bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
3-O-Acyl-epicatechins Increase Glucose Uptake Activity and GLUT4 Translocation through Activation of PI3K Signaling in Skeletal Muscle Cells
Authors: Ueda-Wakagi Manabu , Mukai Rie , Fuse Naoya , Mizushina Yoshiyuki , Ashida Hitoshi
Published: July 2015

Tea catechins promote glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells. In this study, we investigated whether the addition of an acyl group to the C-3 position of catechins to generate 3-O-acyl-catechins promoted glucose uptake in L6 myotubes. 3-O-Myristoyl-(−)-epicatechin (EC-C14) and 3-O-palmitoyl-(−)-epicatechin (EC-C16) promoted glucose uptake and translocation of glucose transporter (GLUT) 4 in the cells. The effect of 3-O-acyl-(−)-epicatechins was stronger than that of (−)-epicatechin (EC), whereas neither 3-O-myristoyl-(+)-catechin (C-C14) nor 3-O-palmitoyl-(+)catechin (C-C16) promoted glucose uptake or GLUT4 translocation as well as (+)-catechin (C). We further investigated an affinity of catechins and 3-O-acyl-catechins to the lipid bilayer membrane by using surface plasma resonance analysis. Maximum binding amounts of EC-C16 and C-C16 to the lipid bilayer clearly increased compared with that of (−)-EC and (+)-C, respectively. We also examined the mechanism of GLUT4 translocation and found EC-C14 and EC-C16 induced the phosphorylation of PI3K, but did not affect phosphorylation of Akt or IR. In conclusion, the addition of an acyl group to the C-3 position of (−)-EC increases its affinity for the lipid bilayer membrane and promotes GLUT4 translocation through PI3K-dependent pathways in L6 myotubes.
The Wnt11 Signaling Pathway in Potential Cellular EMT and Osteochondral Differentiation Progression in Nephrolithiasis Formation
Authors: He Deng , Lu Yuchao , Hu Henglong , Zhang Jiaqiao , Qin Baolong , Wang Yufeng , Xing Shuai , Xi Qilin , Wang Shaogang
Published: July 2015

The molecular events leading to nephrolithiasis are extremely complex. Previous studies demonstrated that calcium and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) may participate in the pathogenesis of stone formation, but the explicit mechanism has not been defined. Using a self-created genetic hypercalciuric stone-forming (GHS) rat model, we observed that the increased level of serous/uric TGF-β1 and elevated intracellular calcium in primary renal tubular epithelial cells (PRECs) was associated with nephrolithiasis progression in vivo. In the setting of high calcium plus high TGF-β1 in vitro, PRECs showed great potential epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) progression and osteochondral differentiation properties, representing the multifarious increased mesenchymal and osteochondral phenotypes (Zeb1, Snail1, Col2A1, OPN, Sox9, Runx2) and decreased epithelial phenotypes (E-cadherin, CK19) bythe detection of mRNAs and corresponding proteins. Moreover, TGF-β-dependent Wnt11 knockdown and L-type Ca2+ channel blocker could greatly reverse EMT progression and osteochondral differentiation in PRECs. TGF-β1 alone could effectively promote EMT, but it had no effect on osteochondral differentiation in NRK cells (Rat kidney epithelial cell line). Stimulation with Ca2+ alone did not accelerate differentiation of NRK. Co-incubation of extracellular Ca2+ and TGF-β1 synergistically promotes EMT and osteochondral differentiation in NRK control cells. Our data supplied a novel view that the pathogenesis of calcium stone development may be associated with synergic effects of TGF-β1 and Ca2+, which promote EMT and osteochondral differentiation via Wnt11 and the L-type calcium channel.
Transcriptome Analysis and Discovery of Genes Involved in Immune Pathways from Coelomocytes of Sea Cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) after Vibrio splendidus Challenge
Authors: Gao Qiong , Liao Meijie , Wang Yingeng , Li Bin , Zhang Zheng , Rong Xiaojun , Chen Guiping , Wang Lan
Published: July 2015

Vibrio splendidus is identified as one of the major pathogenic factors for the skin ulceration syndrome in sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus), which has vastly limited the development of the sea cucumber culture industry. In order to screen the immune genes involving Vibrio splendidus challenge in sea cucumber and explore the molecular mechanism of this process, the related transcriptome and gene expression profiling of resistant and susceptible biotypes of sea cucumber with Vibrio splendidus challenge were collected for analysis. A total of 319,455,942 trimmed reads were obtained, which were assembled into 186,658 contigs. After that, 89,891 representative contigs (without isoform) were clustered. The analysis of the gene expression profiling identified 358 differentially expression genes (DEGs) in the bacterial-resistant group, and 102 DEGs in the bacterial-susceptible group, compared with that in control group. According to the reported references and annotation information from BLAST, GO and KEGG, 30 putative bacterial-resistant genes and 19 putative bacterial-susceptible genes were identified from DEGs. The qRT-PCR results were consistent with the RNA-Seq results. Furthermore, many DGEs were involved in immune signaling related pathways, such as Endocytosis, Lysosome, MAPK, Chemokine and the ERBB signaling pathway.
A New Ligustrazine Derivative-Selective Cytotoxicity by Suppression of NF-κB/p65 and COX-2 Expression on Human Hepatoma Cells. Part 3
Authors: Zhang Chenze , Yan Wenqiang , Li Bi , Xu Bing , Gong Yan , Chu Fuhao , Zhang Yuzhong , Yao Qiuli , Wang Penglong , Lei Haimin
Published: July 2015

A new anticancer ligustrazine derivative, 3β-hydroxyolea-12-en-28-oic acid- 3,5,6-trimethylpyrazin-2-methylester (T-OA, C38H58O3N2), was previously reported. It was synthesized via conjugating hepatoprotective and anticancer ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine. We found that T-OA exerted its anticancer activity by preventing the expression of nuclear transcription factor NF-κB/p65 and COX-2 in S180 mice. However, the selective cytotoxicity of T-OA on various kinds of cell lines has not been studied sufficiently. In the present study, compared with Cisplatin, T-OA was more toxic to human hepatoma cell line Bel-7402 (IC50 = 6.36 ± 1.56 µM) than other three cancer cell lines (HeLa, HT-29, BGC-823), and no toxicity was observed toward Madin–Darby canine kidney cell line MDCK (IC50 > 150 µM). The morphological changes of Bel-7402 cells demonstrated that T-OA had an apoptosis-inducing effect which had been substantiated using 4ʹ,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, acridine orange (AO)/ethidium bromide (EB) staining, flow cytometry and mitochondrial membrane potential assay. Combining the immumohistochemical staining, we found T-OA could prevent the expression of NF-κB/p65 and COX-2 in Bel-7402 cells. Both of the proteins have been known to play roles in apoptosis and are mainly located in the nuclei. Moreover subcellular localization was performed to reveal that T-OA exerts in nuclei of Bel-7402 cells. The result was in accordance with the effects of down-regulating the expression of NF-κB/p65 and COX-2.
Urinary MicroRNA Profiling Predicts the Development of Microalbuminuria in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Argyropoulos Christos , Wang Kai , Bernardo Jose , Ellis Demetrius , Orchard Trevor , Galas David , Johnson John
Published: July 2015

Microalbuminuria provides the earliest clinical marker of diabetic nephropathy among patients with Type 1 diabetes, yet it lacks sensitivity and specificity for early histological manifestations of disease. In recent years microRNAs have emerged as potential mediators in the pathogenesis of diabetes complications, suggesting a possible role in the diagnosis of early stage disease. We used quantiative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to evaluate the expression profile of 723 unique microRNAs in the normoalbuminuric urine of patients who did not develop nephropathy (n = 10) relative to patients who subsequently developed microalbuminuria (n = 17). Eighteen microRNAs were strongly associated with the subsequent development of microalbuminuria, while 15 microRNAs exhibited gender-related differences in expression. The predicted targets of these microRNAs map to biological pathways known to be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of diabetic renal disease. A microRNA signature (miR-105-3p, miR-1972, miR-28-3p, miR-30b-3p, miR-363-3p, miR-424-5p, miR-486-5p, miR-495, miR-548o-3p and for women miR-192-5p, miR-720) achieved high internal validity (cross-validated misclassification rate of 11.1%) for the future development of microalbuminuria in this dataset. Weighting microRNA measurements by their number of kidney-relevant targets improved the prognostic performance of the miRNA signature (cross-validated misclassification rate of 7.4%). Future studies are needed to corroborate these early observations in larger cohorts.
Experimental and Numerical Study on the Strength of Aluminum Extrusion Welding
Authors: Bingöl Sedat , Bozacı Atilla
Published: July 2015

The quality of extrusion welding in the extruded hollow shapes is influenced significantly by the pressure and effective stress under which the material is being joined inside the welding chamber. However, extrusion welding was not accounted for in the past by the developers of finite element software packages. In this study, the strength of hollow extrusion profile with seam weld produced at different ram speeds was investigated experimentally and numerically. The experiments were performed on an extruded hollow aluminum profile which was suitable to obtain the tensile tests specimens from its seam weld’s region at both parallel to extrusion direction and perpendicular to extrusion direction. A new numerical modeling approach, which was recently proposed in literature, was used for numerical analyses of the study. The simulation results performed at different ram speeds were compared with the experimental results, and a good agreement was obtained.
Marine Bromophenol Derivative 3,4-Dibromo-5-(2-bromo-3,4-dihydroxy-6-isopropoxymethyl benzyl)benzene-1,2-diol Protects Hepatocytes from Lipid-Induced Cell Damage and Insulin Resistance via PTP1B Inhibition
Authors: Luo Jiao , Wu Ning , Jiang Bo , Wang Lijun , Wang Shuaiyu , Li Xiangqian , Wang Baocheng , Wang Changhui , Shi Dayong
Published: July 2015

3,4-Dibromo-5-(2-bromo-3,4-dihydroxy-6-isopropoxymethyl benzyl)benzene-1,2-diol (HPN) is a bromophenol derivative from the marine red alga Rhodomela confervoides. We have previously found that HPN exerted an anti-hyperglycemic property in db/db mouse model. In the present study, we found that HPN could protect HepG2 cells against palmitate (PA)-induced cell death. Data also showed that HPN inhibited cell death mainly by blocking the cell apoptosis. Further studies demonstrated that HPN (especially at 1.0 μM) significantly restored insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of IR and IRS1/2, and inhibited the PTP1B expression level in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, the expression of Akt was activated by HPN, and glucose uptake was significantly increased in PA-treated HepG2 cells. Our results suggest that HPN could protect hepatocytes from lipid-induced cell damage and insulin resistance via PTP1B inhibition. Thus, HPN can be considered to have potential for the development of anti-diabetic agent that could protect both hepatic cell mass and function.
Carrier Modulation Layer-Enhanced Organic Light-Emitting Diodes
Authors: Jou Jwo-Huei , Kumar Sudhir , Singh Meenu , Chen Yi-Hong , Chen Chung-Chia , Lee Meng-Ting
Published: July 2015

Organic light-emitting diode (OLED)-based display products have already emerged in the market and their efficiencies and lifetimes are sound at the comparatively low required luminance. To realize OLED for lighting application sooner, higher light quality and better power efficiency at elevated luminance are still demanded. This review reveals the advantages of incorporating a nano-scale carrier modulation layer (CML), also known as a spacer, carrier-regulating layer, or interlayer, among other terms, to tune the chromaticity and color temperature as well as to markedly improve the device efficiency and color rendering index (CRI) for numerous OLED devices. The functions of the CML can be enhanced as multiple layers and blend structures are employed. At proper thickness, the employment of CML enables the device to balance the distribution of carriers in the two emissive zones and achieve high device efficiencies and long operational lifetime while maintaining very high CRI. Moreover, we have also reviewed the effect of using CML on the most significant characteristics of OLEDs, namely: efficiency, luminance, life-time, CRI, SRI, chromaticity, and the color temperature, and see how the thickness tuning and selection of proper CML are crucial to effectively control the OLED device performance.
Bioaccumulation of Trace Metals in Mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from Mali Ston Bay during DSP Toxicity Episodes
Authors: Ujević Ivana , Vuletić Nenad , Lušić Jelena , Nazlić Nikša , Kušpilić Grozdan
Published: July 2015

The Croatian National Monitoring Program revealed the presence of Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) toxicity in Mediterranean blue mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from breeding farms in southern Adriatic Sea through January to June 2011. The mouse bioassay tests (MBA; at the time the official method for DSP toxins) were accompanied by atypical symptomatology in the animals and this caused doubts about the assay results. Consequently, in parallel studies reported here, the concentration of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in soft tissue of DSP positive and negative mussels samples was determined. Cd, Cr, Zn and Ni show higher values in approximately 75% of the DSP positive samples, whereas for Pb and Cr the values were 26% and 34%, respectively. This trend was unchanged during the whole observation period.
Anti-Apoptotic Gene Delivery with cyclo-(d-Trp-Tyr) Peptide Nanotube via Eye Drop Following Corneal Epithelial Debridement
Authors: Lee Yu-Hsing , Chang Shwu-Fen , Liaw Jiahorng
Published: July 2015

Corneal keratocyte apoptosis triggered by cornel debridement is one mechanism of corneal disorders. In this study, the feasibility of cyclo-(d-Trp-Tyr) peptide nanotubes (PNTs) as carriers of caspase 3 silence shRNA delivery was assessed. A model of epithelial injury by epithelial debridement was applied to investigate the feasibility of PNTs as gene delivery carriers on corneal injury. First, the PNTs were found within 2 μm in length and 300 nm in width by an atomic force microscope and confocal laser microscope system. Plasmid DNAs were observed to be associated with PNTs by atomic force microscope and confocal laser scanning microscope. The plasmids were associated with tyrosine of PNTs with a binding constant of 2.7 × 108 M−1. The stability of plasmid DNA with PNTs against the DNase was found at 60 min. Using thioflavin T pre-stained PNTs on the corneal eye drop delivery, the distribution of PNTs was in the epithelial and stroma regions. After corneal debridement, the rhodamine-labeled plasmid DNA and thioflavin T pre-stained PNTs were also delivered and could be observed in the stroma of cornea. PNTs complexed with anti-apoptotic plasmid caspase 3 silencing shRNA eye drop delivery decreased 41% of caspase 3 activity after the first dose by caspase 3 activity and Western blot analysis.
Short-Term Forecasting of Surface Solar Irradiance Based on Meteosat-SEVIRI Data Using a Nighttime Cloud Index
Authors: Hammer Annette , Kühnert Jan , Weinreich Kailash , Lorenz Elke
Published: July 2015

The cloud index is a key parameter of the Heliosat method. This method is widely used to calculate solar irradiance on the Earth’s surface from Meteosat visible channel images. Moreover, cloud index images are the basis of short-term forecasting of solar irradiance and photovoltaic power production. For this purpose, cloud motion vectors are derived from consecutive images, and the motion of clouds is extrapolated to obtain forecasted cloud index images. The cloud index calculation is restricted to the daylight hours, as long as SEVIRI HR-VIS images are used. Hence, this forecast method cannot be used before sunrise. In this paper, a method is introduced that can be utilized a few hours before sunrise. The cloud information is gained from the brightness temperature difference (BTD) of the 10.8 µm and 3.9 µm SEVIRI infrared channels. A statistical relation is developed to assign a cloud index value to either the BTD or the brightness temperature T10:8, depending on the cloud class to which the pixel belongs (fog and low stratus, clouds with temperatures less than 232 K, other clouds). Images are composed of regular HR-VIS cloud index values that are used to the east of the terminator and of nighttime BTD-derived cloud index values used to the west of the terminator, where the Sun has not yet risen. The motion vector algorithm is applied to the images and delivers a forecast of irradiance at sunrise and in the morning. The forecasted irradiance is validated with ground measurements of global horizontal irradiance, and the advantage of the new approach is shown. The RMSE of forecasted irradiance based on the presented nighttime cloud index for the morning hours is between 3 and 70 W/m2, depending on the time of day. This is an improvement against the previous precision range of the forecast based on the daytime cloud index between 70 and 85 W/m2.
A Remote-Sensing-Driven System for Mining Marine Spatiotemporal Association Patterns
Authors: Xue Cunjin , Dong Qing , Li Xiaohong , Fan Xing , Li Yilong , Wu Shuchao
Published: July 2015

Remote sensing is widely used to analyze marine environments. While many effective and advanced methods have been developed, they are generally used independently of each other, despite the potential advantages of combining different modules into an integrated system. We develop here an image-driven remote-sensing mining system, RSMapMining (Remote Sensing driven Marine spatiotemporal Association Pattern Mining system), which consists of three modules. The image preprocessing module integrates image processing techniques and marine extraction methods to build a mining database. The pattern mining module integrates popular algorithms to implement the mining process according to the mining strategies. The third module, knowledge visualization, designs a series of interactive interfaces to visualize the marine data at a variety of scales, from global to grid pixel. The effectiveness of the integrated system is tested in a case study of the northwestern Pacific Ocean. The main contribution of this study is the development of a mining system to deal with marine remote sensing images by integrating popular techniques and methods ranging from information extraction, through visualization, to knowledge discovery.
Critical Connections: The Role of the Built Environment Sector in Delivering Green Cities and a Green Economy
Authors: Newton Peter , Newman Peter
Published: July 2015

The green agenda for cities and the economy in general is a major focus of global institutions and is increasingly a major national and urban priority. Core issues and best practice for built environment businesses were collated from published studies and used in a survey of Australian firms to see how committed they were to the green economy. The results show high awareness of the challenges and opportunities with 85% of firms having sustainability as an established agenda with senior management and over 20% of built environment firms deriving more than 50% of their sales from green products and services. This is much higher in design firms and is globally high. Whilst recognizing the scope for more engagement by industry in transitioning to a low carbon green economy, there is doubt within the built environment sector about how to create a business case for innovative green ventures and a lack of certainty or encouragement from government about how to proceed.
Built Environmental Designs in Promoting Pedestrian Safety
Authors: Yu Chia-Yuan
Published: July 2015

This study examined two-level (road environments and census tracts) built environments related to the probability of severe injury for pedestrians. In total, 1407 pedestrian–vehicle crashes (years 2008–2012) were identified from 140 census tracts in the city of Austin. Two multilevel models were applied to examine pedestrian injury severity by using level-1 factors (individual characteristics, road environments, and area characteristics around the crash location) and level-2 factors (characteristics of census tracts). The results demonstrated the importance of using the multi-level model to avoid the biased results from employing the single-level model. This study showed that the likelihood of being severely injured or killed decreased when vehicles turned left, when crashes occurred at intersections, when there were traffic control devices at the crash location, and when crashes occurred during inclement weather conditions. Areas with higher sidewalk densities and higher percentage of commercial uses were negative correlates, while population density was a positive predictor. Pedestrian injury severity has been and will continue to be an important topic for the fields of public health. Future safety programs should focus on providing connected sidewalks and on populated areas.
Analysis of Factors that Influence the Willingness to Pay for Irrigation Water in the Kurdistan Regional Government, Iraq
Authors: Harun Rezhen , Muresan Iulia , Arion Felix , Dumitras Diana , Lile Ramona
Published: July 2015

Water availability has become a problem in many countries of the world. Water scarcity can be economic or physical. Agricultural water use accounts for about three quarters of total global consumption; in many developing countries, irrigation represents over 90% of the water used. The purpose of this paper is to explore the willingness to pay for irrigation water among the farmers from the boundaries governed by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). During the field study, 236 farmers from KRG were interviewed. The collected data were analyzed for each of the precipitation zones of the area (secured (A) and non-secured rainfed (B)). The contingent valuation method was used to determine the willingness to pay for irrigation water. The following possible independent variables influencing farmers’ decisions were considered: the bid amounts; evaluation scale of the water deficit; source of water for irrigation; cultivated area; education and age of respondents; main agricultural activity. In Zone A, the median willingness to pay of the farmers that used ground water for irrigation is 20.28 USD/10 m3, and for the farmers that use other sources of water, the willingness to pay is 11.49 USD/10 m3. The median willingness to pay in Zone B is 18.56/10 m3.
The Effect of Payments for Ecosystem Services Programs on the Relationship of Livelihood Capital and Livelihood Strategy among Rural Communities in Northwestern China
Authors: Wang Fei , Yang Degang , Wang Changjian , Zhang Xinhuan
Published: July 2015

The security and quality of livelihoods for peasant households is the core issue for rural areas in China. A stable livelihood contributes to the harmonious development of related polices, poverty eradication and sustainable use of resources. In Qinghe County, located in the extremely arid zone of Northwest China, 238 validated surveys were conducted. The analysis focuses on the importance of livelihood capitals for the selection of on- or off-farm livelihood strategies among beneficiaries of different kinds of ecological compensation packages. The goal is to see if different groups of beneficiaries are better able to pursue off-farm livelihoods activity, which reduces pressure on the resource base, and whether specific capitals are especially effective in helping households pursue off-farm livelihoods, which benefits their well-being. The findings show that proportionally more herdsmen (who participated in a pastureland rehabilitation program) were able to pursue off-farm livelihoods than farmers (who participated in the cultivated land reforestation program), and especially agro-pastoralists (who participated in both programs). Further, models of livelihood strategy show that human and financial capitals facilitate off-farm livelihoods, while productive capital tends to lead to on-farm livelihoods. These findings indicate that there is no single determinant of livelihood strategy, and future policies must consciously differentiate among beneficiaries to reach the desired result.
Energy Performance and Thermal Comfort of a High Efficiency House: RhOME for denCity, Winner of Solar Decathlon Europe 2014
Authors: Battista Gabriele , Carnielo Emiliano , Evangelisti Luca , Frascarolo Marco , Vollaro Roberto
Published: July 2015

The increase of people living in large cities and the expansion of new urban areas are keys to defining new sustainable models. It is estimated that about 70% of the EU population lives in urban areas, and it is expected to reach 80% by 2030. Consequently, it is important to find a new concept of buildings that can reduce the total energy consumption. The Solar Decathlon is an international university competition, born in 2002, created by the U.S. State Energy Department (DOE). Students are challenged to design and operate a full-scale, innovative and sustainable house able to exploit solar radiation as its sole energy source. The objective of the competition is to promote research and education in sustainable architecture and solar energy fields. This paper presents an overview on the contribution of LIFT (Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Technical Physics of Roma Tre University) to the winning project of the Solar Decathlon Europe 2014 competition: The RhOME for denCity. This project consists of a building properly designed to produce a solar-powered house that is cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive.
Genetic Diversity Underlying the Envelope Glycoproteins of Hepatitis C Virus: Structural and Functional Consequences and the Implications for Vaccine Design
Authors: Tarr Alexander , Khera Tanvi , Hueging Kathrin , Sheldon Julie , Steinmann Eike , Pietschmann Thomas , Brown Richard
Published: July 2015

In the 26 years since the discovery of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) a major global research effort has illuminated many aspects of the viral life cycle, facilitating the development of targeted antivirals. Recently, effective direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens with >90% cure rates have become available for treatment of chronic HCV infection in developed nations, representing a significant advance towards global eradication. However, the high cost of these treatments results in highly restricted access in developing nations, where the disease burden is greatest. Additionally, the largely asymptomatic nature of infection facilitates continued transmission in at risk groups and resource constrained settings due to limited surveillance. Consequently a prophylactic vaccine is much needed. The HCV envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2 are located on the surface of viral lipid envelope, facilitate viral entry and are the targets for host immunity, in addition to other functions. Unfortunately, the extreme global genetic and antigenic diversity exhibited by the HCV glycoproteins represents a significant obstacle to vaccine development. Here we review current knowledge of HCV envelope protein structure, integrating knowledge of genetic, antigenic and functional diversity to inform rational immunogen design.
Pourquoi mourir ensemble ? À propos des tombes multiples dans le Néolithique français
Authors: Boulestin Bruno
Published: July 2015

burials from the French Neolithic, we propose in this paper to formulate these issues in a different way and to draw some conclusions which differ partly from those of these two authors. First of all, multiple burials considered individually cannot be considered as commonplace structures ; we have good reason to think that people buried in a same space have at least

some relationship in death. In that sense they reflect either a particular

social phenomenon, when one death has caused the others, or some particular event when the deaths have the same cause. There is no need however in these cases systematically to evoke bloody stories. For if the

first case corresponds to “ accompanying death”, the second can be explained

by small or large-scale mortality crises, probably more often epidemics and famines, and seldom collective accidents. Considered as a

whole, assemblages containing multiple burials can be classified in two categories according to the probability of the appearance of their configuration. In the first, the coincidences noted concerning the deaths are

made possible by chance. Part of the cemeteries belonging to this category may be commonplace communal ones where particular events sometimes led to burying two persons together. Another part, i. e. the very small assemblages,

is difficult to interpret but could evoke a relegation linked to

the circumstances of death. The second category groups assemblages for which chance alone is unlikely. Their study leads to dividing them into two

groups : one with burials that can be perfectly interpreted in terms of “ accompanying death”, and the other corresponding to burials that could result from mortality crises. “ Accompanying death” can explain some of

the multiple burials and is certain in the funerary region of circular burial pits. Its presence in the cists of the Chamblandes type is also highly probable. On the other hand, it remains undetected in mound graves, the crucial problem being to ascertain whether it is really absent or whether it is merely unrecognised, and inciting us to re-examine the case of some

corridor graves. Neolithic multiple burials are finally far from being just

a curiosity and their precise analysis is a challenge for the coming years. They already give rise to important palaeo-sociological interpretations, but paradoxically they could well lead to reviewing the approach of some aspects of the collective phenomenon.
La Perte du Cros (Saillac, Lot) et les termes de passage du Néolithique final à l’Âge du bronze en bordure occidentale du Massif central
Authors: Gernigon Karim , Fouéré Pierrick , Saint-Sever Guillaume , Vergnaud Luc
Published: July 2015

À la différence de la plupart des régions d’Europe occidentale, où le Campaniforme est au centre des schémas de transition entre la fin du Néolithique et le début de l’Âge du bronze, c’est l’Artenacien qui semble tenir cette place dans le nord du Bassin aquitain et ses marges orientales. La reprise des travaux de terrain sur le gisement de la Perte du Cros (Saillac, Lot) oblige à réviser ce scénario. La découverte d’une importante occupation de plein air de la fin du Néolithique et d’une séquence stratigraphique en grotte couvrant cette période et l’Âge du bronze ancien renouvelle la documentation. Elle montre la surprenante insertion de ce site dans des réseaux d’échange à longue distance pour les matériaux lithiques et témoigne d’un paysage culturel complexe. Les productions céramiques sont dépourvues des traits les plus marquants de l’Artenacien, du Vérazien ou du groupe des Treilles, mais s’en inspirent, sans pour autant présenter des caractéristiques propres. À cette ambiance culturelle contribue également le Campaniforme, un peu sous sa forme décorée mais surtout par le biais de la céramique d’accompagnement. Ce patchwork de relations et d’influences est difficile à caractériser au travers des traditionnelles cultures archéologiques. Cette complexité se poursuit à l’Âge du bronze ancien, pendant lequel les ensembles céramiques régionaux combinent plusieurs composantes stylistiques, dont la répartition géographique ne se recouvre que partiellement. Ces caractéristiques forcent à repenser les outils conceptuels utilisés pour appréhender cette phase de transition.
La série céramique du Bronze ancien 1 au Roc d’en Gabit, Carcassonne (Aude)
Authors: Vaquer Jean , Remicourt Maxime
Published: July 2015

Le site de Roc d’en Gabit à Carcassonne est un établissement de plein air fortifié par une enceinte à fossé qui a livré un abondant mobilier du début de l’Âge du bronze ancien. Hormis quelques éléments plus anciens, en position secondaire dans le comblement des structures en creux, la céramique de ce site paraît très homogène. Elle provient essentiellement de rejets domestiques et elle est représentative de l’étape la plus ancienne du Bronze ancien méridional. La série analysée sous ses aspects typologiques comporte trois sortes de céramiques : des céramiques fines décorées dans le style épicampaniforme barbelé, des céramiques fines non décorées comportant des tasses et gobelets à anse et de la céramique épaisse de stockage et culinaire à fond plat de style rhodanien. Les comparaisons ont été effectuées avec les séries de plusieurs sites du Midi, dans deux tableaux d’occurrences des formes et des décors d’ensembles campaniformes des styles régionaux et d’ensembles épicampaniformes du début de l’Âge du bronze ancien. Le traitement par indice de similarité de Jaccard indique une forte parenté de la série de Roc d’en Gabit avec celles du style de Camp de Laure, notamment pour les décors, et une dérivation probable de la céramique commune des groupes pyrénéen et rhodano-provençal pour les formes. Les liens avec le Nord-Est de l’Espagne sont beaucoup plus réduits.
Du Néolithique final au tout premier Bronze ancien dans le Centre-Ouest de la France et plus généralement sur sa façade atlantique ; des données encore très lacunaires pour la seconde moitié du IIIe millénaire av. J.-C.
Authors: Laporte Luc , Gomez de Soto José
Published: July 2015

Les mécanismes qui ont présidé à la transition du Néolithique vers l’Âge du bronze restent mal connus ; c’est en particulier le cas dans le Centre-Ouest de la France et plus généralement sur sa façade atlantique. En centrant le sujet des communications sur la seconde moitié du IIIe millénaire, les organisateurs mettent de plus l’accent sur l’une des plages chronologiques les plus mal documentées pour toute la Protohistoire, notamment sur cet espace géographique. Le caractère peu favorable des courbes de calibration du radiocarbone ne saurait être considéré comme seul responsable d’un tel état de fait. Au-delà de ces premières constatations, nous tenterons d’établir un bilan des quelques données disponibles, pour ensuite faire le point quant aux principaux faciès culturels impliqués et quant à la place du Campaniforme dans un tel processus.
Le gisement moustérien du Rescoundudou (Sébazac- Concourès, Aveyron) : inventaire des restes humains
Authors: Jaubert Jacques , Maureille Bruno
Published: July 2015

Le gisement du Rescoundudou se situe sur le territoire de la commune de Sébazac-Concourès dans l’Aveyron. Sa stratigraphie est assez complexe et traduit une évolution géomorphologique qui a débuté avant le Pléistocène supérieur. La partie sommitale de cette stratigraphie est représentée par l’effondrement du toit d’une grotte sur lequel reposent des formations de versant qui livrent des niveaux moustériens (Moustérien de type Ferrassie) attribués au début du Dernier Glaciaire (stade isotopique 5). Cinq vestiges dentaires humains ont été découverts dans l’unité C1 : trois dents déciduales supérieure et inférieures, un fragment de molaire permanente inférieure et une incisive permanente latérale supérieure. Deux de ces pièces sont malheureusement incomplètes. Il n’est pas l’objet de cet article de réaliser une étude morphologique et métrique détaillée de ces pièces, qui sera produite ultérieurement, et nous nous limiterons ici à quelques données descriptives. Ces dents sont saines, ne montrent pas d’atteinte pathologique et représentent au moins deux individus différents : un adulte probablement d’âge moyen et un enfant de près de 8 ans. La fiabilité de la fouille, leur association avec un niveau moustérien et les traits de ces vestiges nous permettent de les rapporter à la lignée néandertalienne. Ils augmentent nos connaissances sur le peuplement de cette région de l’Europe de l’Ouest au début du Dernier Glaciaire.
La céramique du Néolithique ancien de la grotte du Pont à Poussarou (Hérault)
Authors: Guilaine Jean , van Willigen Samuel , Convertini Fabien
Published: July 2015

The pottery assemblage which is presented here is composed of 65 sherds found in the course of former excavations conducted by E. Genson in Grotte du Pont at Poussarou in the Montagne Noire geographical area. The main objective of this study has been to situate this ceramic assemblage in the Mediterranean Early Neolithic context. Nevertheless, the dual approach that has been chosen, which combines the determination of the origin of raw materials together with the typological study of the ceramic material, allows us, besides clarifying the problem of the cultural attribution of the present assemblage, to sustain the discussion concerning the Neolithicisation of the Mediterranean hinterland.
Les restes culinaires de Cuccuru is Arrius (Oristano, Sardaigne) : nouveaux apports à la connaissance des économies néolithiques en domaine littoral
Authors: Bignon Olivier , Serrand Nathalie , Costa Laurent Jacques , Lugliè Carlo
Published: July 2015

Although considered a real crossroads on the route of the first waves of migration of Neolithic societies, until now Sardinia has delivered very little data about these colonisation processes. Situated in the Gulf of Oristano, on the western coast of the island, the Middle Neolithic locus of the site of Cuccuru is Arrius thus constitutes a precious archaeological record for a better understanding of settlement modes in the Thyrrenian Islands. This paper more particularly attempts to report economic characteristics of these first occupations of Sardinia, based on archaeozoological remains.
Le cairn du Château à Angers (Maine-et-Loire)
Authors: Marcigny Cyril , Gaumé Éric , Ghesquière Emmanuel
Published: July 2015

Découvert à Angers en 1997 lors de la fouille du palais comtal, le cairn néolithique du château d’Angers a fait l’objet de fouilles préventives en 2002 et 2003. Son évaluation sous forme de sondage a permis de reconnaître ses différents éléments architecturaux. Il s’agit d’un cairn circulaire d’une quinzaine de mètres de diamètre délimité par un parement unique renfermant plusieurs caveaux montés en pierre sèche reliés à l’extérieur par un couloir unique (type Colpo). À l’extérieur du mégalithe, un deuxième monument en terre a aussi été mis au jour. L’analyse du site s’est attachée à une description architecturale du monument et à une étude exhaustive du mobilier, mais aussi à un travail de fond sur les traces d’extraction et de façonnage des dalles de schiste utilisées pour la construction du mégalithe.
De l’estimation de l’âge individuel dentaire au modèle descriptif des structures d’âge des cohortes fossiles : l’exemple des Equidae et du time-specific model en contextes paléobiologiques pléistocenes
Authors: Fernandez Philippe
Published: July 2015

Dans cette étude, les concepts des deux grands modèles, attritionnel et catastrophique, souvent utilisés en archéozoologie, sont discutés d’un point de vue méthodologique. La caractérisation des profils en U et en L, construits à partir de la fréquence des individus (fx), est exposée en relation avec les différents contextes paléobiologiques décrits dans de nombreuses publications. Les méthodes principales qui permettent d’estimer l’âge individuel à partir de l’usure dentaire sont abordées, de même que les équations prédictives établies pour les Equidae. Un exemple précis à partir de la hauteur d’une P4/ est donné afin d’en estimer l’âge individuel, de même que sa répartition dans les différents intervalles de classes en fonction de l’erreur de prédiction du modèle (E). La mortalité mammalienne est alors envisagée du point de vue de la dynamique des populations (life tables) et plus particulièrement du time-specific model. Les aspects méthodologiques de ce modèle descriptif de la structure d’âge des cohortes fossiles sont présentés dans le détail, de même que les principaux indices qui peuvent être calculés à partir de la fréquence des individus dans chaque classe d’âge (lx, qx, ex, kx, mx, R0). Le niveau de résolution et les perspectives comparatives entre les cohortes taxonomiquement et chronologiquement différentes, issues de divers contextes paléobiologiques, sont discutées en même temps qu’une brève présentation de l’utilisation des matrices de Leslie.
Identification par l’expérimentation de la percussion au percuteur de calcaire au Paléolithique moyen : le cas du façonnage des racloirs bifaciaux Quina de Chez Pinaud (Jonzac, Charente-Maritime)
Authors: Roussel Morgan , Bourguignon Laurence , Soressi Marie
Published: July 2015

Plusieurs « boules calcaires » ont été découvertes lors des fouilles récentes des niveaux Moustérien de type Quina du gisement de Chez Pinaud à Jonzac. Certaines de ces pièces portent des traces de percussion sur leurs parties saillantes. Or, ce type d’objets principalement identifié jusque-là dans des fouilles anciennes a souvent été interprété comme pierre de bolas par analogie au matériel ethnographique. Nous avons créé un référentiel expérimental dans lequel des objets analogues ont été utilisés comme percuteur pour mettre en forme des racloirs de type Quina sur support bifacial similaires à ceux retrouvés à Jonzac et selon le schéma opératoire observé sur ce gisement. Nous avons fait varier la nature des percuteurs en employant également du quartzite, du buis et du bois de Cerf. La comparaison des stigmates de taille observés sur les éclats expérimentaux produits avec chaque type de percuteur montre que la percussion menée avec un percuteur de calcaire partage certains de ses stigmates avec ceux obtenus par la percussion menée avec un percuteur de quartzite et avec ceux produits par un percuteur d’origine organique. Un seul stigmate isolé, les rides fines et serrées sur la face ventrale, est diagnostique de la percussion au percuteur de calcaire pour le façonnage de racloirs bifaciaux de type Quina. Par ailleurs, nous montrons que certaines associations de stigmates sont propres à chacun des percuteurs. Notre étude confirme donc la nécessité de faire intervenir le calcaire lors de la création de référentiels expérimentaux pour diagnostiquer la matière percutante. De plus, la comparaison avec l’échantillon archéologique montre que des percuteurs en calcaire ont bien été utilisés à Jonzac, en parallèle avec d’autres types de percuteurs dans des actions de taille. L’utilisation du calcaire en tant que matière percutante est ici diagnostiquée pour la première fois dans un contexte plus ancien que le Gravettien et démontre la capacité des Néandertaliens à faire varier leurs traditions techniques en utilisant le large panel de matières percutantes à leur disposition.
Les dernières occupations moustériennes de Saint-Césaire (Charente-Maritime, France) : diversité des techniques utilisées et comportements économiques pratiqués
Authors: Thiébaut Céline , Meignen Liliane , Lévêque François
Published: July 2015

La fin du Paléolithique moyen en Europe occidentale est marquée par une mosaïque d’industries lithiques aux caractéristiques techniques parfois fort différentes. L’industrie lithique des dernières occupations moustériennes de Saint-Césaire s’insère dans ce contexte. Si l’on souhaite mieux appréhender les facteurs à l’origine d’une telle diversité, il convient au préalable de bien caractériser d’un point de vue technique mais aussi économique les comportements des Néandertaliens pour chaque niveau étudié. Les derniers niveaux moustériens de Saint-Césaire, calés chronologiquement vers 40900 BP (OIS 3), se caractérisent par l’emploi majoritaire d’une matière première locale complété par une faible importation de matière première allochtone, par un débitage Discoïde prépondérant mis en oeuvre selon deux modalités qui ont permis l’obtention de supports relativement fins à tranchant périphérique et d’éclats plus épais à dos débordant sensu lato. Si l’ensemble de la production n’est pas orienté vers la transformation secondaire de ces supports, il n’en reste pas moins que les pièces retouchées sont nombreuses et dominées par divers types de denticulés. L’un des intérêts de cet ensemble est l’utilisation de différentes techniques de percussion en matière dure minérale pendant le débitage et pour la retouche. La mise en commun des données archéozoologiques, économiques et technologiques nous permet de positionner le gisement de Saint-Césaire au sein d’un territoire plus vaste et de l’identifier comme un site d’habitat. Sa position chronostratigraphique, sous-jacente à des niveaux châtelperroniens, nous conduit à discuter des relations techniques éventuelles qui peuvent exister entre le Moustérien et le Châtelperronien. Il en ressort que les caractéristiques de l’industrie moustérienne présentée ne préfigurent en rien ce qui se développera au début du Paléolithique supérieur.
Contrasting models of the female reproductive tract in four o'clocks (Nyctaginaceae)
Authors: Nores María J. , López Hernán A. , Anton Ana M. , Rudall Paula J.
Published: July 2015

•Premise of the study:In angiosperms, several carpel tissues are specialized to facilitate pollen‐tube elongation to achieve fertilization. We evaluated the possible evolutionary pathways of the diverse female reproductive tracts in Nyctaginaceae.

•Methods:We studied the anatomy of a range of species representing different tribes, using light, fluorescence, scanning electron, and transmission electron microscopy.

•Key results:Stigmas have multicellular, multiseriate papillae, except forBoerhavia diffusawith unicellular papillae. The styles are solid, with a strand of transmitting tissue linking the stigma with the ventral ovary wall. InAllionia,Boerhavia, andMirabilis, the transmitting tissue branches into two independent tracts at the base of the ovary and continues across the lateral margins of the funicle to the micropyle; it is composed of cells with thick walls surrounded by abundant extracellular matrix.Bougainvillea,Pisonia, andPisoniellahave a diffuse transmitting tissue and an obturator, a proliferation of cells covered by a layer of secretory papillae that encloses the funicle, placenta, and ventral wall of the gynoecium and contacts with the micropyle.

•Conclusions:We propose two models of female reproductive tract, (A) one in which an obturator is absent and the transmitting tissue is compact and branched and (B) one in which an obturator is present and the transmitting tissue is diffuse. On the basis of character optimization, we hypothesize that model B represents the ancestral (plesiomorphic) condition in the family and model A originated once during evolution, within the tribe Nyctagineae.