Identifying a living great-grandson of the Lakota Sioux leader Tatanka Iyotake (Sitting Bull).

A great-grandson of the legendary Lakota Sioux leader Sitting Bull (Tatanka Iyotake), Ernie LaPointe, wished to have their familial relationship confirmed via genetic analysis, in part, to help settle concerns over Sitting Bull’s final resting place. To address Ernie LaPointe’s claim of family relationship, we obtained minor amounts of genomic data from a small piece of hair from Sitting Bull’s scalp lock, which was repatriated in 2007. We then compared these data to genome-wide data from LaPointe and other Lakota Sioux using a new probabilistic approach and concluded that Ernie LaPointe is Sitting Bull’s great-grandson. To our knowledge, this is the first published example of a familial relationship between contemporary and a historical individual that has been confirmed using such limited amounts of ancient DNA across such distant relatives. Hence, this study opens the possibility for broadening genealogical research, even when only minor amounts of ancient genetic material are accessible

SiO2 nanoparticles as new repairing treatments toward the Pietraforte sandstone in Florence renaissance buildings

In this work, the consolidation efficiency of SiO2 nanoparticles (synthesized in the Chemistry laboratories at the Tor Vergata University of Roma) was tested on Pietraforte sandstone surfaces belonging to the bell tower of San Lorenzo (Florence, Italy) and was fully investigated. Nanoparticles (synthesized in large-scale mass production) have been characterized by XRD—X-Ray Diffraction; Raman and FTIR—Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy; SEM—Scanning Electron Microscopy; while the Pietraforte sandstone morphology was examined by Porosimetry, capillary absorption test, surface hardness test, drilling resistance and tensile strength. The colorimetric measurements were also performed to characterize the optical modification exhibited by Pietraforte sandstones, especially after the SiO2 treatments. Our results show that applying to the Pietraforte, the new consolidating agent based on SiO2 nanoparticles, has several advantages, as they are more resistant to perforation, wear, and abrasion even long range (for long times of exposure and consolidating exercise against Florentine sandstone), compared to the CaCO3 nanoparticles (tested in our previous paper), which instead show excellent performance but only close to their first application. This means that over time, their resistance to drilling decreases, they wear much more easily (compared to SiO2 -treated sandstone), and tend to exhibit quite a significant surface abrasion phenomena. The experimental results highlight that the SiO2 consolidation efficiency on this kind of Florentine Pietraforte sandstone (having low porosity and a specific calcitic texture) seems to be higher in terms of water penetration protection, superficial cohesion forces, and an increase in surface resistance. Comparing the performance of SiO2 nanoparticles with commercial consolidants in solvents such as Estel 1000 (tested here), we demonstrate that: (A) the restorative effects are obtained with a consolidation time over one week, significantly shorter when compared to the times of Estel 1000, exceeding 21 days; (B) SiO2 nanoparticles perform better than Estel 1000 in terms of cohesion forces, also ensuring excellent preservation of the optical and color properties of the parent rock (without altering it after application)

Escalas abreviadas de Depresión, Ansiedad y Estrés (DASS-21): validez, fiabilidad y equidad en adolescentes peruanos

En los últimos años se ha observado un creciente aumento de los trastornos psicológicos en la adolescencia, particularmente de ansiedad y depresión. A pesar de su importancia clínica, estos desórdenes emocionales no son abordados oportunamente, entre otras razones por la escasez de instrumentos para este grupo etario. Por ello, en este estudio de diseño instrumental se buscó analizar la validez, fiabilidad y equidad de las Escalas Abreviadas de Depresión, Ansiedad y Estrés (DASS-21). Participaron 731 adolescentes peruanos con edades entre 14 y 17 años (M = 15.46; DE = 1.00, 54% hombres), provenientes de tres instituciones educativas públicas de la provincia constitucional del Callao. Se analizaron las evidencias de validez de contenido y se examinaron estadísticamente los 21 ítems del DASS-21. El análisis factorial confirmatorio mostró la pertinencia del modelo de tres factores: X2/gl = 2.87, CFI = .91, TLI = .89, RMSEA = .05 y SRMR = .04. Se corroboró que el estrés es predictor de ansiedad (r = .88, r2 = .76) y depresión (r = .86, r2 = .74), y que ansiedad y depresión (r =.86, r2 =.73) suelen manifestarse en conjunto. Los coeficientes de consistencia interna alfa y omega > .80 demuestran la alta fiabilidad de las tres escalas. Finalmente, el análisis de invarianza factorial indicó que el instrumento es equivalente según edad y sexo. Se concluye que las escalas DASS-21 cuentan con evidencias psicométricas para su aplicación como instrumento de cribado en adolescentes peruanos. No obstante, se sugiere realizar futuras investigaciones para obtener mayores evidencias de validez, fiabilidad y equidad, y elaborar datos normativosAbbreviated Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21): validity, reliability and equity in Peruvian adolescents. In recent years, an increasing prevalence of psychological disorders in adolescence, particularly anxiety and depression, has been observed. Despite their clinical importance, these emotional disorders are not addressed in a timely manner, among other reasons due to the lack of instruments for this age group. For this reason, this instrumental design study sought to analyze the validity, reliability and equity of the Abbreviated Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21). 731 Peruvian adolescents between the ages of 14 and 17 (M = 15.46; SD = 1.00, 54% male), from three public educational institutions in the constitutional province of Callao participated. Evidence of content validity was analyzed and the 21 test items were statistically examined. Confirmatory factor analysis showed the relevance of the three-factor model: X2 / gl = 2.87, CFI = .91, TLI = .89, RMSEA = .05 and SRMR = .04. It was confirmed that stress is a predictor of anxiety (r = .88, r2 = .76) and depression (r = .86, r2 = .74), and that anxiety and depression (r = .86, r2 = .73) that these usually manifest together. The internal consistency coefficients alpha and omega > .80 demonstrate the high reliability of the three scales. Finally, the factor invariance analysis indicated that the instrument is equivalent according to age and sex. It is concluded that the DASS-21 has psychometric evidence for its use as a screening instrument in Peruvian adolescents. However, it is suggested to carry out future investigations to obtain more evidence of validity, reliability and invariance, and to elaborate normative dat

Abbreviated depression, anxiety and stress scales (DASS-21): validity, reliability and equity in Peruvian adolescents [Escalas abreviadas de depresión, ansiedad y estrés (DASS-21): validez, fiabilidad y equidad en adolescentes peruanos]

En los últimos años se ha observado un creciente aumento de los trastornos psicológicos en la adolescencia, particularmente de ansiedad y depresión. A pesar de su importancia clínica, estos desórdenes emocionales no son abordados oportunamente, entre otras razones por la escasez de instrumentos para este grupo etario. Por ello, en este estudio de diseño instrumental se buscó analizar la validez, fiabilidad y equidad de las Escalas Abreviadas de Depresión, Ansiedad y Estrés (DASS-21). Participaron 731 adolescentes peruanos con edades entre 14 y 17 años (M = 15.46; DE = 1.00, 54% hombres), provenientes de tres instituciones educativas públicas de la provincia constitucional del Callao. Se analizaron las evidencias de validez de contenido y se examinaron estadísticamente los 21 ítems del DASS-21. El análisis factorial confirmatorio mostró la pertinencia del modelo de tres factores: X2/gl = 2.87, CFI = .91, TLI = .89, RMSEA = .05 y SRMR = .04. Se corroboró que el estrés es predictor de ansiedad (r = .88, r2 = .76) y depresión (r = .86, r2 = .74), y que ansiedad y depresión (r =.86, r2 =.73) suelen manifestarse en conjunto. Los coeficientes de consistencia interna alfa y omega > .80 demuestran la alta fiabilidad de las tres escalas. Finalmente, el análisis de invarianza factorial indicó que el instrumento es equivalente según edad y sexo. Se concluye que las escalas DASS-21 cuentan con evidencias psicométricas para su aplicación como instrumento de cribado en adolescentes peruanos. No obstante, se sugiere realizar futuras investigaciones para obtener mayores evidencias de validez, fiabilidad y equidad, y elaborar datos normativos.Abbreviated Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21): validity, reliability and equity in Peruvian adolescents. In recent years, an increasing prevalence of psychological disorders in adolescence, particularly anxiety and depression, has been observed. Despite their clinical importance, these emotional disorders are not addressed in a timely manner, among other reasons due to the lack of instruments for this age group. For this reason, this instrumental design study sought to analyze the validity, reliability and equity of the Abbreviated Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21). 731 Peruvian adolescents between the ages of 14 and 17 (M = 15.46; SD = 1.00, 54% male), from three public educational institutions in the constitutional province of Callao participated. Evidence of content validity was analyzed and the 21 test items were statistically examined. Confirmatory factor analysis showed the relevance of the three-factor model: X2 / gl = 2.87, CFI = .91, TLI = .89, RMSEA = .05 and SRMR = .04. It was confirmed that stress is a predictor of anxiety (r = .88, r2 = .76) and depression (r = .86, r2 = .74), and that anxiety and depression (r = .86, r2 = .73) that these usually manifest together. The internal consistency coefficients alpha and omega > .80 demonstrate the high reliability of the three scales. Finally, the factor invariance analysis indicated that the instrument is equivalent according to age and sex. It is concluded that the DASS-21 has psychometric evidence for its use as a screening instrument in Peruvian adolescents. However, it is suggested to carry out future investigations to obtain more evidence of validity, reliability and invariance, and to elaborate normative data

Black holes and the LHC: A review

In low-scale gravity models, a particle collider with trans-Planckian collision energies can be an ideal place for producing black holes because a large amount of energy can be concentrated at the collision point, which can ultimately lead to black hole formation. In this article, the theoretical foundation for microscopic higher dimensional black holes is reviewed and the possible production and detection at the LHC is described and critically examined.Comment: 65 pages, invited review article to be published in Progress of Particle and Nuclear Physic

Paleogenomics. Genomic structure in Europeans dating back at least 36,200 years.

The origin of contemporary Europeans remains contentious. We obtained a genome sequence from Kostenki 14 in European Russia dating from 38,700 to 36,200 years ago, one of the oldest fossils of anatomically modern humans from Europe. We find that Kostenki 14 shares a close ancestry with the 24,000-year-old Mal'ta boy from central Siberia, European Mesolithic hunter-gatherers, some contemporary western Siberians, and many Europeans, but not eastern Asians. Additionally, the Kostenki 14 genome shows evidence of shared ancestry with a population basal to all Eurasians that also relates to later European Neolithic farmers. We find that Kostenki 14 contains more Neandertal DNA that is contained in longer tracts than present Europeans. Our findings reveal the timing of divergence of western Eurasians and East Asians to be more than 36,200 years ago and that European genomic structure today dates back to the Upper Paleolithic and derives from a metapopulation that at times stretched from Europe to central Asia.GeoGenetics members were supported by the Lundbeck Foundation and the Danish National Research Foundation (DNRF94). ASM was supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (PBSKP3_143529). Research on the archaeological background by PRN was supported by a MC Career Integration Grant (322261).This is the accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Science at http://www.sciencemag.org/content/346/6213/1113.short

Evaluation of Endoglin (CD105) expression in pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma

BACKGROUND: The Intratumoral Microvessel Density (IMVD) is commonly used to quantify tumoral vascularization and is usually assessed by pan-endothelial markers, such as CD31. Endoglin (CD105) is a protein predominantly expressed in proliferating endothelium and the IMVD determined by this marker measures specifically the neovascularization. In this study, we investigated the CD105 expression in pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma and assessed the neovascularization by using the angiogenic ratio IMVD-CD105 to IMVD-CD31. METHODS: Paraffin-embedded archival tumor specimens were selected from 65 pediatric patients affected by rhabdomyosarcoma. The expression levels of CD105, CD31 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) were investigated in 30 cases (18 embryonal and 12 alveolar) available for this study. The IMVD-CD105 to IMVD-CD31 expression ratio was correlated with clinical and pathologic features of these patients. RESULTS: We found a specific expression of endoglin (CD105) in endothelial cells of all the rhabdomyosarcoma specimens analyzed. We observed a significant positive correlation between the IMVD individually measured by CD105 and CD31. The CD105/CD31 expression ratio was significantly higher in patients with lower survival and embryonal histology. Indeed, patients with a CD105/CD31 expression ratio < 1.3 had a significantly increased OS (88%, 95%CI, 60%-97%) compared to patients with higher values (40%, 95%CI, 12%-67%). We did not find any statistical correlation among VEGF and EFS, OS and CD105/CD31 expression ratio. CONCLUSION: CD105 is expressed on endothelial cells of rhabdomyosarcoma and represent a useful tool to quantify neovascularization in this tumor. If confirmed by further studies, these results will indicate that CD105 is a potential target for combined therapies in rhabdomyosarcoma.We thank Professor Franco Locatelli for critical reading this paper and for his suggestions. We would also like to thank the children ’ s parents, who gave their informed consent for publication and “Il cuore grande di Flavio ”Onlus. Dr. Marta Colletti is a post-doctoral fellow of the Umberto Veronesi Founda- tion. To Valentina Polcini for proofreading.S

Discordance between patient and physician global assessment of disease activity in Behçet's syndrome: a multicenter study cohort

Background: To compare the patients' and physician's global assessment of disease activity in Behçet's syndrome (BS) and investigate the frequency, magnitude, and determinants of potential discordance. Methods: A total of 226 adult BS patients with a median (IQR) age of 46.9 (35.6-55.2) years were enrolled across Italy, Greece, Portugal, and Spain. Demographic, clinical, and therapeutic variables, as well as the patient reported outcomes, were collected at the recruitment visit. The physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary scores of the Short Form Questionnaire 36 (SF-36) and the Behçet's syndrome Overall Damage Index (BODI) were calculated. Disease activity was assessed by the patients' (PtGA) and physician's global assessment (PGA) in a 10-cm visual analog scale, as well as the Behçet Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF). Discordance (∆) was calculated by subtracting the PGA from the PtGA and defined as positive (PtGA>PGA) and negative (PtGA 80%) of disagreements were due to patients rating higher their disease activity. Higher values of BDCAF were associated to increased rate of positive discordance. When BDCAF = 0, the median (IQR) values of PtGA and PGA were 0.2 (0-2) and 0 (0-1), respectively. PCS (adjusted odds ratio (adjOR) 0.96 per unit, 95% CI 0.93-0.98, p = 0.006) and MCS (adjOR 0.96 per unit, 95% CI 0.93-0.99, p = 0.003) were independently associated with positive discordance using both cutoffs. Active ocular involvement emerged as a potential determinant of negative discordance (adjOR 5.88, 95% CI 1.48-23.30, p = 0.012). Conclusions: PtGA and PGA should be considered as complementary measures in BS, as patients and physicians may be influenced by different factors when assessing active disease manifestations. Particularly, PtGA may be a useful tool in the assessment of BS disease activity, as it carries a low risk to misclassify an inactive disease, and may allow to capture aspects of the patient's health that negatively affect his well-being and the treatment

Singularities in Horava-Lifshitz theory

Singularities in $(3+1)$-dimensional Horava-Lifshitz (HL) theory of gravity are studied. These singularities can be divided into scalar, non-scalar curvature, and coordinate singularities. Because of the foliation-preserving diffeomorphisms of the theory, the number of scalars that can be constructed from the extrinsic curvature tensor $K_{ij}$, the 3-dimensional Riemann tensor and their derivatives is much large than that constructed from the 4-dimesnional Riemann tensor and its derivatives in general relativity (GR). As a result, even for the same spacetime, it may be singular in the HL theory but not in GR. Two representative families of solutions with projectability condition are studied, one is the (anti-) de Sitter Schwarzschild solutions, and the other is the Lu-Mei-Pope (LMP) solutions written in a form satisfying the projectability condition - the generalized LMP solutions. The (anti-) de Sitter Schwarzschild solutions are vacuum solutions of both HL theory and GR, while the LMP solutions with projectability condition satisfy the HL equations coupled with an anisotropic fluid with heat flow. It is found that the scalars $K$ and $K_{ij}K^{ij}$ are singular only at the center for the de Sitter Schwarzschild solution, but singular at both the center and $r = (3M/|\Lambda|)^{1/3}$ for the anti-de Sitter Schwarzschild solution. The singularity at $r = (3M/|\Lambda|)^{1/3}$ is absent in GR. In addition, all the generalized LMP solutions have two scalar curvature singularities, located at either $r = 0$ and $r=r_{s} > 0$, or $r=r_{1}$ and $r= r_{2}$ with $r_{2} > r_{1} > 0$, or $r=r_{s} > 0$ and $r = \infty$, depending on the choice of the free parameter $\lambda$.Comment: Revtex4, six figures. Version to appear in Phys. Lett.

The ancestry and affiliations of Kennewick Man

Kennewick Man, referred to as the Ancient One by Native Americans, is a male human skeleton discovered in Washington state (USA) in 1996 and initially radiocarbon dated to 8,340-9,200 calibrated years before present (BP). His population affinities have been the subject of scientific debate and legal controversy. Based on an initial study of cranial morphology it was asserted that Kennewick Man was neither Native American nor closely related to the claimant Plateau tribes of the Pacific Northwest, who claimed ancestral relationship and requested repatriation under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The morphological analysis was important to judicial decisions that Kennewick Man was not Native American and that therefore NAGPRA did not apply. Instead of repatriation, additional studies of the remains were permitted. Subsequent craniometric analysis affirmed Kennewick Man to be more closely related to circumpacific groups such as the Ainu and Polynesians than he is to modern Native Americans. In order to resolve Kennewick Man's ancestry and affiliations, we have sequenced his genome to ∼1× coverage and compared it to worldwide genomic data including for the Ainu and Polynesians. We find that Kennewick Man is closer to modern Native Americans than to any other population worldwide. Among the Native American groups for whom genome-wide data are available for comparison, several seem to be descended from a population closely related to that of Kennewick Man, including the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation (Colville), one of the five tribes claiming Kennewick Man. We revisit the cranial analyses and find that, as opposed to genome-wide comparisons, it is not possible on that basis to affiliate Kennewick Man to specific contemporary groups. We therefore conclude based on genetic comparisons that Kennewick Man shows continuity with Native North Americans over at least the last eight millennia