Human migration into Europe during the late Early Pleistocene climate transition

A critical assesment of the available magnetostratigraphic and/or radiometric age constraints on key sites bearing hominin remains and/or lithic industries from southern Europe (Italy, France, Spain) leads us to propose that the main window of early hominin presence in southern Europe is broadly comprised between the Jaramillo subchron and the Brunhes–Matuyama boundary (i.e., subchron C1r.1r, 0.99–0.78 Ma). Within the dating uncertainties, this ~ 200 ky time window broadly coincides with the late Early Pleistocene global climate transition that contains marine isotope stage (MIS) 22 (~ 0.87 Ma), the first prominent cold stage of the Pleistocene. We suggest that aridification in North Africa and Eastern Europe, particularly harsh during MIS 22 times, triggered migration pulses of large herbivores, particularly elephants, from these regions into southern European refugia, and that hominins migrated with them. Finally, we speculate on common pathways of late Early Pleistocene dispersal of elephants and hominins from their home in savannah Africa to southern Europe, elephant and hominin buen retiro. In particular, we stress the importance of the Po Valley of northern Italy that became largely and permanently exposed only since MIS 22, thus allowing possibly for the first time in the Pleistocene viable new migration routes for large mammals and hominins across northern Italy to southern France and Spain in the west

The Optimal Choice of the Outside Innovative Surface Finishes for Buildings from a Thermal and Energetic Point of View

Abstract The surface finishes have an important role on the energy requirements of the buildings. This paper presents a new factor denominated "outside coating factor" (OCF) for an air-conditioned building and for a building without summer thermal control. It synthetically describes the climate of the location considered and can be useful for building planners for choosing the optimal outside surface finishes from thermal and energetic point of view. This factor depends on the cooling/heating degrees-day and solar radiation. For positive values of the OCF (0, +2.5), the optimal choice falls on the high solar reflectance and high infrared emissivity surface finishes, while the opposite occurs for negative values of the OCF

Osteopontin as Candidate Biomarker of Coronary Disease despite Low Cardiovascular Risk: Insights from CAPIRE Study

Stratification according high cardiovascular (CV) risk categories, still represents a clinical challenge. In this analysis of the CAPIRE study (NCT02157662), we investigate whether inflammation could fit between CV risk factors (RFs) and the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD). In total, 544 patients were included and categorized according with the presence of CAD and CV risk factor burden (low/multiple). The primary endpoint was to verify any independent association of neutrophil-related biomarkers with CAD across CV risk categories. The highest values of osteo-pontin (OPN) were detected in the low RF group and associated with CAD (23.2 vs. 19.4 ng/mL; p = 0.001), although no correlation with plaque extent and/or composition were observed. Con-versely, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and resistin did not differ by CAD presence. Again, OPN was identified as independent variable associated with CAD but only in the low RF group (adjOR 8.42 [95% CI 8.42\u201346.83]; p-value = 0.015). As an ancillary finding, a correlation linked OPN with the neutrophil degranulation biomarker MPO (r = 0.085; p = 0.048) and resistin (r = 0.177; p = 3.4 7 10 125 ). In the present study, OPN further strengthens its role as biomarker of CAD, potentially bridging subclinical CV risk with development of atherosclerosis

Pleistocene Hippopotamuses of Mediterranean islands: looking for ancestors

Al registre fossilífer del Pleistocè de les illes mediterrànies es coneixen hipopòtams que presenten adaptacions als ambients insulars: Hippopotamus pentlandi a Sicília i Malta, Hippopotamus melitensis a Malta, Hippopotamus cteutzburgi a Creta, Phanourios minutus a Xipre. Hi ha incerteses en la recerca dels ancestres dels hipopòtams insulars, les quals es deuen al desenvolupament de caràcters endèmics i a la confusió existent a la sistemàtica de les espècies continentals europees. A aquest treball es compara la morfologia craniana i la biometria dels hipopòtams insulars del Pleistocè amb la de les espècies continentals, i s'introdueix una discussió sobre la seva sistemàtica. Hippopotamus amphibius podria ser l'ancestre d' Hippopotamus pentlandi, el qual a la seva volta podria ser l'ancestre d'Hippopotamus melitensis. Hippopotamus antiquus sembla ser ]'ancestre d'Hippopotamus creutzburgi. Les característiques de Phanourios minutus similars a amphibius podrien estar relacionades amb una relació filogenètica amb aquesta espècie.Hippopotamuses, having endemic adaptations related to insular environment, are known in the Pleistocene fossil record of Mediterranean islands: Hippopotamus pentlandi in Sicily and Malta, Hippopotamus melitensis in Malta, Hippopotamus creutzburgi in Crete, Phanourios minutus in Cyprus. The uncertainties in searching for ancestors of the insular hippopotamuses are caused by the development of endemic characters and by the confusion in the systematics of European mainland species. In this paper, skull morphology and biometry of Pleistocene insular hippopotamuses are compared with those of mainland species, introducing a discussion on their systematic. Hippopotamus amphibius could be the ancestor of Hippopotamus pentlandi, which in its turn could be the ancestor of Hippopotamus melitensis. Hippopotamus antiquus seems to be the ancestor of Hippopotamus creutzburgi. The amphibius-like characters of Phanourios minutus could be related to a relationship with this species

Comprehensive Brain Tumour Characterisation with VERDICT-MRI: Evaluation of Cellular and Vascular Measures Validated by Histology

The aim of this work was to extend the VERDICT-MRI framework for modelling brain tumours, enabling comprehensive characterisation of both intra- and peritumoural areas with a particular focus on cellular and vascular features. Diffusion MRI data were acquired with multiple b-values (ranging from 50 to 3500 s/mm2), diffusion times, and echo times in 21 patients with brain tumours of different types and with a wide range of cellular and vascular features. We fitted a selection of diffusion models that resulted from the combination of different types of intracellular, extracellular, and vascular compartments to the signal. We compared the models using criteria for parsimony while aiming at good characterisation of all of the key histological brain tumour components. Finally, we evaluated the parameters of the best-performing model in the differentiation of tumour histotypes, using ADC (Apparent Diffusion Coefficient) as a clinical standard reference, and compared them to histopathology and relevant perfusion MRI metrics. The best-performing model for VERDICT in brain tumours was a three-compartment model accounting for anisotropically hindered and isotropically restricted diffusion and isotropic pseudo-diffusion. VERDICT metrics were compatible with the histological appearance of low-grade gliomas and metastases and reflected differences found by histopathology between multiple biopsy samples within tumours. The comparison between histotypes showed that both the intracellular and vascular fractions tended to be higher in tumours with high cellularity (glioblastoma and metastasis), and quantitative analysis showed a trend toward higher values of the intracellular fraction (fic) within the tumour core with increasing glioma grade. We also observed a trend towards a higher free water fraction in vasogenic oedemas around metastases compared to infiltrative oedemas around glioblastomas and WHO 3 gliomas as well as the periphery of low-grade gliomas. In conclusion, we developed and evaluated a multi-compartment diffusion MRI model for brain tumours based on the VERDICT framework, which showed agreement between non-invasive microstructural estimates and histology and encouraging trends for the differentiation of tumour types and sub-regions

Circulating endothelial progenitor cells and large artery structure and function in young subjects with uncomplicated Type 1 Diabetes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), indices of large artery stiffness and measures of endothelium function may be used as markers of early atherosclerosis in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The aim of the present study was to compare the indices of large artery structure and function as well as endothelial function and regenerating capacity between adolescents with T1DM and healthy control of similar age. In addition, the associations of different vascular measures with endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), glyco-metabolic control and serum levels of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs), soluble receptors for AGEs (sRAGE) and adiponectin were evaluated.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sixteen uncomplicated young T1DM patients (mean age 18 ± 2 years, history of disease 11 ± 5 years, HbA1c 7.7 ± 1.1%) and 26 controls (mean age 19 ± 2 years) were studied. A radiofrequency-based ultrasound system (Esaote MyLab 70) was used to measure carotid IMT and wave speed (WS, index of local stiffness), applanation tonometry (PulsePen) was applied to obtain central pulse pressure (PP) and augmentation index (AIx), and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV, Complior) was used as index of aortic stiffness. Peripheral endothelium-dependent vasodilation was determined as reactive hyperemia index (RHI, EndoPAT). Circulating EPCs, glycometabolic profile, AGEs (autofluorescence method), sRAGE and adiponectin were also measured.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>After adjusting for age, sex and blood pressure, T1DM adolescents had significantly higher carotid IMT (456 ± 7 vs. 395 ± 63 μm, p < 0.005), carotid WS (p < 0.005), PWV (p = 0.01), AIx (p < 0.0001) and central PP (p < 0.01) and lower EPCs (p = 0.02) as compared to controls. RHI was reduced only in diabetic patients with HbA1c ≥7.5% (p < 0.05). In the overall population, EPCs were an independent determinant of carotid IMT (together with adiponectin), while fasting plasma glucose was an independent determinant of carotid WS, AIx and central PP.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our findings suggest that young subjects with relatively long-lasting T1DM have a generalized preclinical involvement of large artery structure and function, as well as a blunted endothelium regenerating capacity. Hyperglycemia and suboptimal chronic glycemic control seem to deteriorate the functional arterial characteristics, such as large arteries stiffness, wave reflection and peripheral endothelium-dependent vasodilation, whereas an impaired endothelium regenerating capacity and adiponectin levels seem to influence arterial structure.</p

Recent progress and current opinions in Brillouin microscopy for life science applications

This is the final version. Available on open access from Springer via the DOI in this recordMany important biological functions and processes are reflected in cell and tissue mechanical properties such as elasticity and viscosity. However, current techniques used for measuring these properties have major limitations, such as that they can often not measure inside intact cells and/or require physical contact-which cells can react to and change. Brillouin light scattering offers the ability to measure mechanical properties in a non-contact and label-free manner inside of objects with high spatial resolution using light, and hence has emerged as an attractive method during the past decade. This new approach, coined "Brillouin microscopy," which integrates highly interdisciplinary concepts from physics, engineering, and mechanobiology, has led to a vibrant new community that has organized itself via a European funded (COST Action) network. Here we share our current assessment and opinion of the field, as emerged from a recent dedicated workshop. In particular, we discuss the prospects towards improved and more bio-compatible instrumentation, novel strategies to infer more accurate and quantitative mechanical measurements, as well as our current view on the biomechanical interpretation of the Brillouin spectra.COST Action BioBrilloui

Is Tourism to Blame? Short-Term Rentals and Housing Availability in Montana

Montana experienced almost 12% population growth between 2010 and 2021, with its largest increase of 1.7% between 2020 and 2021. This growth has been concentrated in Western Montana, specifically in areas like Bozeman, Missoula, and Kalispell. This is in unison with the growth of short-term rentals (STR), bringing perceptions of both positive and negative impacts on the communities, hosts, and guests. Platforms like VRBO and Airbnb have streamlined the process for owners and renters to communicate and transact. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the demand for STR as people were looking for accommodations with little human interaction and remote workers that could stay for extended lengths of time. While these rentals benefited tourists, communities struggled with housing shortages, affordability, and inflation (Furukawa & Onuki, 2019). Moreover, tourism soon became a key cause in the narrative that was causing the housing crisis (Clancy, 2020). This research aims to understand the factors and broader context of government policies that contribute to tight housing markets in Montana, which has over 12 million visitors in contrast to 1 million residents

Existing Buildings and HVAC Systems: Incidence of Innovative Surface Finishes on the Energy Requirements

Abstract A great portion of the global energy consumption depends on existing buildings. So, energy saving and related CO 2 emission reduction are important measures. This paper analyses the incidence of innovative surface finishes on the cooling and heating energy demand of existing buildings. These easy and cheap measures preserve the little living spaces, limited height and the architectural/chromatic characteristics. The analysis is conducted for various European cities, by using a dynamic energy simulation software. The primary energy required by the HVAC systems on seasonal and annual basis is evaluated and relevant energy saving (up to 21% on annual basis) is obtained. Finally, a technical-economic analysis is performed and interesting payback values are obtained (2.5-11 years in the best cases; 2–10 years, when a tax deduction of 35% is considered)

Left ventricular ejection time, not heart rate, is an independent correlate of aortic pulse wave velocity.

Salvi P, Palombo C, Salvi GM, Labat C, Parati G, Benetos A. Left ventricular ejection time, not heart rate, is an independent correlate of aortic pulse wave velocity. J Appl Physiol 115: 1610–1617, 2013. First published September 19, 2013; doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00475.2013.— Several studies showed a positive association between heart rate and pulse wave velocity, a sensitive marker of arterial stiffness. However, no study involving a large population has specifically addressed the dependence of pulse wave velocity on different components of the cardiac cycle. The aim of this study was to explore in subjects of different age the link between pulse wave velocity with heart period (the reciprocal of heart rate) and the temporal components of the cardiac cycle such as left ventricular ejection time and diastolic time. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity was assessed in 3,020 untreated subjects (1,107 men). Heart period, left ventricular ejection time, diastolic time, and early-systolic dP/dt were determined by carotid pulse wave analysis with high-fidelity applanation tonometry. An inverse association was found between pulse wave velocity and left ventricular ejection time at all ages (25 years, r2 0.043; 25–44 years, r2 0.103; 45–64 years, r2 0.079; 65–84 years, r2 0.044; 85 years, r2 0.022; P 0.0001 for all). A significant (P 0.0001) negative but always weaker correlation between pulse wave velocity and heart period was also found, with the exception of the youngest subjects (P0.20). A significant positive correlation was also found between pulse wave velocity and dP/dt (P 0.0001). With multiple stepwise regression analysis, left ventricular ejection time and dP/dt remained the only determinant of pulse wave velocity at all ages, whereas the contribution of heart period no longer became significant. Our data demonstrate that pulse wave velocity is more closely related to left ventricular systolic function than to heart period. This may have methodological and pathophysiological implications