuits is a fundamental, unsolved question in neurobiology. Nevertheless, few studies have explored the rules that govern when astrocytes respond to different neurotransmitters in vivo and how they affect downstream circuit modulation. Here, we report an unexpected mechanism in Drosophila by which G-protein coupled adrenergic signaling in astrocytes can control, or "gate," their ability to respond to other neurotransmitters. Further, we show that manipulating this pathway potently regulates neuronal circuit activity and animal behavior. Finally, we demonstrate that this gating mechanism is conserved in mammalian astrocytes, arguing it is an ancient feature of astrocyte circuit function. Our work establishes a new mechanism by which astrocytes dynamically respond to and modulate neuronal activity in different brain regions and in different behavioral states.

Base-metal exploration by using remote sensing, geological, geophysical, and geochemical datasets with clues from ancient mining: A comprehensive review on Aravalli-Delhi Fold Belt, Rajasthan, India

Base metal deposits are present in different continents with evidences of their mining activities during ancient times as mentioned in the historical literature. Aravalli – Delhi Fold Belt (ADFB) in Rajasthan, India is having numerous base metal prospects where ancient mining signages are recorded. Modern-day mining has commenced taking clues from these evidences. Present-day techniques such as remote sensing, geological mapping, geophysical survey, geochemical survey, and exploration/drilling are utilized for the identification of surficial ancient mining features and identification of the mineralized zones. These techniques utilize their unique criteria to get an idea of the mineral association. The integration of all the unique characteristics of modern techniques with the help of weighted overlay analysis, fuzzy logic, multi-criteria overlay analysis, etc. helps to identify the mineral potential zones from the ancient working sites. Their integrated results provide the surficial as well as sub-surficial information of the region that gives a better revelation about the region and helps in decision-making towards the mineralization status of the region. World-over surficial ancient features have been recorded in exploratory sites for base metals, and the case histories where integrated techniques were used for mineral exploration are discussed. Zawar – Dungarpur belt also has the potential for base metals therefore, the boolean approach, weighted overlay, and multi-criteria overlay analysis were performed using remote sensing, structural, and geochemical datasets. The integrated results showed that the head zone and southern broader part near Keekawat have the potential for base metals.

Reassessment of the genetic basis of natural rifampin resistance in the genus Rickettsia.

Rickettsia, a genus of obligate intracellular bacteria, includes species that cause significant human diseases. This study challenges previous claims that the Leucine-973 residue in the RNA polymerase beta subunit is the primary determinant of rifampin resistance in Rickettsia. We investigated a previously untested Rickettsia species, R. lusitaniae, from the Transitional group and found it susceptible to rifampin, despite possessing the Leu-973 residue. Interestingly, we observed the conservation of this residue in several rifampin-susceptible species across most Rickettsia phylogenetic groups. Comparative genomics revealed potential alternative resistance mechanisms, including additional amino acid variants that could hinder rifampin binding and genes that could facilitate rifampin detoxification through efflux pumps. Importantly, the evolutionary history of Rickettsia genomes indicates that the emergence of natural rifampin resistance is phylogenetically constrained within the genus, originating from ancient genetic features shared among a unique set of closely related Rickettsia species. Phylogenetic patterns appear to be the most reliable predictors of natural rifampin resistance, which is confined to a distinct monophyletic subclade known as Massiliae. The distinctive features of the RNA polymerase beta subunit in certain untested Rickettsia species suggest that R. raoultii, R. amblyommatis, R. gravesii, and R. kotlanii may also be naturally rifampin-resistant species.

New data on the connections of ancient settlers of Nakhchivan with the Near East

Archaeological sites identified by studies of 2010–2021 on the territory of Nakhchivan made it possible to supply the gap between the Late Neolithic and Eneolithic Chalcolithic periods. The presence of ancient Eastern features – Halaf and Obeid ones – is noted in the materials of Nakhchivan Tepe, Uçan-Ağıl, Bulovkaya and Uzunoba. It can be assumed that the settlements of Nakhchivan Tepe and Bulovkaya were strongholds or colonies of newcomers – bearers of Middle Eastern cultural traditions.

Places they remember: Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields.

Three popular songs of enormous cultural significance are ‘In My Life’, ‘Penny Lane’ and ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’, all released by the Beatles in the 1960s and all set in the same part of Liverpool. In an original investigation, this article looks into the growth of that part of the city from the mid-nineteenth century to the 1950s, examining the changes to the landscape. This was as the initially rural environment gave way to a typical twentieth-century townscape of houses, roads, parks and schools. The memories of people who resided there are related and these along with old maps, photographs, newspaper articles and census details are examined to give a sense of the lived-in location that inspired the lyrics of Paul McCartney and John Lennon. The phenomenon of palimpsest – ancient features slightly visible underneath modern ones – is applied to this study of the location and a new concept of inverse palimpsest – the old consciously superimposed on the new – is put forward in a novel approach to landscape analysis.

Research on the Spatial and Temporal Distribution and Evolution Characteristics of Ancient Architectural Heritage in Southeastern Zhejiang

Southeastern Zhejiang boasts a large number of ancient architectural heritage sites and features, representing a rich cultural heritage. However, this region lacks a unified and effective planning system and coordination mechanism. Each county and city operates independently, resulting in low levels of resource sharing and utilization. There is a lack of a long-term, comprehensive, and effective planning and management framework. Therefore, this study focuses on 268 ancient architectural heritage sites in southeastern Zhejiang. By employing correlation analysis methods on the ArcGIS platform, this study summarizes the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics and evolutionary patterns of ancient architectural heritage. The study aims to provide guidance for subsequent comprehensive research, protection, and planning, thereby achieving the sustainable development of the region’s ancient architectural cultural heritage. The conclusions are as follows: (1) Southeastern Zhejiang’s ancient architectural heritage has formed an overall spatial distribution pattern known as the “three cores and three belts”. Targeted sustainable development strategies for ancient architectural heritage can be proposed accordingly. (2) The overall spatial distribution of ancient architectural cultural heritage in southeastern Zhejiang is highly correlated with the natural environment. It is important to consider the correlation between the overall spatial distribution of ancient architectural cultural heritage and the natural environment in the region during subsequent development. (3) The distribution of newly added architectural heritage in southeastern Zhejiang is influenced by factors such as water resource reforms, immigration policies, administrative changes, and cultural ideologies. Throughout history, southeastern Zhejiang has exhibited different spatial distribution structures, laying the foundation for the study of its genealogy and lineage of ancient architectural heritage. The contribution of this research lies in providing targeted references for the coordinated development and systematic revitalization of ancient architectural cultural heritage for the future of southeastern Zhejiang.

Cracks Detection of Ancient Objects using Neural Network

Preserving and maintaining the structural integrity of ancient architectural features is of crucial importance for cultural heritage conservation. Over time, these historical sites often acquire fissures and structural problems, offering considerable obstacles for restoration and protection initiatives. In this paper, we offer a novel strategy to solve the essential issue of crack detection in historic sites by employing Deep Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). To evaluate the model's performance, we conducted trials on a wide range of photos documenting ancient places from throughout the world. The application of deep CNNs in fracture detection for ancient places promises to be a valuable tool for cultural preservation, enabling more efficient and preventive maintenance measures.

A bird's eye view of the hippocampus beyond space: Behavioral, neuroanatomical, and neuroendocrine perspectives

Although the hippocampus is one of the most-studied brain regions in mammals, research on the avian hippocampus has been more limited in scope. It is generally agreed that the hippocampus is an ancient feature of the amniote brain, and therefore homologous between the two lineages. Because birds and mammals are evolutionarily not very closely related, any shared anatomy is likely to be crucial for shared functions of their hippocampi. These functions, in turn, are likely to be essential if they have been conserved for over 300 million years. Therefore, research on the avian hippocampus can help us understand how this brain region evolved and how it has changed over evolutionary time. Further, there is a strong research foundation in birds on hippocampal-supported behaviors such as spatial navigation, food caching, and brood parasitism that scientists can build upon to better understand how hippocampal anatomy, network circuitry, endocrinology, and physiology can help control these behaviors. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the avian hippocampus in spatial cognition as well as in regulating anxiety, approach-avoidance behavior, and stress responses. Although there are still some questions about the exact number of subdivisions in the avian hippocampus and how that might vary in different avian families, there is intriguing evidence that the avian hippocampus might have complementary functional profiles along the rostral-caudal axis similar to the dorsal-ventral axis of the rodent hippocampus, where the rostral/dorsal hippocampus is more involved in cognitive processes like spatial learning and the caudal/ventral hippocampus regulates emotional states, anxiety, and the stress response. Future research should focus on elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms – including endocrinological - in the avian hippocampus that underlie behaviors such as spatial navigation, spatial memory, and anxiety-related behaviors, and in so doing, resolve outstanding questions about avian hippocampal function and organization.

Nie tylko Bulla gnieźnieńska. O znaczeniu dokumentu fundacyjnego Zbyluta (1153) dla polskich badań historycznojęzykowych

NOT ONLY BULL OF GNIEZNO: ON THE IMPORTANCE OF ZBYLUT’S FOUNDATION DOCUMENT (1153) FOR POLISH HISTORICAL AND LINGUISTIC RESEARCH. PART 3: TOWARDS TRANSCRIPTION This article is the third part of a series dedicated to the documents sharing the name of “Zbylut’s foundation document”. The aim of the first part was to bring the three 12th-century documents into the field of interest of philologists and to review the historical literature with a view to identifying threads that may be relevant to philological (historical-linguistic) research, while the second part brought ananswer to the question of the relationship between the surviving documents, the degree of imitation between them, and the number of writers who were their authors. The present, third part, shows how complicated (and sometimes impossible) it is to get to the wording of the Zbylut document’s records and what procedures are used to do so. A comparison and analysis of selected records from the oldest three documents indicates the place of graphic substitution, the custom of redrawing records and the Latinization of records in the hierarchy of successive filters imposed on the record. We have also tried to show how making different assumptions leads to completely different readings of the same name and to different hypotheses about the presumed sound of its name. We have also discussed the consequences of “translating” a name written in simple graphics into the modern alphabet with which, according to the essence of transcription, ancient phonetic features were to be expressed, and which, aswe often get the impression, is no better suited for this than the graphics used by 12th-century scribes. We also took up the theme of the indispensable cooperation of historians and philologists in finding out the truth hidden in the oldest records of Polish proper names.

Ordination-based verification of feature selection in pattern evolution research

This article explains the idea of pattern systems that develop gradually. These systems involve symbolic communication that includes symbols, syntax, and layout rules. Some pattern systems change over time, like historical scripts. The scientific study of pattern systems is called pattern evolution research, and scriptinformatics is concerned with the modelling of the evolution of scripts. The symbol series consists of symbols from a pattern system, while the graph sequence is a symbol sequence applied with a specific technology. This article describes a method for examining tested pattern systems to confirm their classification, which focuses on more ancient features. The method’s effectiveness was tested on Rovash scripts and graph sequences. Multivariate analysis was carried out by using PAST4 software, employing principal coordinates analysis ordination and k-means clustering algorithms.

Фонетические особенности гайнинского говора северо-западного диалекта башкирского языка (на материале Бардымского округа Пермского края)

The study aims to describe the current linguistic state of the phonetic features characterising the Gaina subdialect of the northwestern dialect of the Bashkir language involving the material collected in the Bardymsky district of Perm Krai. The study is novel in that it is the first in Bashkir linguistics to consider the features of the Gaina subdialect in a comprehensive manner using the example of the Bardymsky district of Perm Krai, as well as taking into account the impact of socio-economic and socio-political changes on the spiritual culture of the above-mentioned subject of the Russian Federation. As a result of analysing the oral linguistic material collected from residents of more than thirty settlements in the Bardymsky district of Perm Krai, it has been found that the language of the Gaina people is very distinctive and differs significantly from dialects of the Bashkir and Tatar languages in terms of preservation of ancient linguistic features, especially phonetic and morphological ones. The phonetic and orthoepic features of the subdialect include such phenomena as the narrowing of wide vowels in the positions of a stressed checked syllable, less often also in a free syllable, sounds alternations, both of vowels and consonants, reduction, prothesis, epenthesis, labialisation, palatal harmony loss (when certain affixes are attached to words and in the process of elision), dropping of sounds, positional length of vowels.

ON THE QUESTION OF USING GIS TOOLS IN THE STUDY OF PALEOVALLEY IN THE VERCHNY PRUT BASIN

This article is devoted to the complex issue of the use of GIS in the study of the stages of the formation of the water network of the rivers of the Ukrainian Carpathians, the identification and study of ancient flow valleys, morphogenesis and features of high terrace levels and paleovalleys in different periods of their formation. It is the use of new modern methods of digital mapping and geo-informational tools in research that allows us to look in a new way at the seemingly already known and defined problematic issues of the clarity of the stages of the origin and formation of the basins of the river systems of the Ukrainian Carpathians and their gradual stabilization within modern limits. It would seem that the position of leading specialists, Ukrainian geomorphologists (P. M. Tsis, K. I. Gerenchuk, M. S. Kozhurinoi, Y.S. Kravchuk, V. M. Klapchuk and others) has been clearly formulated for a long time thanks to the use of new geoinformation technologies and accessibility to modern software opens up new opportunities for its review and refinement. Currently, an important aspect of the study of basin systems of mountain regions, such as the territory of the Ukrainian Carpathians, is the application of not just a cartographic research method, with the corresponding results of visualization, zoning or the creation of appropriate map schemes, but the use of system analysis, thanks to GIS applications (TIN interpolation qgis) and the creation of appropriate models, which allows us to reveal in more detail the complex issues of the transformation of ancient valleys and their modern reflection in the relief of this territory. It is the ambiguous conclusions and results of previous researchers that encourage the use of new, more progressive methods, which will make it possible to better substantiate and determine how the processes of restructuring of the river network of the southeastern macroslope of the Ukrainian Carpathians took place, as well as to reveal the reasons for these changes. It is especially important to take into account and rely on changes in the configuration of the Upper Prut river system network at various stages of its functioning and development. This complex and not fully resolved issue, the transformation of ancient flow valleys in the Pliocene–Pleistocene period, is extremely important for the understanding of modern channel processes on the rivers of the Upper Pruth basin, as it still has a significant impact on the perception of the modern view of the river network of the studied basin and the inherited nature of macroforms riverbed in its separate sections. Keywords: GIS; digital topographic base of the Earth: SRTM; paleogeomorphological analysis; paleovalley Chornyy Cheremosh river; paleovalley Chornа Tysa river; paleovalley of the Lyuchka and Oslava rivers.

Analysis of artistic features of ancient Chinese literary works based on multi-scale feature fusion network

Abstract Against the background of the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology, the use of artificial intelligence technology to improve the efficiency of artistic feature analysis of ancient Chinese literary works has become a hot topic of current research in literature. In this paper, we propose a multi-scale feature fusion network for the artistic feature analysis of ancient Chinese literary works to address the problems of a single structure and inflexible adaptation of features that appear in RPN networks and path aggregation networks. Then, features are extracted from ancient Chinese literary works, and several adaptive multi-scale feature extraction modules are used to squeeze the incentive and adaptive gating mechanisms for artistic feature extraction and fusion. Finally, the evaluation index system of artistic features of literary works is constructed, and the multi-scale feature fusion network weights the artistic features of ancient Chinese literature. The results show that the average weights of humanistic spiritual features, national patriotic features, literary emotional features and transformative artistic features in ancient Chinese literature and art features are 26.11%, 24.97%, 23.89% and 25.03%, respectively, and the average weight of humanistic spiritual features performs better compared with the other three. This study analyzes the artistic characteristics and cultural values of ancient literary works, which is an effective initiative for modern people to study ancient culture and inherit the national spirit and has important historical significance for developing Chinese literature.

DNA-PK and the TRF2 iDDR inhibit MRN-initiated resection at leading-end telomeres.

Telomeres replicated by leading-strand synthesis lack the 3' overhang required for telomere protection. Surprisingly, resection of these blunt telomeres is initiated by the telomere-specific 5' exonuclease Apollo rather than the Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1 (MRN) complex, the nuclease that acts at DNA breaks. Without Apollo, leading-end telomeres undergo fusion, which, as demonstrated here, is mediated by alternative end joining. Here, we show that DNA-PK and TRF2 coordinate the repression of MRN at blunt mouse telomeres. DNA-PK represses an MRN-dependent long-range resection, while the endonuclease activity of MRN-CtIP, which could cleave DNA-PK off of blunt telomere ends, is inhibited in vitro and in vivo by the iDDR of TRF2. AlphaFold-Multimer predicts a conserved association of the iDDR with Rad50, potentially interfering with CtIP binding and MRN endonuclease activation. We propose that repression of MRN-mediated resection is a conserved aspect of telomere maintenance and represents an ancient feature of DNA-PK and the iDDR.

Not up in smoke: Lipid and phytolith evidence for the function of combustion features at CA-ALA-11, a San Francisco Bay area shellmound

Ash and black char samples from seven combustion features at CA-ALA-11, an Early to Middle Period (ca. 2500 cal BCE to 585 cal CE) shellmound site on the San Francisco Bay shoreline, were analyzed for lipid, isotope, and phytolith content. Three features were intermingled with human burials and four were from nearby contexts not directly associated with human remains. Unlike more fragile biomolecules and floral remains, lipids and phytoliths can survive exposure to high temperatures. Together, these techniques supply independent and complementary lines of data for considering past cultural practices, local ecology, and post-depositional contributions. Our results shed light on the function and content of several combustion features, highlighting the untapped potential of such applications in the archaeology of California and elsewhere in North America. We focus on two combustion features with very different purposes. One appears to be the burnt remains of a basket (or possibly, a woven mat) coated with bitumen. This feature was associated with a burial and the basket or other woven object may have been burned as part of the funerary ceremony. Another feature, not directly associated with a burial, was composed of burned oyster shells and layered with leaves from a broadleaf tree—seemingly the remains of an ancient cooking feature for baking/steaming shellfish. Though small, this study demonstrates that analysis of sediments from combustion features can provide behavioral and ecological insights while avoiding destructive analysis of artifacts or human remains. We conclude with simple recommendations for integrating phytolith and lipid analysis of combustion features in future archaeological projects.

The Civility of Mandigak is the Heritage of the Ancestors

Mandigak, the most proud ancient region of Afghanistan, is located 50 kilometers northwest of Kandahar City. Kandahar province, with famous historical sites such as Mandigak Hill, etc., are places that have mostly attracted the attention of archaeologists, tourists and domestic and foreign researchers. Each of these places has a story from the distant past and shows the religious conditions religious, political, social and cultural of this province. In addition to that, the existence of such historical places represents the living conditions of the past people in our minds to some extent; this region had a good climate and fertile land; therefore, it created a very good environment for the life of the old tribes. The purpose of this research is to identify a number of ancient and historical features of Mandigak, which have been less discussed or debated so far. Introducing the real image of the ancient site of Mandigak to consolidate the country's rich history not only for the country's residents; It includes the most important and fundamental goal of this article, and the materials prepared in this article will be considered useful and valuable as a curriculum for improving the scientific capacity of students. In the research method section of this article, considering the library method of authentic domestic and foreign books and materials, authentic journals and internet sites, analyzing historical data using modern methods with methods of analysis and analysis is a research work to prove a large number of desired materials for writing materials.

Cytoplasmic Polyadenylation Is an Ancestral Hallmark of Early Development in Animals.

Differential regulation of gene expression has produced the astonishing diversity of life on Earth. Understanding the origin and evolution of mechanistic innovations for control of gene expression is therefore integral to evolutionary and developmental biology. Cytoplasmic polyadenylation is the biochemical extension of polyadenosine at the 3'-end of cytoplasmic mRNAs. This process regulates the translation of specific maternal transcripts and is mediated by the Cytoplasmic Polyadenylation Element-Binding Protein family (CPEBs). Genes that code for CPEBs are amongst a very few that are present in animals but missing in nonanimal lineages. Whether cytoplasmic polyadenylation is present in non-bilaterian animals (i.e., sponges, ctenophores, placozoans, and cnidarians) remains unknown. We have conducted phylogenetic analyses of CPEBs, and our results show that CPEB1 and CPEB2 subfamilies originated in the animal stem lineage. Our assessment of expression in the sea anemone, Nematostella vectensis (Cnidaria), and the comb jelly, Mnemiopsis leidyi (Ctenophora), demonstrates that maternal expression of CPEB1 and the catalytic subunit of the cytoplasmic polyadenylation machinery (GLD2) is an ancient feature that is conserved across animals. Furthermore, our measurements of poly(A)-tail elongation reveal that key targets of cytoplasmic polyadenylation are shared between vertebrates, cnidarians, and ctenophores, indicating that this mechanism orchestrates a regulatory network that is conserved throughout animal evolution. We postulate that cytoplasmic polyadenylation through CPEBs was a fundamental innovation that contributed to animal evolution from unicellular life.

Functional differentiation of Sec13 paralogues in the euglenozoan protists.

The β-propeller protein Sec13 plays roles in at least three distinct processes by virtue of being a component of the COPII endoplasmic reticulum export vesicle coat, the nuclear pore complex (NPC) and the Seh1-associated (SEA)/GATOR nutrient-sensing complex. This suggests that regulatory mechanisms coordinating these cellular activities may operate via Sec13. The NPC, COPII and SEA/GATOR are all ancient features of eukaryotic cells, and in the vast majority of eukaryotes, a single Sec13 gene is present. Here we report that the Euglenozoa, a lineage encompassing the diplonemid, kinetoplastid and euglenid protists, possess two Sec13 paralogues. Furthermore, based on protein interactions and localization studies we show that in diplonemids Sec13 functions are divided between the Sec13a and Sec13b paralogues. Specifically, Sec13a interacts with COPII and the NPC, while Sec13b interacts with Sec16 and components of the SEA/GATOR complex. We infer that euglenozoan Sec13a is responsible for NPC functions and canonical anterograde transport activities while Sec13b acts within nutrient and autophagy-related pathways, indicating a fundamentally distinct organization of coatomer complexes in euglenozoan flagellates.

Parallels in the solar myths of the Turks, Mongolian peoples and Eastern Finno-Ugric peoples

The subject of this study is parallels in the solar myths of the Turks, Mongolian peoples and Eastern Finno-Ugric peoples. This article is a continuation of a previously published article devoted to the review and analysis of lunar motives in the beliefs of these ethnic groups. As in the previous work, the authors attempted, based on a comparative analysis of mythological images and plots, and specifically solar myths, to provide additional arguments in favor of confirming V.V. Napolsky's hypothesis about the existence of a special North Asian community of mythologies of the peoples of Northern Eurasia. Based on the conducted review analysis, based on the research scientists, the authors came to the following conclusions. Firstly, among the Turks, Mongolian peoples and eastern Finno-Ugric peoples, solar myths retain a number of common archaic features: the insignificant role of the sun compared to the role of the moon in some beliefs and rituals, the idea of ancient, several suns. Secondly, as it was already pointed out in the previous article, the mythologeme about the emergence of the sun from water acts as a characteristic Ural-Altai element. Images of the sun in the form of a man, an animal, an eye, a monster, and a predominantly female character should also be attributed to the category of ancient features in the solar myths of these peoples. Thirdly, the Turks, the Mongolian peoples and the eastern Finno-Ugrians already have a noticeable rise in the role of the sun, the cult of the "sun king", which is associated with the change of matriarchy to patriarchy, the transition to agriculture and cattle breeding. Thus, new arguments were obtained in favor of V.V. Napolsky's assumption about the existence of a North Asian mythological union.