How efficient is an integrative approach in archaeological geophysics? Comparative case studies from Neolithic settlements in Thessaly (Central Greece)

The geophysical prospection of Neolithic tells imposes specific challenges due to the preservation and nature of the architectural context and the multiple, usually disturbed, soil strata. Contrary to the usual application of a single method, this paper deals with the advantages of using an integrated geophysical approach through the employment of various methodologies to map the Neolithic cul-tural and environmental landscape of Thessalian tells (magoules) in Central Greece. The success and failure of each method in resolving the various features of the magoules are discussed in detail, and as a whole, they demonstrate the benefits of a manifold geophysical prospection of the sites

Bridging digital approaches and legacy in archaeology

Digital Archaeolog

Gravitational Instantons from Minimal Surfaces

Physical properties of gravitational instantons which are derivable from minimal surfaces in 3-dimensional Euclidean space are examined using the Newman-Penrose formalism for Euclidean signature. The gravitational instanton that corresponds to the helicoid minimal surface is investigated in detail. This is a metric of Bianchi Type $VII_0$, or E(2) which admits a hidden symmetry due to the existence of a quadratic Killing tensor. It leads to a complete separation of variables in the Hamilton-Jacobi equation for geodesics, as well as in Laplace's equation for a massless scalar field. The scalar Green function can be obtained in closed form which enables us to calculate the vacuum fluctuations of a massless scalar field in the background of this instanton.Comment: One figure available by fax upon request. Abstract missing in original submission. Submitted to Classical and Quantum Gravit

Applications of Temperley-Lieb algebras to Lorentz lattice gases

Motived by the study of motion in a random environment we introduce and investigate a variant of the Temperley-Lieb algebra. This algebra is very rich, providing us three classes of solutions of the Yang-Baxter equation. This allows us to establish a theoretical framework to study the diffusive behaviour of a Lorentz Lattice gas. Exact results for the geometrical scaling behaviour of closed paths are also presented.Comment: 10 pages, latex file, one figure(by request

The effects of an insertion in the 5 ' UTR of the AMCase on gene expression and pulmonary functions

Cataloged from PDF version of article.Background: Studies regarding the physiological role of acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) and the effects of its genetic variants on asthma have produced conflicting results. Objectives: We aimed to determine the genetic variants in the AMCase gene that could regulate the gene expression and thus influence disease severity. Methods: Genetic variants of the AMCase gene were determined by sequencing of asthmatics and healthy controls in up to -1 kb in the promoter region and exon 1 and 2. In an association study, a population of asthmatic (n = 504) and healthy Turkish children (n = 188) were genotyped for the observed SNPs. A replication study was performed in a North American adult population of patients with mild (n = 317) and severe (n = 145) asthma. The functional properties of the insertion were determined by promoter reporter assay, electromobility shift assay and transcription factor ELISA experiments. Results: Of the identified SNPs, only a ten base pair insertion (CAATCTAGGC) in the 5'UTR region of exon 2 was significantly associated with lower FEV(1) (beta = -14.63 SE = 6.241, P = 0.019) in Turkish children with asthma. However, in the adult population, the same insertion showed a trend toward higher FEV(1). The insertion was shown to have enhancer activity and the mutant probe possessing the insertion had higher binding affinity for the nuclear extracts. Conclusion: Our study shows that a ten base pair insertion in the 5'UTR region of AMCase gene may modify gene expression and thus may affect the severity of asthma. However, its effects appear to be different in different populations. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Large occipital nerve (Arnold’s nerve) schwannoma

A 37 year-old man who had a ten years history of remitting and intermittently severe neck pain with a suboccipital mass is presented. On initial neurological examination there was no abnormal finding except little mass in the posterior neck. Following physical examination radiological evaluation was requested. In sagittal pre (A) and postcontrast (B) T1W images the lesion in between cervical 2 and 3 spinal process (arrow). The lesion was well defined, encapsulated, heterogeneously enhanced in 2.5 x 2 cm size. There was no bony destruction but remodeling. On axial image the configuration and the location in the semispinalis capitis muscle was easily identified easily (C). The patient underwent operation and final pathologic and radiologic diagnosis was schwannoma with Antoni A cells which was originated from the greater occipital nerve