An Analytical Framework for the Selection and Classification of Archaeological Pottery in Order to Create an Integrated Characteristics Record. I. Preliminary Field Analysis of the Cucuteni Pottery from Hoisesti (Iasi county)

The present paper aims to establish a series of characteristics, as well as a theoretical and methodological framework, to help assess the possible utility of Neolithic pots, based on the analysis of its fabric. Our approach is based on the use of a series of analytical parameters, through the use of macroscopic or microscopic visual inspection of pottery fragments on site. The variables identifiable through this analysis help us define the physical characteristics of the fabric, firing and non-plastic inclusions. By applying the methodology of this study to the Cucuteni A pottery from the Hoiseºti - the La Pod site, we were able to define three categories of fabrics, each with its specific characteristics and possible utilities. This approach helped us determine the possible site function during its excavation and record the characteristics of the pottery in an integrated table

Discordance between patient and physician global assessment of disease activity in Behçet's syndrome: a multicenter study cohort

Background: To compare the patients' and physician's global assessment of disease activity in Behçet's syndrome (BS) and investigate the frequency, magnitude, and determinants of potential discordance. Methods: A total of 226 adult BS patients with a median (IQR) age of 46.9 (35.6-55.2) years were enrolled across Italy, Greece, Portugal, and Spain. Demographic, clinical, and therapeutic variables, as well as the patient reported outcomes, were collected at the recruitment visit. The physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary scores of the Short Form Questionnaire 36 (SF-36) and the Behçet's syndrome Overall Damage Index (BODI) were calculated. Disease activity was assessed by the patients' (PtGA) and physician's global assessment (PGA) in a 10-cm visual analog scale, as well as the Behçet Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF). Discordance (∆) was calculated by subtracting the PGA from the PtGA and defined as positive (PtGA>PGA) and negative (PtGA 80%) of disagreements were due to patients rating higher their disease activity. Higher values of BDCAF were associated to increased rate of positive discordance. When BDCAF = 0, the median (IQR) values of PtGA and PGA were 0.2 (0-2) and 0 (0-1), respectively. PCS (adjusted odds ratio (adjOR) 0.96 per unit, 95% CI 0.93-0.98, p = 0.006) and MCS (adjOR 0.96 per unit, 95% CI 0.93-0.99, p = 0.003) were independently associated with positive discordance using both cutoffs. Active ocular involvement emerged as a potential determinant of negative discordance (adjOR 5.88, 95% CI 1.48-23.30, p = 0.012). Conclusions: PtGA and PGA should be considered as complementary measures in BS, as patients and physicians may be influenced by different factors when assessing active disease manifestations. Particularly, PtGA may be a useful tool in the assessment of BS disease activity, as it carries a low risk to misclassify an inactive disease, and may allow to capture aspects of the patient's health that negatively affect his well-being and the treatment

Anion-Sensitive Regions of L-Type CaV1.2 Calcium Channels Expressed in HEK293 Cells

L-type calcium currents (ICa) are influenced by changes in extracellular chloride, but sites of anion effects have not been identified. Our experiments showed that CaV1.2 currents expressed in HEK293 cells are strongly inhibited by replacing extracellular chloride with gluconate or perchlorate. Variance-mean analysis of ICa and cell-attached patch single channel recordings indicate that gluconate-induced inhibition is due to intracellular anion effects on Ca2+ channel open probability, not conductance. Inhibition of CaV1.2 currents produced by replacing chloride with gluconate was reduced from ∼75%–80% to ∼50% by omitting β subunits but unaffected by omitting α2δ subunits. Similarly, gluconate inhibition was reduced to ∼50% by deleting an α1 subunit N-terminal region of 15 residues critical for β subunit interactions regulating open probability. Omitting β subunits with this mutant α1 subunit did not further diminish inhibition. Gluconate inhibition was unchanged with expression of different β subunits. Truncating the C terminus at AA1665 reduced gluconate inhibition from ∼75%–80% to ∼50% whereas truncating it at AA1700 had no effect. Neutralizing arginines at AA1696 and 1697 by replacement with glutamines reduced gluconate inhibition to ∼60% indicating these residues are particularly important for anion effects. Expressing CaV1.2 channels that lacked both N and C termini reduced gluconate inhibition to ∼25% consistent with additive interactions between the two tail regions. Our results suggest that modest changes in intracellular anion concentration can produce significant effects on CaV1.2 currents mediated by changes in channel open probability involving β subunit interactions with the N terminus and a short C terminal region

Assessment of acute myocardial infarction: current status and recommendations from the North American society for cardiovascular imaging and the European society of cardiac radiology

There are a number of imaging tests that are used in the setting of acute myocardial infarction and acute coronary syndrome. Each has their strengths and limitations. Experts from the European Society of Cardiac Radiology and the North American Society for Cardiovascular Imaging together with other prominent imagers reviewed the literature. It is clear that there is a definite role for imaging in these patients. While comparative accuracy, convenience and cost have largely guided test decisions in the past, the introduction of newer tests is being held to a higher standard which compares patient outcomes. Multicenter randomized comparative effectiveness trials with outcome measures are required

2012 ACCF/AHA/ACP/AATS/PCNA/SCAI/STS guideline for the diagnosis and management of patients with stable ischemic heart disease

The recommendations listed in this document are, whenever possible, evidence based. An extensive evidence review was conducted as the document was compiled through December 2008. Repeated literature searches were performed by the guideline development staff and writing committee members as new issues were considered. New clinical trials published in peer-reviewed journals and articles through December 2011 were also reviewed and incorporated when relevant. Furthermore, because of the extended development time period for this guideline, peer review comments indicated that the sections focused on imaging technologies required additional updating, which occurred during 2011. Therefore, the evidence review for the imaging sections includes published literature through December 2011

Assessing anthropogenic impact on soil genesis through archaeological data

The purpose of our work is to analyse soils properties and their evolution related to prehistoric settlements (Neolithic to Bronze Age) from Ruginoasa-Strunga saddle, located in western part of the Moldavian Plateau.Although the actual climatic conditions favor the development of forest soils in this area, the morphology and chemical proprieties show soils characteristics much closer to those of Cambic Chernozems. Therefore this soils were termed in the former Romanian soil classification systems forest chernozemic soils, chernozemic black soils, pratozems, brunizems, typically having chernozemic aspect but which are not encountered under a specific forest-steppe environment. Currently, these soils are classified as Cambic Phaeozems according to the Romanian Soil Taxonomy System (2012).Through the computation of zonal statistics, it was found that these soils are characterized by higher values of humus content, higher thickness of Am horizons and higher values of mobile phosphorus than the other soils in the study area. Concerning the mobile phosphorus content, several spatial anomalies were detected, which may prove the continuity of settlements and agricultural practices in the area. In this respect, seven profiles were identified displaying gradual increase of phosphorus values with soil depth, which are situated in the proximity of archeological sites. Moreover, the maximum phosphorus value (450 ppm) is located in the proximity of such a site.Although the archaeological data covering this area are limited and fragmentary, a clustered settlements distribution is observed in both northern and south-eastern extremities of the saddle. The axis of the saddle appears to have been an open, unforested space which was used for agricultural purposes and probably as a travel corridor. The presence in the same area of several Bronze Age tumuli, support this hypothesis. There is considerable evidence to suggest that barrows tended to be built in cleared areas of landscape. The ancient land cultivation which maintained a ”steppe-like” soil climate can be seen as an anthropogenic factor may have influenced the evolution of these soils by preserving their properties. </p

Schooner Ernestina Commission: for the period July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2011

<p>Supplemental material, Supplementary_material_4 for Middle Holocene subsistence east of the Romanian Carpathians: Bioarchaeological data from the Chalcolithic site of Poduri-Dealul Ghindaru by Luminiţa Bejenaru, George Bodi, Simina Stanc and Mihaela Danu in The Holocene</p

Supplementary_material_6 – Supplemental material for Middle Holocene subsistence east of the Romanian Carpathians: Bioarchaeological data from the Chalcolithic site of Poduri-Dealul Ghindaru

<p>Supplemental material, Supplementary_material_6 for Middle Holocene subsistence east of the Romanian Carpathians: Bioarchaeological data from the Chalcolithic site of Poduri-Dealul Ghindaru by Luminiţa Bejenaru, George Bodi, Simina Stanc and Mihaela Danu in The Holocene</p

Supplementary_material_1 – Supplemental material for Middle Holocene subsistence east of the Romanian Carpathians: Bioarchaeological data from the Chalcolithic site of Poduri-Dealul Ghindaru

<p>Supplemental material, Supplementary_material_1 for Middle Holocene subsistence east of the Romanian Carpathians: Bioarchaeological data from the Chalcolithic site of Poduri-Dealul Ghindaru by Luminiţa Bejenaru, George Bodi, Simina Stanc and Mihaela Danu in The Holocene</p