Further observations on the nature and provenance of the lithic artefacts from the Makapansgat Limeworks

Main articleA selected sample of 45 lithic specimens from the Makapansgat Limeworks site, considered to be artefacts showing acceptable evidence of having been deliberately flaked or utilized, are illustrated, described and discussed. The sample comprises a single stalactite fragment from the grey breccia (Member 3), 2 chert pieces from the pink breccia (Member 4), 24 chert and dolomite pieces and 7 of quartzite from the Phase II breccia (Member 5) , 2 pieces- one of quartzite and one of vein quartz- of doubtful provenance, and 9 chert pieces from the overburden. Recognition of deliberate flaking of the native rocks (dolomite and chert) is often difficult because of the feebly conchoidal fracture often produced, and the susceptibility of the dolomite to weathering. Experimentally produced fracturing in chert demonstrates that such artificial fractures differ clearly from those produced by the normal break-up of this rock. The repeated appearance of two crude tool forms is discussed. The method adopted here in the analysis of the small-scale damage on working edges of suspected artefacts is considered to demonstrate independently their authenticity or otherwise. This procedure, whereby eight perceptible attributes are differentiated and evaluated, should prove useful in augmenting other criteria employed in the examination of all primitive materials suspected to be cultural. The Limeworks artefacts are also broadly discussed with reference to the Limeworks stratigraphy as originally described by Brain (1958) and as recently proposed by Partridge (1979) . The derivation of suspected artefacts in the overburden and in Member 5 are discussed. It is concluded that the great majority of those in the overburden were derived by decalcification of the underlying breccias, while those in the pebble bands of Member 5 appear to be primarily of intracavernous origin.Non

The potential vegetable dietary of Plio-Pleistocene Hominids at Makapansgat

Main articleNeither fossil pollens nor macroscopic plant remains have as yet been reported from the Makapansgat Limeworks breccias; hence there exists no direct means of assessing the character of the local floral environment during australopithecine times. However, it is suggested that provided acceptable evidence on the nature of the contemporaneous climate and particularly rainfall can be obtained, by indirect means a comparatively full picture may be presented, both of the local vegetation and of the plant foods available to hominids in the area at that time. The methods and types of data employed in deducing the nature of the palaeoflora at Makapansgat, under hypothetical conditions of rainfall both higher and lower than the present, are briefly summarised. The extant vegetation in the Makapansgat area is briefly described and the food plant component is discussed with reference to the numbers and types of food plant present, the numbers and types of foods these plants provide and the times at which they are availabe. These data relate to two study areas, one lying within an 8 km radius of the Limeworks site, the other lying within a 16 km radius. The present climate and floral-climatic relationships at Makapansgat in recent and historic times are discussed. The nature of secondary disturbance in the area is discussed and its effects emphasised. The conjectured nature and food plant component of the prehistoric Makapansgat vegetation is discussed in relation to hypothetical conditions of both increased and diminished rainfall. The five vegetation types represented at Makapansgat provide a total of 117 food plants within a radius of 8 km of the Limeworks site, and 150 within a 16 km radius. These plants are mainly trees and shrubs providing edible fruits.Non

The lithic industry in the Makapansgat Limeworks breccias and overlying surface soil

Main articleThe excavations directed by Professor Dart at the Makapansgat Limeworks, and conducted mainly by myself at the site since 1960, were concerned during the 1963- 1965 field seasons with an examination of the surface soil overlying the consolidated pink breccias, and of the contents of the abundant solution cavities which penetrate the underlying breccia mass to depths of up to 15 feet or more. The shallow soil , overlying and mainly derived from the consolidated australopithecine breccias, contains an abundance of crude artefacts which are largely composed of chert, a material native to the dolomitic cavern site. The most characteristic tools are various kinds of notched scrapers which are more particularly described. The undoubted relationship of these artefacts to those occurring in the underlying breccias is also discussed.Non

CONSIDERATIONS FOR A DOMESTIC TERRORISM STATUTE

While the crime of international terrorism is clearly defined in U.S. law, the lack of a domestic terrorism charge has broad implications for the government’s actual and perceived ability to respond to acts of domestic violent extremism. The creation of a federal domestic terrorism statute would codify the severity of the threat into enforceable law and allow the government to respond more effectively. Such a statute could directly impact the First Amendment rights of U.S. citizens, however, via the monitoring of free speech and association. What then are the potential costs, benefits, and consequences of a domestic terrorism statute in the United States, especially pertaining to First Amendment constitutional rights? A qualitative case study was conducted to focus on three cases of political violence that may be interpreted as domestic terrorism in the United States: the Capitol riot, the Charlottesville attack, and the Pittsburgh synagogue incident. The findings of this study indicate that a statute can also be instrumental in the investigation and prosecution of domestic terrorism incidents by protecting targeted racial groups, preventing abuse of power and authority, increasing penalties, and giving victims and their families the justice they deserve. The main challenge is the argument that a statute would infringe on civil liberties, which could be prevented by having specific provisions about the limits of these civil liberties and a benchmark for inciting terrorism.Civilian, New York City Police DepartmentApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

Medium Mediated Effects Increase cell Killing in a Human Keratinocyte Cell Line Exposed to Solar Simulated Radiation

Purpose: The objective of this study is to investigate whether cell culture medium is 40 a biologically relevant exposure medium that can be employed in non-ionising photobiological investigations. 42 Methods: The effect of solar simulated irradiation on cell culture medium and its ability to elicit cell death was studied. The role of reactive oxygen species (ROS), cell 44 secreted factors, and the contribution of individual components of the medium were investigated. 46 Results: Cell death was found to be primarily mediated through the formation of ROS via riboflavin photosensitisation and degradation in the cell culture medium. Phenol 48 red was found to significantly reduce the cell killing ability of riboflavin. Exposures in riboflavin free medium resulted in significantly increased cell survival compared to 50 identical exposures in riboflavin containing medium. Conclusions: This study has shown that solar radiation toxicity is augmented by cell 52 culture medium due to the presence of riboflavin. Results suggest that exposures performed in phenol red free medium may serve to increase phototoxic effects if 54 riboflavin is present. Riboflavin free media is recommended for solar radiation investigations to eliminate concerns regarding riboflavin photosensitisation and nutrient 56 deprivation

Educating emergency department nurses about trauma informed care for people presenting with mental health crisis: A pilot study

Background Practicing with trauma informed care (TIC) can strengthen nurses’ knowledge about the association of past trauma and the impact of trauma on the patient’s current mental illness. An aim of TIC is to avoid potentially re-traumatising a patient during their episode of care. A TIC education package can provide nurses with content that describes the interplay of neurological, biological, psychological, and social effects of trauma that may reduce the likelihood of re-traumatisation. Although mental health nurses can be TIC leads in multidisciplinary environments, the translation of TIC into clinical practice by nurses working in emergency departments (EDs) is unknown. However, before ED nurses can begin to practice TIC, they must first be provided with meaningful and specific education about TIC. Therefore, the aims of this study were to; (1) evaluate the effectiveness of TIC education for ED nursing staff and (2) describe subsequent clinical practice that was trauma informed. Methods This project was conducted as exploratory research with a mixed methods design. Quantitative data were collected with an 18-item pre-education and post-education questionnaire. Qualitative data were collected with two one-off focus groups conducted at least three-months after the TIC education. Two EDs were involved in the study. Results A total of 34 ED nurses participated in the TIC education and 14 ED nurses participated in the focus groups. There was meaningful change (p  <  0.01, r ≥ 0.35) in 9 of the 18-items after TIC education. Two themes, each with two sub-themes, were evident in the data. The themes were based on the perceived effectiveness of TIC education and the subsequent changes in clinical practice in the period after TIC education. Conclusion Emergency department nurses became more informed of the interplay of trauma on an individual’s mental health. However, providing care with a TIC framework in an ED setting was a considerable challenge primarily due to time constraints relative to the day-to-day ED environment and rapid turnover of patients with potentially multiple and complex presentations. Despite this, nurses understood the effect of TIC to reduce the likelihood of re-traumatisation and expressed a desire to use a TIC framework

Paediatric Obesity Research in Early Childhood and the Primary Care Setting: The TARGet Kids! Research Network

Primary paediatric health care is the foundation for preventative child health. In light of the recent obesity epidemic, paediatricians find themselves at the frontline of identification and management of childhood obesity. However, it is well recognized that evidence based approaches to obesity prevention and subsequent translation of this evidence into practice are critically needed. This paper explores the role of primary care in obesity prevention and introduces a novel application and development of a primary care research network in Canada—TARGet Kids!—to develop and translate an evidence-base on effective screening and prevention of childhood obesity

Toward an International Paramedic Research Agenda

Around the world the emergency medical services (EMS) profession has made tremendous strides over recent decades. We have become more professional, have a rapidly growing proportion of paramedics who are university qualified, our practice has become more evidence-based, and a growing number of paramedics are completing graduate-level programs and going on to conduct their own research. As a profession we have much to celebrate when we consider these accomplishments.In some ways we are also following in the footsteps of other professions that have developed along similar pathways. A century ago physicians were trained in hospital basements and practiced procedures that had little evidence to ensure their quality or effectiveness. A half century ago nurses were largely trained in hospital basements and again had little research to justify their practices. Members of those professions recognized that the only way out of the basement was through the university. Members of those and other health professions took it upon themselves to make a university degree a requirement to enter practice. They recognized that a university degree was a key requirement of professionalism. Today we could not imagine a physician without a university degree and almost all new nurses and allied health professionals are now graduates of university programs