INVESTIGATING THE PROVENANCE OF THE BAETICAN AMPHORAE DRESSEL 23: NEW ARCHAEOMETRIC EVIDENCE FROM LATE ROMAN CONSUMPTION CENTRES

Baetican amphorae of the type Dressel 23 found in Late Roman consumption centres from the northeastern Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands were archaeometrically investigated in order to characterise the materials and examine their provenance. A combination of analytical techniques was used, including optical microscopy (thin- section analysis), X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The results show two main fabrics and a number of other less represented fabrics. Some of these fabrics comprise all the samples of the variants Dressel 23a and 23c, and can be related to a provenance in the Guadalquivir/Genil valleys, while other fabrics include all the Dressel 23d samples and their provenance must be situated in the coastal area of Málaga, based on their petrographic composition and the integration of the archaeological information. Some samples of Almagro 51A-B amphorae are also analysed, and show the same chemical-petrographic composition as the Dressel 23d individuals, this indicating that they both come from the same workshops. The results suggest that the arrival of Dressel 23 amphorae from the Málaga area to the analysed consumption centres may have been more significant in the Late Roman period than usually acknowledged

Considerations for applying logical reasoning to explain neural network outputs

We discuss the impact of presenting explanations to people for Artificial Intelligence (AI) decisions powered by Neural Networks, according to three types of logical reasoning (inductive, deductive, and abductive). We start from examples in the existing literature on explaining artificial neural networks. We see that abductive reasoning is (unintentionally) the most commonly used as default in user testing for comparing the quality of explanation techniques. We discuss whether this may be because this reasoning type balances the technical challenges of generating the explanations, and the effectiveness of the explanations. Also, by illustrating how the original (abductive) explanation can be converted into the remaining two reasoning types we are able to identify considerations needed to support these kinds of transformations

Supporting High-Uncertainty Decisions through AI and Logic-Style Explanations

A common criteria for Explainable AI (XAI) is to support users in establishing appropriate trust in the AI - rejecting advice when it is incorrect, and accepting advice when it is correct. Previous findings suggest that explanations can cause an over-reliance on AI (overly accepting advice). Explanations that evoke appropriate trust are even more challenging for decision-making tasks that are difficult for humans and AI. For this reason, we study decision-making by non-experts in the high-uncertainty domain of stock trading. We compare the effectiveness of three different explanation styles (influenced by inductive, abductive, and deductive reasoning) and the role of AI confidence in terms of a) the users' reliance on the XAI interface elements (charts with indicators, AI prediction, explanation), b) the correctness of the decision (task performance), and c) the agreement with the AI's prediction. In contrast to previous work, we look at interactions between different aspects of decision-making, including AI correctness, and the combined effects of AI confidence and explanations styles. Our results show that specific explanation styles (abductive and deductive) improve the user's task performance in the case of high AI confidence compared to inductive explanations. In other words, these styles of explanations were able to invoke correct decisions (for both positive and negative decisions) when the system was certain. In such a condition, the agreement between the user's decision and the AI prediction confirms this finding, highlighting a significant agreement increase when the AI is correct. This suggests that both explanation styles are suitable for evoking appropriate trust in a confident AI. Our findings further indicate a need to consider AI confidence as a criterion for including or excluding explanations from AI interfaces. In addition, this paper highlights the importance of carefully selecting an explanation style according to the characteristics of the task and data

Persistence of pristine deep-sea coral gardens in the Mediterranean Sea (SW Sardinia)

Leiopathes glaberrima is a tall arborescent black coral species structuring important facies of the deep-sea rocky bottoms of the Mediterranean Sea that are severely stifled by fishing activities. At present, however, no morphological in vivo description, ecological characterization, age dating and evaluation of the possible conservation actions have ever been made for any population of this species in the basin. A dense coral population was reported during two Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) surveys conducted on a rocky bank off the SW coasts of Sardinia (Western Mediterranean Sea). L. glaberrima forms up to 2 m-tall colonies with a maximal observed basal diameter of nearly 7 cm. The radiocarbon dating carried out on a colony from this site with a 4 cm basal diameter revealed an approximately age of 2000 years. Considering the size-frequency distribution of the colonies in the area it is possible to hypothesize the existence of other millennial specimens occupying a supposedly very stable ecosystem. The persistence of this ecosystem is likely guaranteed by the heterogeneous rocky substrate hosting the black coral population that represents a physical barrier against the mechanical impacts acted on the surrounding muddy areas, heavily exploited as trawling fishing grounds. This favorable condition, together with the existence of a nursery area for catsharks within the coral ramifications and the occurrence of a meadow of the now rare soft bottom alcyonacean Isidella elongata in small surviving muddy inclaves, indicates that this ecosystem have to be considered a pristine Mediterranean deep-sea coral sanctuary that would deserve special protection

Artificial Intelligence Applications in Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Are We on the Path to Avoiding the Administration of Contrast Media?

In recent years, cardiovascular imaging examinations have experienced exponential growth due to technological innovation, and this trend is consistent with the most recent chest pain guidelines. Contrast media have a crucial role in cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, allowing for more precise characterization of different cardiovascular diseases. However, contrast media have contraindications and side effects that limit their clinical application in determinant patients. The application of artificial intelligence (AI)-based techniques to CMR imaging has led to the development of non-contrast models. These AI models utilize non-contrast imaging data, either independently or in combination with clinical and demographic data, as input to generate diagnostic or prognostic algorithms. In this review, we provide an overview of the main concepts pertaining to AI, review the existing literature on non-contrast AI models in CMR, and finally, discuss the strengths and limitations of these AI models and their possible future development

Acquired factor V inhibitor in a context of sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation

International audienc

Interplay of Staphylococcal and Host Proteases Promotes Skin Barrier Disruption in Netherton Syndrome.

Netherton syndrome (NS) is a monogenic skin disease resulting from loss of function of lymphoepithelial Kazal-type-related protease inhibitor (LEKTI-1). In this study we examine if bacteria residing on the skin are influenced by the loss of LEKTI-1 and if interaction between this human gene and resident bacteria contributes to skin disease. Shotgun sequencing of the skin microbiome demonstrates that lesional skin of NS subjects is dominated by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis). Isolates of either species from NS subjects are able to induce skin inflammation and barrier damage on mice. These microbes promote skin inflammation in the setting of LEKTI-1 deficiency due to excess proteolytic activity promoted by S. aureus phenol-soluble modulin α as well as increased bacterial proteases staphopain A and B from S. aureus or EcpA from S. epidermidis. These findings demonstrate the critical need for maintaining homeostasis of host and microbial proteases to prevent a human skin disease

Pulmonary transit time as a marker of diastolic dysfunction in Takotsubo syndrome

AIM: To evaluate the pulmonary transit time (PTT) and its derived parameters using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) as markers of diastolic dysfunction in Takotsubo syndrome (TS) and its relationship with transthoracic echocardiography and CMRI parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients with TS, who exhibited diastolic dysfunction as assessed by transthoracic echocardiography, were enrolled retrospectively and the PTT, pulmonary transit time index (PTTI), and pulmonary blood volume index (PBVI) were evaluated using first-pass CMRI. PTT was calculated as the number of cardiac cycles required for a bolus of contrast agent to move from the right ventricle (RV) to the left ventricle (LV), whereas PTTI represents the PTT interval corrected for the heart rate. Finally, PBVI was calculated as the product of PTTI, and RV stroke volume indexed for body surface area. Normal references of PTT, PTTI, and PBVI were evaluated in a cohort of 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. RESULTS: Compared with healthy subjects, TS patients showed significantly higher PTT, PTTI, and PBVI (p=0.0001, p=0.0001, and p=0.002, respectively). Using multivariable logistic regression, PBVI provided the best differentiation between TS and controls (AUC 0.84). PBVI was significantly associated with the index of diastolic dysfunction and left atrial strain parameters. In addition, PBVI demonstrated a significant correlation with global T2 mapping (r=0,520, p=0,019). CONCLUSION: PTT and the derived parameters, as assessed using first-pass CMRI, are potential tools for assessing LV diastolic dysfunction in patients with TS

A shared pottery-making tradition? Early Roman Ware 1 from Cartagena and Elche (Spain)

The so-called Early Roman Ware 1, identified by P. Reynolds in the Alicante region, was widely distributed in the eastern part of the Iberian Peninsula. The presence of this ware in Elche (Alicante) and Valencia opened the possibility that it was widely distributed across the region. Indeed, it has been considered as a possible regional product of the area of Valencia. In Cartagena (ancient Carthago Nova), where our study concentrated originally, ERW1 is relatively common in 2nd and 3rd century CE contexts and has been considered as a local product. The question here is whether the ERW1 detected in Cartagena is the same as known in the Elche and Valencia re- gions? Were they the product of the same workshop or production center and subsequently distributed across the region? Or do we have several production centers, sharing a technological tradition but operating in different areas? To explore this problem, we have initially characterized 29 samples from this Early Roman Ware 1 found in Cartagena (Murcia) and Elche (Alicante), using a combination of analytical techniques. WD-XRF was used for the chemical characterization, XRD for the mineralogical characterization, and, finally, optical microscopy of thin- sections was applied to investigate the petrographic features. The results of the petrographic characterization indicate the existence of a major petrographic fabric group sharing compositional features. Chemistry reveals a slightly more complex picture. One sample originates in an area of metamorphic geology, possibly in Cartagena, while the other samples, although their provenance is still unknown, most probably originated elsewhere, exploiting kaolinitic clay

Insight from imaging on plaque vulnerability: similarities and differences between coronary and carotid arteries—implications for systemic therapies

Nowadays it is widely accepted that the rupture of the atherosclerotic plaque in coronary and carotid arteries plays a fundamental role in the development of acute myocardial infarctions or cerebrovascular events. In recent years, imaging techniques have explored, with a new level of detail, the atherosclerotic disease generating new evidences that some plaque characteristics are significantly associated to the risk of rupture and subsequent thrombosis or embolization. Moreover, the recent evidence of the anti-atherosclerotic effects determined by lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory therapies poses a challenge for the choice of therapeutic approaches (best/optimal medical therapy vs. revascularization), maximized by the evidence that coronary and carotid atherosclerosis share common patterns but also differ regarding some important features. In this Review, we discuss the similarities and differences between coronary and carotid artery vulnerable plaque from the imaging point of view and the potential implications for systemic therapies according to the emerging evidence