Metamorphic terranes (K–ar/40 ar/39ar)

Much of the continental crust exposed within the continental interiors consists of metamorphosed rocks. These rocks can be conveniently grouped in terms of the age of metamorphism as recorded by common40 Ar/39 Ar geochronometers such as K-feldspar, biotite, muscovite, and hornblende. Such a division illustrates the evolution of the continental crust through time from the early Archean exposed in the continental interiors to the youngest metamorphic rocks found in the rapidly exhumed rocks at the continental margins. Metamorphic rocks are important in that they often constitute the only record of evolution of the continental crust and bear evidence for tectonic processes in the geological past

The Middle to Upper Palaeolithic Transition in the Levant and New Thermoluminescence Dates for a Late Mousterian Assemblage from Jerf-al Ajla Cave (Syria)

Thermoluminescence dating of eight heated flint artefacts from the Late Mousterian (Moustérien tardif) layer С at Jerf al- Ajla, cave in the Syrian steppe desert near Palmyra gave an average age of 33.3 ±2.3 ka. The assemblage shows strong similarities to the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic stratigraphically intermediate layers from the nearby site of Umm el Tlel, which are dated by the same method on the same kind of material to a statistically identical age. This dating result extends the age range of the Middle Palaeolithic in the Levant and indicates a considerable overlap in time with not only the Upper Palaeolithic, but with the transitional industries as well. The Levantine technocomplexes assigned, to the times before, during and after the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic shift/transition are briefly discussed here, with a focus on the chronometric data available. The presented new dating results emphasize the complexity in the development lithic and the difficulties a single model to times of change.Des datations de huit silex chauffés par thermoluminescence de la couche С du Moustérien tardif de la grotte de Jerf al-Ajla site du désert, steppique syrien, situé près de Palmyre, ont donné un âge moyen de 33,3 ±2,3 ka. L 'assemblage montre des similitudes fortes avec les couches stratigraphiquement intermédiaires entre le Paléolithique Moyen et le Paléolithique Supérieur du site voisin, Umm el Tlel, dont les datations obtenues selon les mêmes méthode et matériel, donnent un âge pratiquement identique. Les datations obtenues élargissent la longue durée du Paléolithique Moyen au Levant et indiquent un chevauchement très important avec et le Paléolithique Supérieur, mais aussi les industries de transition. Les technocomplexes du Levant attribués aux périodes précédentes, contemporaines de et postérieures à la transition du Paléolithique Moven au Paléolithique Supérieur sont brièvement discutés, avec l 'appui des données économétriques disponibles. Les nouvelles datations présentées soulignent la complexité du développement de la. technologie lithique. Ils soulignent aussi les difficultés qu 'il a à appliquer un seul modèle aux périodes de changement.Richter Daniel, Schroeder H. Bruce, Rink W. J., Julig Patrick J., Schwarcz Henry P. The Middle to Upper Palaeolithic Transition in the Levant and New Thermoluminescence Dates for a Late Mousterian Assemblage from Jerf-al Ajla Cave (Syria). In: Paléorient, 2001, vol. 27, n°2. pp. 29-46

Pech-de-l 'Azé I (Carsac, Dordogne) : nouveaux travaux sur le Moustérien de tradition acheuléenne

The Mousterian of Acheulian tradition (MAT) is considered by many to be a forerunner of the Chatelperronian. Although there are new data concerning the latter, recent and detailed studies of the MAT are rare. Pech-de-1'Azé I (Carsac, Dordogne) is one of the few Middle Palaeolithic sites containing several levels of MAT, making it a key site for understanding the technical and economic behaviour underlying this industry. In 1999 we began a new study of the site with the following objectives: studying Bordes' unpublished collection from the 1970-1971 excavation (stone tool industry, utilized black colorants and faunal remains); identifying the site formation processes; obtaining radiometric dates; and evaluating the site potential for palaeo- environmental studies. The preliminaiy results of this ongoing project are presented here.Le Moustérien de tradition acheuléenne est considéré par plusieurs auteurs comme un technocomplexe précurseur du Châtelperronien. Malgré l'apport de nouvelles données à propos du Châtelperronien, le Moustérien de tradition acheuléenne n'a fait l'objet ces dernières années que de rares analyses détaillées. Pech-de-l'Azé I (Carsac, Dordogne) est un des rares gisements à avoir livré en stratigraphie plusieurs niveaux de Moustérien de tradition acheuléenne. Il représente de ce fait un site clé pour définir les comportements techniques et économiques dans ce contexte moustérien particulier. Nous avons engagé en 1999 un programme de recherche sur ce site dont les principaux objectifs sont : l'étude de la collection inédite F. Bordes (fouilles 1970-1971), l'analyse des processus de formation du gisement, la datation radiométrique des niveaux archéologiques et l'évaluation du potentiel d'information en terme de paléoenvironnement du site. Cette note présente la problématique et la méthodologie de ce projet ainsi que le résultat des premières évaluations concernant les processus de formation de la séquence, son âge radiométrique et les analyses des restes fauniques.Soressi Marie, Armand Dominique, d'Errico Francesco, Jones Heather L., Pubert Eric, Rink W. Jack, Texier Jean-Pierre, Vivent Dominique. Pech-de-l 'Azé I (Carsac, Dordogne) : nouveaux travaux sur le Moustérien de tradition acheuléenne. In: Bulletin de la Société préhistorique française, tome 99, n°1, 2002. pp. 5-11

Les fouilles récentes du Pech de l’Azé IV (Dordogne)

The Mousterian site of Pech de l’Azé IV is located in Carsac (Dordogne) in the Perigord region of southwest of France, very near the town of Sarlat. The site was excavated during the 1970s by F. Bordes but it was never well published. In 2000 we published a study of the lithics from Bordes’ excavations. From 2000 to 2003 we conducted new work at the site to re-study the stratigraphy in order, to better understand the site’s formation processes, and to obtain dates from the sequence. We present here some initial results on the geology, a description of the stone tool industries, and some initial ESR dates (the dating program is still in progress). A detailed micro-and macroscopic study of the eight main stratigraphic levels shows that the sandy deposits come from a vast cave system that likely includes all the sites of Pech de l’Azé (I, II, and IV). The lowest level, which is characterized by dark, organic sediments, is particularly interesting. It includes within it multiple combustion zones that show evidence of having been subsequently trampled and perhaps emptied. Though the deposits come from a temperate climate, the sediments of anthropogenic origin are nevertheless well conserved. Macroscopically, there are traces of solifluction in the sequence, but the micromorphological analysis shows practically no evidence of a cold climate. As for the lithic industries, the new collection is in general comparable to that of Bordes. Nevertheless, there are some new elements including the presence of Quina technology in the upper part of the sequence.Le gisement moustérien du Pech de l’Azé IV se situe à Carsac (Dordogne) en Périgord, près de Sarlat, dans le sud-ouest de la France. Fouillé par F. Bordes durant les années 1970, il n’a jamais été véritablement publié si l’on excepte l’étude que nous avons consacrée en 2000 au matériel issu de ses fouilles. Les travaux de terrain effectués dans ce gisement entre 2000 et 2003 avaient pour but de faire une nouvelle lecture stratigraphique, de préciser les processus de formation du site et de dater la séquence. Nous présentons ici les premiers résultats concernant la géologie, ainsi qu’une description rapide des industries et les premières dates ESR, le programme engagé étant toujours en cours. L’étude microscopique et macroscopique détaillée des huit principales couches stratigraphiques révèle que les dépôts sableux proviennent d’un même et vaste système de grottes englobant probablement l’ensemble des sites moustériens du Pech de l’Azé (I, II et IV). Le niveau inférieur, dépôt sombre et organique, est particulièrement intéressant. Il renferme de multiples surfaces de combustion souvent piétinées et peut-être des vidanges de foyers. Bien que déposés sous un climat tempéré, les sédiments d’origine anthropique sont bien conservés. Si, dans la séquence, l’observation macroscopique a permis d’identifier des phénomènes de solifluxion, l’analyse microscopique n’a montré pratiquement aucun indice d’un climat froid. En ce qui concerne les industries, les nouvelles séries sont globalement comparables aux anciennes. Toutefois, quelques nouveaux éléments sont apparus, notamment la présence d’une technologie Quina dans la partie supérieure de la séquence.Turq Alain, Dibble Harold Lewis, Goldberg Paul, McPherron Shannon P., Sandgathe Dennis M., Jones Heather L., Maddison Kerry, Maureille Bruno, Mentzer Suzanne, Rink Jack W., Steenhuyse Alexandre. Les fouilles récentes du Pech de l’Azé IV (Dordogne). In: Gallia préhistoire, tome 53, 2011. pp. 1-58

Complication rate after cystectomy following pelvic radiotherapy: an international, multicenter, retrospective series of 682 cases

PURPOSE: Conflicting evidence exists on the complication rates after cystectomy following previous radiation (pRTC) with only a few available series. We aim to assess the complication rate of pRTC for abdominal-pelvic malignancies. METHODS: Patients treated with radical cystectomy following any previous history of RT and with available information on complications for a minimum of 1 year were included. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between the variable parameters and the risk of any complication. RESULTS: 682 patients underwent pRTC after a previous RT (80.5% EBRT) for prostate, bladder (BC), gynecological or other cancers in 49.1%, 27.4%, 9.8% and 12.9%, respectively. Overall, 512 (75.1%) had at least one post-surgical complication, classified as Clavien ≥ 3 in 29.6% and Clavien V in 2.9%. At least one surgical complication occurred in 350 (51.3%), including bowel leakage in 6.2% and ureteric stricture in 9.4%. A medical complication was observed in 359 (52.6%) patients, with UTI/pyelonephritis being the most common (19%), followed by renal failure (12%). The majority of patients (86%) received an incontinent urinary diversion. In multivariable analysis adjusted for age, gender and type of RT, patients treated with RT for bladder cancer had a 1.7 times increased relative risk of experiencing any complication after RC compared to those with RT for prostate cancer (p = 0.023). The type of diversion (continent vs non-continent) did not influence the risk of complications. CONCLUSION: pRTC carries a high rate of major complications that dramatically exceeds the rates reported in RT-naïve RCs. status: publishe

Complication rate after cystectomy following pelvic radiotherapy: an international, multicenter, retrospective series of 682 cases

PURPOSE: Conflicting evidence exists on the complication rates after cystectomy following previous radiation (pRTC) with only a few available series. We aim to assess the complication rate of pRTC for abdominal-pelvic malignancies. METHODS: Patients treated with radical cystectomy following any previous history of RT and with available information on complications for a minimum of 1 year were included. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between the variable parameters and the risk of any complication. RESULTS: 682 patients underwent pRTC after a previous RT (80.5% EBRT) for prostate, bladder (BC), gynecological or other cancers in 49.1%, 27.4%, 9.8% and 12.9%, respectively. Overall, 512 (75.1%) had at least one post-surgical complication, classified as Clavien ≥ 3 in 29.6% and Clavien V in 2.9%. At least one surgical complication occurred in 350 (51.3%), including bowel leakage in 6.2% and ureteric stricture in 9.4%. A medical complication was observed in 359 (52.6%) patients, with UTI/pyelonephritis being the most common (19%), followed by renal failure (12%). The majority of patients (86%) received an incontinent urinary diversion. In multivariable analysis adjusted for age, gender and type of RT, patients treated with RT for bladder cancer had a 1.7 times increased relative risk of experiencing any complication after RC compared to those with RT for prostate cancer (p = 0.023). The type of diversion (continent vs non-continent) did not influence the risk of complications. CONCLUSION: pRTC carries a high rate of major complications that dramatically exceeds the rates reported in RT-naïve RCs.status: publishe