Stable isotopic evidence for land use patterns in the Middle Euphrates Valley, Syria.

OBJECTIVES: Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios (δ13 C and δ15 N) were used to reconstruct the history of subsistence strategies in the middle Euphrates valley, NE Syria, in six temporal subsets dating from the Early Bronze Age (c. 2300 BCE) to the Modern period (19th/20th century CE). The study aims to demonstrate that changes in political and social organization over time, for which the archaeological record suggests different goals of land use and modes of production, register through dietary patterns that are reflected in isotopic data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 173 dentin samples were taken from human individuals buried at three sites (Tell Ashara, Tell Masaikh and Gebel Mashtale) together with 15 animal bone samples. Distribution of the δ13 C and δ15 N values in collagen was interpreted in diachronic perspective, and with regard to lifetime shifts between childhood and adolescence. RESULTS: Diachronically, isotope signatures indicate a clear decrease in δ15 N values accompanied by a small shift in δ13 C values between the Old Babylonian (c. 1800-1600 BCE) and the Neo-Assyrian (c. 850-600 BCE) subsets. A major shift in δ13 C values occurred between the Early Islamic (c. 600-1200 CE) and Modern (c. 1800-1950) periods. Ontogenetic changes only occur in a few individuals, but these suggest change of residence between childhood and adolescence. DISCUSSION: The depletion in 15 N from the Neo-Assyrian period onwards is best explained in terms of a shift from intensive to extensive farming, triggered by the fall of regional city-states after the Old Babylonian period and the formation of large supra-regional polities in the Neo-Assyrian period and later. The enrichment in 13 C during the Modern period was most likely the effect of more widely utilizing the dry steppes, abundant in C4 plants, as pasture

Human and mouse essentiality screens as a resource for disease gene discovery

The identification of causal variants in sequencing studies remains a considerable challenge that can be partially addressed by new gene-specific knowledge. Here, we integrate measures of how essential a gene is to supporting life, as inferred from viability and phenotyping screens performed on knockout mice by the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium and essentiality screens carried out on human cell lines. We propose a cross-species gene classification across the Full Spectrum of Intolerance to Loss-of-function (FUSIL) and demonstrate that genes in five mutually exclusive FUSIL categories have differing biological properties. Most notably, Mendelian disease genes, particularly those associated with developmental disorders, are highly overrepresented among genes non-essential for cell survival but required for organism development. After screening developmental disorder cases from three independent disease sequencing consortia, we identify potentially pathogenic variants in genes not previously associated with rare diseases. We therefore propose FUSIL as an efficient approach for disease gene discovery. Discovery of causal variants for monogenic disorders has been facilitated by whole exome and genome sequencing, but does not provide a diagnosis for all patients. Here, the authors propose a Full Spectrum of Intolerance to Loss-of-Function (FUSIL) categorization that integrates gene essentiality information to aid disease gene discovery

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

3d digital soil-geology models of the near surface environment [abstract]

Research in the top few metres of the ground beneath our feet has traditionally been split between soil science, geology and several sub-disciplines. This has lead to different working practices, classifications and boundaries as well as inconsistent approaches to databasing and modelling. A significant uncertainty lies within the “transition zone” between the pedosphere and geosphere. The British Geological Survey (BGS) set out to investigate this zone through multidisciplinary field surveys at both a site specific and catchment scale in representative soil-geoscapes across the UK. The spatial 3D soil-geology model is developed by the combination of spatial soil and geoscientific findings. Whilst undertaking these studies the BGS were particularly interested in investigating whether technologies developed to map geology in 3D can be used to routinely develop spatial models of the soil-geology environment, and if technologies used in digital soil mapping can assist in reducing uncertainties associated with such models at a variety of scales. The presented soil-geology model is an example of recent work carried out on an area of approximately 2 km2 near Shelford, Nottinghamshire, UK. The site lies on the River Trent floodplain and an adjacent gentle slope of Triassic mudstone. The whole site is underlain by typical red mudstones of the Triassic Mercia Mudstone Group with some interbedded greenish grey siltstones and sandstones. This is overlain by up to 5 m of Pleistocene and Holocene river terrace deposits, varying from sand to coarse gravels and Holocene alluvial and colluvial deposits. Fieldwork was orientated along several parallel traverses running from the hilltop, downslope towards the River Trent. The study of the survey area comprised of two main stages. Firstly a field survey which included techniques such as a detailed soil and geological survey, pitting and drilling, installation of piezometres, soil moisture tests, high-resolution electrical mapping, electrical resistivity tomography, ground penetrating radar, magnetic susceptibility, gamma spectrometry, remote sensing and terrain analysis. The second stage involved the digital assembly of data, processing, and the development of the 3D soil-geology model. Each survey delivered its own results in form of maps, tables and property models which were collated into one software package (GSI3D by INSIGHT GmbH). Developing a solid 3D soil-geology model in GSI3D utilizes a Digital Terrain Model, mapped geological and soil line work, downhole borehole and augerhole data, and geophysical data. This enables the geoscientist to construct regularly spaced intersecting cross-sections by correlating boreholes and the outcrops-subcrops of units to produce a fence diagram of the area. Mathematical interpolation between the nodes along the sections and the limits of the units or horizons produces a solid model comprising of a series of stacked triangulated volume objects. The final 3D model shows several top- and subsoil horizons in conjunction with the underlying Holocene, Pleistocene and red Triassic Mercia Mudstone parent materials. These models can aid studies of near surface processes including the movement of water, dissolved agricultural nutrients and associated eroded soil particles

Diet and Social Status During the Tène Period in Bohemia - Carbon and Nitrogen Stable Isotope Analysis of Bone Collagen from Kutná Hora-Karlov and Radovesice.

NoBone collagen carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios were obtained from three La Tène period inhumation cemeteries in the Czech Republic (Kutná Hora-Karlov, Radovesice I and Radovesice II) and 16 Hallstatt period inhumations in northern Austria. Results indicate that during the La Tène period in Bohemia, overall diet was based on animal protein and plant foods following the C3 photosynthetic pathway, although ¿13C values for two individuals from Kutná Hora-Karlov indicate at least some contribution from C4 plant foods, most likely millet. At Kutná Hora-Karlov, more positive ¿15N values for male individuals buried with items of iron weaponry indicate the existence of a differential dietary system within the male population based on individual ¿warrior¿ status. A comparison with data from a number of Hallstatt period inhumations in northern Austria and a previously published study of a Hallstatt period site in Slovenia [Murray, M.L., Schoeninger, M.J., 1988. Diet, status, and complex social structure in Iron Age Central Europe: Some contributions from bone chemistry. In: Gibson, D.B., Geselowitz, M.N. (Eds.), Tribe and Polity in Late Prehistoric Europe: Demography, Production and Exchange in the Evolution of Complex Social Systems. Plenum Press, New York, pp. 155¿176] enables an examination of the spread of millet as a major dietary component. This data will be of use to studies of diet in prehistoric Europe and provides evidence for dietary divisions relating to social stratification during the La Tène B¿C, a period often seen as less complex than the preceding Hallstatt period

Child prostitution

Not availabl

Commercially sexually exploited youths’ health care experiences, barriers, and recommendations: A qualitative analysis

The current study sought to understand commercially sexually exploited (CSE) youths' health care experiences, barriers to care, and recommendations for improving health care services. We conducted focus groups (N=5) with 18 CSE youth from February 2015 through May 2016 at two group homes serving CSE youth in Southern California. We performed thematic content analysis to identify emergent themes about CSE youths' perspectives on health care. Youth described facilitators to care, including availability of services such as screening for sexually transmitted infections, knowledge about sexual health, and a strong motivation to stay healthy. Barriers included feeling judged, concerns about confidentiality, fear, perceived low quality of services, and self-reliance. Overall, youth emphasized self-reliance and "street smarts" for survival and de-emphasized "victimhood," which shaped their interactions with health care, and recommended that health providers develop increased understanding of CSE youth. Our findings suggest that providers and community agencies can play an essential role in raising awareness of the needs of CSE youth and meet their health needs through creating a non-judgmental environment in health care settings that validates the experiences of these youth

Domestic sex trafficking of children

A great deal of attention has been paid to trafficking across international borders; however, comparatively little attention has been given to those who are trafficked within the borders of their own country, including children. While growing attention has been given to this population, there is still confusion and misinformation about this crime. This chapter reviews relevant laws in several nations, as well as risk factors and forms of this crime. Lastly, effective interventions to assist these youth in leaving the life are discussed