Differential nuptiality and fertility in the L\ue4nder of the Austrian Empire (1828\u20131865)

We examine different aspects of nuptiality and fertility in the La\ua8nder of the Austrian Empire using the Tafeln zur Statistik der O\ua8sterreichischen Monarchie (Statistical Tables of the Austrian Monarchy). This source, published from 1829 to 1871, contains data on population and natural movement. After discussing its quality, we study marriage and birth rates, and also age at wedding, illegitimacy ratio, and marital fertility. We find meaningful differences between the regions of Empire: low and late nuptiality in some central La\ua8nder, which generally have consequences for birth rates. The frequency of illegitimacy and marital fertility rates are also examined for the 15 La\ua8nder

An unexpected demographic regime: The western necropolis of the Greek colony of Himera (Sicily, Italy) (550-409 BCE)

We present the results of a paleodemographic assessment of 2865 graves excavated in the western necropolis of the ancient Greek colony of Himera in Sicily. Himera provides an outstanding opportunity to understand the demographic dynamics of Ancient Sicily as it was abandoned and never repopulated, thus offering a completely intact record. Not only has a remarkably large sample been collected and is currently under study, but historical sources allow to precisely date the years in which the city’s necropolises were used. Children under the age of 5 were typically buried in pots, meaning that the number of children who died at ages 0 and 1–4 can be reliably estimated. Such data on child death is very rare in paleodemographic studies. Thanks to these exceptional characteristics, together with the application of demographic methods already employed in previous studies (Barbiera et al., 2021) and a comparison of our results with other contemporary Greek necropolises, we can discern a plausible mortality regime for Himera. Our analyses reveal that in the western necropolis of Himera (mid-6th to late 5th century BC) the mortality of children and young people was relatively low, and likely compensated by a more pronounced mortality of adults. Life expectancy at birth was plausibly between 25 and 30 years of age. These fndings are further supported by data from the Greek cities of Metaponto and Akraiphia, as well as preliminary results for the eastern necropolis of Himera (late-7th to late 6th century BC)

Dynamic Fast Imaging Employing Steady State Acquisition Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Vocal Tract in One Overtone Male Singer: Our Preliminary Experience

Aims: To demonstrate physiological changing of vocal tract's structures during overtone singing with commercial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Fast Imaging Employing Steady State Acquisition (FIESTA) dynamic sequence. Methods and Materials: A 1.5 T MRI with a 16 channel head-and-neck coil and a FIESTA sequence were used. A temporal resolution of 0.155 sec (7 image/s). A single professional singer was studied. The MR acquisition is made while the singer performed a predetermined singing sequence. Three different overtone singing techniques were examined (L-technique, J-technique, and NG technique) and one effect (Ezengileer) applied to L-technique. For each overtone technique we evaluated MRI movement of lips, tongue, velopharyngeal closure, and relationship among tongue and pharyngeal posterior wall/soft palate. To cancel the noise over-imposed, the dynamic MRI was subsequently dubbed in studio with the audio of the preset overtone sing. Dubbed MR images were analyzed with an Overtone Analyzer Software and different sound frequencies were identified and pointed out as colored lines. Results: This study shows that different overtone techniques are related to a specific conformation of tongue, lips, soft and hard palate and motion's relation changing between them. Only a correct conformation of vocal tract's structure allows resonance and so to hear desired fundamental and harmonic pitch in overtone singing. Conclusion: The preliminary data of our study demonstrates that FIESTA dynamic MRI sequence can be used to depict changing of position of vocal tract's structure in overtone singing techniques with a good temporal and anatomic resolution

Co-option of neutrophil fates by tissue environments

Classically considered short-lived and purely defensive leukocytes, neutrophils are unique in their fast and moldable response to stimulation. This plastic behavior may underlie variable and even antagonistic functions during inflammation or cancer, yet the full spectrum of neutrophil properties as they enter healthy tissues remains unexplored. Using a new model to track neutrophil fates, we found short but variable lifetimes across multiple tissues. Through analysis of the receptor, transcriptional, and chromatin accessibility landscapes, we identify varying neutrophil states and assign non-canonical functions, including vascular repair and hematopoietic homeostasis. Accordingly, depletion of neutrophils compromised angiogenesis during early age, genotoxic injury, and viral infection, and impaired hematopoietic recovery after irradiation. Neutrophils acquired these properties in target tissues, a process that, in the lungs, occurred in CXCL12-rich areas and relied on CXCR4. Our results reveal that tissues co-opt neutrophils en route for elimination to induce programs that support their physiological demands