Identifying Bird Remains Using Ancient DNA Barcoding.

Bird remains that are difficult to identify taxonomically using morphological methods, are common in the palaeontological record. Other types of challenging avian material include artefacts and food items from endangered taxa, as well as remains from aircraft strikes. We here present a DNA-based method that enables taxonomic identification of bird remains, even from material where the DNA is heavily degraded. The method is based on the amplification and sequencing of two short variable parts of the 16S region in the mitochondrial genome. To demonstrate the applicability of this approach, we evaluated the method on a set of Holocene and Late Pleistocene postcranial bird bones from several palaeontological and archaeological sites in Europe with good success

The Australasian Resuscitation In Sepsis Evaluation : fluids or vasopressors in emergency department sepsis (ARISE FLUIDS), a multi-centre observational study describing current practice in Australia and New Zealand

Objectives: To describe haemodynamic resuscitation practices in ED patients with suspected sepsis and hypotension. Methods: This was a prospective, multicentre, observational study conducted in 70 hospitals in Australia and New Zealand between September 2018 and January 2019. Consecutive adults presenting to the ED during a 30-day period at each site, with suspected sepsis and hypotension (systolic blood pressure <100 mmHg) despite at least 1000 mL fluid resuscitation, were eligible. Data included baseline demographics, clinical and laboratory variables and intravenous fluid volume administered, vasopressor administration at baseline and 6- and 24-h post-enrolment, time to antimicrobial administration, intensive care admission, organ support and in-hospital mortality. Results: A total of 4477 patients were screened and 591 were included with a mean (standard deviation) age of 62 (19) years, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score 15.2 (6.6) and a median (interquartile range) systolic blood pressure of 94 mmHg (87–100). Median time to first intravenous antimicrobials was 77 min (42–148). A vasopressor infusion was commenced within 24 h in 177 (30.2%) patients, with noradrenaline the most frequently used (n = 138, 78%). A median of 2000 mL (1500–3000) of intravenous fluids was administered prior to commencing vasopressors. The total volume of fluid administered from pre-enrolment to 24 h was 4200 mL (3000–5661), with a range from 1000 to 12 200 mL. Two hundred and eighteen patients (37.1%) were admitted to an intensive care unit. Overall in-hospital mortality was 6.2% (95% confidence interval 4.4–8.5%). Conclusion: Current resuscitation practice in patients with sepsis and hypotension varies widely and occupies the spectrum between a restricted volume/earlier vasopressor and liberal fluid/later vasopressor strategy

Altered Metabolism of Growth Hormone Receptor Mutant Mice: A Combined NMR Metabonomics and Microarray Study

Growth hormone is an important regulator of post-natal growth and metabolism. We have investigated the metabolic consequences of altered growth hormone signaling in mutant mice that have truncations at position 569 and 391 of the intracellular domain of the growth hormone receptor, and thus exhibit either low (around 30% maximum) or no growth hormone-dependent STATS signaling respectively. These mutants result in altered liver metabolism, obesity and insulin resistance

Chanctonbury Ring Revisited: The Excavations of 1988-1991

The Great Storm of October 1987 caused major destruction to the trees at Chanctonbury Ring, an Important prehistoric and Romano-British archaeological site. Subsequent proposals to replant the destroyed trees led to a series of trial excavations within the Ring in order both to assess the archaeological remains to be affected by the proposed replanting scheme, and to re-locate the two main Roman masonry buildings discovered during treeplanting works in 1909. Along with the results of the archaeological investigations of 1987¿91 the findings of earlier investigations, including those associated with a major programme of tree-planting in 1977, have been reassessed. This fresh analysis suggests an earlier, Late Bronze Age, date for the construction of the hillfort, and identifies the 'ancillary' Romano-British masonry building as a polygonal temple with a rectangular entrance chamber. Large quantities of pigs¿ teeth and skull fragments found in the vicinity of this temple indicate that it may have been associated with a cult of the boar

A Tale of Two Villas: Beddingham and Barcombe

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Bignor Roman Villa and the Institute of Archaeology

The large Roman villa at Bignor is one of the most elaborate in Britain. The Director of the Institute's Field Archaeology Unit describes the history and current stage of its archaeological investigation

Trade and status: an archaeological perspective

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Downland Settlement and Land-use: The Archaeology of the Brighton Bypass

Between 1989 and 1991 a programme of archaeological rescue excavations was undertaken by the University College London Field Archaeology Unit on the route of the new A27 Brighton Bypass, East Sussex. The archaeological works were designed within a research framework to investigate chalk downland settlement and land-use, from the Mesolithic to the present day. The resulting publication builds on, consolidates and brings to a more synthetic framework a long history of archaeological work, professional and amateur in the Brighton area. As an integrated study of settlements, field systems and colluvial sequences it provides a significant advance in our understanding of the prehistory of the South Downs, and has much wider implications for the areas beyond Sussex. In particular, the extent of Later Bronze Age activity is very important with regard to our understanding of landscape and social change during this period. The Project's extensive investigation of lynchets and colluvium also helps us to develop our understanding of the character and date of 'Celtic fields', which were the subject of pioneer fieldwork by earlier archaeologists in the Brighton area

Roman-period temples, shrines and religion in Sussex

An understanding of religious beliefs and practices is often essential when trying to understand different societies, both those in the past and also those in the present. In the case of Roman Britain we are faced with various situations: the traditions of the indigenous Celts; the beliefs and practices of the pagan Romans; various religions which originated much further to the east than Rome and which were brought to Britain by soldiers, administrators and traders; the dynamics of culture contact between the different social groups (especially the fusion of Roman and native cults); and changes over time. The role of religion in Roman times was very important and affected many aspects of everyday life and involved a duality of both public and domestic religious rituals. Religious practices were therefore undertaken in various 'landscapes' including: urban, rural, temple complexes, shrines, cemeteries and households. This volume provides up-to-date reviews of the evidence for different religious beliefs, practices and types of site within South-East Britain generally, but for London, Surrey, Sussex and Kent in particular." "This book will be of interest and use to a wide range of people: professional and amateur archaeologists, classicists, students and the general public who have an interest in the Roman period