Espaces d’accès et de circulation dans l’allée sépulcrale néolithique de La Chaussée-Tirancourt (Somme)

Une sépulture collective correspond à un lieu sépulcral unique où sont regroupés les défunts. Il s’articule autour de quatre espaces constituant son organisation interne : un espace affecté aux défunts (dépôt et décomposition), auquel s'ajoutent des espaces cérémoniels, sacrés et des espaces dits techniques. Ces derniers correspondent aux zones permettant d’entrer et de circuler dans le monument. Fouillée par Jean Leclerc et Claude Masset, l’allée sépulcrale mégalithique de La Chaussée-Tirancourt a déjà fait l’objet de nombreuses publications. Elle constitue un très bon cas d’étude des espaces techniques. Ceux-ci sont spécifiques à chacune des quatre principales couches d’inhumation de la tombe. Plusieurs espaces de circulation ont été mis en évidence : couloirs latéraux et transversaux dans la sous-couche V-3, possible rampe dans la sous-couche III-5, espace intercase dans les sous-couches III-3 et III-1. Toutefois, aucun d’eux ne s’inscrit dans le programme funéraire initial du monument. Une telle évolution a été possible grâce à d’importantes modifications architecturales, comme l’aménagement de deux entrées latérales. Elle démontre une adaptation permanente de l’organisation interne de la sépulture collective aux exigences des opérateurs.A collective burial corresponds to a single sepulchral place where the deceased are grouped together. It is based on four areas constituting its internal organization: a space reserved for corpses (deposit and decomposition), plus ceremonial, sacred spaces and technical spaces. These permit to enter and circulate in the vault. Excavated by Jean Leclerc and Claude Masset, the megalithic gallery grave of La Chaussée-Tirancourt has already been the subject of numerous publications. It is an excellent case study of the technical areas. They are specific to each of the four main burial layers of the grave. Several circulation areas have been identified: lateral and transverse corridors in the sub-layer V-3, possible access ramp in the sub- layer III-5, space between the burial cells in the sub-layers III-3 and III-1. However, none of them have been included in the initial funeral program of the monument. This evolution was possible thanks to massive architectural changes, such as the adjustment of two side entrances. It indicates a permanent adaptation of the internal organization of the collective burial to the operators’ demands

Une nouvelle analyse de l’hypogée néolithique des Mournouards II au Mesnil-sur-Oger (Marne)

La fouille de l’hypogée des Mournouards II (Marne), dirigée par André Leroi-Gourhan, a marqué un tournant dans l’histoire de l’étude des sépultures collectives. Cinquante ans après, il s’est révélé nécessaire d’en reprendre les données pour éclairer le monument aux lumières des dernières découvertes archéologiques. La collection anthropologique a été reprise pour analyser la répartition des os isolés que la publication originelle avait mis de côté. Cette démarche a permis de définir la dimension temporelle du fonctionnement de l’hypogée. Il a ainsi été possible d’affiner le NMI et de distinguer au moins deux phases d’inhumation par la démonstration de l’existence d’une vidange. En entrecroisant ces informations avec la répartition du mobilier, le monument s’est révélé moins homogène qu’il ne semblait être, en dévoilant trois zones d’inhumation autonomes, caractérisées par différents niveaux de dépôts individuels et collectifs de mobilier.Excavation of the hypogeum of Les Mournouards II (Marne), directed by André Leroi-Gourhan, marked a turning point in the history of the study of collective burials. Fifty years later, it has become necessary to compare the data with the latest archaeological discoveries. A new study of the distribution of the isolated human bones, which the original report had largely ignored, allows an understanding to be had of the temporal dimension of the monument's use. It has also been possible to be more specific about the MNI and to distinguish at least two burial phases through confirmation of an emptying of the hypogeum. By combining this information with the distribution of the archaeological material, the monument is shown to have been less homogeneous than was thought, having three independent burial units characterized by different concentrations of individual and collective artefacts.Die von André Leroi-Gourhan geleitete Ausgrabung des Hypogäums von Les Mournouards II (Département Marne) bezeichnete eine Wende in der Geschichte der Studien der Kollektivbestattungen. Fünfzig Jahre später erforderten neue archäologische Erkenntnisse die Wiederaufnahme der Forschungen. Die anthropologische Sammlung wurde erneut überarbeitet, um die Verteilung der von der ursprünglichen Publikation beiseitegelassenen einzelnen Knochen zu analysieren. Dank dieser Vorgehensweise konnte die zeitliche Dimension der Nutzung des Hypogäums definiert werden. So war es möglich, den MNI genauer zu bestimmen und durch den Nachweis einer Entleerung mindestens zwei Bestattungsphasen zu unterscheiden. Die Kreuzung dieser Informationen mit der Verteilung des Mobiliars erwies, dass das Hypogäum weniger homogen war als ursprünglich angenommen. Es wurden in der Tat drei unabhängige Bestattungszonen erkannt, die sich durch unterschiedliche Schichten individueller und kollektiver Grabbeigaben auszeichneten

CHARACTERISTICS OF VEGETABLE OILS FOR USE AS FUEL IN STATIONARY DIESEL ENGINES - TOWARDS SPECIFICATIONS FOR A STANDARD IN WEST AFRICA

International audienceWest African countries are increasingly interested in producing straight vegetable oil (SVO) for direct use as fuel in diesel engines for stationary applications in the fields of agriculture, power generation and industry. Straight vegetable oil fuel quality, i.e impurities content and physico-chemical properties, is a recurring issue that seriously impedes the development of the sector. However, there is still no standard defining the quality characteristics of vegetable oils for fuel purposes in stationary engines. The aim of this study was to propose a quality standard with a set of specifications (parameters, test method, limit value), which SVOs must comply with in order to be used as fuel in stationary diesel engines without causing breakdowns or serious lifetime reductions. After a brief review of SVO production and use techniques, we present a critical review of existing fuel standards (fossil fuels, biodiesel and European SVO) that must be adapted to the use of SVO for stationary engines, with regard to the requirements of engine manufacturers. Based on this critical analysis and current knowledge of vegetable oil characterization, we propose a simplified, inexpensive and efficient basic standard of seven specifications. This standard enables easy assessment of SVO quality for fuelling a stationary diesel engine

Zusammenfassung: Die Toten vereinen: Temporalität und Organisation des neolithi-schen Hypogäums von Les Mournouards II (Marne, France)

Why were large collectivities of the dead a widespread feature of the later fourth millennium cal BC in western Europe? The hypogée or artificial cave of Les Mournouards II in the Marne region, northern France, where remains of 79 people were deposited in two chambers, is used to address this and related questions. Bayesian modelling of 29 newly obtained radiocarbon dates places the construction of the tomb in the 34th or 33rd centuries cal BC, with a use-life which could be as little as 100 years. The results indicate that the two chambers were used concurrently, distinctions between them being attributable to their use by different social groupings, as hypothesised by the excavator, André Leroi-Gourhan. The probably short life of this tomb suggests that clusters of hypogées in general could reflect the use of successive tombs by the same groups. The character of the tomb is discussed in general terms of anxieties about territory and numbers of people, threats of dispersal and the maintenance of community. Diversity within collective burial practices in the Paris basin is examined, and a series of specific differences between hypogées and allées sépulcrales are explored

Cancer cachexia: Measured and predicted resting energy expenditures for nutritional needs evaluation

ObjectiveCancer cachexia is associated with weight loss, poor nutritional status, and systemic inflammation. Accurate nutritional support for patients is calculated on resting energy expenditure (REE) measurement or prediction. The present study evaluated the agreement between measured and predicted REE (mREE and pREE, respectively) and the influence of acute phase response (APR) on REE. Methods Thirty-six patients with cancer were divided into weight-stable (WS; weight loss <2%) and weight-losing (WL; weight loss >5%) patients. Measured REE was measured by indirect calorimetry and adjusted for fat-free mass (FFM). The Bland-Altman approach was used to assess the agreement between mREE and pREE from the Harris-Benedict equations (HBE). Blood levels of C-reactive protein were assessed. Results There was no difference in mREE between groups (WS 1677 ± 273, WL 1521 ± 305) even when mREE was adjusted for FFM (WS 1609 ± 53, WL 1589 ± 53). In WL patients, FFM-adjusted REE correlated with blood C-reactive protein levels (r = 0.471, P = 0.048). HBEs tend to underestimate REE in both groups. Conclusion WL and WS patients with cancer had similar REEs but were different in terms of APR. APR could contribute to weight loss through enhancing REE. In a clinical context, HBE was in poor agreement with mREE in both groups

Weak Spatial and Temporal Population Genetic Structure in the Rosy Apple Aphid, Dysaphis plantaginea, in French Apple Orchards

We used eight microsatellite loci and a set of 20 aphid samples to investigate the spatial and temporal genetic structure of rosy apple aphid populations from 13 apple orchards situated in four different regions in France. Genetic variability was very similar between orchard populations and between winged populations collected before sexual reproduction in the fall and populations collected from colonies in the spring. A very small proportion of individuals (∼2%) had identical multilocus genotypes. Genetic differentiation between orchards was low (FST<0.026), with significant differentiation observed only between orchards from different regions, but no isolation by distance was detected. These results are consistent with high levels of genetic mixing in holocyclic Dysaphis plantaginae populations (host alternation through migration and sexual reproduction). These findings concerning the adaptation of the rosy apple aphid have potential consequences for pest management

Identification of genetic variants associated with Huntington's disease progression: a genome-wide association study

Background Huntington's disease is caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin gene, HTT. Age at onset has been used as a quantitative phenotype in genetic analysis looking for Huntington's disease modifiers, but is hard to define and not always available. Therefore, we aimed to generate a novel measure of disease progression and to identify genetic markers associated with this progression measure. Methods We generated a progression score on the basis of principal component analysis of prospectively acquired longitudinal changes in motor, cognitive, and imaging measures in the 218 indivduals in the TRACK-HD cohort of Huntington's disease gene mutation carriers (data collected 2008–11). We generated a parallel progression score using data from 1773 previously genotyped participants from the European Huntington's Disease Network REGISTRY study of Huntington's disease mutation carriers (data collected 2003–13). We did a genome-wide association analyses in terms of progression for 216 TRACK-HD participants and 1773 REGISTRY participants, then a meta-analysis of these results was undertaken. Findings Longitudinal motor, cognitive, and imaging scores were correlated with each other in TRACK-HD participants, justifying use of a single, cross-domain measure of disease progression in both studies. The TRACK-HD and REGISTRY progression measures were correlated with each other (r=0·674), and with age at onset (TRACK-HD, r=0·315; REGISTRY, r=0·234). The meta-analysis of progression in TRACK-HD and REGISTRY gave a genome-wide significant signal (p=1·12 × 10−10) on chromosome 5 spanning three genes: MSH3, DHFR, and MTRNR2L2. The genes in this locus were associated with progression in TRACK-HD (MSH3 p=2·94 × 10−8 DHFR p=8·37 × 10−7 MTRNR2L2 p=2·15 × 10−9) and to a lesser extent in REGISTRY (MSH3 p=9·36 × 10−4 DHFR p=8·45 × 10−4 MTRNR2L2 p=1·20 × 10−3). The lead single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in TRACK-HD (rs557874766) was genome-wide significant in the meta-analysis (p=1·58 × 10−8), and encodes an aminoacid change (Pro67Ala) in MSH3. In TRACK-HD, each copy of the minor allele at this SNP was associated with a 0·4 units per year (95% CI 0·16–0·66) reduction in the rate of change of the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) Total Motor Score, and a reduction of 0·12 units per year (95% CI 0·06–0·18) in the rate of change of UHDRS Total Functional Capacity score. These associations remained significant after adjusting for age of onset. Interpretation The multidomain progression measure in TRACK-HD was associated with a functional variant that was genome-wide significant in our meta-analysis. The association in only 216 participants implies that the progression measure is a sensitive reflection of disease burden, that the effect size at this locus is large, or both. Knockout of Msh3 reduces somatic expansion in Huntington's disease mouse models, suggesting this mechanism as an area for future therapeutic investigation

Les espaces techniques et de circulation dans l'allée sépulcrale néolithique de la Chausée-Tirancourt (Somme)

International audienceDans une sépulture collective, l’espace funéraire se limite à un lieu sépulcral unique où sont regroupés les défunts. Dans ce cas particulier, l’espace sépulcral se compose de plusieurs éléments structurels. Un modèle d’organisation interne déjà défini comprend quatre types d’espace (Leclerc 1997). Le premier est l’espace affecté aux défunts qui peut être divisé en deux : la zone de traitement des corps où les cadavres sont déposés et se décomposent, dont la répartition peut être fonction d’un recrutement particulier (Masset 1987), et la zone de conservation de restes isolés qui peuvent être rangés dans des espaces spécifiques pour faire de la place à de nouvelles inhumations

The using strategy of the collective burials in Paris basin at the end of the neolithic

Depuis près d’un siècle et demi, près de quatre cent cinquante sépultures collectives ont été découvertes dans le Bassin parisien. L’information archéologique à disposition y est largement lacunaire. La connaissance des groupes chrono-culturels de la fin du Néolithique a tout de même été enrichie grâce au mobilier funéraire. Il a permis de définir une phase de construction et d’utilisation commune pour une grande majorité de sépultures collectives au Néolithique récent 2 (3350-3000 av. J.-C). Une minorité d’entre elles a été utilisée au Néolithique final 1 (2900-2550 av. J.-C.), voire jusqu’au début de l’Âge du Bronze. Malgré un horizon chronologique commun, les sépultures collectives du Bassin parisien présentent une étonnante diversité architecturale. Deux grands types de monuments ont été identifiés : les allées sépulcrales et les hypogées. Ils coexistent avec un ensemble de sépulcres anciennement appelés « dolmens » ou « sépultures en fosse », deux termes qui sont aujourd’hui à bannir. Chaque type architectural se caractérise par des techniques de construction, une répartition géographique, une logique d’implantation, une durée d’utilisation et une concentration de mobilier qui lui est propre. Cette diversité est-elle renforcée par des divergences au niveau des pratiques funéraires ? Les différents types de sépultures collectives du Bassin parisien se distinguent-ils également par leurs modes de fonctionnement ? Peuvent-ils constituer des caractères culturels originaux ?For one century and an half, around four hundred and fifty collective burials had been discovered in the Paris basin. The archeological information is widely lacunar. The knowledge of the chronological and cultural groups of the end of the Neolithic had been enhanced thanks to the burial deposit. It permitted to define a common phase of building and use of a large majority of the collective burials during the recent Neolithic (3350-3000 av. J.-C). A minority of them had been used during the final Neolithic(2900-2550 av. J.-C.), or even till the beginning of the Bronze Age.In spite of a common chronological horizon, the collective burials of the Paris basin presents a suprising architectural diversity. Two main types of monuments had been identified : the sepulchral galleries and the hypogeums. They coexist with a group of burials formerly named “dolmen” or “burial grave”, two names that we could not use any more. Each archictectural type is characterised by his own building technique, geographical distribution, implantation logic, useful life and deposit concentration. Is this diversity reinforced by some differences on burial practices ? Are the different types of collective burials of the Paris basin distinguished between as well by their functioning ? Could they constitue original characteristic cultural