New insights into early bronze age damascene technique north of the alps

Damascening, defined in this context as the inlay of one metal into a different metal base, is a rare decorative technique in the Early Bronze Age, known only from seven bronze artefacts found north of the Alps. This paper reports on the first thorough scientific examination of one such find, the axe from Thun-Renzenbühl grave no. 1. This interdisciplinary project involving several institutions in Germany and Switzerland investigated the axe by means of neutron radiographic imaging and X-ray microprobe methods, supported by microscopic examination. The result is an attempt to reconstruct the fabrication and decoration process and to reconsider the enigmatic question of the origins of the damascene technique north of the Alp

Vadose-Zone Alteration of Metaschoepite and Ceramic UO2 in Savannah River Site Field Lysimeters

Uranium dioxide (UO2) and metaschoepite (UO3•nH2O) particles have been identified as contaminants at nuclear sites. Understanding their behavior and impact is crucial for safe management of radioactively contaminated land and to fully understand U biogeochemistry. The Savannah River Site (SRS) (South Carolina, USA), is one such contaminated site, following historical releases of U-containing wastes to the vadose zone. Here, we present an insight into the behavior of these two particle types under dynamic conditions representative of the SRS, using field lysimeters (15 cm D x 72 cm L). Discrete horizons containing the different particle types were placed at two depths in each lysimeter (25 cm and 50 cm) and exposed to ambient rainfall for 1 year, with an aim of understanding the impact of dynamic, shallow subsurface conditions on U particle behavior and U migration. The dissolution and migration of U from the particle sources and the speciation of U throughout the lysimeters was assessed after 1 year using a combination of sediment digests, sequential extractions, and bulk and μ-focus X-ray spectroscopy. In the UO2 lysimeter, oxidative dissolution of UO2 and subsequent migration of U was observed over 1–2 cm in the direction of waterflow and against it. Sequential extractions of the UO2 sources suggest they were significantly altered over 1 year. The metaschoepite particles also showed significant dissolution with marginally enhanced U migration (several cm) from the sources. However, in both particle systems the released U was quantitively retained in sediment as a range of different U(IV) and U(VI) phases, and no detectable U was measured in the lysimeter effluent. The study provides a useful insight into U particle behavior in representative, real-world conditions relevant to the SRS, and highlights limited U migration from particle sources due to secondary reactions with vadose zone sediments over 1 year.Peer reviewe

Prevalence and factors associated with chronic use of levothyroxine: A cohort study.

IMPORTANCE Levothyroxine prescriptions are rising worldwide. However, there are few data on factors associated with chronic use. OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence of chronic levothyroxine use, its rank among other chronic drugs and factors associated with chronic use. To assess the proportion of users outside the therapeutic range of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). DESIGN Cohort study (CoLaus|PsyCoLaus) with recruitment from 2003 to 2006. Follow-ups occurred 5 and 10 years after baseline. PARTICIPANTS A random sample of Lausanne (Switzerland) inhabitants aged 35-75 years. MAIN OUTCOMES We evaluated the prevalence of chronic levothyroxine use and we then ranked it among the other most used chronic drugs. The ranking was compared to data from health insurance across the country. We assessed the association between each factor and chronic levothyroxine use in multivariable logistic regression models. The proportion of chronic levothyroxine users outside the usual TSH therapeutic range was assessed. RESULTS 4,334 participants were included in the analysis (mean±SD age 62.8±10.4 years, 54.9% women). 166 (3.8%) participants were chronic levothyroxine users. Levothyroxine was the second most prescribed chronic drug after aspirin in the cohort (8.2%) and the third most prescribed when using Swiss-wide insurance data. In multivariable analysis, chronic levothyroxine use was associated with increasing age [odds ratio 1.03, 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.05 per 1-year increase]; female sex [11.87 (5.24-26.89)]; BMI [1.06 (1.02-1.09) per 1-kg/m2 increase]; number of concomitant drugs [1.22 (1.16-1.29) per 1-drug increase]; and family history of thyroid pathologies [2.18 (1.37-3.48)]. Among chronic levothyroxine users with thyroid hormones assessment (n = 157), 42 (27%) were outside the TSH therapeutic range (17% overtreated and 10% undertreated). CONCLUSIONS In this population-based study, levothyroxine ranked second among chronic drugs. Age, female sex, BMI, number of drugs and family history of thyroid pathologies were associated with chronic levothyroxine use. More than one in four chronic users were over- or undertreated

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Characterization of suboxic groundwater colloids using a multi-method approach

Anoxic groundwater colloid properties were measured using a minimally perturbing procedure for sampling, sample preparation and analysis. Analytical methods included atomic force microscopy (AFM), flow field flow fractionation (FlFFF), transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM and SEM). Shallow groundwater samples were found to have abundant iron rich nanoparticles (NP) with diameters of 10-30 nm as well as a smaller heterogeneous polydisperse dissolved organic matter (DOM) fraction. AFM results showed NP with average heights of 10 ± 2 nm, which was corroborated by high resolution (HR) TEM and SEM. FlFFF with UV254 nm detection showed particles with number average diffusion coefficients of 2-3 × 10^-10 m^2 s^-1 and hydrodynamic diameters between 1.5-2 nm, probably representing smaller organic macromolecules. Aeration of the samples resulted in extensive agglomeration of NP to form larger (>50 nm) colloids, and the reduction of UV-absorbing material detected in the 0.5-4 nm range. The complementary methods described have potential applications for investigating the fate and transport of NP in suboxic hotspots such as leachate plumes, waste water treatment plants and within the hyporheic mixing zone

Business models for sustainable research data repositories

There is a large variety of repositories that are responsible for providing long term access to data that is used for research. As data volumes and the demands for more open access to this data increase, these repositories are coming under increasing financial pressures that can undermine their long-term sustainability. This report explores the income streams, costs, value propositions, and business models for 48 research data repositories. It includes a set of recommendations designed to provide a framework for developing sustainable business models and to assist policy makers and funders in supporting repositories with a balance of policy regulation and incentives