A comparison of multiple proxy data sets for paleoenvironmental conditions as derived from freshwater bivalve (Unionid) shell

Freshwater mussel shells from Middle and Late Holocene strata at an archaeological site in Mississippi, U.S.A., are examined for morphological and chemical differences that could be related to changing paleoenvironmental conditions. Although significant differences are noted, the different data sets provide contradictory or unclear results, suggesting that reliance upon single data sets is an unwarranted practice.     

清代红釉(彩)瓷的呈色元素分析

清代是我国古陶瓷生产最辉煌的时期,烧造的瓷器品种繁多,各类颜色釉的制作水平达到了历史高峰。清代的红釉(彩)名称更是多达几十种,如“矾红”、“抹红”、“珊瑚红”、“红彩”、“钧红”、“均红”、“鲜红”、“郎窑红”、“牛血红”、“霁红”、“宝石红”、“豇豆红”、“釉里红”、“胭脂红”、“胭脂水”、“粉红”等。为弄清各种称谓红釉(彩)的主要呈色元素及其影响作用,本工作采用无损的X射线能谱分析(EDXRF)技术对清代瓷器的红釉(彩)进行系统测试,获得了各种红釉(彩)呈色元素定性及半定量数据。分析结果表明,清代红釉彩可以依据呈色元素划分为四类,即低温铁红彩(Fe)、高温铜红釉(Cu)、低温金红彩(Au)和朱砂红彩(HgS),并且各元素含量的改变会影响红釉(彩)呈色。     

The Chemists' Style of Thinking

Der Denkstil der Chemiker. Der Aufsatz diskutiert die Tragfähigkeit des Begriffes “Denkstil”, wie er von Alistair Crombie eingeführt und Ian Hacking aufgegriffen wurde, für das Verständnis dessen, wie das Fach Chemie historisch seine Identität ausgeprägt hat. Obwohl weder Crombie noch Hacking den Begriff “Denkstil” in Bezug auf einzelne Disziplinen verwendet haben, erscheint im Fall der Chemie seine Anwendung besonders vielversprechend, weil er hier hilft, ein zentrales Problem zu thematisieren – nämlich die Frage, wie es Chemikern trotz wechselnder Gegenstandsbereiche und theoretischer Umbrüche gelang, eine eigenständige und stabile Identität auszubilden. Nach einer Einführung in den Begriff “Denkstil”, argumentiert der Aufsatz, dass die Beständigkeit der Chemie als eines Faches wesentlich in ihren Laborpraktiken gründet, die ihrerseits wiederum die spezifische Art der Fragen bestimmten, die Chemiker in ihren Forschungen stellten bzw. die Form der Antworten, nach denen sie suchten. Folgende Merkmale kennzeichnen diesen “chemischen Denkstil” (1) eine spezifische, im Herstellen begründete Form des Wissens, (2) die Befassung mit einzelnen Stoffen und Materialien statt mit Materie im Allgemeinen und (3) eine Beobachtung von Natur besonders im Hinblick auf Transformationsprozesse. The Chemists' Style of Thinking. This paper discusses the relevance of the notion of “styles of scientific thinking” introduced by Alistair Crombie and revisited by Ian Hacking, for understanding how chemistry shaped its identity. Although neither Crombie nor Hacking applied this notion to individual disciplines, it seems appropriate to use it in the case of chemistry because it helps to address a puzzling issue: how did chemists manage to shape an identity of their own, despite shifting territories and theoretical transformations? Following a presentation of the notion of style, I will argue that the stable identity of chemistry is rooted in laboratory practices, which determined the specific questions that chemists put to nature as well as the answers to their questions. The “chemical style of thinking” is characterized by i) a specific way of knowing through making, ii) the concern with individual materials rather than matter in general and iii) a specific commitment to nature.     

What's in a bone? Recent advances in archaeological bone chemistry

This paper focuses on advances in archaeological bone chemistry since 1989. At that time studies generally shifted from development and application of techniques in bone chemistry to more experimental approaches. In stable isotope studies, controlled feeding experiments have been carried out to determine the routing of various dietary components into bone tissues. Biological apatite has been added to collagen as a tissue of study for stable carbon isotope analysis, providing the ability to study much older remains. Other elements have been added such as hydrogen for the study of paleoclimate and oxygen and strontium isotopes to study life history. Trace element studies have focused on methods of detecting and controlling for diagenesis, and barium has been added to the list of useful dietary indicators. Attempts to extract DNA from archaeological bone have been successful, however, this field is still in its early stages in terms of applications to understanding prehistoric biological relationships.     

秦始皇陵一号坑兵马俑的指纹元素散布分析

秦始皇陵兵马俑举世闻名,但其原料产地至今还是一个谜。本文选取秦始皇陵一号坑的陶俑和陶马样品20个,秦始皇兵马俑博物馆附近黏土样品20个,耀州瓷胎样品1个。用中子活化分析(NAA)测量样品中32种微量元素的含量,从这32个元素中挑选出8种指纹元素的含量进行散布分析。结果表明一号坑兵马俑样品与秦陵附近的垆土关系密切,与黄土关系稍远,与耀州瓷胎关系甚远。由此推断,一号坑兵马俑的原料来源可能是骊山地区的黏土,烧制兵马俑的窑址也可能在秦始皇陵附近。     

“To This Day”: Aetiology,Rhetoric, or Literary Motif?

ABSTRACT

Many biblical stories exhibit an intentional association between “subjective facts” deriving from the narrative and “objective facts” belonging to external historical reality. This article examines stories belonging to the “departure on a journey” pattern which contain references to objective facts which follow a virtually fixed formula and occur at a standard location in the narrative. Both the frequency with which these facts are adduced and their formulaic nature make it difficult to adopt external criteria such as those proposed by either of the two conventional models (aetiological and communication), suggesting rather an inner—literary—link between the two sets of facts.     

A FIBRE FINITE BEAM ELEMENT WITH SECTION SHEAR MODELLING FOR SEISMIC ANALYSIS OF RC STRUCTURES

The paper describes the formulation of a non-linear, two-dimensional beam finite element with bending, shear and axial force interaction for the static and dynamic analysis of reinforced concrete structures. The hysteretic behaviour of “squat” reinforced concrete members, in which the interaction between shear and flexural deformation and capacity is relevant for the overall structural performance, is emphasised. The element is of the distributed inelasticity type; section axial-flexural and shear behaviours are integrated numerically along the element length using a new equilibrium-based approach. At section level a “hybrid” formulation is proposed: the axial-flexural behaviour is obtained using the classic fibre discretisation and the plane sections remaining plane hypothesis, the shear response instead is identified with a non-linear truss model and described with a hysteretic stress-strain relationship. The latter contains a damage parameter, dependent on flexural ductility, that provides interaction between the two deformation mechanisms. The element has been implemented into a general-purpose finite element code, and is particularly suitable for seismic time history analyses of frame structures. Analytical results obtained with the model are compared with recent experimental data.     

Selenium in skeletal remains

Contents of selenium (Se) were determined in human skeletal remains of prehistoric populations by in situ trapping of Se hydride by ET AAS (atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomisation). Dr Korunová worked out a method of determination of Se in preparation. The method of determination of Se was verified by means of radioactive indicator ⁷⁵Se incorporated in the tissues of laboratory animals. Detection limit of the method was 23 pg Se. Se is another element suitable for dietary reconstruction in past populations as it relates to the consumption of meat in a similar way to zinc. Through the analysis of Se, we were able to distinguish between Eneolithic archaeological cultures (Corded Ware ceramic, Bell Beaker culture) and Bronze Age cultures (Protounětice, Starounětice, Unětice cultures). Significant differences were found in the levels of Se in the bones of individuals derived from the Bell Beaker and Uneětice Cultures, to the 95% confidence interval. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preservation assessment of Miocene–Pliocene tooth enamel from Tugen Hills (Kenyan Rift Valley) through FTIR,chemical and stable-isotope analyses

We investigated fossil tooth enamel of mammals and crocodiles from two Mio-Pliocene East-African formations (Lukeino and Mabaget Fms) using infrared spectroscopy and chemical and stable-isotope analyses. Infrared spectra indicate that the fossil enamel contains biological apatite (bioapatite), without significant secondary carbonate contaminations. Several empirical infrared indexes were used to analyze the crystal–chemical characteristics of enamel. Fossil enamel has less organic matter, water and structural carbonate of apatite than modern enamel with which it was compared. Fossil apatite has a better crystallinity than bioapatite. The calcium/phosphorus mass ratio and the fluorine content of fossil apatite show intermediate values between bioapatite and geological fluorapatite. The samples also display significant crystal-chemical variations, depending on the vertebrate group (mammals vs. reptiles) and the taphonomic context (Lukeino Fm vs. Mabaget Fm). In spite of these changes, no relationship was observed between the chemical contents (carbonate and fluorine) and the stable-isotope ratios of carbonate (δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O) in fossil enamel. Preservation of the palaeoenvironmental signals is strongly supported by the fact that the stable-isotope composition of the three investigated fossil mammalian taxa (deinotheres, equids and hippos) is consistent with their ecological features. For instance, typical C₃- and C₄-plant isotope compositions are reflected in the deinotheres and equids, respectively, and amphibious hippos display lower δ¹⁸O values than terrestrial herbivores, as expected.     

浅析古建筑中以空间处理为中心的陈列艺术

在古建筑中布置现代陈列,目前尚无成熟的模式可以遵循。结合实例研究可知,这类陈列在实际操作中会表现出以空间艺术处理为中心的通常格局,原建筑的室内面积与展线不仅需要经过不同常规的弹性划分,还需适当地借鉴古建筑的造型元素及相关文物器物元素,以求营造出情景交融的现代陈列新意境。而场景创设则时常能够成为盘活陈列和显示设计个性的最灵活、最适宜的选择。