Petrographic Analysis of Basalt Artifacts from Three Aleutian Sites

Characterizing the mineralogical composition of ceramic vessels and sherds from Caddo sites in East Texas by means of petrographic analysis provides a unique opportunity to gather and investigate empirical evidence from ceramic vessels on: (1) technological and manufacturing practices, and (2) their trade and exchange at varying scales conducted by ancestral Caddo people with their neighbors, both near and far (i.e., other ancestral Caddo groups as well as non-Caddo communities). This evidence in turn can be used to explore changes in the nature of social and economic relationships between particular Caddo groups and other prehistoric populations. Identified compositional and paste differences that have been recognized between the different wares made by Caddo groups (i.e., plain wares, utility wares, and fine wares) can also be employed to explore functional and technological differences in vessel function and form. It is important to build on existing petrographic studies of Caddo vessels and vessel sherds by examining unstudied assemblages to (1) better clarify the compositional nature of these ceramic wares across the Caddo temporal and geographic landscape; (2) to help pinpoint other ceramic manufacturing locales and mineralogical compositional groups, but also to assess their apparent technological complexity; and (3) lead to better evaluations of the regional character of prehistoric and historic Caddo trade and interaction networks that existed, and more definitively establish whether there were changes through time in the direction and intensity of local and long distance trade and interaction. The disparate pieces of information contained within the sherds and vessel fragments of Caddo ceramics found on many prehistoric and early historic sites throughout the region have the potential to address these questions and research issues, and can contribute unique information concerning those relationships that existed in the distant (and not-so-distant) past between Caddo farmers. Twenty decorated sherds from the Musgano ceramic assemblage curated at the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory at The University of Texas at Austin (TARL) were selected for petrographic analysis. The sherds were split and one of the remaining fragments of each pair was used for the production of thin sections. Originally, the other half of each sherd was to be submitted for instrumental neutron activation analysis, but such analyses were not done; the remaining sherd fragment was returned for continued curation at TARL. Upon the receipt of the thin sections, they underwent petrographic analysis as reported on herein. The 20 sherds include sherds from engraved fine wares (n=8, 40 percent)—bottles and carinated bowls— as well as sherds from utility wares (n=12, 60 percent). The utility wares have brushed-appliqued, incised, incised-punctated (from Maydelle Incised, Weches Fingernail Impressed, and Washington Square Paneled vessels), and punctated decorative elements. Ten percent of the sherds are from bone-tempered vessels, based on macroscopic examination, while the others are from grog-tempered vessels.

Mineralogical and Microstructure Analysis for Characterization and Provenance of Ceramic Artifacts from Late Helladic Kastrouli Settlement, Delphi (Central Greece)

Geosciences ◽

10.3390/geosciences11010036 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 36

Author(s):

Vayia Xanthopoulou ◽

Ioannis Iliopoulos ◽

Ioannis Liritzis

Keyword(s):

Raw Materials ◽

Analytical Techniques ◽

Sem Analysis ◽

Petrographic Analysis ◽

Ceramic Assemblage ◽

Thin Sections ◽

Central Greece ◽

High Calcium ◽

Local Geology

The present study deals with the characterization of a ceramic assemblage from the Late Mycenaean (Late Helladic III) settlement of Kastrouli, at Desfina near Delphi, Central Greece using various analytical techniques. Kastrouli is located in a strategic position supervising the Mesokampos plateau and the entire peninsula and is related to other nearby coeval settlements. In total 40 ceramic sherds and 8 clay raw materials were analyzed through mineralogical, petrographic and microstructural techniques. Experimental briquettes (DS) made from clayey raw materials collected in the vicinity of Kastrouli, were fired under temperatures (900 and 1050 °C) in oxidizing conditions for comparison with the ancient ceramics. The petrographic analysis performed on thin sections prepared from the sherds has permitted the identification of six main fabric groups and a couple of loners. The aplastic inclusions recognized in all fabric groups but one confirmed the local provenance since they are related to the local geology. Fresh fractures of representative sherds were further examined under a scanning electron microscope (SEM/EDS) helping us to classify them into calcareous (CaO > 6%) and non-calcareous (CaO < 6%) samples (low and high calcium was noted in earlier pXRF data). Here, the ceramic sherds with broad calcium separation are explored on a one-to-one comparison on the basis of detailed mineralogical microstructure. Moreover, their microstructure was studied, aiming to estimate their vitrification stage. The mineralogy of all studied samples was determined by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), permitting us to test the validity of the firing temperatures revealed by the SEM analysis. The results obtained through the various analytical techniques employed are jointly assessed in order to reveal potters’ technological choices.

THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF LIPID-DEPLETED ROD PHOTORECEPTOR MEMBRANES

The Journal of Cell Biology ◽

10.1083/jcb.63.2.587 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 63 (2) ◽

pp. 587-598 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Izhak Nir ◽

Michael O. Hall

Keyword(s):

Lipid Extraction ◽

Fatty Acid Analysis ◽

Major Protein ◽

Rod Photoreceptor ◽

Thin Sections ◽

Retinal Rod ◽

Layer Chromatography ◽

Chloroform Methanol ◽

Photoreceptor Membranes

The structure of lipid-depleted retinal rod photoreceptor membranes was studied by means of electron microscopy. Aldehyde-fixed retinas were exhaustively extracted with acetone, chloroform-methanol, and acidified chloroform-methanol. The effect of prefixation on the extractability of lipids was evaluated by means of thin-layer chromatography and fatty acid analysis. Prefixation with glutaraldehyde rendered 38% of the phospholipids unextractable, while only 7% were unextractable after formaldehyde fixation. Embedding the retina in a lipid-retaining, polymerizable glutaraldehyde-urea mixture allows a comparison of the interaction of OsO4 with lipid-depleted membranes and rod disk membranes which contain all their lipids. A decrease in electron density and a deterioration of membrane fine structure in lipid-depleted tissue are correlated with the extent of lipid extraction. These observations are indicative of the role of the lipid bilayer in the ultrastructural visualization of membrane structure with OsO4. Negatively stained thin sections of extracted tissue reveal substructures in the lipid-depleted rod membranes. These substructures are probably the opsin molecules which are the major protein component of retinal rod photoreceptor membranes.

A Massive System of Microtubules Associated with Cytoplasmic Movement in Telotrophic Ovarioles

Journal of Cell Science ◽

10.1242/jcs.6.2.431 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 431-449

Author(s):

H. C. MACGREGOR ◽

H. STEBBINGS

Keyword(s):

Electron Micrographs ◽

Thin Sections ◽

Positive Form ◽

Form Birefringence ◽

Terminal Filament ◽

Telotrophic Ovary ◽

Oocyte Cytoplasm ◽

Heavy Labelling

The telotrophic ovary of Notonecta glauca glauca consists of 7 ovarioles. Each ovariole comprises, from front to rear, a terminal filament, a trophic region, a prefollicular region, and a series of 10-15 follicles of progressively increasing size The trophic region is largely syncytial and is made up of polyploid trophic nuclei packed around a central trophic core The cytoplasm of the trophic core is continuous with the cytoplasm of each oocyte through a system of trophic tubes. There is one trophic tube per oocyte. The trophic nuclei have large nucleoli. There are a few small nucleoli in the oocyte nuclei The cytoplasm of the trophic core, the trophic tubes, and the oocytes is rich in RNA. Autoradiographs of sections of ovarioles fixed 2 h after injection of [3H]uridine into animals show label over the trophic nuclei only. Eight-hour autoradiographs show heavy labelling of the trophic region and label over the front ends of the trophic tubes, but little label over the posterior regions of the tubes or the oocyte cytoplasm. Later autoradiographs mdicate that label gradually spreads backwards from the trophic core, along the trophic tubes, and progressively builds up in the oocyte cytoplasm These observations are thought to indicate synthesis of RNA in the trophic region and movement of RNA from the trophic core along the trophic tubes to the oocytes The trophic core and tubes show brilliant positive form birefringence with respect to their lengths. This birefringence can be reduced by keeping animals at 2 °C for 12 h, and eliminated by placing ovarioles in 1 % colchicine for 6 h. Electron micrographs of thin sections of ovarioles show that trophic core and tubes are densely and uniformly packed with ribosomes and microtubules The latter are lined up along the trophic tubes. There are about 30000 microtubules evident in a TS through a trophic tube 15µm wide. Lengths of microtubules up to 2µm have been observed. Ribosomes are packed between the microtubules but are excluded from regions where the spacing between adjacent microtubules is less than 25 nm The contribution of the trophic region to the oocytes and the role of the microtubules in maintaining or facilitating the movement of ribosomes along the trophic tubes is discussed

Lithostratigraphy and microfacies analysis of Avanah Formation (Middle Eocene) in Gomaspan section northeast Erbil City, Kurdistan region, Iraq

Kuwait Journal of Science ◽

10.48129/kjs.11833 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Irfan Sh. Asaad ◽

Keyword(s):

Middle Eocene ◽

Planktonic Foraminifera ◽

Middle Part ◽

Petrographic Analysis ◽

Microfacies Analysis ◽

Dolomitic Limestone ◽

Kurdistan Region ◽

Thin Sections ◽

Lithostratigraphic Units ◽

Lagoon Environment

Lithostratigraphy and microfacies analysis of the Avanah Formation (Middle Eocene) were studied in the Gomaspan section in the Bina Bawi anticline, northeast of Erbil city, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. The field observations refer that the formation attains 56 m of medium to thick bedded yellow limestone, grey dolomitic limestone and blue marly dolomitic limestone interbedded with thin beds of blue marl and dark grey shale with an interval of sandy limestone in the middle part and thin to medium bedded limestone interbedded with red mudstone. The petrographic study of 29 thin sections of Avanah carbonates revealed that the majority of the matrix is carbonate mud (micrite) with few microspar. The skeletal grains include benthic foraminifera, dasycladacean green algae, ostracods, calcispheres, pelecypods, rare planktonic foraminifera and bryozoa in addition to bioclasts. Non-skeletal grains encompass peloids, oncoids, intraclasts and extraclasts with common monocrystalline quartz. Based on the field observation and petrographic analysis, three different lithostratigraphic units were identified. They are in ascending order: A-Thick bedded dolomitic marly limestone interbedded with shale. B- Bedded dolomitic limestone interbedded with shale and marl. C- Thin to medium bedded limestone interbedded with red mudstone. Depending on detailed microfacies analysis of carbonate rocks, three main microfacies and 12 submicrofacies are recognized. From the sum of all petrographic, facies, textural analyses, it is concluded that Avanah Formation in Gomaspan section, was deposited in shallow marine environment, semi restricted lagoon, in lower and upper parts and open lagoon environment in the middle part interval.

Role of the beet western yellows virus readthrough protein in virus movement in Nicotiana clevelandii

Journal of General Virology ◽

10.1099/0022-1317-80-10-2771 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 80 (10) ◽

pp. 2771-2778 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

J. D. Mutterer ◽

C. Stussi-Garaud ◽

P. Michler ◽

K. E. Richards ◽

G. Jonard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Virus Multiplication ◽

Virus Movement ◽

Wild Type ◽

Leaf Lamina ◽

Thin Sections ◽

Beet Western Yellows Virus ◽

Whole Plants ◽

Readthrough Protein ◽

Nicotiana Clevelandii

Luteoviruses such as beet western yellows polerovirus (BWYV) are confined to and multiply within the phloem compartment of their hosts. The readthrough domain (RTD) of the minor BWYV capsid protein P74 is required for efficient virus accumulation in Nicotiana clevelandii. Experiments were carried out to determine if the low virus titres observed following agro-inoculation of whole plants with certain RTD mutants are due to a defect in virus multiplication in the nucleate cells of the phloem compartment or to inefficient virus movement to new infection sites. Immuno-localization of wild-type and an RTD-null mutant virus in thin sections of petioles and in phloem cells of leaf lamina, as well as electron microscopy observations, were all consistent with the conclusion that the RTD is not essential for efficient virus multiplication in the nucleate phloem cells but intervenes in virus movement to increase the rate at which new infection foci are established and expand.

Ultrastructural distribution of nuclear ribonucleoproteins as visualized by immunocytochemistry on thin sections.

The Journal of Cell Biology ◽

10.1083/jcb.98.1.358 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 98 (1) ◽

pp. 358-363 ◽

Cited By ~ 159

Author(s):

S Fakan ◽

G Leser ◽

T E Martin

Keyword(s):

Protein A ◽

Nuclear Architecture ◽

Gold Complex ◽

Thin Sections ◽

Border Regions ◽

Core Proteins ◽

Interchromatin Granules ◽

Lowicryl K4m ◽

Perichromatin Fibrils

The ultrastructural distribution of nuclear ribonucleoproteins (RNP) has been investigated by incubation of thin sections of mouse or rat liver, embedded in Lowicryl K4M or prepared by cryoultramicrotomy, with antibodies specific for RNP. The antibodies were localized by means of a protein A-colloidal gold complex. Anti-small nuclear (sn)RNP antibodies, specific for determinants of the nucleoplasmic snRNP species containing U1, U2, U4, U5, and U6 RNAs, were found associated preferentially with perichromatin fibrils, interchromatin granules, and coiled bodies. This indicates an early association of snRNP with structural constituents containing newly synthesized heterogeneous nuclear RNA. It also suggests a possible structural role of some snRNPs in nuclear architecture. Antibodies against the core proteins of heterogeneous nuclear RNP particles associate preferentially with the border regions of condensed chromatin, and in particular with perichromatin fibrils and some perichromatin granules. These results are discussed in view of recent knowledge about the possible role of nucleoplasmic RNP-containing components in the functions of the cell nucleus.

Early and middle Holocene ecosystem changes at the Western Carpathian/Pannonian border driven by climate and Neolithic impact

Boreas ◽

10.1111/bor.12309 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 47 (3) ◽

pp. 897-909 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Anna Šolcová ◽

Libor Petr ◽

Petra Hájková ◽

Jan Petřík ◽

Peter Tóth ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Middle Holocene ◽

Ecosystem Changes ◽

Early And Middle Holocene

Characterizing Complex Mineral Structures in Thin Section of Geological Sample with a Scanning Hall Effect Microscope

10.20944/preprints201903.0158.v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Jefferson F. D. F. Araujo ◽

Andre L. A. dos Reis ◽

Vanderlei C. Oliveia ◽

Amanda F. Santos ◽

Cleanio Luz-Lima ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Properties ◽

Magnetic Moment ◽

Alternative Model ◽

Hall Sensor ◽

Geological Sample ◽

Geological Samples ◽

Scanning Microscope ◽

Background Signal ◽

Thin Sections ◽

System A

We improved a magnetic scanning microscope for measuring the magnetic properties of minerals in thin sections of geological samples at submillimeter scales. The microscope is comprised of a 200 µm diameter Hall sensor that is 142 µm from the sample; an electromagnet capable of applying to the sample up to 500 mT dc magnetic fields over a 40 mm diameter region; a second Hall sensor arranged in a gradiometric configuration to cancel the background signal applied by the electromagnet and reduce overall noise in the system; a custom-designed electronics to bias the sensors and provide adjustment for background signal cancelation; and a scanning XY stage with micrometer resolution. Our system achieves a spatial resolution of  220 µm with noise at 6.0 Hz of »300 nTrms/(Hz)1/2 in an unshielded environment. The magnetic moment sensitivity is 1.3 × 10−11 Am2.1/2 We successfully measured the representative magnetization of a geological sample using an alternative model that takes into account the sample geometry and identified different micrometric characteristics in the sample slice.

A scale associated protein of Apedinella radians (Pedinellophyceae) and its possible role in the adhesion of surface components

Journal of Cell Science ◽

10.1242/jcs.104.2.391 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 104 (2) ◽

pp. 391-398

Author(s):

A. Koutoulis ◽

M. Ludwig ◽

R. Wetherbee

Keyword(s):

Monoclonal Antibody ◽

Monoclonal Antibodies ◽

Cell Membrane ◽

Cell Surface ◽

Immunofluorescence Microscopy ◽

Endomembrane System ◽

Thin Sections ◽

Specific Location ◽

Whole Cells

Monoclonal antibodies have been generated against cell surface components of the unicellular phytoflagellate Apedinella radians (Pedinellophyceae). One monoclonal antibody, designated Arg 1E5/1B1, labels a scale associated protein (SAP) of 145 kDa. Immunofluorescence microscopy of whole cells as well as immunoelectron microscopy of whole cell mounts and thin sections using Arg 1E5/1B1 have shown that the SAP is located on the proximal surface of body scales and spine-scales. Its specific location suggests that the SAP may play a role in the adhesion of these surface components to the cell membrane and/or to one another. The potential of monoclonal antibody Arg 1E5/1B1 as a tool to study cell surface morphogenesis and the role of the endomembrane system in A. radians is discussed.