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Primary Position (primary + position)
Selected AbstractsStratigraphy and formation processes of the Upper Pleistocene deposit at Gruta da Oliveira, Almonda karstic system, Torres Novas, PortugalGEOARCHAEOLOGY: AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL, Issue 3 2009Diego E. Angelucci Gruta da Oliveira is a cave located in the Almonda karstic system in central Portugal. Its Upper Pleistocene fill is made up of gravitational sediments with varied biogenic and anthropogenic inputs. The archaeological sequence (35,70 ka) is fairly homogeneous, reflecting a predominantly moist climatic context modulated by millennial-scale variations. Human occupation was almost continuous throughout. In the richer archaeological layers (8,14), the anthropogenic components are in primary position, and post-depositional processes are restricted, although penecontemporaneous biological activity,such as hyena scavenging,overprinted the record. In layers 15,19, the excavated area corresponds to the footslope of a talus, where accumulation proceeded mainly through runoff and where the lithics and bones derive from occupations situated ca. 5m outward. The base of the deposit is >2m from the current base of the excavation, suggesting that Oxygen Isotope Stage (OIS)-4 and OIS-5 sediments underlay the deposit already exposed. This study confirms the archaeological integrity of the Mousterian assemblages found in the different layers, and, given the dates for layer 8, supports the hypothesis that Neanderthals survived in western Iberia until at least 35,000,38,000 calendar years ago. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] A funerary rite study of the Phoenician,Punic necropolis of Mount Sirai (Sardinia, Italy)INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OSTEOARCHAEOLOGY, Issue 2 2010G. Piga Abstract A recent excavation in the Phoenician,Punic necropolis of Mount Sirai, located in the southwestern part of Sardinia, Italy, has brought to light a number of tombs contextually attributed to a period from the early 6th to early 5th century BC, which is simultaneous with the beginning of the Carthago influence in Sardinia. Among the interred burials recently brought to light, the skeletal remains, sometimes of two superposed bodies, are found in a primary position and with fine anatomic connection. Some of the bones were visually stained, suggesting they were possibly subjected to fire treatment. In order to ascertain more objectively whether the bodies were subjected to burning, the bones from all the tombs were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform infra-red (FT-IR) spectroscopy techniques. After excluding the role of important diagenetic effects, from line broadening/sharpening analysis of hydroxylapatite in the bones according to the Rietveld method, it was evaluated that the bodies were probably subjected to a temperature regime from 300 to 700°C. These data were supplemented and confirmed by an analysis of the splitting factor (SF) of apatite phosphate peaks in the infra-red spectrum of the bones. Our results indicate the existence of a rite intermediate between incineration and inhumation. This sort of ,semi-combustion', perhaps limited to the period of the early 5th century BC, appears to be peculiar just to this site. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Tear-film lipid layer morphology and corneal sensation in the development of blinking in neonates and infantsJOURNAL OF ANATOMY, Issue 3 2005John G. Lawrenson Abstract The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of lipid layer thickness and corneal sensation in the development of blinking in neonates. The study group comprised sixty-four neonates and infants (mean age 27.5 ± 15 (sd) weeks, range 3.4,52) whose mothers were attending a general practice healthy baby clinic. Spontaneous eye-blink activity was determined from digital videographic recordings; tear film lipid layer morphology wasexamined using interference patterns produced by the Keeler TearscopeÔ Plus over a five-point grading scale (higher grades are associated with thick and stable lipid films); corneal sensation threshold was assessed with the Non-Contact Corneal Aesthesiometer (NCCA), using the eye-blink response as an objective indication that the cooling stimulus had been felt; palpebral aperture dimensions were measured using calibrated digital still images of the eye in the primary position. The overall mean spontaneous blink-rate was found to be 3.6 (± 0.3) blinks min,1, and the mean interblink time was 21.6 (± 2.8) s. The lowest blink-rates were observed in the 0,17-week age group (average 2 blinks min,1). The blink-rate showed a highly significant correlation with age (r = 0.46, P < 0.01). The overall mean lipid layer grading was 3.6 (± 0.2 SE) arbitrary units. Higher grades were found in the newborn and the mean grading score reduced with age (P < 0.01). The mean sensation threshold to blink (TTB) was 0.69 (0.04 SE) mbar, which did not differ from a control group of older subjects (P > 0.05). There was a rapid increase in palpebral aperture length and width from birth to 1 year old, with surface area increasing by 50% over the same period. We concluded that the low rate of spontaneous eye blink activity in neonates is associated with a thick stable lipid layer that may be a function of a small palpebral aperture. Furthermore, neonates appear to have the capacity to detect ocular surface cooling, which is a major trigger for spontaneous blinking. [source] 4361: Management of orbital tumours with adjuvant iodine brachytherapy using "inverted" plaquesACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2010T KIVELÄArticle first published online: 23 SEP 2010 Purpose To describe our experience in using "inverted" iodine plaques as adjuvant treatment after resection of orbital tumours. Methods Between 1999 and 2007, three patients (ages 17-48 years) underwent resection of an lacrimal gland tumour followed by application of an "inverted" iodine plaque manage any microscopic infiltration, i.e. a gold plaque carrying iodine-125 seeds on its convex rather than concave surface. In a fourth instance, the seeds were placed on the convex surface of a ruthenium rather than a gold plaque to manage an eye with a late extraocular recurrence of an irradiated uveal melanoma following resection of the extension. Results The diameter of the plaque was 20 mm. It was sutured to the sclera so that when the eye was in primary position the lacrimal fossa was targeted. When the eye moved, the irradiated volume naturally enlarged. A 40-56 Gy dose was calculated to the depth of 10 mm, and the dose at 5 mm was then calculated as 80-134 Gy. Treatment time was 59-154 hours. In one case, the iodine seeds were placed asymmetrically to limit radiation damage to the eyelid skin. In two patients, transient erythema of the upper eyelid developed, which resolved in a few months time. In case of the extraocular melanoma, dose was the same. Recurrent tumours have not developed. Conclusion An "inverted" iodine plaque is one option for adjuvant irradiation of the orbit which shields the eye from radiation damage. [source] | ||||||||||