Peter de Barros Damgaard, Rui Martiniano, J. Kamm
et al.
Ancient steppes for human equestrians The Eurasian steppes reach from the Ukraine in Europe to Mongolia and China. Over the past 5000 years, these flat grasslands were thought to be the route for the ebb and flow of migrant humans, their horses, and their languages. de Barros Damgaard et al. probed whole-genome sequences from the remains of 74 individuals found across this region. Although there is evidence for migration into Europe from the steppes, the details of human movements are complex and involve independent acquisitions of horse cultures. Furthermore, it appears that the Indo-European Hittite language derived from Anatolia, not the steppes. The steppe people seem not to have penetrated South Asia. Genetic evidence indicates an independent history involving western Eurasian admixture into ancient South Asian peoples. Science, this issue p. eaar7711 Ancient DNA from the Asian steppe elucidates the origins and movement of Indo-European languages. INTRODUCTION According to the commonly accepted “steppe hypothesis,” the initial spread of Indo-European (IE) languages into both Europe and Asia took place with migrations of Early Bronze Age Yamnaya pastoralists from the Pontic-Caspian steppe. This is believed to have been enabled by horse domestication, which revolutionized transport and warfare. Although in Europe there is much support for the steppe hypothesis, the impact of Early Bronze Age Western steppe pastoralists in Asia, including Anatolia and South Asia, remains less well understood, with limited archaeological evidence for their presence. Furthermore, the earliest secure evidence of horse husbandry comes from the Botai culture of Central Asia, whereas direct evidence for Yamnaya equestrianism remains elusive. RATIONALE We investigated the genetic impact of Early Bronze Age migrations into Asia and interpret our findings in relation to the steppe hypothesis and early spread of IE languages. We generated whole-genome shotgun sequence data (~1 to 25 X average coverage) for 74 ancient individuals from Inner Asia and Anatolia, as well as 41 high-coverage present-day genomes from 17 Central Asian ethnicities. RESULTS We show that the population at Botai associated with the earliest evidence for horse husbandry derived from an ancient hunter-gatherer ancestry previously seen in the Upper Paleolithic Mal’ta (MA1) and was deeply diverged from the Western steppe pastoralists. They form part of a previously undescribed west-to-east cline of Holocene prehistoric steppe genetic ancestry in which Botai, Central Asians, and Baikal groups can be modeled with different amounts of Eastern hunter-gatherer (EHG) and Ancient East Asian genetic ancestry represented by Baikal_EN. In Anatolia, Bronze Age samples, including from Hittite speaking settlements associated with the first written evidence of IE languages, show genetic continuity with preceding Anatolian Copper Age (CA) samples and have substantial Caucasian hunter-gatherer (CHG)–related ancestry but no evidence of direct steppe admixture. In South Asia, we identified at least two distinct waves of admixture from the west, the first occurring from a source related to the Copper Age Namazga farming culture from the southern edge of the steppe, who exhibit both the Iranian and the EHG components found in many contemporary Pakistani and Indian groups from across the subcontinent. The second came from Late Bronze Age steppe sources, with a genetic impact that is more localized in the north and west. CONCLUSION Our findings reveal that the early spread of Yamnaya Bronze Age pastoralists had limited genetic impact in Anatolia as well as Central and South Asia. As such, the Asian story of Early Bronze Age expansions differs from that of Europe. Intriguingly, we find that direct descendants of Upper Paleolithic hunter-gatherers of Central Asia, now extinct as a separate lineage, survived well into the Bronze Age. These groups likely engaged in early horse domestication as a prey-route transition from hunting to herding, as otherwise seen for reindeer. Our findings further suggest that West Eurasian ancestry entered South Asia before and after, rather than during, the initial expansion of western steppe pastoralists, with the later event consistent with a Late Bronze Age entry of IE languages into South Asia. Finally, the lack of steppe ancestry in samples from Anatolia indicates that the spread of the earliest branch of IE languages into that region was not associated with a major population migration from the steppe. Model-based admixture proportions for selected ancient and present-day individuals, assuming K = 6, shown with their corresponding geographical locations. Ancient groups are represented by larger admixture plots, with those sequenced in the present work surrounded by black borders and others used for providing context with blue borders. Present-day South Asian groups are represented by smaller admixture plots with dark red borders. The Yamnaya expansions from the western steppe into Europe and Asia during the Early Bronze Age (~3000 BCE) are believed to have brought with them Indo-European languages and possibly horse husbandry. We analyzed 74 ancient whole-genome sequences from across Inner Asia and Anatolia and show that the Botai people associated with the earliest horse husbandry derived from a hunter-gatherer population deeply diverged from the Yamnaya. Our results also suggest distinct migrations bringing West Eurasian ancestry into South Asia before and after, but not at the time of, Yamnaya culture. We find no evidence of steppe ancestry in Bronze Age Anatolia from when Indo-European languages are attested there. Thus, in contrast to Europe, Early Bronze Age Yamnaya-related migrations had limited direct genetic impact in Asia.
Abstract The Phanerozoic record of Southeast Asia preserves the history of opening and subsequent consumption of the Paleotethyan Ocean and the assembly of continental fragments into Asia as part of the broader-scale reconstruction of Pangea. However, uncertainty remains as to which of the many suture zones in Southeast Asia represents the relict of the main ocean, when final ocean closure occurred, and the assembly history of the Eastern Cimmerian and Southeast Asia continental fragments. Our overview of the geological features of the suture zones, the bounding continental fragments and their magmatic, metamorphic and sedimentary records resolves many of these key issues. The sedimentary, biogeographical, structural, lithological, geochemical and geochronological data from the Changning-Menglian, Inthanon and Bentong-Raub suture zones argue for their linkage with the Longmu Co-Shuanghu suture zone in Central Tibet, and together constitute the main East Paleotethyan Ocean relict. The eastward subduction of the ocean resulted in the development of a series of magmatic arc-back-arc basin and continental fragments in Southeast Asia, including, from west to east, the Lincang-Sukhothai-East Malaya arc, the Jinghong-Nan-Sa Kaeo back-arc basin, the Simao/west Indochina fragment, the Luang Prabang-Loei back-arc basin, the south Indochina fragment, the Wusu and Truong Son back-arc basins, the north Indochina fragment, the Jinshajiang-Ailaoshan-Song Ma branch/back-arc basin and the South China Block. Assembly of these fragments resulted in Indosinian high temperature and high pressure metamorphism and related tectonothermal event. Available data indicate a switch from subduction of the main East Paleotethyan Ocean to the collision of the Sibumasu with Simao/Indochina blocks at ~ 237 Ma, with subsequent syn- and post-collisional events at ~ 237–230 Ma and ~ 230–200 Ma, respectively, along the Changning-Menglian, Inthanon and Bentong-Raub suture zones. The timing of initial-, syn- and post-collision events along the Jinshajiang-Ailaoshan-Song Ma suture zone with its record of back-arc basin closure is at ~ 247 Ma, ~ 247–237 Ma and ~ 237–200 Ma, generally ~ 10 Ma older than that along the Changning-Menglian, Inthanon and Bentong-Raub suture zones. Our synthesis of all available data enables establishment of a comprehensive geodynamic model for the East Paleotethyan evolution. This model links the spatial-temporal pattern across Southeast Asia into a series of tectonic events including ocean/back-arc basin opening, subduction/closure, subsequent assemblage and orogenic collapse, along with associated igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary activities.
The domestic Bactrian camels were treated as one of the principal means of locomotion between the eastern and western cultures in history. However, whether they originated from East Asia or Central Asia remains elusive. To address this question, we perform whole-genome sequencing of 128 camels across Asia. The extant wild and domestic Bactrian camels show remarkable genetic divergence, as they were split from dromedaries. The wild Bactrian camels also contribute little to the ancestry of domestic ones, although they share close habitat in East Asia. Interestingly, among the domestic Bactrian camels, those from Iran exhibit the largest genetic distance and the earliest split from all others in the phylogeny, despite evident admixture between domestic Bactrian camels and dromedaries living in Central Asia. Taken together, our study support the Central Asian origin of domestic Bactrian camels, which were then immigrated eastward to Mongolia where native wild Bactrian camels inhabit. Ming, Yuan et al. performed whole-genome sequencing on 128 wild and domesticated Bactrian camels across Asia. They show that wild and domestic Bactrian camels are genetically diverged from dromedaries, and that wild camels contributed little to domestic camel ancestry despite sharing a habitat in East Asia.
Ramsul Nababan, Surya Dharma, Parlaungan Gabriel Siahaan
et al.
Globalization has influenced citizens' mindset, behavior, and attitudes, shifting traditional national values such as mutual cooperation, care, fairness, and mutual respect toward more individualistic and egocentric orientations. These changes pose a serious challenge to shaping national character, particularly among university students. This study aims to develop a Global Civics Learning Model Based on National Projects to strengthen students' character in embracing diversity. The research employed a Research and Development (R&D) approach using the 4-D model: Define, Design, Develop, and Disseminate. Data were analyzed using the Independent Sample T-Test to assess the model's effectiveness. The results indicate that the model has a very high level of validity, with content validation scoring an average of 94.72% and construct validation at 94.20%. Effectiveness testing revealed a significant difference between the experimental and control groups (sig. < 0.001), demonstrating the model’s effectiveness in enhancing students’ character related to global diversity. It is recommended that the model be applied more widely in civic education courses to cultivate national identity while promoting global citizenship values among students.
Abstract
Shiism experienced a significant crisis following the tragedy of Ashura characterized by oppression, fear, isolation, and the practice of taqiyyah. This study focused on the strategies employed by Imam Sajjad (A.S.) to revive Shiism in the aftermath of this event. Specifically, it addressed this question: How can we analyze Imam Sajjad’s strategies for revitalizing Shiism after the Ashura event? It appeared that Imam Sajjad (A.S.) utilized components of diffusion theory—namely, the destination of diffusion (environments that were both receptive and intolerant, along with political and cultural barriers), paths of diffusion (including displacement, contagious, and hierarchical diffusion), and timing of diffusion. By leveraging various tools, such as the community's reverence for the Prophet’s family, he transformed the emotional landscape created after Ashura, mitigating the effects of the oppressive Umayyad regime and countering the influence of pro-Umayyad scholars. Through initiatives like cadre building and promoting pilgrimage, he effectively revived Shiism after the Ashura event. This research elucidated Imam Sajjad's actions through the lens of diffusion theory, demonstrating how Shiism was revitalized in the wake of Ashura. Employing a historical methodology, the study analyzed Imam Sajjad's activities aimed at reviving Shiism, including cadre development, exposing Umayyad injustices, mobilizing the populace post-Karbala, challenging beliefs in predestination, elucidating the fundamental principles of Imamate, addressing key issues, and countering deviation through prayer and supplication.
Keywords: Strategies of Imam Sajjad (A.S.), Revival of Shiism, Ashura Event, Diffusion Theory, Umayyad Era.
Introduction
The era of Imam Sajjad (A.S.), which commenced on Ashura in 61 AH, unfolded under exceptional circumstances. The oppressive measures of the Umayyads coupled with the suppression of dissenting movements and emergence of deviant intellectual currents underscored the urgent need for the revitalization of Shiite life. In light of the political, social, and cultural conditions of his time, Imam Sajjad (A.S.) adopted various approaches to articulate the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt, employing methods, such as prayer and pilgrimage. This study sought to analyze how Imam Sajjad (A.S.) revived Shiism following the Ashura event and identify the factors that influenced this revival. Several books and articles have been published regarding Imam Sajjad's role in the resurgence of Shiism. Notably, Seyyed Ja'far Shahidi's Life of Ali ibn al-Hussein (2001) examined and critiqued some well-known historical accounts of Imam Sajjad (A.S.). While this work shared common themes with the present research, it offered a new perspective by integrating theoretical frameworks. Additionally, Mohsen Ranjbar's Studying the Role of Imam Sajjad (A.S.) in Shiite Leadership after the Karbala Incident (2002) explored the cultural and political landscape of Imam Sajjad's era, focusing on his stance against the caliphate. However, this article distinguished itself by analyzing the environmental factors and components of diffusion theory relevant to Imam Sajjad's context. Another significant work was Madrasah Kalami Medinah from the Beginning to the Imamate of Imam Baqir (2024) written by Seyyed Ali Hussainizadeh from Khizrabad, which reviewed the history of Imamiyyah thought up to the end of Imam Sajjad's era through historical reports. Unlike the other two works, it did not provide an analysis of Imam Sajjad (A.S.) based on diffusion theory. Finally, Seyyed Gholam Hossein Hosseini's article, Headlines of the Political Movement of Imam Sajjad (A.S.) in the Karbala Movement (2002), touched upon similar themes; yet, it did not specifically apply diffusion theory, revealing a gap in independent research on this topic.
Materials & Methods
Diffusion theory introduced by Swedish geographer Hagerstrand in 1935, explored how innovations, phenomena, ideas, and thoughts spread. Initially applied to agriculture and disease transmission, this theory has since found relevance in political science and international relations. It effectively explains the reasons behind the spread of various intellectual and physical innovations, detailing how they disseminate, the pathways they follow, and the factors that may halt or re-ignite their spread. Additionally, it accounts for the stability of certain trends and the decline of others. In the modern era, cultural elements and innovations cross borders at unprecedented speeds, akin to jet travel and satellite communication. Contagious and hierarchical diffusion represent two rapid forms of expansion diffusion, where ideas and concepts migrate from new sources without the need for physical relocation. When analyzing the impact of any political innovation through the lens of diffusion theory, key factors like origin and destination, timeframes, tools, and channels of dissemination are considered. Furthermore, diffusion barriers and competing waves serve as mitigating factors that must be addressed in the examination of the phenomenon and its diffusion.
Research Findings
Imam Zayn al-Abidin (A.S.) aimed to restore order in a society that had succumbed to misguidance and moral decay, striving to revive authentic Islam (Shi'a). Alongside the Sahifa al-Sajjadiyah, which encapsulates the principles and teachings of Islam, the Treatise on Rights outlines fundamental rights that govern human life and ensure its happiness. Indeed, religion and Sharia were revealed to uphold these rights. Through this guidance, the Imam demonstrated that only an Imam, intimately connected to the source of revelation, possesses the authority to enact progressive laws that resonate with the human spirit.
Discussion of Results & Conclusion
The continuation of Umayyad rule under Yazid and Abdul Malik ibn Marwan following the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (A.S.) coupled with the atmosphere of fear and repression that ensued after the Ashura event posed significant challenges for Imam Sajjad (A.S.) in his efforts to revive and expand Shiism. Despite these obstacles, Imam Sajjad (A.S.) emerged as a pivotal figure in this revival, leveraging the emotional climate following events, such as the incident of Hurra and the destruction of Kaaba by Yazid's forces, alongside the public’s growing interest in the Prophet's family. To navigate the unwelcoming environment, the Imam implemented several strategies: he focused on training and building a cadre of supporters, exposed the injustices of the Umayyad regime, and sought to awaken the populace in the aftermath of Karbala. He also challenged the legitimacy of predestination and clarified the fundamental principles of Imamate. Through prayers and invocations, he addressed key issues and countered deviations, significantly advancing his goals. Utilizing methods like prayer and pilgrimage (path of diffusion) and disseminating religious concepts through his students and trained followers (path of contagion), Imam Sajjad (A.S.) endeavored to revive Shiism even amid the oppressive rule of the most tyrannical Umayyad caliphs, including Yazid and Abdul Malik ibn Marwan. This period marked a crucial phase in the diffusion of Shiism.
History (General) and history of Europe, History of Asia
Abstract Sino-Tibetan is the most prominent language family in East Asia. Previous genetic studies mainly focused on the Tibetan and Han Chinese populations. However, due to the sparse sampling, the genetic structure and admixture history of Tibeto-Burman-speaking populations in the low-altitude region of Southwest China still need to be clarified. We collected DNA from 157 individuals from four Tibeto-Burman-speaking groups from the Guizhou province in Southwest China. We genotyped the samples at about 700,000 genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms. Our results indicate that the genetic variation of the four Tibeto-Burman-speaking groups in Guizhou is at the intermediate position in the modern Tibetan-Tai-Kadai/Austronesian genetic cline. This suggests that the formation of Tibetan-Burman groups involved a large-scale gene flow from lowland southern Chinese. The southern ancestry could be further modelled as deriving from Vietnam’s Late Neolithic-related inland Southeast Asia agricultural populations and Taiwan’s Iron Age-related coastal rice-farming populations. Compared to the Tibeto-Burman speakers in the Tibetan-Yi Corridor reported previously, the Tibeto-Burman groups in the Guizhou region received additional gene flow from the southeast coastal area of China. We show a difference between the genetic profiles of the Tibeto-Burman speakers of the Tibetan-Yi Corridor and the Guizhou province. Vast mountain ranges and rivers in Southwest China may have decelerated the westward expansion of the southeast coastal East Asians. Our results demonstrate the complex genetic profile in the Guizhou region in Southwest China and support the multiple waves of human migration in the southern area of East Asia.
Abstract Background Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the skin, and genetic factors are reported to be involved in the disease pathogenesis. Many studies have named psoriasis candidate genes. Objective In this study, we determined the mutation frequency of 7 variable genes in 1,027 psoriatic patients and investigated its possible mechanism associated with psoriasis. Method A total of 7 variable genes from 1,027 psoriatic patients were amplified and sequenced using the Sanger method. The mutation frequency was compared to that of non‐psoriatic individuals in Asia using information from databases. Results Among the 7 investigated genes, the mutation frequency of ACOT12 (c.80A>G, 9.98% vs. 5.85%, p < .05) and CT62 (c.476C>T,15.8% vs. 9.93%, p < .05) was found to be significantly higher than among non‐psoriatic Asian individuals. The mutation frequencies of CASZ1(c.599T>G), SPRED1(c.155A>G), and ACOT12 (c.80A>G) differed significantly between the groups organized by medical history, PASI, and family history. SPRED1 gene variants (17.25% vs. 7.78%, p < .01) showed a stronger association with the family history group at the onset of psoriasis than with the no family history group. Conclusions Our results provide a comprehensive correlation analysis of susceptibility genes in psoriasis patients. Clinical characteristics of patients play important roles in the development of psoriatic skin.
Pierre Gladieux, Bradford Condon, Sebastien Ravel
et al.
ABSTRACT Delineating species and epidemic lineages in fungal plant pathogens is critical to our understanding of disease emergence and the structure of fungal biodiversity and also informs international regulatory decisions. Pyricularia oryzae (syn. Magnaporthe oryzae) is a multihost pathogen that infects multiple grasses and cereals, is responsible for the most damaging rice disease (rice blast), and is of growing concern due to the recent introduction of wheat blast to Bangladesh from South America. However, the genetic structure and evolutionary history of M. oryzae, including the possible existence of cryptic phylogenetic species, remain poorly defined. Here, we use whole-genome sequence information for 76 M. oryzae isolates sampled from 12 grass and cereal genera to infer the population structure of M. oryzae and to reassess the species status of wheat-infecting populations of the fungus. Species recognition based on genealogical concordance, using published data or extracting previously used loci from genome assemblies, failed to confirm a prior assignment of wheat blast isolates to a new species (Pyricularia graminis-tritici). Inference of population subdivisions revealed multiple divergent lineages within M. oryzae, each preferentially associated with one host genus, suggesting incipient speciation following host shift or host range expansion. Analyses of gene flow, taking into account the possibility of incomplete lineage sorting, revealed that genetic exchanges have contributed to the makeup of multiple lineages within M. oryzae. These findings provide greater understanding of the ecoevolutionary factors that underlie the diversification of M. oryzae and highlight the practicality of genomic data for epidemiological surveillance in this important multihost pathogen. IMPORTANCE Infection of novel hosts is a major route for disease emergence by pathogenic microorganisms. Understanding the evolutionary history of multihost pathogens is therefore important to better predict the likely spread and emergence of new diseases. Magnaporthe oryzae is a multihost fungus that causes serious cereal diseases, including the devastating rice blast disease and wheat blast, a cause of growing concern due to its recent spread from South America to Asia. Using whole-genome analysis of 76 fungal strains from different hosts, we have documented the divergence of M. oryzae into numerous lineages, each infecting a limited number of host species. Our analyses provide evidence that interlineage gene flow has contributed to the genetic makeup of multiple M. oryzae lineages within the same species. Plant health surveillance is therefore warranted to safeguard against disease emergence in regions where multiple lineages of the fungus are in contact with one another.
Introduction: Metabolic syndrome is one of the emerging health problems of the world. Its prevalence is high in urban areas. Though pathogenesis is complex, but the interaction of obesity, sedentary lifestyle, dietary, and genetic factors are known as contributing factors. Community-based studies were very few to find out the prevalence or predictors of the syndrome. Objectives: To ascertain the prevalence and epidemiological predictors of metabolic syndrome. Materials and Methods: A total of 690 study subjects were chosen by 30 clusters random sampling method from 43 wards of Durgapur city. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 20 software and binary logistic regression was done to find out statistical significance of the predictors. Results: Among 32.75% of the study population was diagnosed as metabolic syndrome according to National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III definition with a modification for Asia Pacific cut-off of waist circumference. Odds were more among females (2.43), upper social class (14.89), sedentary lifestyle (17.00), and positive family history. Conclusion: The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was high in urban areas of Durgapur. Increased age, female gender, higher social status, sedentary lifestyle, positive family history, and higher education were the statistically significant predictors of metabolic syndrome.