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In this study, we determine the liquid limit (𝑊𝑙), plasticity index (PI), and plastic limit (𝑊𝑝) of several natural fine-grained soil samples with the help of machine-learning and statistical methods. This enables us to locate each soil type analysed in the Casagrande plasticity chart with a single measure in pressure-membrane extractors. These machine-learning models showed adjustments in the determination of the liquid limit for design purposes when compared with standardised methods. Similar adjustments were achieved in the determination of the plasticity index, whereas the plastic limit determinations were applicable for control works. Because the best techniques were based in Multiple Linear Regression and Support Vector Machines Regression, they provide explainable plasticity models. In this sense, 𝑊𝑙=(9.94±4.2)+(2.25 ±0.3)∙𝑝F4.2, PI=(−20.47±5.6)+(1.48 ±0.3)∙𝑝F4.2+(0.21±0.1)∙𝐹 , and 𝑊𝑝=(23.32±3.5)+(0.60 ±0.2)∙𝑝F4.2−(0.13±0.04)∙𝐹 . So that, we propose an alternative, automatic, multi-sample, and static method to address current issues on Atterberg limits determination with standardised tests.

Humans have a larger energy budget than great apes, allowing the combination of the metabolically expensive traits that define our life history. This budget is ultimately related to the cardiac output, the product of the blood pumped from the ventricle and the number of heart beats per minute, a measure of the blood available for the whole organism physiological activity. To show the relationship between cardiac output and energy expenditure in hominid evolution, we study a surrogate measure of cardiac output, the aortic root diameter, in humans and great apes. When compared to gorillas and chimpanzees, humans present an increased body mass adjusted aortic root diameter. We also use data from the literature to show that over the human lifespan, cardiac output and total energy expenditure follow almost identical trajectories, with a marked increase during the period of brain growth, and a plateau during most of the adult life. The limited variation of adjusted cardiac output with sex, age and physical activity supports the compensation model of energy expenditure in humans. Finally, we present a first study of cardiac output in the skeleton through the study of the aortic impression in the vertebral bodies of the spine. It is absent in great apes, and present in humans and Neanderthals, large-brained hominins with an extended life cycle. An increased adjusted cardiac output, underlying higher total energy expenditure, would have been a key process in human evolution., L.R., A.R. and F.P. are supported by Grant PID2021-122356NB-I00, Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and the European Union. The visit of L.R. to the Africa Museum was supported by Grant Synthesys BE-TAF-105, from the Synthesys Program. Great Ape Heart Project funding support comes from the Detroit Zoological Society and the Institute of Museum and Library Services Grant #MG-80-19-0008-19. M.B. is supported by Grant PID2020-115854GB-I00, Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and the European Union.

La tercera edición de la Tabla Cronoestratigráfica del Cuaderno de la península ibérica (v 3.0) sustituye a las versiones más antiguas editadas en 2007 (v 1.0) y 2009 (v 2.0). Desde esta fecha la Comisión Internacional de Estratigrafía (ICS), y más concretamente la Subcomisión de Estratigrafía del Cuaternario (SQS), ha estado trabajando tanto en la definición del Periodo Cuaternario como en sus subdivisiones, aportando nuevos GSSP (Global Stratotype Section and Points) para los mismos. La nueva tabla incluye los GSSPs recientemente aprobados para la subdivisión de la Serie Holocena (Groenlandiense, Norgripiense y Meghalayense), así como el nuevo piso Chibaniense (774,1 - 128,0 ka) ratificado por la IUGS a principios del 2020, que sustituye al Pleistoceno medio. Esta versión 3.0 también incluye todas las modificaciones y correcciones que han surgido desde entonces, incluyendo la actualización de datos, fechas y dataciones para los yacimientos paleontológicos y/o arqueológicos más representativos de la península. Asimismo, se ha revisado la extensión de los diferentes periodos climáticos considerados para Europa central y Alpes ajustándose a las biozonas de mamíferos y las faunas asociadas. La extensión de estas últimas ha de entenderse referida a Europa central y meridional no solo a la península ibérica. En la distribución temporal de periodos de la prehistoria y complejos tecno-culturales asociados se diferencia entre el continente africano y europeo. De la misma forma la sucesión de especies de homininos se centra también en estos dos continentes. Esta revisión ofrece una lista de referencias actualizada, así como una versión digital interactiva que se implementará próximamente.

El desarrollo científico de los materiales ha estado a la vanguardia del desarrollo tecnológico en muchos campos de la ciencia, como la electrónica, la catálisis, el medio ambiente y ahora la medicina, entre otros. Durante el conocimiento básico de los materiales aparecen nuevas propiedades, conceptos y leyes que los rigen, encontrando prácticamente nuevas opciones para cualquier aplicación del desarrollo actual. Los nanomateriales abren una auténtica brecha en este campo debido a la gran diferencia de sus dimensiones con respecto a los micromateriales, acercándonos al control y manipulación de los átomos en el sólido, lo que sin duda permite ajustar sus propiedades y aplicaciones. Este artículo trata sobre algunas diferencias en las propiedades existentes entre la microtecnología representada por los micromateriales y la nanotecnología impulsada por los nanomateriales.

The BB specimen is an upper right canine belonging to a male of the primate M. sylvanus. The agreement among the qualitative characteristics of the tooth and the chronology of the site suggest its identification as M. sylvanus cf. florentina, although the lack of consensus on the validity of the proposed subspecies and the large biometric overlap do not allow certainty of this subspecific assignment. Macaca cf. sylvanus fossils are known across Iberia and throughout Europe in the Pliocene and Pleistocene, mainly in warmer intervals. Data suggest that the species is limited to areas that are more southern in colder phases, whereas in warm phases, this taxon could extend its distribution further north. Predation by carnivore species is likely, while interaction with early humans is less definite., This research has been funded by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion, PID2021-122356NB-I00. D.F. is supported by the Ayuda del Programa de Formacion de Profesorado Universitario (FPU20/03389) and is a Ph.D. student at the Programa de Doctorado en Biología at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. A.E. is supported by H2020-MSCA-IF project No. 891529 (3DFOSSILDIET). A.P. is supported by the LATEUROPE project (Grantagreement ID 101052653) that has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s HORIZON1.1 research program. The Barranc de la Boella fieldwork is supported by the Ajuntament de la Canonja and Departament de Cultura of Generalitat de Catalunya (ARQ001SOL-186-2022). The Institut Catala de Paleoecologia Humana i Evoluci o Social (IPHES- CERCA) has received financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the ‘María de Maeztu’ program for Units of Excellence (CEX2019-000945-M)., With funding from the Spanish government through the "Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence" accreditation CEX2019-000945-M.

The African rainforest is considered a ‘palaeontological desert’, exemplified with the virtual absence of ape fossils from the last 10 Ma. To overcome this deficiency of the fossil record, archaeo-palaeontological surveys have been undertaken in the rainforest of Equatorial Guinea. We have inventoried 225 outcrops and eluvial materials and the formation of ‘stone lines’ (of diverse genesis) predominate. Close to the Atlantic estuaries, there are short fluvial sedimentary sequences (sands and gravels), where remains of lithic industry and charcoal appear, but in no case macro vertebrate fossils. Given the intensity of the survey, the scarcity of sampling is ruled out as the cause of this ‘palaeontological desert’. Besides, biogenic, biostratinomic and fossildiagenetic factors have been explored by means of an actualistic approach. The rainforest ecosystem produces very low density tanatocenosis. Simultaneously, there is a low rate of sedimentation/erosion and the action of scavengers has not been detected, although the action of ants and termites may be determinant. Two fossildiagenetic factors can be inferred: lixiviation as a destructive cause and the existence of periods of intensive erosion. The search for palaeontological record should focus on protected sedimentary environments (rockshelters) or more confined ones (maars and small endorheic basins)., Funding: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN/FEDER): CGL2016-75109-P and CGL2017-90984-EXP; Fundación Palarq.

Flow Theory has been used to study motivation in educational activities. However, few studies use physiological data to uncover unknown aspects of said data in any context, and isolated individuals are involved as well. In this paper, we present some of the results obtained from two control groups corresponding to two full primary education classrooms, as well as their teacher, using a quasi-experimental design. They participated in two training activities with different instructional designs and three different STEAM subjects: graphic design, video game design using Roblox Studio, and educational robotics. In this sense, the heart rate, its variability, data from accelerometers, and the educational activities carried out by the teacher have been automatically recorded for each participant at every second. To achieve this, we used smartwatches connected to Polar H10 sensors as well as our own apps. At the end of each session, everyone answered the Flow FKS and EduFlow prevalence questionnaires, and the teacher kept a class journal. Through this, we aim to understand whether the Flow Theory models derived from the FKS and EduFlow scales are valid from a physiological standpoint, as well as to develop classification and predictive models based on artificial intelligence that will allow for educational performance improvement of students in future research.

The Early Pleistocene site of Quibas, in Sierra de Quibas (Murcia, Spain) was discovered in 1994 and has since then provided abundant material of typical Epivillafranchian taxa. This biochron belongs to the Early-Middle Pleistocene transition (1.2 – 0.78 Ma), characterised by a change in orbital cyclicity from a 41 kyr cycle to 100 kyr that intensified the climate and culminated in the most important faunal turnover of the Pleistocene regarding large mammals. The Group of Palaeoanthropology of the National Museum of Natural Sciences (CSIC, Spain) and the Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolució Social (IPHES-CERCA, Spain) carried out four field seasons from 2015 to 2018. Here we present the large herbivorous mammals recovered from the field, including the first citation of two taxa new to the locality: Stephanorhinus cf. etruscus and Bison cf. voigtstedtensis. We also provide the first description of previously mentioned taxa: Dama cf. vallonnetensis and Sus sp. Together with the remaining herbivores, the faunal community shows a strong European affinity with some regionalism. Compared with other Iberian localities, the site of Quibas stands out for the lack of hominin fossils or any evidence supporting their presence in the area, a peculiar scenario given that the Early-Middle Pleistocene transition broadly speaking sees the arrival of humans into Europe., This work was supported by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Spain, Grant/Award Numbers: CGL2016-75109-P and CGL2016-80000-P; AGAUR, Gencat, Project number: SGR2017-859; the Palarq Foundation, Spain; the Comunidad Autónoma de la Región de Murcia, Spain, Grant Number: ARQ115/2018 (Subvención para la Investigación e Intervención en el Patrimonio Arqueológico y Paleontológico de la Región de Murcia); and CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya. The Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolució Social (IPHES-CERCA) has received financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the ‘María de Maeztu’ program for Units of Excellence (CEX2019-000945-M). DF was supported by a JAE Intro grant (JAEINT_20_0_01073) of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, co-financed by the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales. PP was beneficiary of a postdoctoral fellowship from the ‘María de Maeztu’ program., With funding from the Spanish government through the "Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence" accreditation CEX2019-000945-M.

La tisana es un remedio natural contra diversas enfermedades de índole gastrointestinal y respiratorio. Además, esta bebida fortalece el sistema inmune, relaja el sistema nervioso y es un antioxidante contra el envejecimiento. El objetivo de este trabajo fue desarrollar una investigación de mercado con base en tisanas e identificar las preferencias de consumidores potenciales de la zona de las Altas Montañas en Veracruz, México, específicamente de los municipios de Tequila, Xoxocotla y Zongolica. Asimismo, la presente investigación tuvo un enfoque mixto con alcance descriptivo, mediante un análisis de campo con respecto al grado de aceptación de “tisanas frutales y herbalesˮ de naturaleza exploratoria y muestreo por conveniencia. Entonces, se aplicó un cuestionario con 20 ítems, mediante la técnica de grupos focales y bitácoras para documentar el proceso de análisis. Por consiguiente, los resultados de los tres municipios muestran que la principal razón de consumo de los participantes fue por salud con un ochenta porciento. Ahora bien, las combinaciones de tisanas con mayor aceptabilidad fueron: a) Limón y hierbabuena; b) Buganvilia y limón; c) Manzana y durazno; d) Manzana y limón. El sabor fue el aspecto sensorial predominante en el setenta porciento de los individuos. Por último, la temporada preferida para consumo de tisanas fue en invierno y los supermercados fueron los canales de venta preferidos, con una presentación de 100 gramos y un rango de precio que oscila entre los $80.00 y $100.00 pesos mexicanos. Tisane is a natural remedy against various diseases of a gastrointestinal and respiratory nature. In addition, this drink strengthens the immune system, relaxes the nervous system, and is an antioxidant against aging. The objective of this work was to develop market research based on tisanes and identify potential consumers´ preferences in the area of the Altas Montañas in Veracruz, Mexico, specifically in the municipalities of Tequila, Xoxocotla, and Zongolica. Likewise, the present investigation had a mixed approach, and descriptive scope, through a field analysis regarding the degree of acceptance of “fruits and herbals tisanesˮ of an exploratory nature and convenience sampling. Then, a questionnaire with 20 items was applied, using the technique of focus groups and logs to document the analysis process. Therefore, the results of the three municipalities show that the main reason for participant´s consumption was for health eighty percent. However, the combinations of tisanes with greater acceptability were: a) Lemon and mint; b) Bougainvillea and lemon; c) Apple and peach; d) Apple and lemon. The taste was the predominant sensory aspect in seventy percent of the individuals. Finally, the preferred season for tisanes consumption was in winter, the supermarkets were the preferred sales channels, with a presentation of 100 grams and a price range that oscillates between $80.00 and $100.00.

In humans, bipartite scaphoid still does not differentiate clearly from traumatic non-union of the scaphoid. To aid diagnosis, we sought to analyze the main geometrical similarities among bipartite scaphoids from primate species with fused and unfused scaphoid centrales. Four human embryos, four cases of adult humans with bipartite scaphoid, twelve adult specimens of other extant anthropoid primates, and two Neandertal scaphoid specimens were included in this study. Threedimensional polygon models of the scaphoid and os centrale were generated from CT scan, micro-CT scan, or histological sections. A 3D comparative study of the morphological and morphometrical parameters was performed using the MSC Patran software. The os centrale was smaller than the scaphoid in all specimens and its shape was elongated in the anteroposterior scaphoid direction. The position of the os centrale centroid compared to the scaphoid using direction vectors had a strong orientation along the proximodistal axis in all species. The main morphological feature of bipartite scaphoid was the continuity of the scaphoid from its proximal pole to its tubercule along the anteroposterior axis. In all specimens, if the os centrale was removed, the scaphoid still appeared normal and whole. The bipartite scaphoid in adult humans shares geometrical analogies with monkeys and orangutans, human embryos, and Neandertals. Morphological and morphometrical features identified in this study are useful to differentiate bipartite scaphoid from scaphoid pseudarthrosis. All other criteria suggested in the past lead to misdiagnosis.

El 11 de octubre de 2021 falleció en Madrid, a la edad de 96 años, tras una larga y fecunda vida, Emiliano Aguirre Enríquez: el gran artífice de la superación de los factores limitantes de la paleontología humana en España. Científico inagotable y entrañable forjador de vocaciones, en su prolífica carrera, Aguirre destacó como un sólido impulsor del estudio de la paleontología de mamíferos y disciplinas afines, dejando tras de sí un fecundo linaje. Dirigió más de 30 tesis doctorales en campos relacionados con la paleobiología y bioestratigrafía del Cuaternario y el Neógeno, la paleoantropología, la geomorfología y el patrimonio paleontológico. Conocido como el “padre de Atapuerca”, concibió la investigación de los diferentes rellenos de las cuevas de la Sierra de Atapuerca, lo que ha contribuido de manera decisiva a situar a España en el mapa del estudio de la evolución humana.

espanolLos relampagos se presentan con una frecuencia mayor a 50 veces por segundo a nivel mundial; sin embargo, las descargas directas suceden rara vez y son responsables del 5% de los eventos fatales. El mecanismo de lesion inicial es la paralisis de los centros vitales, lo que ocasiona apnea, fibrilacion auricular o paro cardiaco. En mujeres embarazadas, el accidente por rayo puede producir complicaciones graves, dependiendo del punto de entrada en el cuerpo y su efecto indirecto sobre el feto, produciendo trastornos de la conduccion en el sistema cardiaco y dano a nivel del sistema nervioso central. En la literatura mundial, solo catorce casos de embarazo y traumatismo por relampago han sido reportados, sobreviviendo en todos la madre, con un unico reporte de muerte fetal. Se presenta un caso de accidente por relampago en una mujer embarazada en la semana 23 de gestacion, cuyo tipo de lesion fue por contacto directo en el abdomen, y quien ingreso con compromiso neurologico, taquicardia materna y bradicardia fetal. El deceso materno ocurrio por infarto agudo extenso del miocardio y la formacion de un embolo intracavitario en el ventriculo izquierdo, con la consecuente muerte del binomio. Se describe su frecuencia, el mecanismo de lesion, las anifestaciones clinicas y el manejo actual. MED.UIS.2019;32(1):21-6 EnglishLightning occurs with a frequency rate of more than 50 times per second worldwide. Nevertheless, direct lightning strikes are not common, and they are responsible for about 5% of all lightning injury fatalities. The initial mechanism of injury is the paralysis of the vital centers, which causes apnea, atrial fibrillation and cardiac arrest. In pregnant women, lightning can produce severe complications which depend on the point of entrance and its indirect effect on the fetus, affecting the cardiac conduction system and the central nervous system. We report a case of a lightning accident by direct strike on a 23-week pregnant woman, who´s type of injury was by direct contact on the abdomen. She arrives to the emergency room with neurologic symptoms, maternal tachycardia and fetal bradycardia. The mother died due to myocardial infarction and the presence of an intracavitary embolus in the left ventricle, with the consequent maternal-fetal death. The incidence and injury mechanisms, as well as the clinical features and clinical management are described. MED.UIS.2019;32(1):21-6

Tumbling is defined as a process in which hyper-concentrated flows alter bone remains, producing changes in their morphology and original structure. Although the process is well known, little experimental research has focused on describing the effects this process has on bone surface modifications (BSM), which can subsequently be applied to the fossil record. Water currents may have played an important role in altering the surfaces of bones from Barranc de la Boella, which were deposited in a deltaic fan context. Striae of undetermined origin have been documented on bones at the la Mina locality, and possible cut marks found on bones at Pit 1 locality. In our experiments, both fresh and dry bones with reproduced trampling striae and cut marks were tumbled in a tumbling machine, combining different types of movement and proportions of water to sediment. The bones were examined after each of the five cycles of the modification process, which lasted 30′, 30′, 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h. Our results show a considerable diminishing of trampling striae, while the majority of cut marks were preserved. The marks on fresh bones were more severely altered than those on dry bones. Based on the results of this experiment, the marks from Pit 1 appear to be morphologically close to the experimentally altered cut marks, while the majority of those from la Mina are more similar to the altered trampling striae., The research at Barranc de la Boella was performed with the financial support of: Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad projects CGL2015-65387-C3-1-P (MINECO/FEDER) and CGL2016-80000- P (MINECO); and the Generalitat de Catalunya, AGAUR agency, funded projects 2014 SGR-899 and 2014 SGR-901. Financial support for the Barranc de la Boella fieldwork and archaeological excavation was provided by the Ajuntament de la Canonja and the Departament de Cultura (Servei d’Arqueologia i Paleontologia) (2014/100574) of the Generalitat de Catalunya. A. Pineda is the beneficiary of a predoctoral research fellowship (FI) from AGAUR (2015 FI_B1 01104, Agaur/FSE).

El texto tiene como objetivo un acercamiento general a la manera en que se lleva a cabo la gestión del patrimonio religioso con fines turísticos en el centro histórico de la ciudad de Toluca, México. Se considera su valoración en términos de sus alcances, problemáticas y limitaciones, con base en el marco explicativo de Thompson (2006), quien argumenta que una consecuencia de la contextualización de las formas simbólicas es que están sujetas a complejos procesos de evaluación y conflicto, distinguiéndose dos tipos de valoración particularmente importantes: la simbólica y la económica. Se parte de la hipótesis de que la gestión de los bienes patrimoniales religiosos orientados al turismo constituye un campo de disputa simbólica y funcional entre los diversos grupos de interés involucrados, que conlleva una gestión diferenciada derivada de los distintos tipos de apropiación del patrimonio, lo cual incide en su aprovechamiento.

[ES] El inicio del poblamiento humano en la isla de Bioko (antigua Fernando Poo) (Guinea Ecuatorial) es un tema mal conocido. Investigaciones previas establecen una secuencia de ocupación exclusivamente Holocena a pesar de que Bioko ha estado conectada con el continente durante al menos el último periodo glacial. Con objeto de localizar evidencias de ocupación pleistocena se localizaron 44 afloramientos, distinguiéndose sedimentos volcánicos, materiales eluviales, volcano-sedimentarios y aluviales. Entre estos cabe destacar el hallazgo de una larga serie de sedimentos lacustres correspondientes a un paleolago ubicado en un cráter. Apesar de lo exhaustivo de las prospecciones no se halló ninguna evidencia de presencia humana atribuible a una cronología pleistocena. Nuestros resultados confirman una ocupación muy tardía de Bioko posterior a los 8000 años BP. La ausencia de ocupaciones previas podría obedecer a condiciones ecológicas hostiles (pluviosidad, parasitismo), aunque es posible que las ocupaciones pleistocenas estuvieran restringidas a las zonas costeras y que estas se encuentren hoy sumergidas., [EN] The beginning of human settlement on the island of Bioko (formerly Fernando Poo) (Equatorial Guinea) is a poorly known issue. Previous research establishes an exclusively Holocene occupation sequence despite the fact that Bioko has been connected to the mainland, at least, during the last ice age. In order to locate evidence of Pleistocene occupation, 44 points / outcrops were located, distinguishing volcanic sediments and eluvial and alluvial volcano-sedimentary materials. These include the discovery of a long series of lake sediments corresponding to a paleolake located in a crater. Despite the exhaustiveness of the surveys, no evidence of human presence attributable to a Pleistocene chronology was found. Our results confirm a very late occupation of Bioko after 8000 years BP. The absence of previous occupations could be due to hostile ecological conditions (rainfall, parasitism), although it is possible that Pleistocene occupations were restricted to coastal areas and that these are now submerged., Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN/FEDER): CGL2016-75109-P y CGL2017- 90984-EXP; Fundación Palarq. J.I. M. es beneficiario de IJCI-2017-31445.

Mammalian Community Structure Analysis (MCSA) is a widely used paleoecological method for reconstructing environments in fossil sites where apes and hominins are present. However, any fossil assemblage is the result of complex ecological and taphonomic processes that may obscure biological interpretation. In this work, we test the validity of the MCSA for the reconstruction of African rain forest environments through an actualistic approach. For this purpose, we compare the living Mammalian Community Structure of the National Park of Monte Alen (MA) and surrounding areas (Equatorial Guinea, Río Muni) with the one inferred from associations of skeletal remains (ASRs) collected in villages of the area. It was found that in equatorial rain forest contexts, humans are a significant accumulating agent of skeletal remains, in contrast to other accumulating organisms, which are absent. In villages where hunting of wild animals (bushmeat) is regular, a good number of osteological remains from food residues are deposited near the houses. We collected six samples from five villages and treated each of them as “skeletal associations.” We also considered a cumulative deposit composed by the total sample of 3153 skeletal remains. Mammalian Community Structure was estimated using three ecovariables: weight, locomotor adaptation, and diet. Cluster and Correspondence Analysis of the three ecological variables validated the fauna of MA as that of an African tropical forest. Next, the ASRs were compared with the fauna of MA. Some of the localities allowed accurate environmental reconstruction; however, three “skeletal associations” do not provide the minimum amount of data needed for their characterization, ecological biases being evident. The skeletal assemblage that best matches the living reference community is the composite sample. From a paleoecological reconstruction viewpoint, the tropical forest signal is conserved when evaluating percentage relationships between the most diagnostic ecovariables, particularly fruit-eating mammals versus carnivores and arboreal mammals. Taken together, the MCSA is effective in detecting African tropical ecosystems, This work is part of a research program supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Spain (CGL2016-75109-P and CGL2017-90984-EXP) and the Palarq Foundation.

In this paper, the early Pleistocene small vertebrate sequence of Quibas-Sima (Quibas karstic complex, Murcia, SE Spain) is presented. The available magnetostratigraphic information together with the small vertebrate association, allow to reliably constrain the age of the different units. The basal unit of the section has recorded a reversed polarity assigned to the pre-Jaramillo Matuyama (C1r.2r, i.e., between 1.2 and 1.07 Ma). The intermediate units have recorded a normal polarity correlated directly with the Jaramillo subchron (C1r.1n, between 1.07 and 0.99 Ma), while the upper units record the post-Jaramillo reverse polarity (C1r.1r, i.e., between 0.99 and 0.78). Jaramillo subchron is especially significant regarding the earliest hominin dispersal in Western Europe. However, vertebrate faunas unambiguously correlatable with Jaramillo subchron are extremely rare in Europe. Thereby, the study of the Quibas-Sima sequence allows to characterize the vertebrate association synchronous to this paleomagnetic episode in southern Iberian Peninsula, and contributes to increase knowledge of the biotic and climatic events that took place in southern Europe at the beginning of the Early-Middle Pleistocene transition, prior to the Matuyama-Brunhes boundary. A continuous small vertebrate succession has been reported, including representatives of the families Bufonidae, Pelodytidae, Testudinidae, Gekkonidae, Blanidae, Lacertidae, Colubridae, Viperidae, Soricidae, Erinaceidae, Rhinolophidae, Vespertilionidae, Muridae, Gliridae, Sciuridae, Leporidae and Ochotonidae The ecological affinities of the faunal association suggest a progressive reduction in forest cover in the onset of the Jaramillo subchron., This work was supported by the Comunidad Autónoma de la Región de Murcia (ARQ115/2018, Subvención para la Investigación e Intervención en el Patrimonio Arqueológico y Paleontológico de la Región de Murcia), the Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigación and the European Regional Development Fund of the European Union (CGL2016-80000-P, CGL2016-75109-P, CGL2016-76431-P and CGL2017-82654-P, AEI/FEDER EU), and the Generalitat de Catalunya (2017/SGR/859, CERCA Programme). One author (P.P.) is beneficiary of a postdoctoral fellowship from the Argentinian Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET).

When we think in accessibility in a parking lot we could consider aspects as adaptation of facilities as such as ramps or elevators, even accessible signage. But here we talk about the possibility to communicate the state of parking spots which allows better decision making for people visiting a specific facility. On the other hand we motivated the accessibility through the information conveyed in a mobile application for people who use the sign language as a natural tongue. Therefore to achieve such purposes we design and implement a system based on Internet of the Things to monitor parking status through computer vision, and a web service which publish updates about the availability.

The growth of cities has led to an increase in the number of vehicles passing on the streets generating an increase in traffic. This makes it difficult, among other things, to the mobility and access of the roads on which parking spaces are located. This is particularly important in the context of people with disability (PWD) who use their own vehicles to transport themselves. Since they are faced with the problem of finding a place to park and encounter obstacles that hinder their access and mobility, such as limited spaces, poorly marked spaces, poorly parked vehicles or objects that obstruct the places they have designated for their use.Smart Parking technology has helped to facilitate access to parking spaces by creating a mean of consultation and booking, but little has been considered to the PWD and the obstacles they may encounter when arriving at their destination, as they are generally not taken into account in the design of the technology.In this paper we propose a Smart Parking system based on computer vision (CV) and cameras with network connection for the detection of obstacles that make it impossible to park to the PWD, we propose to identify poorly parked vehicles and objects that are obstructing parking spaces. The information obtained is intended to link to a mobile application so that PWD can consult available locations as well as information about obstacles encountered, thereby, they can improve their interaction with their destination, as well as taking measures related to their mobility.

Ancient DNA has provided new insights into many aspects of human history. However, we lack comprehensive studies of the Y chromosomes of Denisovans and Neanderthals because the majority of specimens that have been sequenced to sufficient coverage are female. Sequencing Y chromosomes from two Denisovans and three Neanderthals shows that the Y chromosomes of Denisovans split around 700 thousand years ago from a lineage shared by Neanderthals and modern human Y chromosomes, which diverged from each other around 370 thousand years ago. The phylogenetic relationships of archaic and modern human Y chromosomes differ from the population relationships inferred from the autosomal genomes and mirror mitochondrial DNA phylogenies, indicating replacement of both the mitochondrial and Y chromosomal gene pools in late Neanderthals. This replacement is plausible if the low effective population size of Neanderthals resulted in an increased genetic load in Neanderthals relative to modern humans., Q.F. was supported by funding from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDB26000000) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (91731303, 41925009, 41630102). A.R. was funded by Spanish government (MICINN/ FEDER) (grant number CGL2016-75109-P). The reassessment of the Spy collection by H.R., I.C., and P.S. was supported by the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO 2004-2007, MO/36/0112). M.V.S., M.B.K., and A.P.D. were supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR 17-29-04206). This study was funded by the Max Planck Society and the European Research Council (grant agreement number 694707).

Ancient DNA has allowed the study of various aspects of human history in unprecedented detail. However, because the majority of archaic human specimens preserved well enough for genome sequencing have been female, comprehensive studies of Y chromosomes of Denisovans and Neandertals have not yet been possible. Here we present sequences of the first Denisovan Y chromosomes (Denisova 4 and Denisova 8), as well as the Y chromosomes of three late Neandertals (Spy 94a, Mezmaiskaya 2 and El Sidrón 1253). We find that the Denisovan Y chromosomes split around 700 thousand years ago (kya) from a lineage shared by Neandertal and modern human Y chromosomes, which diverged from each other around 370 kya. The phylogenetic relationships of archaic and modern human Y chromosomes therefore differ from population relationships inferred from their autosomal genomes, and mirror the relationships observed on the level of mitochondrial DNA. This provides strong evidence that gene flow from an early lineage related to modern humans resulted in the replacement of both the mitochondrial and Y chromosomal gene pools in late Neandertals. Although unlikely under neutrality, we show that this replacement is plausible if the low effective population size of Neandertals resulted in an increased genetic load in their Y chromosomes and mitochondrial DNA relative to modern humans., Q.F. was supported by funding from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDB26000000), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (91731303, 41925009,41630102). A.R. was funded by Spanish government (MICINN/FEDER), grant number CGL2016-75109-P. The reassessment of the Spy collection by H.R., I.C. and P.S. was supported by the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO 2004-2007, MO/36/0112). M.S., M.K. and A.D. were supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR 17-29-04206). This study was funded by the Max Planck Society and the European Research Council (grant agreement number 694707).

The evolution of the body form in Homo and its potential morphological connection to the arrangement of different skeletal systems is of major interest in human evolution. Patella morphology as part of the knee is potentially influenced by body form. Here, we describe for the first time the patellae remains recovered at El Sidrón Neandertal site and analyze them in a comparative evolutionary framework. We aim to clarify whether morphometric features frequently observed in Neandertal and modern human patellae are retained from a primitive anatomical arrangement or whether they represent derived features (apomorphies). For this purpose, we combine analyses of discrete features, classic anthropological measurements, and 3D geometric morphometrics based on generalized Procrustes analysis, mean size and shape comparisons, and principal components analysis. We found a size increment of the patella in hominin evolution, with large species showing a larger patella. Modern humans and Neandertals exhibit overall larger patellae, with maximum values observed in the latter, likely as a consequence of their broader body shape. Also, some Neandertals display a thicker patella, which has been linked to larger quadriceps muscles. However, Neandertals retain a primitive morphology in their patellar articular surfaces, with similar-sized lateral and medial articular facets, leading to a more symmetrical internal face. This feature is inherited from a primitive Homo ancestor and suggests a different configuration of the knee in Neandertals. Conversely, Homo sapiens exhibits an autoapomorphic patellar anatomy with expanded lateral articular facets. We propose that these distinct configurations of the patella within Homo may be a consequence of different body forms rather than specific functional adaptations of the knee. Thus, the slender body form of modern humans may entail a medial reorientation of the tibial tuberosity (patellar ligament), allowing lateral surface expansion. These anatomical evolutionary variations may involve subtle secondary differences in bipedalism within Homo., This research was supported by the Dirección General de Investigación of the Ministry of Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades of Spain (MICINN/FEDER), grant numbers (CGL2016-75109-P, CGL2015-63648-P).

[Objectives]: Dolichofacial (long-faced) and brachyfacial (short-faced) individuals show specific and well-differentiated craniofacial morphology. Here, we hypothesise that differences in the basicranial orientation and topology between dolicho- and brachyfacial subjects could be associated with differences in the supporting brain tissues., [Material and methods]: Brain volumes (total intracranial, grey matter, and white matter volume), cortical thickness, and the volumes and shapes of fifteen subcortical nuclei were assessed on the basis of magnetic resonance imaging in 185 subjects. Global, voxel-wise and shape analyses, as well as multiple regression models, were generated to evaluate the association between vertical facial variations (dolicho- and brachyfacial spectrum) and brain morphology., [Results]: Several differences in brain anatomy between dolicho- and brachyfacial subjects, along with relevant associations between vertical facial indices and brain structure and shape, were found. The most relevant finding of this study is related to the strong association of vertical facial indices with the volumes and shapes of subcortical nuclei, as the dolichofacial pattern increased, the bilateral hippocampus and brain stem expanded, while the left caudate, right pallidus, right amygdala, and right accumbens decreased in volume., [Conclusions]: Long- and short-faced human subjects present differences in brain structure and shape. Clinical significant: The results of our study increase the clinician’s knowledge about brain structure in dolicho- and brachyfacial patients. The findings could be of interest since the affected brain areas are involved in higher cognitive functions in humans, including language, memory, and attention., This research was funded by CGL2016–75109-P (Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness, Spain).

El yacimiento de Galería es uno los rellenos cársticos pleistocenos situados en la Trinchera del Ferrocarril de la Sierra de Atapuerca. El relleno sedimentario se divide en seis unidades estratigráficas (GI a GVI). La base de la sucesión estratigráfica corresponde al Pleistoceno Inferior y es estéril. Las unidades fosilíferas con evidencias de ocupación humana (GIT y GITT) son de la segunda mitad del Pleistoceno Medio. Las especies de mamíferos permanecen evolutivamente estables; solo se observan cambios menores en los roedores Iberomys breccensis, Microtus aff. arvalis y Arvicola sp. No obstante, se detectan variaciones en las frecuencias de micro- y macrovertebrados y en las comunidades de aves. La subunidad Glla se interpreta como formada durante una fase cálida.

Morphological differences between the Neandertal and modern human glenoid fossa are mostly attributed to functional factors. However, the intimate relationship between the pectoral girdle and the shape of the thorax on which it rests calls for a structural analysis of the morphology of the glenoid fossa. Using both 3D Geometric Morphometric techniques and classical osteometry we carry out an analysis of the morphology of Neandertal scapular glenoid fossa, considering the effects that independent parameters such as allometry, sexual dimorphism and laterality could exert on the glenoid fossa shape. We also discuss how the morphological configuration of the thorax together with other functional factors could explain some of the differences between Neandertals and H. sapiens, and we assess the morphological evolution of this structure in the context of the genus Homo. To this end, 3DGM methods were applied in a comparative framework including the new SD-2101 + specimen from the Sidrón site (Spain) dated to 49,000 years ago, other Neandertal, Homo sapiens, KNM-WT 15000 (Homo ergaster/erectus) and Pan troglodytes specimens. A total of 75 sliding semilandmarks were used to collect the morphology of the glenoid fossa. Morphological comparison and variability were assessed through principal component analysis. Our results confirm the metric and morphological features of the Neandertal scapular glenoid fossa and point to a multifactorial effect in the glenoid morphology. We also detect a morphological trait of the Neandertal glenoid fossa that has not been reported previously: the projection of the upper part of the ventral border shared with modern humans and influenced by structural factors related to the configuration of the rib cage and shoulder. These results are consistent with the evolutionary framework of the hominin glenoid fossa, with some morphological changes being caused by functional factors, and others by structural factors such as the configuration of the thorax., This work was funded by the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad of Spain (CGL2012-36682 and CGL2012-37279)

Coprolites are commonly identified in the Pleistocene archaeo-palaeontological record. They have often been described as indirect evidence for the presence of carnivores (usually hyenids) during the formation of a depositional sequence. However, coprolites are a much larger source of information that can provide data relating to factors affecting an archaeological assemblage, including its taphonomic history and palaeoecology. In this paper, two fossil coprolite accumulations dating to the late Early Pleistocene are described: Level TD6.1 of Gran Dolina (Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos) and Unit II of la Mina (Barranc de la Boella, Tarragona). The results highlight the morphological homogeneity of these hyena coprolites, despite a considerable variation in size. The presence of microspherulites is clearly identified in all of the analysed hyena coprolites. Their composition is rich in elements characteristic of bone-origin, such as calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P). A major difference, however, differentiating the remains from these sites was a higher frequency of bone fragments in the la Mina coprolites, regarding to TD6.1. Pollen, spores, and palynomorphs are scarce in the samples from both sites, which in fact share similar ecological characteristics such as the presence of pine, wild grasses, and coprophilous fungi. Hyena coprolites are relatively easy to differentiate from those of other taxa; however, they show intra-specific similarities in their micro- and macro-morphology and composition, despite their wide size range. The species of hyenids responsible for the coprolites is not possible to identify based exclusively on the size range, and the importance of a multidisciplinary study of the latrines and the coprolites is discussed as a source of palaeoecological and taphonomic information. In this study, coprolites are analysed, compared, and attributed to a hyenid, identified as Crocuta crocuta in the case of TD6.1, but without specific attribution in the case of la Mina., The research at Barranc de la Boella has been carried out with the financial support of the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad projects: CGL2012-38358; CGL2012-38434-C03-03; CGL2012-36682, and HAR2012-32548. The Generalitat de Catalunya, AGAUR agency, provided projects 2014SGR-901, 2014PBR-899 and the framework of CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya. Financial support for Barranc de la Boella fieldwork and archaeological excavations has been provided by the Ajuntament de La Canonja the Diputació de Tarragona and the Departament de Cultura (Servei d'Arqueologia i Paleontologia) (2014/100574) of the Generalitat de Catalunya. The research at Sierra de Atapuerca has been carried out with the financial support of the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad and the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER): CGL2015-65387-C3-1-P (MINECO/FEDER).

Objectives The El Sidron tali sample is assessed in an evolutionary framework. We aim to explore the relationship between Neandertal talus morphology and body size/shape. We test the hypothesis 1: talar Neandertal traits are influenced by body size, and the hypothesis 2: shape variables independent of body size correspond to inherited primitive features. Materials and methods We quantify 35 landmarks through 3D geometric morphometrics techniques to describe H. neanderthalensis-H. sapiens shape variation, by Mean Shape Comparisons, Principal Component, Phenetic Clusters, Minimum spanning tree analyses and partial least square and regression of talus shape on body variables. Shape variation correlated to body size is compared to Neandertals-Modern Humans (MH) evolutionary shape variation. The Neandertal sample is compared to early hominins. Results Neandertal talus presents trochlear hypertrophy, a larger equality of trochlear rims, a shorter neck, a more expanded head, curvature and an anterior location of the medial malleolar facet, an expanded and projected lateral malleolar facet and laterally expanded posterior calcaneal facet compared to MH. Discussion The Neandertal talocrural joint morphology is influenced by body size. The other Neandertal talus traits do not co-vary with it or not follow the same co-variation pattern as MH. Besides, the trochlear hypertrophy, the trochlear rims equality and the short neck could be inherited primitive features; the medial malleolar facet morphology could be an inherited primitive feature or a secondarily primitive trait; and the calcaneal posterior facet would be an autapomorphic feature of the Neandertal lineage.

Here, we present the analysis of occlusal molar microwear textures of eight individuals from the El Sidrón Neandertal group (Spain). The aims of the study were: 1) to document potential age-, sex-, and maternal lineage-related differences in diet within a Neandertal familial group, and 2) to place the diet of El Sidrón individuals in the context of those of other Neandertal groups. This study also offers an interpretation of the diet of the El Sidrón Neandertals by comparing their microwear signatures to those of recent hunter-gatherer populations with diverse but known diets. The intra-group examination of the microwear signatures are consistent with the females of the El Sidrón group having had more abrasive diets or having used their teeth in more para-masticatory activities than did the males. Aside from the potential sex-related differences in diet, no additional intra-group dietary separation, such as by age group or maternal lineage, was observed. In comparison to other Neandertals, El Sidrón individuals, as a group, have microwear signatures most similar to those of other Neandertals from wooded habitats and different from those that lived in more open habitats. This result is expected based on the available paleoenvironmental reconstructions from El Sidrón Cave. The diet of the El Sidrón Neandertals, just like their Neandertal counterparts from similar wooded habitats, is interpreted as having been mixed, consisting of both meat and vegetable foods., This research was funded by the local Government of the Principado de Asturias and by the Spanish Government (Project CGL2012-36682), and the European Community Research Infrastructure Action (SYNTHESYS Project; http://www.synthesys.info, to S. El Zaatari).

Approximately 90% of anatomically modern humans (AMHs) are right-handed. This handedness is related to laterality patterns of the upper limb due to habitual activity patterns which are known to leave marks on the bone structure. Various studies have shown that Neanderthals were also right-handed in very similar proportions to AMHs. Here, for the first time, 3D geometric morphometric techniques are used to study humeral laterality in a Spanish modern human population and to make a comparative study with a Neanderthal sample. Results obtained in the modern human population show a larger right humerus and clear differences in shape laterality. Shape differences in both epiphyses and in the complete humerus could be caused by non-allometric factors. This could suggest different activity pattern in both arms during life. Shaft shape laterality could be explained by allometric factors, i.e. shape variability is related to size variability. Neanderthals show a larger right humerus compared to the left and the mean shape comparison with the common anatomical regions presents a non-significant result. Finally, olecranon fossa width is the only feature that clearly differs between modern humans and Neanderthals, with geometric morphometric and linear measures being wider on the Neanderthal left side and wider on the modern human population right side. This difference may be due to a combination of different factors and behaviors that involve complete extension of the elbow joint., This work was supported by MINECO of Spain, grant nos. CGL2012-36682 and CGL2016-75109-P. L.P.C. has a predoctoral grant, BES-2013-066056, from MINECO, Spain.

Resumen Las miopatias necrosantes autoinmunes (NAM) son unas entidades raras y emergentes de las miopatias inflamatorias idiopaticas (MII). Su presencia se ha asociado a conectivopatias, infecciones virales, neoplasias, anticuerpos frente a la particula de reconocimiento de la senal (anti-SRP) y a anticuerpos frente a la proteina 3-hidroxi-3-metilglutaril-coenzima A reductasa (HMG-CR) (asociada al empleo o no de estatinas). Las NAM asociadas al anti-SRP presentan unas caracteristicas clinicas y anatomopatologicas que las diferencian del resto de las MII, resultando en un peor pronostico. Hasta el momento han sido muy pocos los casos publicados tratados con rituximab y con diferente respuesta clinica. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 30 anos con NAM asociada al anti-SRP refractaria a tratamiento convencional inmunosupresor y que ha sido controlada a largo plazo con la combinacion de rituximab, metotrexato y corticoides.

Necrotizing autoimmune myopathy (NAM) is a rare and emerging entity of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM). They have been associated with connective tissue disorders, viral infections, malignancy, anti-signal recognition particle (SRP) and anti-3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase protein (with or without the use of statins). Anti-SRP associated NAM has different clinical and histological characteristics that differentiate them from other IIM, resulting in a poor prognosis. Very few cases treated with rituximab have been published, with varying clinical response. Here we describe a case of anti-SRP associated NAM refractory to conventional immunosuppressants and its successful long-term management with the combination of rituximab, corticosteroids and methotrexate.

We assembled genome-wide data from 271 ancient Iberians, of whom 176 are from the largely unsampled period after 2000 BCE, thereby providing a high-resolution time transect of the Iberian Peninsula. We document high genetic substructure between northwestern and southeastern hunter-gatherers before the spread of farming. We reveal sporadic contacts between Iberia and North Africa by ~2500 BCE and, by ~2000 BCE, the replacement of 40% of Iberia's ancestry and nearly 100% of its Y-chromosomes by people with Steppe ancestry. We show that, in the Iron Age, Steppe ancestry had spread not only into Indo-European-speaking regions but also into non-Indo-European-speaking ones, and we reveal that present-day Basques are best described as a typical Iron Age population without the admixture events that later affected the rest of Iberia. Additionally, we document how, beginning at least in the Roman period, the ancestry of the peninsula was transformed by gene flow from North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean., J.M.F., F.J.L.-C., J.I.M., F.X.O., J.D., and M.S.B. were supported by HAR2017-86509-P, HAR2017-87695-P, and SGR2017-11 from the Generalitat de Catalunya, AGAUR agency. C.L.-F. was supported by Obra Social La Caixa and by FEDER-MINECO (BFU2015- 64699-P). L.B.d.L.E. was supported by REDISCO-HAR2017-88035-P (Plan Nacional I+D+I, MINECO). C.L., P.R., and C.Bl. were supported by MINECO (HAR2016-77600-P). A.Esp., J.V.-V., G.D., and D.C.S.-G. were supported by MINECO (HAR2009-10105 and HAR2013-43851-P). D.J.K. and B.J.C. were supported by NSF BCS-1460367. K.T.L., A.W., and J.M. were supported by NSF BCS-1153568. J.F.-E. and J.A.M.-A. were supported by IT622-13 Gobierno Vasco, Diputación Foral de Álava, and Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa. We acknowledge support from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (PTDC/EPH-ARQ/4164/2014) and the FEDER-COMPETE 2020 project 016899. P.S. was supported by the FCT Investigator Program (IF/01641/2013), FCT IP, and ERDF (COMPETE2020 – POCI). M.Si. and K.D. were supported by a Leverhulme Trust Doctoral Scholarship awarded to M.B.R. and M.P. D.R. was supported by an Allen Discovery Center grant from the Paul Allen Foundation, NIH grant GM100233, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. V.V.-M. and W.H. were supported by the Max Planck Society.

This study presents the results of the archaeological investigation in Benzú Cave, located on the North African shore of the Strait of Gibraltar. The archaeological deposits, approximately 1 m deep, belong to two occupational levels dated to the Neolithic and the Bronze Age. A wide range of artifacts was found, and this led to an interdisciplinary study that led us to reach new conclusions concerning the material life, subsistence economy, and environment of the Neolithic and Bronze Age societies in northern Africa and the southern Iberian Peninsula., This study was funded by City Council of Ceuta (65.933/20 [01], 47.849/3 [03], 007086, 77.891/3 [09], 96.478/2 [2010], 0-094/2011, 124.111/3[2011], 23.685/[13]), Plan Nacional I+D, MCYT. (HAR2008-06477-C03-02), Programa de Investigación Juan de la Cierva, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, de España (IJCI-2014-20590), and Proyecto de Investigación de I+D (Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad de España) (HAR2017-87324-P).

The long-standing debate around the origin and evolutionary mode of the Neandertal lineage is connected to the understanding of the large morphological diversity found in the European Middle Pleistocene Hominin (EMPH) samples. In practical terms, this problem can be approached through two questions: How many morphs can be distinguished in EMPH and how do they relate to the origin of Neandertals? These questions are addressed in this paper by means of geometric morphometric comparative analyses in combination with principles of craniofacial biology. We use the mandible as a model system because of its relative abundance in the fossil record, the presence of diagnostic features relevant to the process under analysis, and the key role played by some specimens. Among them, three samples are central in the debate: the Mauer mandible (as the holotype of Homo heidelbergensis), and the Arago and Atapuerca-SH samples. Our comparative analyses conclude that the Mauer and Arago samples derived from a single deme, and that Neandertal derived features that represent an incipient phase of the evolutionary process. The specimen AT-950 from the Atapuerca-SH sample has a number of structural similarities with Mauer, Arago and Montmaurin, which allows linking of this latter group with the complete Atapuerca-SH hypodigm. Consequently, all of these specimens are considered members of the Neandertal lineage. The fossil record illustrates a long evolutionary Neandertal lineage going back at least 0.6 million years. Against populational-based interpretations, we favor a structuralist approach and follow Enlow's counterpart growth analysis and compensatory growth mechanisms for interpretation of the EMPH diversity. In this framework, morphometric cranio-mandibular variation in hominin samples from the European Middle Pleistonece must be contemplated within the head form vertical variation pattern (e.g. vertical dolicho- and brachyfacial form spectrum) widespread in Hominoid species., This work was supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Spain projects CGL2012-36682, CGL2016-75109-P, and CGL2015-63648-P.

Neandertals disappeared from the fossil record around 40,000 bp, after a demographic history of small and isolated groups with high but variable levels of inbreeding, and episodes of interbreeding with other Paleolithic hominins. It is reasonable to expect that high levels of endogamy could be expressed in the skeleton of at least some Neandertal groups. Genetic studies indicate that the 13 individuals from the site of El Sidrón, Spain, dated around 49,000 bp, constituted a closely related kin group, making these Neandertals an appropriate case study for the observation of skeletal signs of inbreeding. We present the complete study of the 1674 identified skeletal specimens from El Sidrón. Altogether, 17 congenital anomalies were observed (narrowing of the internal nasal fossa, retained deciduous canine, clefts of the first cervical vertebra, unilateral hypoplasia of the second cervical vertebra, clefting of the twelfth thoracic vertebra, diminutive thoracic or lumbar rib, os centrale carpi and bipartite scaphoid, tripartite patella, left foot anomaly and cuboid-navicular coalition), with at least four individuals presenting congenital conditions (clefts of the first cervical vertebra). At 49,000 years ago, the Neandertals from El Sidrón, with genetic and skeletal evidence of inbreeding, could be representative of the beginning of the demographic collapse of this hominin phenotype., This research was supported by a grant from the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad of Spain (CGL2016-75-109-P and Convenio Principado de Asturias–Universidad de Oviedo CN-09–084). L.R. was founded by the Juan de la Cierva program (Spanish Government) and thanks Asier Gómez-Olivencia for providing Neandertal and modern human metric data for the second cervical vertebra and for the discussion of several aspects of the hominin cervical spine. A.E. is founded by the Juan de la Cierva program (Spanish Government). Y.Q. received support from Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia Project N° CGL2015-65387-C3-2-P, MINECO-FEDER and a Predoctoral Grant, University of Burgos. T.L.K is funded by the HP7 European Research Council Starting Grant #336301.

Objectives During the microscopic examination of the Neandertal dentitions from El Sidron (Spain) and Hortus (France), we found unusual fine parallel microstriations on the mesial and distal sides of all tooth types, near the cervix. As its appearance was similar to toothpick grooves described in other Homo species, it could correspond to early stages on its formation. To test this hypothesis we developed an experimental replication of a groove using grass stalks. Materials and Methods Comparisons between 204 isolated Neandertal teeth and the two experimental dental specimens corroborate that the marks correspond to initial stages of toothpick groove formation, and we propose a five-grade recording scale that summarized the groove formation process. Results Using this new recording procedure, we found that Hortus individuals have higher incidence of this trait (eight individuals out of nine) than the El Sidron individuals (nine out of 11). Toothpick grooves from El Sidron show the earliest stages of development, whereas the grooves found on Hortus Neandertals were well-developed. Toothpick grooves were also found in 21 incisors and canines. Conclusions These differences could be due to the more advanced occlusal dental wear in Hortus individuals, maybe age-related and with a more meat-based diet maybe favoring the inclusion of food debris and thus probing as the cleaning methodology. Our results allow the identification and characterization of incipient toothpick grooves on the human fossil record and contribute to increase our knowledge on Neandertals behavioral and oral care habits.

Analysis of dental calculus is increasingly important in archaeology, although the focus has hitherto been on dietary reconstruction. Non-edible material has, however, recently been extracted from the dental calculus of a Neanderthal population from the 49 000-year-old site of El Sidrón, Spain, in the form of fibre and chemical compounds that indicate conifer wood. Associated dental wear confirms that the teeth were being used for non-dietary activities. These results highlight the importance of dental calculus as a source of wider biographical information, and demonstrate the need to include associated data within research, in particular tooth wear, to maximise this valuable resource., Research and fieldwork at the El Sidrón site is funded by the Principado de Asturias and the Spanish Government (Project CGL2012-36682)

Kuhlwilm, M. et al., It has been shown that Neanderthals contributed genetically to modern humans outside Africa 47,000-65,000 years ago. Here we analyse the genomes of a Neanderthal and a Denisovan from the Altai Mountains in Siberia together with the sequences of chromosome 21 of two Neanderthals from Spain and Croatia. We find that a population that diverged early from other modern humans in Africa contributed genetically to the ancestors of Neanderthals from the Altai Mountains roughly 100,000 years ago. By contrast, we do not detect such a genetic contribution in the Denisovan or the two European Neanderthals. We conclude that in addition to later interbreeding events, the ancestors of Neanderthals from the Altai Mountains and early modern humans met and interbred, possibly in the Near East, many thousands of years earlier than previously thought., The Max Planck Society, the Krekeler Foundation, MINECO (grants BFU2014-55090-P FEDER, BFU2015-7116-ERC and BFU2015-6215-ERC to T.M-B. and BFU2012-34157 FEDER to C.L.-F.)

The first cervical vertebra (atlas, C1) is an important element of the vertebral column because it connects the cranial base with the cervical column, thus helping to maintain head posture and contributing to neck mobility. However, few atlases are preserved in the fossil record because of the fragility of this vertebra. Consequently, only eight well-preserved atlases from adult Neandertals have been recovered and described. Here, we present nine new atlas remains from the El Sidrón Neandertal site (Asturias, Spain), two of which (SD-1643 and SD-1605/1595) are sufficiently well preserved to allow for a detailed comparative and three-dimensional geometric morphometric analysis. We compared standard linear measurements of SD-1643 and SD-1605/1595 with those of other Neandertal atlases and carried out three-dimensional geometric morphometric analyses to compare size and shape of SD-1643 and SD-1605/1595 with those of 28 Pan (Pan troglodytes and Pan paniscus), a broad comparative sample of 55 anatomically modern humans from African and European populations, and other fossil hominins (Neandertals, Homo antecessor, Paranthropus boisei). The El Sidrón atlas fossils show typical features of the Neandertal atlas morphology, such as caudal projection of the anterior tubercle, gracility of both the posterior tubercle and the tuberosity for the insertion of the transverse ligament, and an anteroposteriorly elongated neural canal. Furthermore, when compared with atlases from the other taxa, Neandertals exhibit species-specific features of atlas morphology including a relatively lower lateral mass height, relatively narrower transverse foramina, and flatter and more horizontally oriented articular facets. Some of these features fit with previous suggestions of shorter overall length of the cervical spine and potential differences in craniocervical posture and mobility. Our results may support a different spinopelvic alignment in this species, as the atlas morphology suggests reduced cervical lordosis., This researchwas supported by grants from the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad of Spain (CGL 2015-63648-P and CGL 2016-75-109-P). The European Commission's Research Infrastructure Action funded CAP and DGM via the SYNTHESYS PLUS Project (BE-TAF-5939, FR-TAF-52, DK-TAF-6405, and DK-TAF-3494). DGM was funded by the American Museum of Natural History (collection studygrant; Alaskan Inuit collection) and by the Juan de la Cierva Formacion program (FJCI-2017-32157), from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities

Entheses have rarely been systematically studied in the field of human evolution. However, the investigation of their morphological variability (e.g., robusticity) could provide new insight into their evolutionary significance in the European Neanderthal populations. The aim of this work is to study the entheses and joint features of the lower limbs of El Sidrón Neanderthals (Spain; 49 ka), using standardized scoring methods developed on modern samples. Paleobiology, growth, and development of both juveniles and adults from El Sidrón are studied and compared with those of Krapina Neanderthals (Croatia, 130 ka) and extant humans. The morphological patterns of the gluteus maximus and vastus intermedius entheses in El Sidrón, Krapina, and modern humans differ from one another. Both Neanderthal groups show a definite enthesis design for the gluteus maximus, with little intrapopulation variability with respect to modern humans, who are characterized by a wider range of morphological variability. The gluteus maximus enthesis in the El Sidrón sample shows the osseous features of fibrous entheses, as in modern humans, whereas the Krapina sample shows the aspects of fibrocartilaginous ones. The morphology and anatomical pattern of this enthesis has already been established during growth in all three human groups. One of two and three of five adult femurs from El Sidrón and from Krapina, respectively, show the imprint of the vastus intermedius, which is absent among juveniles from those Neanderthal samples and in modern samples. The scant intrapopulation and the high interpopulation variability in the two Neanderthal samples is likely due to a long-term history of small, isolated populations with high levels of inbreeding, who also lived in different ecological conditions. The comparison of different anatomical entheseal patterns (fibrous vs. fibrocartilaginous) in the Neanderthals and modern humans provides additional elements in the discussion of their functional and genetic origin., This work is funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness: CGL2016-75109-P.

This research was supported by the Direccion General de Investigacion of the Ministry of Ciencia, Innovacion y Universidades of Spain (MICINN/FEDER), grant numbers (CGL2016-75109-P, CGL2015-63648-P).

The comment by DeSilva challenges our suggestion that brain growth of the El Sidrón J1 Neandertal was still incomplete at 7.7 years of age. Evidence suggests that endocranial volume is likely to represent less than 90% adult size at El Sidrón as well as Neandertal male plus Krapina samples, in line with further evidence from endocranial surface histology and dural sinus groove size.

© The Author(s) 2018., Our most recent fossil relatives, the Neanderthals, had a large brain and a very heavy body compared to modern humans. This type of body requires high levels of energetic intake. While food (meat and fat consumption) is a source of energy, oxygen via respiration is also necessary for metabolism. We would therefore expect Neanderthals to have large respiratory capacities. Here we estimate the pulmonary capacities of Neanderthals, based on costal measurements and physiological data from a modern human comparative sample. The Kebara 2 male had a lung volume of about 9.04 l; Tabun C1, a female individual, a lung volume of 5.85 l; and a Neanderthal from the El Sidrón site, a lung volume of 9.03 l. These volumes are approximately 20% greater than the corresponding volumes of modern humans of the same body size and sex. These results show that the Neanderthal body was highly sensitive to energy supply., This research is funded by CGL-2012–37279, CGL-2015–63648-P, CGL2016–75109-P (Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness, Spain), PI10/02089 (Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria, Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality Spain) and the Leakey Foundation.