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Neutron activation analysis (NAA) has been applied to a set of red-figure pottery fragments excavated in Olympia, in Elis: (a) to determine the provenance of these vases, since this is difficult by archaeological means, and the vessels might be local Elean or Attic, Corinthian or Italian products; and (b) to determine the characteristic elemental pattern of the clay paste prepared by the potters of this Elean region. Included for comparison are several Corinthian sherds excavated in Kyme, Italy, that are archaeologically classified as exports from Corinthia to Italy, and fragments of local Italian Corinthian imitations. The majority of the red-figure vases were made locally in the north-western Peloponnese and show the elemental pattern termed OlyA, which is represented in many vases and clay samples from this region that were known previously. It is not very different from the well-known pattern of the north-eastern Peloponnese (Argolid/Corinth) termed MYBE (Mycenae/Berbati), but can be separated by its lower Cs, Rb and K concentrations, as proven by many sherds from the Argolid and wasters from Berbati. Only a few red-figure vessels are imports from Attica, but none come from Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper, jointly written by participants of a workshop held in 2021, argues for an increased recognition and application of neutron activation analysis (NAA) in the archaeology of the ancient Mediterranean. Discussing the methodological strengths and challenges, it highlights the great potential NAA has for collecting proxy data from ceramics in order to develop progressive concepts of archaeological research within and beyond the Mediterranean Bronze and Iron Age, pointing out opportunities to revisit long-held assumptions of scholarship and to refine visual/macroscopic provenance determinations of pottery. To take full advantage of NAA's strengths toward a better understanding of the socioeconomic background of ceramics production, distribution, and consumption, the paper emphasises the need for both interdisciplinary collaboration and basic data publication requirements., Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12520-023-01728-1., Competing Interests: Competing interestsThe authors declare no competing interests., (© The Author(s) 2023.)

Skeletal disorders of the fetus are quite common. The incidence is about 5:1000 pregnancies. The disorders affect the extremities or parts of them (dysmelia), the whole skeleton (skeletal dysplasia), the skull (craniosynostosis) and the spine (dysostosis, caudal regression). About half of these diseases are complex. In the majority of cases the complex disorders are caused by single gene mutations or numeric or structural chromosomal aberrations. We explain the classification and diagnostic criteria for prenatal expert and screening ultrasound based on frequent disorders. The main diagnostic challenge concerning malformations of the limbs and craniosynostosis is to find out if they are isolated or symptoms of certain syndromes. In skeletal dysplasia it is clinically important to differentiate lethal entities from non-lethal., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Purpose: Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, a potentially life-threatening heritable disorder, may be recognized already in utero by characteristic features such as oligodontia and mandibular hypoplasia. As therapeutic options and prognosis depend on the time point of diagnosis, early recognition was attempted during routine prenatal ultrasound examinations., Subjects and Methods: Fetuses of nine pregnant women (one triplet and eight singleton pregnancies) with family histories of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia were investigated by sonography between the 20th and 24th week of gestation., Results: In 4 male and 2 female fetuses reduced amounts of tooth germs were detected, whereas 5 fetal subjects showed the normal amount. Three-dimensional ultrasound evaluation revealed mandibular hypoplasia in 5 of the 6 fetuses with oligodontia. Molecular genetic analysis and/or clinical findings after birth confirmed the prenatal sonographic diagnosis in each subject., Conclusion: In subjects with a family history of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, the diagnosis of this rare condition can be established noninvasively by sonography in the second trimester of pregnancy. Early recognition of the disorder may help to prevent dangerous hyperthermic episodes in infancy and may allow timely therapeutic interventions., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)