A new approach to the chronology of caves 268/272/275 in the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes: combining radiocarbon dates and archaeological information within a Bayesian statistical framework

The construction chronology of three of the earliest Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes (Caves 268, 272, and 275) has been the subject of ongoing debate for over half a century. This chronology is a crucial topic in terms of further understanding of the establishment of the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes, early Buddhism in the Gansu corridor, and its relationship with Buddhism developed in the Central Plains. Building upon archaeological, art historical and radiocarbon (14C) dating studies, we integrate new 14C data with these previously published findings utilizing Bayesian statistical modeling to improve the chronological resolution of this issue. Thus, we determine that all three of these caves were constructed around AD 410–440, suggesting coeval rather than sequential construction

Tracing the flows of copper and copper alloys in the Early Iron Age societies of the eastern Eurasian steppe

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Operational Radiology Recovery in Academic Radiology Departments After the COVID-19 Pandemic: Moving Toward Normalcy

This article presents a current snapshot in time, describing how radiology departments around the country are planning recovery from the baseline of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, with a focus on different domains of recovery such as managing appointment availability, patient safety and workflow changes, and operational data and analytics. An e-mail survey was sent through the Society of Chairs of Academic Radiology Departments list server to 114 academic radiology departments. On the basis of data reported by the 38 survey respondents, best practices and shared experience are described for three key areas: (1) planning for recovery, (2) creating a new normal, and (3) measuring and forecasting. Radiology practices should be aware of the common approaches and preparations academic radiology departments have taken to reopening imaging in the post-coronavirus disease 2019 world. This should all be done when maintaining a safe and patient-centric environment and preparing to minimize the impact of future outbreaks or pandemics

New ophthalmosaurid ichthyosaurs from the European lower cretaceous demonstrate extensive ichthyosaur survival across the Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary

Background Ichthyosauria is a diverse clade of marine amniotes that spanned most of the Mesozoic. Until recently, most authors interpreted the fossil record as showing that three major extinction events affected this group during its history: one during the latest Triassic, one at the Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary (JCB), and one (resulting in total extinction) at the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary. The JCB was believed to eradicate most of the peculiar morphotypes found in the Late Jurassic, in favor of apparently less specialized forms in the Cretaceous. However, the record of ichthyosaurs from the Berriasian–Barremian interval is extremely limited, and the effects of the end-Jurassic extinction event on ichthyosaurs remains poorly understood. Methodology/Principal Findings Based on new material from the Hauterivian of England and Germany and on abundant material from the Cambridge Greensand Formation, we name a new ophthalmosaurid, Acamptonectes densus gen. et sp. nov. This taxon shares numerous features with Ophthalmosaurus, a genus now restricted to the Callovian–Berriasian interval. Our phylogenetic analysis indicates that Ophthalmosauridae diverged early in its history into two markedly distinct clades, Ophthalmosaurinae and Platypterygiinae, both of which cross the JCB and persist to the late Albian at least. To evaluate the effect of the JCB extinction event on ichthyosaurs, we calculated cladogenesis, extinction, and survival rates for each stage of the Oxfordian–Barremian interval, under different scenarios. The extinction rate during the JCB never surpasses the background extinction rate for the Oxfordian–Barremian interval and the JCB records one of the highest survival rates of the interval. Conclusions/Significance There is currently no evidence that ichthyosaurs were affected by the JCB extinction event, in contrast to many other marine groups. Ophthalmosaurid ichthyosaurs remained diverse from their rapid radiation in the Middle Jurassic to their total extinction at the beginning of the Late Cretaceous

2016 Research & Innovation Day Program

A one day showcase of applied research, social innovation, scholarship projects and activities.https://first.fanshawec.ca/cri_cripublications/1003/thumbnail.jp

International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Probiotics.

Position statement: The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) provides an objective and critical review of the mechanisms and use of probiotic supplementation to optimize the health, performance, and recovery of athletes. Based on the current available literature, the conclusions of the ISSN are as follows: 1)Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host (FAO/WHO).2)Probiotic administration has been linked to a multitude of health benefits, with gut and immune health being the most researched applications.3)Despite the existence of shared, core mechanisms for probiotic function, health benefits of probiotics are strain- and dose-dependent.4)Athletes have varying gut microbiota compositions that appear to reflect the activity level of the host in comparison to sedentary people, with the differences linked primarily to the volume of exercise and amount of protein consumption. Whether differences in gut microbiota composition affect probiotic efficacy is unknown.5)The main function of the gut is to digest food and absorb nutrients. In athletic populations, certain probiotics strains can increase absorption of key nutrients such as amino acids from protein, and affect the pharmacology and physiological properties of multiple food components.6)Immune depression in athletes worsens with excessive training load, psychological stress, disturbed sleep, and environmental extremes, all of which can contribute to an increased risk of respiratory tract infections. In certain situations, including exposure to crowds, foreign travel and poor hygiene at home, and training or competition venues, athletes' exposure to pathogens may be elevated leading to increased rates of infections. Approximately 70% of the immune system is located in the gut and probiotic supplementation has been shown to promote a healthy immune response. In an athletic population, specific probiotic strains can reduce the number of episodes, severity and duration of upper respiratory tract infections.7)Intense, prolonged exercise, especially in the heat, has been shown to increase gut permeability which potentially can result in systemic toxemia. Specific probiotic strains can improve the integrity of the gut-barrier function in athletes.8)Administration of selected anti-inflammatory probiotic strains have been linked to improved recovery from muscle-damaging exercise.9)The minimal effective dose and method of administration (potency per serving, single vs. split dose, delivery form) of a specific probiotic strain depends on validation studies for this particular strain. Products that contain probiotics must include the genus, species, and strain of each live microorganism on its label as well as the total estimated quantity of each probiotic strain at the end of the product's shelf life, as measured by colony forming units (CFU) or live cells.10)Preclinical and early human research has shown potential probiotic benefits relevant to an athletic population that include improved body composition and lean body mass, normalizing age-related declines in testosterone levels, reductions in cortisol levels indicating improved responses to a physical or mental stressor, reduction of exercise-induced lactate, and increased neurotransmitter synthesis, cognition and mood. However, these potential benefits require validation in more rigorous human studies and in an athletic population

In Search of Ancient Red Beads and Carved Jade in Modern China

Les découvertes archéologiques récentes ont démontré que la réutilisation d'objets anciens est un phénomène très répandu dans l'art de la taille du jade en Chine à l'Âge du bronze. De plus, les tombes princières de Chine du Nord datant du Xe au VIIe siècle contiennent souvent de grandes quantités de perles en cornaline (agate rouge). À l'origine, il semble que de telles perles n'ont pas été produites en Chine, mais qu'il s'agit d'objets importés de loin, peut-être de l'Inde, en passant par l'Asie centrale ; des perles semblables, probablement aussi de provenance indienne, ont été découvertes en Mésopotamie. Au cours de la période Zhou, ces perles furent imitées par des artisans chinois en utilisant des pierres colorées d'origine locale. Dans les tombes où elles ont été trouvées, on remarque une corrélation entre la présence de perles de haute qualité et le rang social élevé de l'occupant de la tombe. L'étude approfondie de ces matériaux est encore en cours.Rawson Jessica. In Search of Ancient Red Beads and Carved Jade in Modern China. In: Cahiers d'Extrême-Asie, vol. 17, 2008. Studies in Chinese Art History — Études sur l'histoire de l'art chinois. En hommage à Lothar Ledderose. pp. 1-15

Chu Influences on the Development of Han bronze vessels

On a souvent remarqué que des changements sont intervenus dans le répertoire des vases en bronze au début des Han. Dans cet article sont étudiés certains de ces changements vus sous l'angle de l'influence que l'ancien royaume de Chu exerçait encore à l'époque Han. Un certain nombre de types de vases parmi les plus importants dérivent de laques méridionaux, y compris les coupes à oreilles pour le vin et les vases cylindriques connus sous les noms de zun et de zhi. Ces laques furent adoptés par Qin après qu'il eut conquis Chu, et progressivement englobés dans les répertoires des dynasties Qin et Han des régions métropolitaines. Trois types de vases trouvés dans les tombes Han de Mancheng, le boshanlu, le vase hu à haute encolure munie d'une anse en forme de chaîne, et des coupes jumelles cylindriques que supporte un oiseau perché sur un félin, trouvent tous une source directe à Chu. Il n'y a que peu de raisons, sinon aucune raison, de penser que ces bronzes étaient populaires à Qin. Au contraire, ils semblent avoir été adoptés par les Han, s'essayant à imiter les coutumes de Chu. En plus de ces catégories de vases, les Han semblent avoir tiré de Chu une part de l'intérêt qu'ils portèrent aux figures à caractère sculptural et servant de supports de vases, à l'usage des incrustations d'or et d'argent, à la dorure. Ces techniques qui semblent réservées au décor des vases appartenant aux types les plus importants, ont servi à distinguer ces bronzes de pièces décorées moins somptueusement. La distinction de plusieurs catégories différentes dans le répertoire même des vases en bronze reflète des soucis d'ordre religieux et social.Rawson Jessica. Chu Influences on the Development of Han bronze vessels. In: Arts asiatiques, tome 44, 1989. pp. 84-99

The Chinese Hill Censer, boshan lu : A Note on Origins, Influences and Meanings

While incense burners were well known in ancient Western Asia, they do not seem to have been used in China before the sixth or fifth centuries BC. Even then, they were rare. The paper explores the introduction to China of one particular type of incense burner, the so-called hill censer. This burner had a coni- cal cover shaped like a mountain sitting on the bowl in which the incense was placed. Such censers often had a tall stem, sometimes shaped like a strange creature, seemingly holding up the mountain. This unusual shape has often been discussed as a simple development from an earlier censer type with a low domed cover. The paper suggests that the censer in the shape of the mountain was in fact stimulated by the example of censors employed in the Achaemenid Empire. Some are known from the sculptures at Persepolis and others from silver censers from Lydia. These censers have tall conical covers on a small bowl supported on a tall stem. Importantly, the Iranian censers had small birds on the top of the covers, something also seen on the Chinese pieces. There was much exchange between the areas of present-day China and Iran by way of Siberia. Illustrations of the Achaemenid type of censer appear on textiles from Pazyryk in the Altai Moun- tains. The Chinese only adopted these exotic shapes for their censers when the practices of burning incense were already well established. That is, when they recognised the purpose of the foreign artefact. Moreover, the mountain shape and its supports were entirely Chinese interpretations and illustrate a belief that mountains were the homes of immortals. Indeed the censers may have been intended to represent the imaginary islands in the east- ern sea thought to be the homes of immortals. When humans approached the islands they disappeared below the waves. The creatures, acting as supports and holding up the mountains, may therefore have been thought to explain the way in which the mountainous isles may have appeared and disappeared.Alors que les brûle-parfums sont bien connus dans l'Asie de l'Ouest aux époques anciennes, ils ne semblent pas avoir été en usage en Chine avant les VIe ou Ve siècles avant notre ère, époque où ils sont encore rares. Cet article est consacré à l'introduction en Chine d'un type particulier de brûle-parfum dont le couvercle conique en forme de montagne repose sur la coupe où se trouvait l'encens. Généralement, le pied est haut et peut représenter une créature étrange soutenant la montagne. Cette forme peu commune a souvent été considérée comme le développement d'un type plus ancien ayant un couvercle en dôme de faible hauteur. Dans cet article, il est suggéré que ce brûle-parfum en forme de montagne a été conçu sur le modèle de brûle-parfums utilisés dans l'empire achéménide. Certains de ceux-ci sont connus par la sculpture de Persepolis tandis que d'autres exemples, en argent, proviennent de Lydie. Ils ont un haut couvercle conique fermant une petite coupe soutenue par un haut pied. Il est important de noter que des oiseaux sont perchés au sommet des brûle-parfums iraniens, une caractéristique qui se trouve aussi sur les pièces chinoises. Il y a eu beaucoup d'échanges entre les aires couvertes aujourd'hui par la Chine et par l'Iran, le lien se faisant par la voie de la Sibérie. Des représentations du type achéménide figurent sur des textiles provenant de Pazyryk dans les Altaï. Les Chinois adoptèrent ces formes exotiques pour leurs brûle-parfums une fois seulement que la coutume de brûler de l'encens y eut été bien établie, lorsqu'ils eurent reconnu la fonction de cet objet d'origine étrangère. De plus, la forme de la montagne et le support de celle-ci sont de pures interprétations chinoises. Ces caractéristiques illustrent une croyance selon laquelle les montagnes étaient des lieux où vivaient les immortels. De fait, les brûle-parfums ont probablement été conçus comme représentant les îles imaginaires de la mer orientale où l'on pensait que vivaient les immortels. Lorsque les humains approchaient de ces îles, elles disparaissaient sous les vagues. Les créatures qui portaient ces montagnes à bout de bras pourraient avoir été conçues afin de montrer comment les îles apparaissaient et disparaissaient tour à tour.Rawson Jessica. The Chinese Hill Censer, boshan lu : A Note on Origins, Influences and Meanings. In: Arts asiatiques, tome 61, 2006. pp. 75-86