Skeletal Study of the Hominins from Hotu and Belt Caves, Iran An Example of Conservation Gone Wrong

Most anthropologists agree that Neandertals disappeared ca. 40,000—30,000 years BP* (Larsen, 2008). Recent genomic research has indicated that Neandertals may have interbred with modern humans (Durand et al., 2011). In the 1950s at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Mesolithic human (hereafter referred to as hominin) bones from Hotu and Belt Caves, Iran, were radiocarbon dated to approximately 8,000—11,000 years BP. However, these radiocarbon measurements were taken in the early 1950s before dating techniques had been refined and before the need for calibration curves had been realized. The scientist in charge of dating the samples remarked herself that the dates did not fit with the given context and that she feared contamination had ruined the results. Preliminary investigation of the remains indicates that at least one cranium, Belt Skull No. 2, presents both Homo sapiens (modern human) and Homo neanderthalensis (Neandertal) skeletal traits. I propose to examine the physical characteristics and determine the absolute age of the Mesolithic hominin skeletal remains from Hotu and Belt Caves, excavated by Dr. Carleton S. Coon of the Penn Museum in 1951-1952 in Northern Iran. These remains and their absolute age hold great implications for the relationship between modern humans and Neandertals, including the feasibility of interbreeding. In order to understand the relationship between hominin species, a reliable radiocarbon date must be made available for the Hotu and Belt Cave hominins. Dr. Janet Monge supervised the analysis and sampling of the skeletal material. Procuring a specimen fit for modern radiocarbon dating has proved difficult, as undocumented conservation techniques applied in the field and in the museum have contaminated a majority of the skeletal collection. Additionally, the radiocarbon dates from the 1950s must be calibrated in order to account for natural carbon isotope fluctuations and isotope fractionation

Physical activity barriers and facilitators among working mothers and fathers

Background: The transition to parenthood is consistently associated with declines in physical activity. In particular, working parents are at risk for inactivity, but research exploring physical activity barriers and facilitators in this population has been scarce. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively examine perceptions of physical activity among working parents. Methods: Working mothers (n = 13) and fathers (n = 12) were recruited to participate in one of four focus group sessions and discuss physical activity barriers and facilitators. Data were analyzed using immersion/crystallization in NVivo 10. Results: Major themes for barriers included family responsibilities, guilt, lack of support, scheduling constraints, and work. Major themes for facilitators included being active with children or during children’s activities, being a role model for children, making time/prioritizing, benefits to health and family, and having support available. Several gender differences emerged within each theme, but overall both mothers and fathers reported their priorities had shifted to focus on family after becoming parents, and those who were fitting in physical activity had developed strategies that allowed them to balance their household and occupational responsibilities. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest working mothers and fathers report similar physical activity barriers and facilitators and would benefit from interventions that teach strategies for overcoming barriers and prioritizing physical activity amidst the demands of parenthood. Future interventions might consider targeting mothers and fathers in tandem to create an optimally supportive environment in the home

Young families under stress: outcomes and costs of Home-Start support

Supporting parents is central to the current government’s approach to improving children’s lives. However, little is as yet known about the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of family support services. This study evaluates one of these – Home-Start – which is currently one of the largest family support organisations in the UK. Established over thirty years ago, it offers volunteer home visiting support to families with children under five years of age.Comparing a study group of young families who received Home-Start support with a comparison group who did not, the study explores the mothers’ views and needs at the outset of the study. It reports their views one year later, and considers the outcomes at that stage. The economic situation of the families and their receipt of services over time are analysed, and the cost-effectiveness of Home-Start is addressed. The concluding chapter summarises the key findings of the study.The authors found that although the mothers who had received the support of a Home-Start volunteer obviously valued the service, there was no clear evidence that it had made a positive difference to them in terms of outcomes, relative to those of the families in the comparison group. They suggest that the results did not therefore point to a cost-effectiveness advantage for Home-Start. Given that the support was offered only on a low intensity basis (one home visit per week), the authors suggest that a longer term follow up would be advisable before reaching firm conclusions about the impact of the service

The impact of COVID-19 on well-being: Welsh children’s perspectives

The COVID-19 pandemic saw drastic and unprecedented actions by governments to mitigate the spread of the virus. Often, the restrictions limited in-person interaction and included the closure of schools. To investigate the impact of both the pandemic and resulting restrictions, the International Society of Child Indicators developed the Childrens Worlds: COVID-19 Supplement. This paper reports on the results of that survey in Wales in 2021. Seven hundred and twenty seven children from 18 schools participated from years 6 and 8. They received an anonymous survey asking about their circumstances and well-being across a range of domains, and how these have changes during the pandemic. The children had experienced significant changes in their lives with the onset of the pandemic. The majority could not attend school, were confined to their homes, and were unable to see wider family and friends in person. Almost a half of both groups felt that their relationships with family they lived with had improved, with many becoming closer to members. Over one-fifth of both groups thought their relationships with friends were affected, with younger children more likely to think they had improved. The pattern throughout the survey was that the older children were less positive in their responses. The disparity between the groups was markedly so regarding school with the secondary schoolchildren being particularly dissatisfied with the content of their learning. Whereas there was a trend for less disparity between the groups during COVID-19, the only area where the disparity increased was regarding satisfaction with school. These findings are then placed in the context of developments in education in Wales and research on the impact of COVID on Welsh schools and schoolchildren. As in other countries, the pandemic would appear to have exacerbated existing educational inequalities

Combining 13C-NMR triad sequence data with joint molecular weight and composition data to estimate parameters in a gas-phase polyethylene reactor model

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