The evolution and changing ecology of the African hominid oral microbiome.

The oral microbiome plays key roles in human biology, health, and disease, but little is known about the global diversity, variation, or evolution of this microbial community. To better understand the evolution and changing ecology of the human oral microbiome, we analyzed 124 dental biofilm metagenomes from humans, including Neanderthals and Late Pleistocene to present-day modern humans, chimpanzees, and gorillas, as well as New World howler monkeys for comparison. We find that a core microbiome of primarily biofilm structural taxa has been maintained throughout African hominid evolution, and these microbial groups are also shared with howler monkeys, suggesting that they have been important oral members since before the catarrhine-platyrrhine split ca. 40 Mya. However, community structure and individual microbial phylogenies do not closely reflect host relationships, and the dental biofilms of Homo and chimpanzees are distinguished by major taxonomic and functional differences. Reconstructing oral metagenomes from up to 100 thousand years ago, we show that the microbial profiles of both Neanderthals and modern humans are highly similar, sharing functional adaptations in nutrient metabolism. These include an apparent Homo-specific acquisition of salivary amylase-binding capability by oral streptococci, suggesting microbial coadaptation with host diet. We additionally find evidence of shared genetic diversity in the oral bacteria of Neanderthal and Upper Paleolithic modern humans that is not observed in later modern human populations. Differences in the oral microbiomes of African hominids provide insights into human evolution, the ancestral state of the human microbiome, and a temporal framework for understanding microbial health and disease.

The timing and spatiotemporal patterning of Neanderthal disappearance.

The timing of Neanderthal disappearance and the extent to which they overlapped with the earliest incoming anatomically modern humans (AMHs) in Eurasia are key questions in palaeoanthropology. Determining the spatiotemporal relationship between the two populations is crucial if we are to understand the processes, timing and reasons leading to the disappearance of Neanderthals and the likelihood of cultural and genetic exchange. Serious technical challenges, however, have hindered reliable dating of the period, as the radiocarbon method reaches its limit at ∼50,000 years ago. Here we apply improved accelerator mass spectrometry (14)C techniques to construct robust chronologies from 40 key Mousterian and Neanderthal archaeological sites, ranging from Russia to Spain. Bayesian age modelling was used to generate probability distribution functions to determine the latest appearance date. We show that the Mousterian ended by 41,030-39,260 calibrated years bp (at 95.4% probability) across Europe. We also demonstrate that succeeding 'transitional' archaeological industries, one of which has been linked with Neanderthals (Châtelperronian), end at a similar time. Our data indicate that the disappearance of Neanderthals occurred at different times in different regions. Comparing the data with results obtained from the earliest dated AMH sites in Europe, associated with the Uluzzian technocomplex, allows us to quantify the temporal overlap between the two human groups. The results reveal a significant overlap of 2,600-5,400 years (at 95.4% probability). This has important implications for models seeking to explain the cultural, technological and biological elements involved in the replacement of Neanderthals by AMHs. A mosaic of populations in Europe during the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition suggests that there was ample time for the transmission of cultural and symbolic behaviours, as well as possible genetic exchanges, between the two groups.

DMS cyclone separation processes for optimization of plastic wastes recycling and their implications.

It is demonstrated that substantial reductions in plastics presently disposed of in landfills can be achieved by cyclone density media separation (DMS). In comparison with the size fraction of plastics presently processed by industrial density separations (generally 6.4 to 9.5 mm), cyclone DMS methods are demonstrated to effectively process a substantially greater range of particle sizes (from 0.5 up to 120 mm). The purities of plastic products and recoveries obtained with a single stage separation using a cylindrical cyclone are shown to attain virtually 100% purity and recoveries >99% for high-density fractions and >98% purity and recoveries were obtained for low-density products. Four alternative schemas of multi-stage separations are presented and analyzed as proposed methods to obtain total low- and high-density plastics fraction recoveries while maintaining near 100% purities. The results of preliminary tests of two of these show that the potential for processing product purities and recoveries >99.98% of both density fractions are indicated. A preliminary economic comparison of capital costs of DMS systems suggests cyclone DMS methods to be comparable with other DMS processes even if the high volume capacity for recycling operations of these is not optimized.

Cylinder cyclone (LARCODEMS) density media separation of plastic wastes.

Cylindrical cyclone media separators using a suspended calcite separation media simulating industrial scale operations are demonstrated to effectively separate a wide variety of forms and a greater range of particle sizes of plastics by density than presently recycled. Purities of plastic products and recoveries obtained from mixed plastic wastes are comparable to those reported for established separations. Products of approximately 100% purity with recoveries of >99% were obtained for high density fractions and >98% purities and recoveries for the low density fractions. Cyclonic centrifugal forces and/or the fine particle size of the separation media appear to minimize hydroscopic and particle shape effects. A mathematical model is proposed for defining plastic waste feed rates and treatable particle size ranges for the LARCODEMS media separator. Waste plastic separations yielded Ecart probable (Ep) values 0.024 for a water only separation media. The Ep for 1.1gcm(-3) separation medias was <0.032 with minimal to no variation in values for 1-8mm particle sizes. Variation in the quality of separations is shown to be minimal with <72microm, <45microm and <2microm media particle sizes. Media density offset created varied according to particle size.

Evaluation of ground calcite/water heavy media cyclone suspensions for production of residual plastic concentrates.

Viable recycled residual plastic (RP) product(s) must be of sufficient quality to be reusable as a plastic or source of hydrocarbons or fuel. The varied composition and large volumes of such wastes usually requires a low cost, high through-put recycling method(s) to eliminate contaminants. Cyclone separation of plastics by density is proposed as a potential method of achieving separations of specific types of plastics. Three ground calcite separation medias of different grain size distributions were tested in a cylindrical cyclone to evaluate density separations at 1.09, 1.18 and 1.27 g/cm3. The differences in separation recoveries obtained with these medias by density offsets produced due to displacement of separation media solid particles within the cyclone caused by centrifugal settling is evaluated. The separation density at which 50% of the material of that density is recovered was found to increase from 0.010 to 0.026 g/cm3 as the separation media density increased from 1.09 to 1.27 g/cm3. All separation medias were found to have significantly low Ep95values of 0.012-0.033 g/cm3. It is also demonstrated that the presence of an excess content of <10 µm calcite media particles (>75%) resulted in reduced separation efficiencies. It is shown that the optimum separations were achieved when the media density offset was 0.03-0.04 g/cm3. It is shown that effective heavy media cyclone separations of RP denser than 1.0 g/cm3 can produce three sets of mixed plastics containing: PS and ABS/SAN at densities of >1.0-1.09 g/cm3; PC, PMMA at a density of 1.09-1.18 g/cm3; and PVC and PET at a density of >1.27 g/cm3.

Recycling of plastic waste by density separation: prospects for optimization.

A review of existing industrial processing and results of alternative processing investigations for separating solid mixtures and specifically recycling plastic waste by density separation is presented. Media density separation is shown to be fundamental for separation and/or pre-concentration in the recycling of plastics. The current use of static media processes limits the capacity and size of material that can be treated commercially. Investigations have shown that the hydroscopic properties of plastics can be reduced to improve such separations. This indicates that an alternative processing method is required to increase the commercial recovery of recyclable plastics. Cylindroconical and cylindrical cyclone-type media separators, such as those used for processing coal, are reviewed and suggested as a potential substitute. Both have superior production capacities and are able to process a larger range in particle sizes treated. A summary of results of investigations with cyclone media devices for recycling plastics is presented.

Efecto del peso de sacrificio y sexo sobre la canal de corderos lactantes del cruce Suffolk Down x Merino Precoz Alemán / Effect of slaugther weight and sex on the carcass of Suffolk Down x German Merino Precocious suckling lambs

Se estudio el efecto del peso vivo al sacrificio y del sexo sobre las características de la canal del cordero lactante del cruce Suffolk Down x Merino Precoz Alemán. Las variables cuantificadas fueron: peso canal caliente (PCC), longitud de la canal (LC), rendimiento comercial (RC) y verdadero (RV), área del Longissimus dorsi (ADL), espesor de grasa dorsal (EGD), peso componentes corporales (PCCO), y rendimiento al trozado comercial (RTC). Se utilizaron 30 corderos (15 machos y 15 hembras) sacrificados a 2 pesos vivos: 10 kg (7 machos y 7 hembras) y 15 kg (8 machos y 8 hembras). Los resultados se analizaron considerando los dos pesos de sacrificio (10 y 15 kg), sexo y la interacción entre ellos. El PCC, LC, ALD y EGD fueron superiores en los animales sacrificados a los 15 kg (P<0,05). Se observó una tendencia hacia un mayor RTC para los cortes pierna, espalda y chuletas, aunque no se observó ningún efecto significativo de los considerados, ni por la interacción (P<0,05). Considerando los resultados obtenidos se puede afirmar que el cruce Suffolk Down x Merino Precoz Alemán, sacrificado a un peso vivo de 10 y 15 kg, presenta excelentes características para la producción de carne.

The carcasses of thirty suckling lambs (Suffolk Down x German Merino Precocius) were studied to estimate the effect of sex and slaughter weight on: hot carcass weight, carcass length, commercial and true dressing percentages, ribeye area, dorsal fat thickness, body components weight, and retail yield. The results were analysed considering two slaughter weights (10 and 15 kg), sex, and their interaction. Hot carcass weight, carcass length, ribeye area, and dorsal fat thickness were affected by slaughter weight. Leg, shoulder, and chops, showed the highest commercial yields and were not affected by sex, slaughter weight, nor their interaction. Based on these results it can be said that this genotype has excellent qualities for meat production.