Bordeaux Montaigne University (French: Université Bordeaux Montaigne) is a French university, based in Bordeaux (Gironde). It is under the Academy of Bordeaux.From 1 January 2014, the university of Bordeaux were reunited, except for "Bordeaux 3" (Bordeaux Montaigne University) which chose not to take part to the merger.
This study investigates the enamel-dentine junction (EDJ) morphology of the first and second mandibular molars (LM1 and LM2) in late Middle Stone Age (MSA) hominins from northwestern Africa, associated with Aterian technocomplexes. These Aterian specimens are compared with fossil Homo sapiens from Jebel Irhoud, Qafzeh, Skhul, and Die Kelders, as well as with large samples of H. neanderthalensis and recent H. sapiens. By focusing exclusively on the EDJ, this study aims to clarify the evolutionary relationships between Aterians and other hominin groups during the Late Pleistocene. Using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), we analyzed the EDJ in three dimensions, enabling detailed geometric morphometric comparisons. The results reveal a clear trend of molar size reduction within the H. sapiens lineage, as well as a morphological distinction between H. neanderthalensis and all forms of H. sapiens. Aterians are distinct from all other groups due to the larger size of their dentition. Morphologically, the EDJ of the Aterian sample aligns more closely with the sample of fossil H. sapiens than with the sample of H. neanderthalensis, particularly in LM1s. LM2s display greater variability, with some specimens, such as El Harhoura LRM2 overlapping the range of variation observed in H. neanderthalensis. However, this overlap likely reflects the retention of primitive traits within Aterians, due partially to their geological age and partially to their larger size. Our findings contribute to broader discussions on the morphological diversity and evolutionary pathways of fossil H. sapiens. The mosaic of dental traits observed in Aterian hominins is discussed in context of regional variations in the evolutionary trajectories of Late Pleistocene hominin populations.
Among the most recurring motifs in the prehistoric rock-art corpus, handprints stand out as one of the most significant elements due to their dual nature, both artistic and fossil. These markings represent a unique source of information for characterizing the corresponding artists and the social and cultural context of prehistoric communities. This study focuses on a comprehensive characterization of the phenomenon of Upper Palaeolithic hand representations from a multidimensional perspective, combining various theoretical and methodological approaches. By offering a holistic view, the aim is to contextualize these artistic expressions within a broader framework that includes biological, social, cultural, spatial and technological considerations. The study revisits classical documentation on hand representations and brings new perspectives through experiments and analyses conducted under conditions that replicate, as closely as possible, the physical and technological characteristics of the Upper Palaeolithic. These new perspectives broaden our understanding of these artistic expressions and their significance within prehistoric societies, shedding light on their potential role within rock art and their functional and symbolic meaning.
PurposeThe adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is among the most pressing topics in contemporary corporate communication research. However, there are, so far, little empirical studies on how AI is actually implemented and how it is changing professional communication practice.Design/methodology/approachWe apply the perspective of sociotechnical systems theory to explore current AI use and application in large corporate communication departments. Through qualitative interviews with a sample (n = 30) of chief communication officers (CCOs) from the 300 largest corporations in Europe, we examine AI implementation at the intersection of tasks, organizational structures, processes and technological properties of AI tools.FindingsFindings reveal that the often-touted AI-induced structural shifts in communication departments are, thus far, hardly observable. The most advanced use cases of AI remain strategically limited to experimentation (i.e. "sandboxing") or non-sensitive tasks. Currently, the primary areas of change involve training and upskilling. Results highlight important dualities in AI implementation: while AI enhances operational efficiency, it also presents challenges related to governance, technology integration and the ongoing need for human engagement in creative and strategic tasks.Originality/valueThe present study draws on a highly senior sample of communication executives to provide novel insight into the state of AI implementation and use in large corporate communication departments.
In this paper, I explore the young Foucault's engagement with phenomenology in his master's thesis, The Constitution of a Historical Transcendental in Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit. I begin by outlining the context of this early work (Section 1), followed by a brief summary of the thesis and its overall argumentative structure (Section 2). In Section 3, I analyze Foucault's critique of Kant, which concerns not only Kant's ahistorical conception of the transcendental (3.1), but also the lack of critical reflection on the conditions of access to transcendental philosophy (3.2). Finally, I trace the emergence of the theme of the empirico-transcendental doublet in the 1949 thesis, and consider to what extent this notion applies to both Kant and Hegel (3.3).
