Chronological Evaluation Research Articles

A Chronological Perspective on the Acheulian and Its Transition to the Middle Stone Age in Southern Africa: The Question of the Fauresmith

An understanding of the age of the Acheulian and the transition to the Middle Stone Age in southern Africa has been hampered by a lack of reliable dates for key sequences in the region. A number of researchers have hypothesised that the Acheulian first occurred simultaneously in southern and eastern Africa at around 1.7-1.6 Ma. A chronological evaluation of the southern African sites suggests that there is currently little firm evidence for the Acheulian occurring before 1.4 Ma in southern Africa. Many researchers have also suggested the occurrence of a transitional industry, the Fauresmith, covering the transition from the Early to Middle Stone Age, but again, the Fauresmith has been poorly defined, documented, and dated. Despite the occurrence of large cutting tools in these Fauresmith assemblages, they appear to include all the technological components characteristic of the MSA. New data from stratified Fauresmith bearing sites in southern Africa suggest this transitional industry maybe as old as 511–435 ka and should represent the beginning of the MSA as a broad entity rather than the terminal phase of the Acheulian. The MSA in this form is a technology associated with archaic H. sapiens and early modern humans in Africa with a trend of greater complexity through time.

Chronological evaluation of inflammatory mediators during peritoneal adhesion formation using a rat model

The inflammatory response to peritoneal injury is considered to be of particular importance in adhesion formation. The aim of this study was to investigate the dynamics of inflammatory mediators in peritoneal adhesions. In 60 male rats, a peritoneal defect was performed using a standardized cecal abrasion model. On days 3, 5, 14, 30, 60, and 90, ten animals were sacrificed. The expression of five integral mediators for the cellular immune response (macrophages, T lymphocytes), inflammation (COX-2), cell differentiation, and proliferation (ß-catenin, c-myc) in visceral and parietal adhesions were analyzed. A distinct infiltration of macrophages was observed in all animals up to the 90th postoperative day with a peak on day 3 for visceral adhesions (26.3 ± 5.6%) and on day 14 for parietal adhesions (5.1 ± 1.1%). Compared to parietal adhesions, macrophage levels were significantly higher on day 3 (p = 0.001) and 5 (p = 0.002) but significantly lower on days 30, 60, and 90 in visceral adhesions (p = 0.041; p = 0.001; p = 0.017). T lymphocytes were detected over time with the highest levels on day 3 (visceral 4.0 ± 0.7%; parietal 6.7 ± 2.9%). High levels of COX-2 expression could be detected for the whole observation period. Positive expression of both ß-catenin and c-myc was detected in persistent adhesions; however, no expression of c-myc was observed in parietal adhesions. The inflammatory reaction in adhesions is not limited to the early postoperative phase. Macrophages may be fundamental in triggering adhesions, and the presence of T cells indicates an additional role of the adoptive immune system. Identification of chemokines and chemokine receptors that trigger the cellular immune response might be a potential option to minimize adhesion formation.

Chronological evaluation and causal relationships between physical and social health for the urban elderly dwellers

Chronological evaluation and causal relationships between physical and social health for the urban elderly dwellers

Evaluation of the environmental policy and impact assessment process in Ethiopia

This paper reviews the Ethiopian Environmental Policy with focus on the institutional set-up and implemented Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedures. The evaluation of EIA is done against a set of evaluation criteria. Specific legal provision for EIA application is well documented and the Environmental Protection Authority exists as the legal body. A chronological evaluation of the establishment of the environmental policy reveals that this process was more a result of donor requirements than of political will. Inconsistency on institutional level, non-existence of complementarities between institutions, and of environmental and investment policy and proclamations, contradict the enforcement of the EIA law. Furthermore lack of multidisciplinary experts, missing environmental baseline data, and lack of monitoring and post-auditing adversely affect the effectiveness of the EIA law. The paper concludes that, besides other important measures, the Ethiopian EIA law needs to be adapted.

Histological age determination of venous thrombosis: A neglected forensic task in fatal pulmonary thrombo-embolism

The histological age determination of venous thromboses in fatal pulmonary embolism cases is an important task of forensic medicine and requires thorough knowledge of the general and specific pathology of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). The aim of our investigation was to carry out a chronological evaluation of the deep venous thrombosis (DVT) phenomenon, to assess the chronological transformation of the thrombus and to determine the causal relationship with PTE as cause of death. The clinical data and the autopsy records of the 2843 autopsies performed over the period 1 November 1998 to 31 December 2007 were retrospectively evaluated, and 140 cases in which PTE was pointed out as cause of death were selected. The dissection of the deep veins of the legs has been performed systematically to search for the starting point of venous embolism. 4.5% of pulmonary embolisms originated in the in iliac veins, 20.7% in the femoral veins, and 74.8% in the deep crural veins. In the venous sites of thrombosis, the histological assessment has been performed in conjunction with the surrounding vascular wall of uncut blood vessel with at least three to six different transverse incisions. Histological assessment of the embolus samples was also performed in conjunction with the venous sites of thrombosis. In our selected 140 cases of PTE, the DVT was classified as phase 1 in 48 cases (34.29%), as phase 2 in 70 cases (50%), and 22 cases (15.71%) were evaluated as older than 2 months (phase 3). The observed transformation of the thrombus by organization is suitable for a forensically utilizable age determination. However, only three chronological stages can be distinguished with any degree of certainty using immunohistochemistry and CLSM.

Detection of malicious code by applying machine learning classifiers on static features: A state-of-the-art survey

This research synthesizes a taxonomy for classifying detection methods of new malicious code by Machine Learning (ML) methods based on static features extracted from executables. The taxonomy is then operationalized to classify research on this topic and pinpoint critical open research issues in light of emerging threats. The article addresses various facets of the detection challenge, including: file representation and feature selection methods, classification algorithms, weighting ensembles, as well as the imbalance problem, active learning, and chronological evaluation. From the survey we conclude that a framework for detecting new malicious code in executable files can be designed to achieve very high accuracy while maintaining low false positives (i.e. misclassifying benign files as malicious). The framework should include training of multiple classifiers on various types of features (mainly OpCode and byte n-grams and Portable Executable Features), applying weighting algorithm on the classification results of the individual classifiers, as well as an active learning mechanism to maintain high detection accuracy. The training of classifiers should also consider the imbalance problem by generating classifiers that will perform accurately in a real-life situation where the percentage of malicious files among all files is estimated to be approximately 10%.

A Chronological Stability Evaluation of Implanted Structures via Resonance Frequency Analysis

In our continually aging society, dental care professionals now have the option of using implants in addition to conventional defect prosthodontics to repair defects, and we can now better respond to a variety of defects. However, there are growing demands from patients for not only the recovery of oral function, but also strong urgings for the therapy to focus on prosthodontic morphology, esthetics, a shortening of the duration of the therapy, and convenience, among others.

Early development of the chondrocranium in Salmo letnica(Karaman, 1924)(Teleostei: Salmonidae)

The ontogenetic development of the chondrocranium of Ohrid trout Salmo letnica was studied from hatching until 92 days post‐hatching (dph). Most of the samples were in toto trypsin cleared and stained, some specimens were used for serial histological sectioning. The serial histological sections of fish specimens at the age of 92 dph were used for a graphical reconstruction of the cartilaginous neurocranium. A chronological evaluation of the formation of the cartilaginous skull in the early development of S. letnica was performed. In order to investigate to what degree the ontogeny of the Ohrid trout is unique, the results were compared with data of the development of other salmonids, as well as some non‐salmonid teleosts. The development of the cartilaginous structures of the Ohrid trout was found to be similar to that of other salmonids. Most of the cartilage structures of the neurocranium and the viscerocranium are present at the moment of hatching of this species. A fully developed chondrocranium was observed at the age of 92 dph, when the first signs of cartilage resorption could also be observed.

Pre-Middle Bronze Age metal objects from inland Western Anatolia : A typological and chronological evaluation

Pre-Middle Bronze Age metal objects from inland Western Anatolia : A typological and chronological evaluation

Chronological evaluation for frequency of crowding with chronological change of tooth size and jaw size : mini-review

Chronological evaluation for frequency of crowding with chronological change of tooth size and jaw size : mini-review

Historical pollution of seldom monitored trace elements in Sweden—Part A: Sediment properties and chronological indicators

Sediment cores from four small oligotrophic boreal lakes, with minor acidification, in remote regions of central Sweden were used for historical interpretation of their metal content, with focus on Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn in Lake Stensjön, which has the longest sediment record (at least two centuries according to (210)Pb dating). Comparison is made with the other three lakes. Major and trace elements in lake water, porewater and the acid-leached (HNO(3)) solid sediment phase was analysed with ICP-MS. In addition, general lake water chemistry, TOC and principal anions were measured in the aqueous phases. Redistribution processes were interpreted from geochemical modelling. The solid/solution distribution of pe/pH sensitive elements, indicates a minor diagenetic redistribution and the concentration profiles are therefore suitable for chronological evaluation. The ratios of Al, Ti, Sc and V, indicated a qualitative shift of sedimenting material a century ago, which did not have any impact on the retention of trace elements. Lead had a concentration profile, supported by the (206)Pb/(207)Pb ratio, where it was possible to distinguish preindustrial conditions, early industrialisation in Europe, industrialisation in Sweden, and the use of leaded petrol after the Second World War. Cadmium showed a similar concentration pattern. The zinc profile resembled that of cadmium, but with less enrichment. Local lithogenic sources are believed to be quantitatively important. The solid/solution distribution (K(d)) was independent of depth for all four elements. The sediment concentrations of copper and zinc are not related to early industrialisation but its concentration has doubled since the Second World War.

Circannual variation in the onset and relapse of steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome

Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome is the most common form of nephrotic syndrome in children, but little is known about the etiology of the disease. To obtain new insights into the etiology of the disease, we studied circannual patterns of initial episodes and relapses of steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS). From 1986 to 2003, there were 45 children with SSNS in our hospital, and they experienced 43 relapses during that period. Initial episodes of SSNS were found to show significant circannual variation with an autumn peak both by Roger's test and Freedman's test, and the circannual pattern was more obvious in patients with high serum IgE levels. Chronological evaluation by means of Fourier analysis showed a clear circannual pattern. In contrast, relapses of SSNS showed circannual variation with a spring peak, which was a result of a high frequency of relapses after upper respiratory infections in January. These results suggest that circannual variation in initial episodes of SSNS might be associated with allergic predisposition, whereas circannual variation in relapses might be associated with preceding upper respiratory infections.

Radiocarbon Dates from the Catacombs of St. Callixtus in Rome

This paper reports the first chronological assessment of the Christian catacombs of Rome by radiocarbon dating. The organic materials dated were found in a set of burial rooms in the so-called Liberian region of the catacombs of St. Callixtus on the Appian Way. 14C dating of small samples by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) represents a major advance over traditional archaeological dating methods used in catacomb archaeology; however, AMS 14C dating raises questions about sample reliability and chronological evaluation. We briefly explore these questions.

Radiographic Survey of Third Molar Development in Relation to Chronological Age Among Japanese Juveniles

The aim of the present study was to establish Japanese reference material on the third molar development of Japanese juveniles for forensic application. Observations were performed on the orthopantomograms of 1282 Japanese patients between the ages of 14.0 and 24.0 years. Demirjian formation stages of the maxillary and mandibular third molars were recorded for chronological evaluation of wisdom teeth and applied for further statistical analysis. Statistically significant differences were noted between the upper and lower jaws and genders. Accordingly, males achieved root developmental grades earlier than females. We assessed the mean ages for all formation grades and predicted the probability that a Japanese juvenile would be older than the relevant ages of 14, 16, and 20 as defined by Japanese Juvenile Law. We determined the likelihood that a Japanese youth is older than the relevant age of 18 as defined by legislation in the United States.

Application of tephrochronology to the timing and correlation of palaeoceanographic events recorded in Holocene and Late Glacial shelf sediments off North Iceland

The north Icelandic shelf is partly distinguished by the Tjörnes Fracture Zone featuring numerous active basins in a mud-dominated shelf environment. Late Glacial and Holocene high-resolution sedimentary records from this area have been studied with tephrochronology as the main tool for correlation and for exact timing of palaeoceanographic events in the area. Data from three new piston cores from the shelf demonstrate the importance of tephra markers for the first chronological evaluation and correlation of the cores. The correlation is extended with lithological logs and with magnetic susceptibility records. A detailed multidisciplinary study (including biostratigraphy and tephrochronology) of a late Holocene record of predominantly muddy sediments at the same location demonstrates that marked variations in the distribution of water masses occurred repeatedly through the last 4500 cal. yr. Of special interest is the exact timing of a marked drop in sea-surface temperature in the area, indicated by ice rafting debris concentration, to about 50 years before the Hekla 3 eruption, which occurred at 2980 cal. yr BP. This appears to predate most records of a general cooling event in NW Europe by a couple of centuries. Two different possible age models, one based on 14C dates combined with tephra markers and one based on tephra markers alone, are discussed in context with the problem of different marine reservoir ages of the water masses in the area.

Les fortifications médiévales de la place du Vigan à Albi (Tarn)

In spring 1999, the excavations on Vigan square in Albi brought to light several elements of fortification linked to the near presence of a gate and integrated into a barbacane-type complex. Archaeological analysis allows an attempt at chronological evaluation of this defensive system. The first device, based essentially on a system of ditches, seems have been put in place during the XIVth century. Reorganisations connected to the evolution of armament and siege techniques, were then carried out until the XVIth century. From this date, a slow loss of interest in the defensive system becomes apparent. In spite of a renewal of interest in this area, with the construction of an expressive gate in the middle of the XVIIth century, this slow abandonment ends with the definitive dismantling of the defences in the second half of the XVIIIth century.

The chronology of St Brigit of Kildare

This is a critical chronological and textual analysis of all annalistic entries on the life of St Brigit of Kildare. It emerges that AT and CS have best preserved the chronology originally given Brigit in the Iona chronicle which placed her death at ad 524, aged 86 years. AU and AI transmit a later tradition, subsequently interpolated into the Iona chronicle, that she died aged 70. It is argued that the author of the original Iona chronicle entries was St Columba, a competent computist and near-contemporary of Brigit. Hence his chronology is trustworthy. To check this, a chronological evaluation of the earliest surviving Vitae S. Brigitae reveals that the chronology of all the individuals found jointly in the Vita I and the annals is consistent, implying that both sources have transmitted a chronology which is essentially correct, a result which supports the historical priority of Vita I over Vita II. Finally, examination of the context of Cogitosus’s date for Brigit’s death shows that he aligned it to correspond with existing non-christian celebrations already held in Kildare.

A New Edition of Gilgamesh and Akka

THE STUDY UNDER REVIEW, which is compact and handsomely produced, consists basically of two parts. First we have a general introduction, presenting the tale and discussing succinctly the history of publication, the literary structure, the materials of the plot and textual problems. Somewhat more detailed are discussions of three topics the author deemed of special importance: the historicity of the composition, the literary traditions concerning the war, and the governmental institutions and their historicity. introduction ends with a brief literary and chronological evaluation. second part of the book is devoted to the text. After a list (which regrettably does not describe the manuscripts) we find a detailed discussion of the affiliation of the manuscripts; then the text is presented in transliteration and translation, with a notice of variant readings and half a page of commentary. book ends with a bibliography and a glossary. On the whole the language is clear and adequate, although there are a number of solecisms and not quite idiomatic turns of phrase that might have been avoided; for example, the strange title of section 6: The historicity of the composition,' and what, if anything, is exact literal meaning (p. 4 n. 13)? Typographic errors are few: I have noted followes on p. 3; occurence on p. 6; foudation on p. 9; scholing on p. 19; an usurper on p. 31 (twice). text is presented as a composite, based mainly on MSS a and b, but there are a few pages of eclectic remarks on variant readings. This editorial policy is acceptable on the ground that, as the author says, a and b seem to represent the same tradition (p. 38), which, as J. Cooper pointed out (Gilgamesh and Agga, JCS 33 [1981]:

Chronological evaluation of interfacial damage in TBC due to thermal cycling

A two layer electron beam-physical vapor deposited (EV-PVD) thermal barrier coating (TBC) on a single crystal superalloy (Rene N5) substrate was characterized prior to and after thermal cycling at 2, 18, 25, 44, 50, 75, 100, 110, 150, and 175 cycles in between 200 C-1177 C. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermal wave imaging techniques were used to characterize the interfacial damage. Pt-Al was used as bond coat and 8 wt % YSZ was used as outer top layer. Interfacial cracking was observed even at two thermal cycles. Thermally grown oxide (TGO) layer increased with the number of thermal cycles. After numerous cycles over 100, interfacial separation was observed to be higher at the middle than at the edges of the sample. This observation is consistent with buckling induced delamination—a possible mechanism for spallation.

Cross-colonisation with Pseudomonas aeruginosa of patients in an intensive care unit

BACKGROUNDVentilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is usually preceded by colonisation of the respiratory tract. During outbreaks, colonisation with P aeruginosa is mainly derived from exogenous sources. The relative...