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Domestication of horses fundamentally transformed long-range mobility and warfare1. However, modern domesticated breeds do not descend from the earliest domestic horse lineage associated with archaeological evidence of bridling, milking and corralling2-4 at Botai, Central Asia around 3500 BC3. Other longstanding candidate regions for horse domestication, such as Iberia5 and Anatolia6, have also recently been challenged. Thus, the genetic, geographic and temporal origins of modern domestic horses have remained unknown. Here we pinpoint the Western Eurasian steppes, especially the lower Volga-Don region, as the homeland of modern domestic horses. Furthermore, we map the population changes accompanying domestication from 273 ancient horse genomes. This reveals that modern domestic horses ultimately replaced almost all other local populations as they expanded rapidly across Eurasia from about 2000 BC, synchronously with equestrian material culture, including Sintashta spoke-wheeled chariots. We find that equestrianism involved strong selection for critical locomotor and behavioural adaptations at the GSDMC and ZFPM1 genes. Our results reject the commonly held association7 between horseback riding and the massive expansion of Yamnaya steppe pastoralists into Europe around 3000 BC8,9 driving the spread of Indo-European languages10. This contrasts with the scenario in Asia where Indo-Iranian languages, chariots and horses spread together, following the early second millennium BC Sintashta culture11,12.

Over 20 years ago, an inspiring text by Lech Czerniak (The Neolithic – What’s That?) on understanding the concept of the Neolithic was published. For the present author, the Lech Czerniak’s discourse on the Neolithic was for many years and, to a large extent still is, a conceptual basis for understanding and presenting this issue. This contribution is an examination of the current relevance of Lech Czerniak’s theses. Furthermore, starting from this basis, a subjective attempt will be made to put the topic in some order, since a lack of clarity as to what the Neolithic is and what is not hampers and complicates research activities. Particularly, perhaps a fundamental issue will be assessed whether the concept of Neolithic in any measure reflects the past reality or reflects only our perceptions of that past. Conclusions resulted of the argumentation assume that there were indeed different and real Neolithics in the past. However, these Neolithics had a common denominator, in the form of “new” socio-organizational, ideological, mental, and consequently also meaning structures. They were a prerequisite for the existence of the Neolithic formation. Situations that can be labelled as the Neolithic are reflected archaeologically by the predominance of elements of the “Neolithic package” within a given sector of the cultural system.

A hard anodic oxide coating's characteristic porous structure allows for its modification by the incorporation of nanoparticles. However, achieving an appropriate microstructure requires an optimal pore arrangement and shape, which is influenced by the electrolyte composition, current densities, temperature, and processing time. To achieve pores with a diameter of about 50 nm and the most regular structure, a range of these parameters were tested. Using a two-stage manufacturing process had a beneficial effect on increasing the microporosity of the coating. The addition of phthalic acid at 0 °C did not increase the pore diameter, but allowed for the process to be carried out at higher temperatures. However, the coating produced at 20 °C had a larger pore diameter, but numerous defects. The coating obtained from the three-component solution had the most regular structure, but the smallest pore diameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Origins of the Neolithic in the north-eastern part of Central Europe were associated with migrations of groups of the Linear Pottery culture after the mid-sixth millennium BC, as in other parts of Central Europe. During these migrations, a careful selection of settlement regions took place, in terms of the ecological conditions most favourable for agriculture. The enclave-like pattern of the Neolithic settlement persisted into the fifth millennium BC when these enclaves were inhabited by post-Linear groups. The remaining areas, inhabited by hunter-gatherers, were not subject to direct Neolithisation. However, there are some indications of contact between farmers and hunter-gatherers. This situation changed from c. 4000 BC onwards because of the formation and spectacular territorial expansion of the Funnel Beaker culture (TRB). This archaeological unit for the first time covered in a relatively compact way the territory under consideration. The human substratum of this process consisted of both hunter-gatherers and farmers. Consequently, one can discourse about Neolithisation as such only in the former case. Not all Late Mesolithic hunter-gatherers accepted TRB patterns. Those communities still successfully carried on traditional lifestyle, gradually supplementing it with pottery (para-Neolithic). Their Neolithisation ended perhaps only in the first half of the second millennium BC.

Ovarian cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women. There is an ongoing need to develop new biomarkers and targeted therapies to improve patient outcomes. One of the most critical research areas in ovarian cancer is identifying tumor microenvironment (TME) functions. TME consists of tumor-infiltrating immune cells, matrix, endothelial cells, pericytes, fibroblasts, and other stromal cells. Tumor invasion and growth depend on the multifactorial crosstalk between tumor cells and immune cells belonging to the TME. MiRNAs, which belong to non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally control the expression of target genes, regulate immune responses within the TME, shaping the landscape of the intrinsic environment of tumor cells. Aberrant expression of miRNAs may lead to the pathological dysfunction of signaling pathways or cancer cell-regulatory factors. Cell-to-cell communication between infiltrating immune cells and the tumor may depend on exosomes containing multiple miRNAs. MiRNAs may exert both immunosuppressive and immunoreactive responses, which may cause cancer cell elimination or survival. In this review, we highlighted recent advances in the field of miRNAs shaping the landscape of immune cells in the TME. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on high-entropy spinels, which represent a rapidly growing group of materials with physicochemical properties that make them suitable for hydrogen energy applications. The influence of high-pressure pure hydrogen on the chemical stability of three high-entropy oxide (HEO) sinter samples with a spinel structure was investigated. Multicomponent HEO samples were obtained via mechanochemical synthesis (MS) combined with high-temperature thermal treatment. Performing the free sintering procedure on powders after MS at 1000 °C for 3 h in air enabled achieving single-phase (Cr0.2Fe0.2Mg0.2Mn0.2Ni0.2)3O4 and (Cu0.2Fe0.2Mg0.2Ni0.2Ti0.2)3O4 powders with a spinel structure, and in the case of (Cu0.2Fe0.2Mg0.2Ti0.2Zn0.2)3O4, a spinel phase in the amount of 95 wt.% was achieved. A decrease in spinel phase crystallite size and an increase in lattice strains were established in the synthesized spinel powders. The hydrogenation of the synthesized samples in a high-pressure hydrogen atmosphere was investigated using Sievert's technique. The results of XRD, SEM, and EDS investigations clearly showed that pure hydrogen at temperatures of up to 250 °C and a pressure of up to 40 bar did not significantly impact the structure and microstructure of the (Cr0.2Fe0.2Mg0.2Mn0.2Ni0.2)3O4 ceramic, which demonstrates its potential for application in hydrogen technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To compare utility of carcinoma antigen 125 (CA125), human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA), risk of malignancy index (RMI) and subjective assessment (SA) in preoperative diagnosis of ovarian tumors. Material and methods: Research was conducted among 456 patients qualified for surgery due to ovarian tumor. Preoperatively, CA125 and HE4 serum levels were estimated, and transvaginal ultrasound was performed. ROMA and RMI values and SA qualifications were obtained. Results were compared with pathomorphological findings. Results: Receiver operating characteristic (ROC)-area under curve (AUC) values for CA125, HE4, ROMA, RMI and SA in preoperative diagnosis of malignant lesions were 0.819, 0.909, 0.911, 0.895 and 0.895, respectively. Combinations of biochemical and sonographic methods increased sensitivity in diagnosis of ovarian tumors. Combinations utilizing serum HE4 concentrations were most useful. Conclusions: CA125, HE4, ROMA, RMI and SA proved to be useful in preoperative diagnosis of ovarian tumors. HE4 and ROMA occurred to be the most useful. Ultrasonographic methods are considerably useful in diagnosis of ovarian tumors. RMI and SA present similar overall diagnostic value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Binary Ti100-x–Cux (x = 1.6 and 3.0 wt.%) alloys were produced by the application of mechanical alloying and powder metallurgy processes. The influence of the copper concentration in titanium on the microstructure and properties of bulk alloys was investigated. The synthesized materials were characterized by an X-ray diffraction technique, scanning electron microscopy, and chemical composition determination. The electrochemical and corrosion properties were also investigated. Cold compaction and sintering reduced the content of α-Ti content in Ti98.4–Cu1.6 and Ti97–Cu3 alloys to 92.4% and 83.7%, respectively. Open Circuit Potential measurements showed a positive shift after the addition of copper, suggesting a potential deterioration in the corrosion resistance of the Ti–Cu alloys compared to pure Ti. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy analysis revealed significant improvement in electrical conductivity after the addition of copper. Corrosion testing results demonstrated compromised corrosion resistance of Ti–Cu alloys compared to pure Ti. In summary, the comprehensive investigation of Ti100-x–Cux alloys provides valuable insights for potential applications in biosensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]