A multi-isotope investigation of diet and subsistence amongst island and mainland populations from early medieval western Britain

Objectives: This is the first investigation of dietary practices amongst multiple early medieval populations (AD 500–1000) from Wales and the Isle of Man using carbon, nitrogen, and sulphur isotope analysis. The analysis will illuminate similarities or differences between the diets and subsistence strategies of populations occupying different geographical regions, specifically those living in marginal coastal regions in comparison to inland populations well-connected to ecclesiastical centres and high-status settlements. Materials and Methods: One hundred and two human skeletons were sampled for carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis, and 69 human skeletons were sampled for sulphur isotope analysis from nine cemetery sites from western Britain (Isle of Man = 3, southwest Wales = 4, southeast Wales = 2). Thirteen faunal skeletons from St Patrick's Chapel (southwest Wales) were sampled for carbon, nitrogen, and sulphur isotope analysis. Results: Human δ13C values range from −19.4‰ to −21.2‰ (δ13C mean=−20.4 ±0.4‰, 1σ, n = 86), and δ15N values range from 9.1‰ to 13.8‰ (δ15N mean = 10.8 ± 0.9‰, 1σ, n = 86). δ34S values range from 1.2‰ to 18.4‰ (δ34S mean = 11.6 ± 4.5‰, 1σ, n = 66). Significant differences were noted between the mean δ13C, δ15N and δ34S values according to geographic region: Isle of Man (δ13C = −20.7 ± 0.4‰, δ15N = 11.4 ±0.6‰, n = 13/86; δ34S mean = 17.1 ±0.6, n = 4/66), southwest Wales (δ13C = −20.5 ± 0.4‰, δ15N = 11.0 ±1‰, n = 32/86; δ34S = 16.1 ± 2.1, n = 21/66), and southeast Wales (δ13C =−20.3 ±0.4‰, δ15N = 10.4 ±0.7‰, n = 41/86; δ34S= 8.8 ±3‰, n = 41/66). Faunal δ13C values range from −23.1‰ to −21.2‰ (δ13C mean= −22.1 ±0.5‰, 1σ, n = 13), and δ15N values range from 6.3‰ to 9.8‰ (δ15N mean = 7.3 ± 1.1‰, 1σ, n = 13). δ34S values range from 4.7‰ to 18.4‰ (δ34S mean= 16.3 ± 3.6‰, 1σ, n = 13). Conclusions: The data reveal a reliance on terrestrial protein, however differences are observed between the resource consumption of populations from southwest Wales and the Isle of Man in comparison to the populations from southeast Wales. Populations from the west coast have a marine sulphur signature that reflects their coastal proximity and may also include a reliance on seaweed as a fertiliser/food source. Populations in the southeast were connected to ecclesiastical centres and high-status settlements and had access to inland-grown produce. The data add support to the suggestion that δ34S can be used as a mobility indicator

Investigation of sulphate sulphur isotope variations in the Skerne Magnesian Limestone water body

This report presents the results of a sulphur isotope investigation undertaken in the Skerne catchment, located in County Durham, north of Darlington, to investigate the source of groundwater sulphate in the Magnesian Limestone Aquifer. Groundwater and surface waters in the catchment are at risk from a number of current and historic anthropogenic activities. Sulphate is the biggest risk to the public water supplies; as there is currently no cost-effective treatment available and it could render supplies unusable. The elevated sulphate could be both naturally occurring, due to the presence of gypsum or anhydrite bands in the Magnesian Limestone, or it could be due to abandoned coal mine water, or even saline intrusion pollution. Because of the large difference in the sulphate sulphur isotope composition expected between “marine sulphate”, including sulphate derived from marine evaporites, and “non-marine sulphate” derived from the oxidation of sulphide in the coal seams and mine workings, sulphur isotopes were considered promising tracers to discern mine water sources from natural Permian evaporite sources of sulphate. A survey was carried out at 28 sites where groundwater was sampled in July 2018 from boreholes in the Magnesian Limestone Aquifer and in the Coal Measures, following a pilot study comprising 7 boreholes in July 2017. A small number of surface waters, hyporheic zone waters, springs, and soil leachates, sampled during 2017-2018, were also analysed for sulphur isotopes to complement the borehole data. This has allowed the characterisation of the sulphur isotope composition of potential sources of dissolved sulphate. Most of the Magnesian Limestone aquifer groundwaters cluster close to the Global Meteoric Water Line (GMWL) on the dual water δ 18O and δ2H graph with no evidence of mixing with Narich coal mine water, the latter being more depleted in 18O and 2H; there is a small number of boreholes immediately in proximity of the coal seam boreholes, clearly showing signs of water mixing. With higher δ18O and δ2H than the main Magnesian Limestone group, and slightly offset from the GMWL, is also a small group of Magnesian Limestone boreholes. Repeated sampling would better discern the different recharge paths suggested by this single sampling event in July 2018. Groundwaters associated with the worked and unworked coal seam boreholes in this study are of two water types: sodium sulphate (Na–SO4) and sodium bicarbonate (Na–HCO3) waters, variably enriched in dissolved sulphate. Two δ 34S measurements of the dissolved sulphate in the Na–SO4 coal seam boreholes are +13.1‰ and +23.4‰. The lack of the more typical 34S-depleted sulphate derived from the oxidation of pyrite is hence apparent. A similar range of high sulphate δ 34S values has been described in recent studies, and attributed to deep coal mine systems. From a review of published δ34S values for marine evaporites, groundwaters containing sulphate solely derived from the dissolution of Permian marine evaporites are characterised by 34Senriched sulphate (δ34S values range from +8.2 to +11.1‰). There is, therefore, less of a contrasting isotope signature between potential “evaporite” and “coal mine water” end-members. For example, one sample of coal mine water with δ 34S values of +13.1‰ is not too dissimilar to the average Permian evaporite sulphate with δ 34S value of around +10‰. This makes discrimination of the dissolved sulphate sources based on sulphur isotope less certain, especially at low sulphate concentrations. To help the data interpretation, we have modelled the sulphate and sulphur isotope compositions of mixtures of hypothetical end-members and used the evidence from these simulations to constrain possible groundwater contributions and mixing. In particular we simulate how the HARDWICK HALL borehole, representing the Magnesian Limestone aquifer background, with a sulphate concentration of 89 mg/l, and a δ34S value of +1.0‰, evolves during mixing with the following end-members: i) the coal mine waters in this study, ii) a Permian evaporite source, iii) seawater and iv) acid mine drainage. A summary of the data interpretation based on the above modelling is as follows. Over the mine plume area, inputs of coal mine water-derived sulphate are significant in at least one Magnesian Limestone borehole, and detectable in others, supported by the water isotope δ 18O and δ2H data, indicating for these samples water mixing between the coal mine water and the Magnesian Limestone aquifer. Among the Magnesian Limestone boreholes, where gypsum or anhydrite were noted in the borehole logs, only DALTON PIERCY NO 3 and NO 6 boreholes have high sulphate concentrations and display constant δ 34S values of +10.2‰. Given how close this value is to the Permian evaporites’ δ34S values, it could be plausibly explained by a gypsum dissolution source, although a “coal mine water” contribution with a δ34S signature of +13‰ cannot be totally excluded, as shown by the mixing curves. Many of the Magnesian Limestone boreholes with a sulphate concentration around 100 mg/l (range 85–130 mg/l) are characterised instead by a low δ 34S range (-0.7 to +7.2‰). For most of these low sulphate Magnesian Limestone boreholes, uncertainties in discriminating the source of sulphate are higher. The contribution of sulphate from seawater is difficult to discern in the present data for the saline waters of HART RESERVOIR and HARTLEPOOL IND ESTATE REPLACEMENT boreholes, with similar δ34S values of +21.1‰ and +27‰, as they fall far away from the Seawater–Magnesian Limestone mixing line. Many samples fall far outside of these mixing envelopes, suggesting non-conservative behaviour of the sulphate. The very high δ34S and low sulphate concentrations can be interpreted as a possible sign of reduction of sulphates and enrichment in the heavier 34S isotope of the residual (low concentration) sulphate. Additional samples obtained during this study include: i) A spring in the Ford Formation from AYCLIFFE QUARRY to the south east of Aycliffe Village which provides an additional background sample characterised for sulphur isotopes. The water has a SO4 of 69 mg/l and a δ34S value of +2.3‰ and well resembles the composition of HARDWICK HALL borehole. ii) A Mg–SO4 spring, sampled in Woodham Burn and described in previous studies for its impact on the surface water quality because of its high sulphate concentrations of ~800 mg/l. It has a stable δ34S value of ~ +5.5‰. iii) a surface water impacted by mine water inflow with a Mg–SO4 composition, and a δ34S value of +6.9‰. The δ34S value of +5.5‰ of the Mg-SO4 spring at Woodham Burn points to a contribution of low δ 34S-sulphate, as expected from the oxidation of pyrite. These data support the mechanism, hypothesised in Palumbo-Roe et al. (2020) to account for the spring composition, of dissolution of dolomite in the presence of acidic water, where the source of acidity comes from coal mine water due to the oxidation of pyrite. There is a much narrower and lower range of δ 34S in surface water compared to the groundwater samples. With most δ 34S values less than +7‰, none of the high values measured in the boreholes were noted in the surface water, hyporheic zone or soil leachate samples, except for two samples in the hyporheic zone of Woodham Burn with δ 34S +36.3‰ and +13.4‰, values taken as further evidence of the sulphate reduction during the 2018 summer indicated by the hydrochemistry. Recommendations for future work, building upon these findings, are suggested

Laser spectroscopy of hyperfine structure in highly-charged ions: a test of QED at high fields

An overview is presented of laser spectroscopy experiments with cold, trapped, highly-charged ions, which will be performed at the HITRAP facility at GSI in Darmstadt (Germany). These high-resolution measurements of ground state hyperfine splittings will be three orders of magnitude more precise than previous measurements. Moreover, from a comparison of measurements of the hyperfine splittings in hydrogen- and lithium-like ions of the same isotope, QED effects at high electromagnetic fields can be determined within a few percent. Several candidate ions suited for these laser spectroscopy studies are presented.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, 1 table. accepted for Canadian Journal of Physics (2006

Multi-isotope analysis reveals that feasts in the Stonehenge environs and across Wessex drew people and animals from throughout Britain.

The great henge complexes of southern Britain are iconic monuments of the third millennium BCE, representing great feats of engineering and labor mobilization that hosted feasting events on a previously unparalleled scale. The scale of movement and the catchments that the complexes served, however, have thus far eluded understanding. Presenting the largest five-isotope system archeological dataset (87Sr/86Sr, δ34S, δ18O, δ13C, and δ15N) yet fully published, we analyze 131 pigs, the prime feasting animals, from four Late Neolithic (approximately 2800 to 2400 BCE) complexes to explore the networks that the feasts served. Because archeological evidence excludes continental contact, sources are considered only in the context of the British Isles. This analysis reveals wide-ranging origins across Britain, with few pigs raised locally. This finding demonstrates great investment of effort in transporting pigs raised elsewhere over vast distances to supply feasts and evidences the very first phase of pan-British connectivity

Neutrino Interactions in Hot and Dense Matter

We study the charged and neutral current weak interaction rates relevant for the determination of neutrino opacities in dense matter found in supernovae and neutron stars. We establish an efficient formalism for calculating differential cross sections and mean free paths for interacting, asymmetric nuclear matter at arbitrary degeneracy. The formalism is valid for both charged and neutral current reactions. Strong interaction corrections are incorporated through the in-medium single particle energies at the relevant density and temperature. The effects of strong interactions on the weak interaction rates are investigated using both potential and effective field-theoretical models of matter. We investigate the relative importance of charged and neutral currents for different astrophysical situations, and also examine the influence of strangeness-bearing hyperons. Our findings show that the mean free paths are significantly altered by the effects of strong interactions and the multi-component nature of dense matter. The opacities are then discussed in the context of the evolution of the core of a protoneutron star.Comment: 41 pages, 25 figure

Multi-Level Assessment Protocol (MAP) for Adoption in Multisite Clinical Trials

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Clinical Trials Network (CTN) is intended to test promising drug abuse treatment models in multisite clinical trials and to support adoption of new interventions into clinical practice. Using qualitative research methods we asked the following question: how might the technology of multisite clinical trials be modified to better support adoption of tested interventions? A total of 42 participants, representing eight organizational levels ranging from clinic staff to clinical trial leaders, were interviewed about their role in the clinical trial, its interactions with clinics, and intervention adoption. Among eight clinics participating in the clinical trial, we found adoption of the tested intervention in one clinic only. Analysis of interview data revealed four conceptual themes likely to affect adoption and may be informative in future multisite clinical trials. Planning for adoption in the early stages of protocol development will better serve the aim of integrating new interventions into practice

The preservation and interpretation of δ34 S values in charred archaeobotanical remains

The measurement of sulphur isotope (δ34S) values in charred plant remains has the potential to inform understanding of the spatial configuration and ecology of crop production. We investigated the effects of charring, manuring, oxidation and anaerobic soil conditions on modern cereal grain/pulse seed δ34S values, and assessed the effect of chemical pre‐treatment on charred modern and archaeobotanical grain/seed δ34S values. We used these results to interpret δ34S values in archaeobotanical material from Neolithic Çatalhöyük. Our results suggest that δ34S values can be reliably preserved in charred grain/seeds but are subject to influence by anaerobic soil conditions, the effect depending on the timing of flooding in relation to S assimilation

Consensus‐based technical recommendations for clinical translation of renal phase contrast MRI

Background Phase‐contrast (PC) MRI is a feasible and valid noninvasive technique to measure renal artery blood flow, showing potential to support diagnosis and monitoring of renal diseases. However, the variability in measured renal blood flow values across studies is large, most likely due to differences in PC‐MRI acquisition and processing. Standardized acquisition and processing protocols are therefore needed to minimize this variability and maximize the potential of renal PC‐MRI as a clinically useful tool. Purpose To build technical recommendations for the acquisition, processing, and analysis of renal 2D PC‐MRI data in human subjects to promote standardization of renal blood flow measurements and facilitate the comparability of results across scanners and in multicenter clinical studies. Study Type Systematic consensus process using a modified Delphi method. Population Not applicable. Sequence Field/Strength Renal fast gradient echo‐based 2D PC‐MRI. Assessment An international panel of 27 experts from Europe, the USA, Australia, and Japan with 6 (interquartile range 4–10) years of experience in 2D PC‐MRI formulated consensus statements on renal 2D PC‐MRI in two rounds of surveys. Starting from a recently published systematic review article, literature‐based and data‐driven statements regarding patient preparation, hardware, acquisition protocol, analysis steps, and data reporting were formulated. Statistical Tests Consensus was defined as ≥75% unanimity in response, and a clear preference was defined as 60–74% agreement among the experts. Results Among 60 statements, 57 (95%) achieved consensus after the second‐round survey, while the remaining three showed a clear preference. Consensus statements resulted in specific recommendations for subject preparation, 2D renal PC‐MRI data acquisition, processing, and reporting. Data Conclusion These recommendations might promote a widespread adoption of renal PC‐MRI, and may help foster the set‐up of multicenter studies aimed at defining reference values and building larger and more definitive evidence, and will facilitate clinical translation of PC‐MRI. Level of Evidence 1 Technical Efficacy Stage