scholarly journals Estimating the growth rate in desert biological rock crusts by integrating archaeological and geological records

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nimrod Wieler ◽  
Tali Erickson Gini ◽  
Osnat Gillor ◽  
Roey Angel
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Arid Environment ◽  
Building Stone ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Arid Environments ◽  
Natural Conditions ◽  
Stone Block ◽  
First Time ◽  
Slow Growing

Abstract. Biological rock crusts (BRCs) are ubiquitous features of rock surfaces in drylands composed of slow-growing microbial assemblages. BRC presence is often correlated with rock weathering, soiling effect, or with mitigating geomorphic processes. However, their development rate has not been quantified. In this work, we characterised and dated BRCs in an arid environment, under natural conditions, by integrating archaeological, microbiological and geological methods. To this end, we sampled rocks from a well-documented Byzantine archaeological site, and the surrounding area located in the Central Negev Desert, Israel. The archaeological, which is dated to the 4th–7th centuries CE, was constructed from two lithologies, limestone and chalk. BRC started developing on the rocks after being carved, and its age should match that of the site. The BRC samples showed mild differences in the microbial community assemblages between the site and its surrounding, irrespective of lithology, and were dominated by Actinobacteria, Cyanobacteria and Proteobacteria. We further measured the BRC thickness, valued at 0.1–0.6 mm thick BRC on the surface of 1700 years old building stone block of about 0.1 square metres. Therefore, a BRC growth rate was estimated, for the first time, to be 0.06–0.35 mm 1000 yr−1. We propose that BRC growth rates could be used as an affordable yet robust dating tool in archaeological sites in arid environments.

scholarly journals Microbial and geo-archaeological records reveal the growth rate, origin and composition of desert rock surface communities

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 3331-3342
Author(s):  
Nimrod Wieler ◽  
Tali Erickson Gini ◽  
Osnat Gillor ◽  
Roey Angel
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Arid Environment ◽  
Building Stone ◽  
Rock Surface ◽  
Arid Environments ◽  
Oxygen Isotope Ratios ◽  
Carbon And Oxygen Isotope ◽  
Dating Method ◽  
First Time

Abstract. Biological rock crusts (BRCs) are ubiquitous features of rock surfaces in drylands composed of slow-growing microbial assemblages. BRC presence is often correlated with rock weathering, soiling effect or mitigating geomorphic processes. However, their development rate is still unknown. In this work, we characterised and dated BRCs in an arid environment, under natural conditions, by integrating archaeological, microbiological and geological methods. To this end, we sampled rocks from a well-documented Byzantine archaeological site and the surrounding area located in the central Negev, Israel. The archaeological site, which is dated to the fourth to seventh centuries CE, was constructed from two lithologies, limestone and chalk. BRC started developing on the rocks after being carved, and its age should match that of the site. Using stable carbon and oxygen isotope ratios, we confirmed the biogenic nature of the crusts. The BRC samples showed mild differences in the microbial community assemblages between the site and its surroundings, irrespective of lithology, confirming the dominance of aeolian inoculation sources. All BRCs were dominated by Actinobacteria, Cyanobacteria and Proteobacteria. We further measured the BRC thickness on 1700-year-old building stone blocks and determined it to be 0.1–0.6 mm thick. Therefore, a BRC growth rate was estimated, for the first time, to be 0.06–0.35 mm kyr−1. Our dating method was then validated on a similar archaeological site located ca. 20 km away, giving comparable values. We propose that BRC growth rates could be used as an affordable yet robust dating tool in archaeological sites in arid environments.

scholarly journals STUDIES ON A CYTOPLASMIC CHARACTER IN NEUROSPORA CRASSA

1965 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 413-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Garnjobst ◽  
J.F. Wilson ◽  
E. L. Tatum
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Oxygen Consumption ◽  
Neurospora Crassa ◽  
Great Variability ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Aerial Hyphae ◽  
Genetic Strains ◽  
First Time ◽  
Slow Growing ◽  
Microinjection Techniques

Two morphologically distinctive slow growing strains of Neurospora crassa have been isolated and studied. These, abn-1 and abn-2, differ from wild type in that their growth rates are greatly reduced and often irregular, aerial hyphae are absent, conidia are extremely rare, and no protoperithecia are formed. Growth was not improved by addition of any nutrients tested, oxygen consumption was similar to that of wild type, and cytochrome c appeared abnormally high, and b low or absent. Both abn strains gave rise only to normal progeny in crosses with normal strains. The abn characteristics appear in heterocaryons, and have been transmitted to other genetic strains by means of heterocaryosis followed by plating of conidia. Conidia formed by such heterocaryons typically showed low viability, and gave rise to cultures with great variability in growth rate, morphology, and survival. Even apparently normal derived cultures often later became abnormal or died. It is concluded that the abnormal characteristics are determined primarily by cytoplasmic factors. This conclusion was strengthened by the transmission of the typical characteristics to normal strains by microinjection of cytoplasm from abn cultures, even without demonstrable transfer of nuclei. This constitutes the first time microinjection techniques have been successfully applied to the analysis of a cytoplasmic character in Neurospora.

scholarly journals Research on Vedmezhe settlement in Romny region: Mykola Makarenko's excavations

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. 388-395
Author(s):  
Nataliia Nimenko
Keyword(s):  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Regional Institutions ◽  
Archival Documents ◽  
Public Enemy ◽  
A New Technique ◽  
Number Of Publications ◽  
First Time ◽  
Cultural Monuments

The article is devoted to the study of the little-known biography pages of the famous archaeologist, art critic, organizer of the museum activity M. Makarenko (1877–1938). Shot as a public enemy for his steady position on the protection of historical and cultural monuments, the scientist had left a number of publications covering various areas of his activity, as well as dedicated to specific architectural and archaeological sites. However, not all the ideas of the scientist have been implemented. Archival documents kept at central and regional institutions, museum funds include materials that reveal plans to continue exploring particular archaeological sites and writing certain publications. For several decades, M. Makarenko studied archaeological sites in Romny region (territory of modern Sumy region), which gave grounds to speak about opening of a new archaeological culture, now known as Romny culture. Four settlements were the most interesting from a scientific point of view: Monastyrysche, Vedmezhy, on the khutirs of Vashkevych and Hlynske. Fundamental work of the scientist, devoted to Romny archaeological culture, is “Monastyrysche” settlement. However, according to the documents, the scientist also planned a separate publication of the materials from the excavations of the site Vedmezhe. The plans were not implemented. Drafts were also not found. In the article on the basis of archival documents, M. Makarenko’s publications and drawings, the attempt to reproduce the chronology of the study of Vedmezhe settlement from 1906 to the end of the 1920s is made; the main results of the excavations are highlighted. The main factors that influenced the effectiveness of scientific research in the 1920s are shown. During excavations of Vedmezhe settlement, M. Makarenko for the first time applied a new technique – burial scraper, which the scientist later used when studying archaeological sites near Sumy and Mariupol. Key words: research, archaeological site, settlement, excavations, plan, drawing, pottery.

TOWARDS THE QUESTION OF SPECIALIZED FEEDS FOR TENCHES (TINCA TINCA)

2017 ◽  
pp. 89-97
Author(s):  
Elena Mikhaylovna Chervonenko ◽  
Lina Yurievna Lagutkina
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Fish Growth ◽  
Animal Origin ◽  
State Technical ◽  
Tinca Tinca ◽  
Daily Growth ◽  
Volga River ◽  
The Moment ◽  
First Time ◽  
Technical Centre

The article describes the process of tench growing (male and female species removed from set gear in the Volga river in the Astrakhan region) using experimental feedstuff "T", taking into account the fact that problems with artificial growing tench ( Тinca tinca ) appear first in the process of feeding when wild sires change to artificial food. The research took place on the base of the department of aquaculture and water bioresources of Astrakhan State Technical University in innovation centre "Bioaquapark - scientific and technical centre of aquaculture" in 2015. Special feed including components of animal origin - mosquito grab and sludge worm as an effective substitute to fish flour, as well as components of vegetable origin (carrot, parsley, pumpkin, wheatgrass) for domestication of tenches are offered for the first time. Food technology has been described. The exact composition of the formula, which is being licensed at the moment, is not disclosed. Feed "T", which has undergone biological analysis and is in accordance with organoleptic and physical standards was used for feeding tench female and male species during domestication period (60 days), along with food "Coppens" (Holland). Feed efficiency was determined according to survival and daily fish growth. Growth rate of females appeared more intensive than growth rate of males fed with experimental food "T". Daily growth changed depending on the types of food: from 0.3 ("Coppens") to 0.47 (experimental food) in females, from 0.25 ("Coppens") to 0.39 (experimental food) with males. Ability to survive among tench species fed with "Coppens" and experimental food made 60% and 100%, correspondingly. Nutricion of tench species with experimental food encouraged their domestication, which allowed using tench species in further fish breeding process in order to get offspring. The project was supported by the Innovation Promotion Fund in terms of the project "Development and implementation of the technique for the steady development of aquaculture: food "TechSA".

Mapping and Monitoring of the Land Use/Cover Changes in the Wider Area of ltanos, Crete, Using Very High Resolution EO Imagery With Specific Interest in Archaeological Sites

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sawyer Reid stippa ◽  
George Petropoulos ◽  
Leonidas Toulios ◽  
Prashant K. Srivastava
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Satellite Images ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Digital Photography ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Large Area ◽  
High Resolution Imagery ◽  
Site Mapping ◽  
Rule Sets

Archaeological site mapping is important for both understanding the history as well as protecting them from excavation during the developmental activities. As archaeological sites generally spread over a large area, use of high spatial resolution remote sensing imagery is becoming increasingly applicable in the world. The main objective of this study was to map the land cover of the Itanos area of Crete and of its changes, with specific focus on the detection of the landscape’s archaeological features. Six satellite images were acquired from the Pleiades and WorldView-2 satellites over a period of 3 years. In addition, digital photography of two known archaeological sites was used for validation. An Object Based Image Analysis (OBIA) classification was subsequently developed using the five acquired satellite images. Two rule-sets were created, one using the standard four bands which both satellites have and another for the two WorldView-2 images their four extra bands included. Validation of the thematic maps produced from the classification scenarios confirmed a difference in accuracy amongst the five images. Comparing the results of a 4-band rule-set versus the 8-band showed a slight increase in classification accuracy using extra bands. The resultant classifications showed a good level of accuracy exceeding 70%. Yet, separating the archaeological sites from the open spaces with little or no vegetation proved challenging. This was mainly due to the high spectral similarity between rocks and the archaeological ruins. The satellite data spatial resolution allowed for the accuracy in defining larger archaeological sites, but still was a difficulty in distinguishing smaller areas of interest. The digital photography data provided a very good 3D representation for the archaeological sites, assisting as well in validating the satellite-derived classification maps. All in all, our study provided further evidence that use of high resolution imagery may allow for archaeological sites to be located, but only where they are of a suitable size archaeological features.

The Archaeological Record

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manjil Hazarika
Keyword(s):  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Northeast India ◽  
Site Formation ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Site Formation Processes ◽  
Formation Processes ◽  
Site Structure ◽  
Reserve Forest ◽  
Ethnographic Data ◽  
Ways Of Life

This chapter elaborates the data and results of the explorations conducted in the Garbhanga Reserve Forest. The area has been intensively surveyed for the location of potential archaeological sites and the collection of ethnographic data in order to draw direct historical analogies. An ‘area-approach’ study has been conducted in order to formulate a general model for archaeological site structure, locations, geomorphic situations, and site formation processes that can be used for archaeological study in the hilly landscape of Northeast India. Present-day agricultural implements have been analysed and compared with Neolithic implements in order to reconstruct ancient farming culture by way of undertaking systematic study of modern peasant ways of life in the study area. The ideological significance of stone artefacts as ‘thunderstone’ in Northeast India and among the Karbis has also been discussed.

scholarly journals Quartz Crystallite Size and Moganite Content as Indicators of the Mineralogical Maturity of the Carboniferous Chert: The Case of Cherts from Eastern Asturias (Spain)

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 611
Author(s):  
Celia Marcos ◽  
María de Uribe-Zorita ◽  
Pedro Álvarez-Lloret ◽  
Alaa Adawy ◽  
Patricia Fernández ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽  
Crystallite Size ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Infrared And Raman Spectroscopy ◽  
First Time ◽  
Geological Formations

Chert samples from different coastal and inland outcrops in the Eastern Asturias (Spain) were mineralogically investigated for the first time for archaeological purposes. X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, transmission electron microscopy, infrared and Raman spectroscopy and total organic carbon techniques were used. The low content of moganite, since its detection by X-ray diffraction is practically imperceptible, and the crystallite size (over 1000 Å) of the quartz in these cherts would be indicative of its maturity and could potentially be used for dating chert-tools recovered from archaeological sites. Also, this information can constitute essential data to differentiate the cherts and compare them with those used in archaeological tools. However, neither composition nor crystallite size would allow distinguishing between coastal and inland chert outcrops belonging to the same geological formations.

scholarly journals Multitemporal–Multispectral UAS Surveys for Archaeological Research: The Case Study of San Vincenzo Al Volturno (Molise, Italy)

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 2719
Author(s):  
Nicodemo Abate ◽  
Alessia Frisetti ◽  
Federico Marazzi ◽  
Nicola Masini ◽  
Rosa Lasaponara
Keyword(s):  
Middle Ages ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Medieval Art ◽  
Archaeological Data ◽  
History Of ◽  
Close Range ◽  
Low Altitude

Unmanned aerial vehicles are currently the most used solution for cultural heritage in the field of close range and low altitude acquisitions. This work shows data acquired by multitemporal and multispectral aerial surveys in the archaeological site of San Vincenzo al Volturno (Molise, Italy). The site is one of the most important medieval archaeological sites in the world. It is a monastic settlement that was particularly rich during the early Middle Ages, and is famous for its two full-frescoed crypts which represent a milestone in the history of medieval art. Thanks to the use of multispectral aerial photography at different times of the year, an area not accessible to archaeological excavation has been investigated. To avoid redundancy of information and reduce the number of data to be analysed, a method based on spectral and radiometric enhancement techniques combined with a selective principal component analysis was used for the identification of useful information. The combination of already published archaeological data and new remote sensing discoveries, has allowed to better define the situation of the abbey during the building phases of the 8th/9th century and 11th century, confirming and adding new data to the assumptions made by archaeologists.

scholarly journals Evolutionary economics: Crisis, transformation and metamorphosis

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Milan Zeleny
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Productivity Growth ◽  
Driving Force ◽  
Evolutionary Economics ◽  
Regional Economies ◽  
Economic Evolution ◽  
Economic Sectors ◽  
Advanced Economies ◽  
First Time

Most world economies are undergoing fundamental transformations of economic sectors, shifting their employed workforce through the secular sequence of (1. Agriculture⟶2. Industry⟶3. Services⟶4. Government). The productivity growth rate is the driving force. Most advanced economies have reached the final stages of the sequence. Assorted recessions, crises and stagnations are simply cofluent, accompanying phenomena. Crises might be cyclical, but economic evolution is unidirectional. Traditional economics can hardly distinguish phenomena of crisis from those of the transformation. Because there is no “fifth sector”, some economies are entering the phase of metamorphosis, for the first time in history. Metamorphosis is manifested through deglobalization, relocalization and autonomization of local and regional economies. We are entering the Age of Entrepreneurship.

A population birth-and-mutation process, I: explicit distributions for the number of mutants in an old culture of bacteria

1974 ◽  
Vol 11 (03) ◽  
pp. 437-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoit Mandelbrot
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Mutation Rate ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Random Variable ◽  
Mutation Process ◽  
Limit Condition ◽  
Rate Of Growth ◽  
Mathematical Techniques ◽  
First Time

Luria and Delbrück (1943) have observed that, in old cultures of bacteria that have mutated at random, the distribution of the number of mutants is extremely long-tailed. In this note, this distribution will be derived (for the first time) exactly and explicitly. The rates of mutation will be allowed to be either positive or infinitesimal, and the rate of growth for mutants will be allowed to be either equal, greater or smaller than for non-mutants. Under the realistic limit condition of a very low mutation rate, the number of mutants is shown to be a stable-Lévy (sometimes called “Pareto Lévy”) random variable, of maximum skewness ß, whose exponent α is essentially the ratio of the growth rates of non-mutants and of mutants. Thus, the probability of the number of mutants exceeding the very large value m is proportional to m –α–1 (a behavior sometimes referred to as “asymptotically Paretian” or “hyperbolic”). The unequal growth rate cases α ≠ 1 are solved for the first time. In the α = 1 case, a result of Lea and Coulson is rederived, interpreted, and generalized. Various paradoxes involving divergent moments that were encountered in earlier approaches are either absent or fully explainable. The mathematical techniques used being standard, they will not be described in detail, so this note will be primarily a collection of results. However, the justification for deriving them lies in their use in biology, and the mathematically unexperienced biologists may be unfamiliar with the tools used. They may wish for more details of calculations, more explanations and Figures. To satisfy their needs, a report available from the author upon request has been prepared. It will be referred to as Part II.

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