Chronological Patterns Research Articles

Key-factors and key-stages that determine the leaf longevity of an evergreen broad-leaved tree, Neolitsea sericea (Lauraceae) at different growing sites in southern Japan

Chronological distribution pattern of leaves is an important factor to determine plant productivity in relation to photosynthesis. Therefore, intensive studies of leaf longevity are essential in plant ecology. Leaf longevity of Neolitsea sericea (Lauraceae) was surveyed from 1972 to 1995. Mean leaf longevity varied from 5.6 to 53.8 months among different year classes of leaf emergence. To detect factors and stages determining the leaf longevity, we adopted the method of key-factor/key-stage analysis. We categorized N. sericea trees into four groups; short and tall trees in an evergreen broad-leaved forest, short trees along the forest edge, and short trees in a Moso bamboo forest, where N. sericea grows as an understory plant. This categorization enabled us to realize how the factors and stages differently influenced leaf longevity at different sites. Four groups of factors (growing site, cecidomyiid gall induction, stem boring by a cerambycid, typhoon) and eight stages (every 6 month after leaf emergence until a leaf age of 48 months) were distinguished in the analysis. Effects of annual precipitation and annual mean temperature were evaluated separately. In a bamboo forest, cerambycid negatively affected leaf survival in the first year. In an evergreen broad-leaved forest, cerambycid and typhoon affected leaf survival of short and tall trees but cerambycid damage was compensated in later stages. Short trees along the forest edge suffered severe leaf fall from typhoon but were positively affected by annual precipitation. This study gives suggestions for better understanding of chronological distribution patterns of leaves.

A Medieval/Early Modern Alpine Population from Zweisimmen, Switzerland: A Comparative Study of Anthropology and Palaeopathology

AbstractTo date, anthropological comparative studies from Switzerland are rare. Therefore, this research aims to make a comparison between the alpine individuals from Zweisimmen (ca. 14th–19th), and 17 other rural and urban populations from Switzerland all dating to the medieval and early modern period. An osteoarchaeological analysis was carried out on the rural population of Zweisimmen, consisting of 134 skeletons. For each individual, the arm position and orientation were observed in the field, while preservation, representation, sex, age, stature, trauma and pathologies were recorded in the laboratory. These results were compared with data from published and grey literature in order to gain a better understanding of chronological and regional patterns in Switzerland. A chronological development was observed in the orientation, arm position and use of a coffin, which suggests a change in burial practices and beliefs throughout time. The demographic profile represents a natural mortality; however, children and especially neonates are underrepresented in this sample. Some individuals were buried in groups, suggesting simultaneous burial during a period of increased mortality. The palaeopathological findings suggest that the living conditions in rural alpine Zweisimmen were similar to those of other contemporaneous populations, as well as those living in an urban setting. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Early time-related course of image findings in postmortem MRI: Typical findings and observer agreement in a porcine model

To assess early time-related image findings in postmortem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to evaluate observer agreement in a porcine model. Three pigs were examined by MRI at 15 different time points in the first 36h after death. Two observers independently recorded the postmortem interval (PMI) to the appearance of fluid collection (pleural space, interlobar and interlobular pulmonary fissures and hepatic interlobar fissures), gas accumulation (intrahepatic and intracardial) and blood clotting (aorta and intrahepatic venous vessels). Cohen's Kappa statistics and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to evaluate intra- and interobserver agreement. Intrahepatic gas was evident after 12, 17 and 30h. Also, intracardiac gas was present in all animals. However, no chronological appearance has been observed. Blood clotting in the hepatic vein was observed within 3min, aortic clotting with a delay of 2-12h after death. Interlobular pulmonary fluid (median PMI: 2h, range 2-2h), pleural effusion (median PMI: 10.5h, range 9-12h) and hepatic interlobar fissure fluid (median PMI: 11.5h, range 11-12h) displayed a chronological appearance pattern. Qualitative and quantitative detection of most postmortem findings showed excellent intra- and interobserver agreement with Kappa values>0.8 or ICC>0.75. Pulmonary and hepatic fissural fluid collection as well as intravasal gas accumulation are early time-related image findings in postmortem MRI. The chronological appearance of these findings can be assessed with excellent observer agreement in a porcine model.

Crystal balls and calendars: A structural analysis of projected futures

This study examines the temporal structure of projected futures. The sociology of time is an established line of inquiry, but the existing literature lacks empirically grounded description of the cultural and cognitive dimensions of projected futures. When individuals imagine their futures, what is the qualitative nature and temporal structure of their projected futures? In order to address these questions, we used a mixed-methods strategy of interviews and surveys with 126 persons from a small college in North Carolina. We asked the participants to tell us about their futures. The resulting descriptions form a strongly chronological pattern. When asked about the immediate future (i.e., tomorrow or next week), they tersely describe the tasks that must be completed. In their descriptions of the near future (i.e., next month or next year), they begin to anticipate enjoyable experiences. When they describe the intermediate future (i.e., five to ten years from now), their responses are characterized by detailed and optimistic enthusiasm for the possibilities they envision. They pay little or no attention to the distant future.

Spatial and climatic characterization of three glacial stages in the Upper Krnica Valley, SE European Alps

The southeastern European Alps represent the spot where mean annual precipitation is at its highest in the entire Alpine chain. Accordingly, the glacial evolution here might have a different spatial and chronological pattern if compared with other alpine areas. This paper discusses geomorphological evidence of three glacial stages from the Krnica Valley in the Julian Alps of Slovenia, and is the first step towards a comprehensive palaeoglaciological studies in this alpine sector. Very well-preserved glacial landforms in the Upper Krnica Valley allowed the reconstruction of glacier surface topographies and corresponding equilibrium line altitudes (ELAs) by means of field-based geomorphological and sedimentological data and by using geospatial analysis. The uppermost frontal moraines belong to the Little Ice Age (LIA) and the corresponding ELA is estimated at 1973 m a.s.l. Other two stages with the ELA depressed by 50 m and 161 m compared to the LIA ELA, suggest early Holocene and Younger Dryas ages of the palaeoglaciers, respectively. This assumption ensues from absolute age datings and related ELA depressions observed elsewhere in the European Alps. The presence of buried ice under the debris in the Krnica cirque, imaged through geophysical investigations, point to peculiar microclimatic conditions able to preserve relict glacier ice. This is favoured by the recursive presence of snow on the ground caused by the extreme summer shading and the significant winter snow-recharge triggered by snowblow and avalanche feeding. The possible evolution of such relict ice under the ongoing climate warming is also discussed.

The characteristics and significance of prestige goods during the Early Bronze Age period of the southern Levant: The particular case of the four-handled basalt vessels phenomenon

The production of prestige objects is one of the hallmarks of the Early Bronze Age period in the southern Levant. The manufacture of notable numbers of highly invested basalt vessels during this time span forms an important aspect of the prestige good industries. The present paper deals with one of the facets of this prestige industry, the appearance of highly stylized basalt vessels bearing multiple handles. In this paper we identify patterns related to these invested vessels and discuss aspects of their chronology, distribution, typology, morphology, production, use and discard patterns. It is suggested that their significance was primarily bound with their value as special prestige objects and with the role they fulfilled in the public sphere during the Early Bronze Age period in the southern Levant.

Evergreen Plants in Roman Britain and Beyond: Movement, Meaning and Materiality

ABSTRACTIn tandem with the large-scale translocation of food plants in the Roman world, ornamental evergreen plants and plant items were also introduced to new areas for ritual and ornamental purposes. The extent to which these new plants, primarily box and stone-pine, were grown in Britain has yet to be established. This paper presents a synthesis of archaeobotanical records of box, stone-pine and norway spruce in Roman Britain, highlighting chronological and spatial patterns. Archaeobotanical evidence is used alongside material culture to evaluate the movement of these plants and plant items into Roman Britain, their meaning and materiality in the context of human-plant relations in ornamental gardens and ritual activities. Archaeobotanical evidence for ornamental evergreen plants elsewhere in the Roman world is presented.

Coral community changes in the Great Barrier Reef in response to major environmental changes over glacial-interglacial timescales

The Ribbon Reef 5 borehole offers a unique record of reef growth spanning the entire history of the northern Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Previous studies have reported the main stratigraphical, lithological and chronological patterns, as well as basic descriptions of the coralgal assemblages, but no detailed coral community analysis was undertaken. We present a quantitative analysis of the nature and distribution of Pleistocene coral communities and apply several statistical tools to define recurrent coral associations and compare the eight reef-building cycles recognized throughout the evolution of the GBR. The start of significant reef building occurs at 137m based on a major change in coral community structure and the inception of the reef cycles (Cy1–8). This revision, along with available stratigraphical and chronological data, suggests that barrier reef initiation may have occurred prior to MIS 11, earlier than previous reports. The coral assemblages at 137m reflect the transition from lower mesophotic (60–100m) to upper mesophotic (30–60m) settings, while the eight reef cycles above are characterized by three recurrent shallow-water reef-coral associations: Porites-Montipora-faviids (Po-Mo-Fa), pocilloporids (Poc), and Acropora-Isopora (Acro-Iso). Typically, these cycles begin with the Po-Mo-Fa association and end with the Acro-Iso association, reflecting shallowing and a catch-up growth mode. However, the first two cycles are characterized by a transitional phase dominated by the Poc association. The dominance of pocilloporids during the early stages of the GBR’s history and the long-term shift to an Acropora-Isopora-dominated community may reflect an increase in competitive pressure of acroporids over pocilloporids. Our findings are consistent with the view that reef coral community structure is predictable over 100-kyr time scale. However, variations within reef cycles highlight the importance of environmental changes operating at millennial time scales. Further studies are needed to better refine the reef chronology and clarify the influence of environmental variables (i.e. sea surface temperature, turbidity) on reef coral community structure.

Use of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs among Participants in a Mountain Ultramarathon Event

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the prevalence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) consumption immediately before, during and immediately after three mountain ultra-endurance runs that differed in their course distance. This observational study took place at the Ultra Mallorca Serra de Tramuntana (Mallorca, Spain), an ultra-endurance mountain event with runners participating either in a 112-km (Ultra, n = 58), a 67-km (Trail, n = 118) or a 44-km (Marathon, n = 62) run competition. Participants in the study answered, within an hour after finishing the competition, a questionnaire focused mainly on NSAIDs consumption. Among study participants, 48.3% reported taking NSAIDs at least for one of the time-points considered: before, during and/or immediately after the competition, with more positive responses (having taken medication) found for the Ultra (60.3%) than for the Trail (49.2%) and the Marathon (35.5%). Among consumers, the Ultra participants reported the lowest intake before and the highest during the race, while participants in the Marathon reported similar consumption levels before and during the race. In conclusion, a high prevalence of NSAID consumption was found among athletes participating in an ultra-endurance mountain event. Competition duration seemed to determine both the prevalence and the chronological pattern of NSAID consumption.

Estimation of Age of Ossification of Hyoid Bone by Radiological Examination of Autopsy Specimen

Identification is essential in living persons, decomposed, mutilated bodies and skeletal remains. The three primary characteristics used for identification of a person are sex age and stature. Visual identification is difficult and impossible in cases of explosions, fires and mass disasters. In a living person, the bones would constantly undergo changes and these changes follow a chronological pattern which is used in Forensic medicine for determining the age of a person. In this study, a total of 155 cases were selected randomly from the cases brought to the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Madras Medical College, Chennai, during the period of 2011 to 2012 for medico legal autopsy. Permission from the Institutional Ethics Committee was obtained. Radiological examination of the hyoid bones was carried out and the data analyzed.

Declining trend of infections in renal transplant recipients in a tertiary care hospital from India

Introduction: Infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in renal transplant recipients. This retrospective study was done to study the infection profile in renal transplant recipients. Materials and Methods: Seventy-three patients who developed infections out of 144 renal transplant recipients at a tertiary care center in southern India between January 2010 and June 2014 were studied. Infections were analyzed in terms of incidence, time of onset after transplant, clinical presentation, diagnosis, graft dysfunction, and patient and graft survival. Results: A total of 145 infection episodes were documented in the 73 patients studied. Majority (79.5%) were males and females constituted 20.5%. Predominant age group involved was 21–30 years (38.4%). Most common donor was mother (30.1%). Induction therapy was given in 21 (28.8%) patients. Mean duration of follow-up was 21.3 months. Most common infections were those of urinary tract (34.5%), followed by viral (31.2%), sepsis (15.2%), mycobacterial (9.7%), and fungal (6.2%). Parasitic infections (giardiasis and Strongyloides hyperinfection syndrome) occurred in 2 (1.4%) patients. Cytomegalovirus accounted for 14.5% and BK virus for 5.5% of total infections. Majority (77.1%) of the infection episodes occurred in the first 6 months of transplantation. There were 11 (7.6%) episodes of graft dysfunction and three patients had graft failure. A total of nine deaths were recorded due to these infections. Conclusion: Urinary tract is the most common source of infection in renal transplant recipients, followed by viral infections. Understanding the chronologic pattern of these infectious episodes facilitates early diagnosis and management of patients.

P3.04-018 Recurrence Dynamic of Completely Resected Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in Perspective of Follow-Up Surveillance: Topic: Miscellaneous I

There is no clear evidence or consensus on the modality and frequency of follow-up surveillance after complete resection of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Understanding of recurrence dynamic is essential to establish more efficient surveillance strategy. We investigated recurrence dynamic in completely resected NSCLC to propose a reasonable surveillance strategy. A total of 950 patients who underwent complete resection of NSCLC from 2006 to 2009 were reviewed retrospectively. Clinic-pathological data including follow-up surveillance records were obtained. All patients were completely followed until October 2015. Pathologic stage I, II, and IIIa NSCLC were included in the analysis. Mode of detection and the chronological pattern of recurrence were analyzed. The median follow-up duration was 72 months. Recurrences were detected in 259 patients (27.2%) and freedom-from-recurrence rates were 78.2% at 2 year and 69.9% at 5 year. Recurrence was detected by routine follow-up study in 227 (85.7%), and by symptoms in 32 (12.7%) patients. In 65.5% patients, recurrence was detected by computed tomography and 26.2% was detected by positron emission tomography. The median time-to-recurrence was 1.1 year in entire recurrence group. Median-time-to- recurrences were 1.5 year in stage I (106), 1.0 year in stage II (61), and 1.1 year in stage III (92). There was no significant difference in chronological trend between the three stages (p=0.26). The cumulative rates of recurrence were 41.7%, 73.8%, and 91.1% at the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year. Chance of recurrence dropped below 5% after 3 years and the probability of detection of recurrence was 8.6% (Fig. 1). Chronological patterns of recurrence of NSCLC does not different between stages and majority of recurrences were detected within postoperative second year. The probability of recurrence were significantly reduced after second year regardless of stage. Intensive surveillance until postoperative second year and less intensive surveillance from third year is a reasonable stratege.

Mesolittisk kronologi i Sørøst-Norge – et forslag til justering

A reassessment of the Mesolithic chronology in SoutheastNorway In 1975, Egil Mikkelsen proposed a Stone Age chronology for southeastern Norway based on a small number of excavated sites. According to him, the Mesolithic could be divided intofour phases. Albeit with slight adjustments Mikkelsen’sscheme has more or less been confirmed by later excavations. The chronology for Southeast Norway is thus reasonably well defined. Nevertheless, several transition periods have not been convincingly dated, especially the one between the Late Mesolithic Nøstvet and Kjeøy phases (BC 6350–4650 and BC 4650–3800, respectively), and, to a certain extent, the Mesolithic–Neolithic transition (BC3800). The established chronology was largely based on sites locatedeast of the Oslofjord. However, recent excavated and well-dated sites west of the Oslofjord, in the counties of Vestfold and Telemark, have provided new data to reassess the established chronology andtransition periods. In this paper C14 date-results, technological patterns and selected artefacts from these sites are presented and discussed. These indicate a chronological pattern different from the established scheme. The suggested outline for the Mesolithic in Southeast Norway is as follows: the microlith phase/BC 8200–7000; the pecked adze phase/BC 7000–5600; the Nøstvet adze phase/BC 5600–4500, and finally the transverse arrowhead phase/BC 4500–3900. Hence, it is also argued that the end of the Late Mesolithic should be dated to BC 3900, that is, in line with the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition in southern Sweden and Denmark.

THE TOPOGRAPHY OF THE HIP JOINT REGION IN THE PRENATAL PERIOD OF HUMAN ONTOGENESIS

The topography and structures of the hip joint region were studied by means of morphological methods in 40 embryos and prefetuses, 28 fetuses and 9 human newborns. The topography of structures of the hip joint region was defined. For the first time, the chronological patterns of development and formation of bone and muscle structures of the hip area and its topographic anatomical formation during intra-uterine development were comprehensively studied. The dynamics of morphometric parameters of muscles, ligaments and osseous structures of the hip joint region were determined.

From Contagious to Resilient and Beyond: A Periodization of Four Decades of Educational Research on LGBTQ Issues

This article presents a periodization of educational research on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) issues between 1970 and 2010. Developed through a frame analysis of 105 educational research reports, the periodization maps ideological and chronological patterns in the conceptual frames of research on LGBTQ issues. Five paradigmatic frames for understanding LGBTQ issues in education are discussed: (a) homosexuality as a social contagion; (b) homosexuality as a private identity; (c) LGB youth as “at-risk”; (d) LGBTQ youth as victims; and (f) LGBTQ youth as resilient. The author calls for an expansion beyond individual-level analyses into investigations of educational practice.

The influence of feeding behaviour on growth of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua, Linnaeus, 1758) in the North Sea

The objective of this study was to resolve key mechanisms driving individual growth patterns of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Growth dynamics were analysed by linking growth patterns with stomach content composition and environmental temperature. Samples were collected in August/September of the years 2009, 2010 and 2011 in the north-eastern part of the central North Sea. Prey selection was assessed by identification of individual prey items in the stomach content to species. Ten feeding groups were identified consisting of individuals with one prey type dominating their stomach contents (≥75% by mass), of which six were used for growth analyses: “Sandeel”, “Clupeids”, “Norway pout”, “Flatfishes”, “Crustaceans” and “Brittle stars”. For each group, growth patterns were estimated based on measures of otolith growth increments. The stomach contents showed that cod as a species are opportunistic in their prey selection, but at the same time indicated that the total, broad feeding niche width of the population is dominated by individual diet specialization and that many individuals temporally show a preference for a particular prey type. The contribution of invertebrates and particularly crustaceans decreased with increasing cod size, whereas that of fish and predominantly herring increased. Prey type had a significant effect on growth, while temperature had no effect. Slowest growth was observed in the cod group preying on sandeel, while cod preying on Norway pout showed the fastest growth. No significant difference was observed between groups preying on brittle stars, crustaceans, flatfishes and herring. Growth in the year before capture did however not differ between any of these groups. Across sampling years, growth chronology patterns were similar but not significantly influenced by temperature.

Variogram time-series analysis of wind speed

Fluctuations of wind-power production are a significant hindrance to its high penetration in power systems. System operators have to provide complementary power and relevant control strategies to smooth out the fluctuations when large-scale wind power ones is injected into the grid. To better smooth the fluctuations, the change rate of the wind speed is a critical piece of information. In this study, the variogram function is introduced to measure the change rate of the wind speed. Based on the variogram time-series, some statistical analyses are conducted. These results contribute to a better understanding of the characteristics of the change rate of the wind speed, such as the chronological variation pattern of the change rate on a day, whether the future change rate can be forecasted, and whether there is a relationship between the change rate and wind speed.

Getting Beyond the Point: Textiles of the Terminal Pleistocene/Early Holocene in the Northwestern Great Basin

Although the Great Basin of North America has produced some of the most robust and ancient fiber artifact assemblages in the world, many were recovered with poor chronological controls. Consequently, this class of artifacts has seldom been effectively incorporated into general discussions of early chronological and cultural patterns. In recent years, the Great Basin Textile Dating Project has accumulated direct AMS dates on textiles (bags, sandals, mats, cordage, and basketry) from dry caves in the Great Basin, particularly in the northern and western areas. We focus here on the terminal Pleistocene/early Holocene, to identify chronological patterns in this class of artifacts and to evaluate Adovasio’s characterization of the region’s earliest basketry as simple and undecorated. New AMS dates now suggest that the region’s earliest people had sophisticated textile traditions that incorporated numerous decorative elaborations. Some distinctive structures, including Fort Rock sandals and weft-faced plaited textiles, have limited early temporal ranges and may serve as diagnostic indicators for terminal Pleistocene/early Holocene times. Other basketry forms and structures that appear by about 9000 cal B.P. persist into the historic period, suggesting a stronger thread of continuity (especially in the north) from this time than is apparent in lithic traditions

Getting Beyond the Point: Textiles of the Terminal Pleistocene/Early Holocene in the Northwestern Great Basin

Although the Great Basin of North America has produced some of the most robust and ancient fiber artifact assemblages in the world, many were recovered with poor chronological controls. Consequently, this class of artifacts has seldom been effectively incorporated into general discussions of early chronological and cultural patterns. In recent years, the Great Basin Textile Dating Project has accumulated direct AMS dates on textiles (bags, sandals, mats, cordage, and basketry) from dry caves in the Great Basin, particularly in the northern and western areas. We focus here on the terminal Pleistocene/early Holocene, to identify chronological patterns in this class of artifacts and to evaluate Adovasio’s characterization of the region’s earliest basketry as simple and undecorated. New AMS dates now suggest that the region’s earliest people had sophisticated textile traditions that incorporated numerous decorative elaborations. Some distinctive structures, including Fort Rock sandals and weft-faced plaited textiles, have limited early temporal ranges and may serve as diagnostic indicators for terminal Pleistocene/early Holocene times. Other basketry forms and structures that appear by about 9000 cal B.P. persist into the historic period, suggesting a stronger thread of continuity (especially in the north) from this time than is apparent in lithic traditions

Chronological pathophysiological patterns of biomarkers in acute pancreatitis

Chronological pathophysiological patterns of biomarkers in acute pancreatitis