The purpose of the ritual baths in the tombs of the kings : a new proposal

The monumental burial complex known as the “Tombs of the Kings” is regarded by scholars as the burial plot of Queen Helena of Adiabene and her family, who lived in Jerusalem in the firstcentury CE. In this paper we reconsider the original purpose of the two large ritual baths in the burial compound, based on the location of the site relative to its surroundings. The scholarship assumes that ritual baths situated next to tombs were intended for use by participants in funerals or memorial ceremonies. In this paper we suggest that in the case of the Tombs of the Kings, the adjacent baths were meant for purificationof pilgrims en route to Jerusalem, as can be understood from their geographical location

Molecular Exploration of the First-Century Tomb of the Shroud in Akeldama, Jerusalem

The Tomb of the Shroud is a first-century C. E. tomb discovered in Akeldama, Jerusalem, Israel that had been illegally entered and looted. The investigation of this tomb by an interdisciplinary team of researchers began in 2000. More than twenty stone ossuaries for collecting human bones were found, along with textiles from a burial shroud, hair and skeletal remains. The research presented here focuses on genetic analysis of the bioarchaeological remains from the tomb using mitochondrial DNA to examine familial relationships of the individuals within the tomb and molecular screening for the presence of disease. There are three mitochondrial haplotypes shared between a number of the remains analyzed suggesting a possible family tomb. There were two pathogens genetically detected within the collection of osteological samples, these were Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae. The Tomb of the Shroud is one of very few examples of a preserved shrouded human burial and the only example of a plaster sealed loculus with remains genetically confirmed to have belonged to a shrouded male individual that suffered from tuberculosis and leprosy dating to the first-century C.E. This is the earliest case of leprosy with a confirmed date in which M. leprae DNA was detected

Análisis de las variables cinemáticas en la técnica del pateo en el fútbol a partir de criterios de eficiencia biomecánicos

The present investigation was carried out with the objective of analyzing the kinematic variables that are manifested in the kicking technique in soccer based on biomechanical efficiency criteria. It was a descriptive level investigation, with a field design, based on a case study with a 15-year-old athlete. The three-dimensional (3D) videographic method was used with the approaches: quantitative (“Human v 5.0” program) and qualitative (Likert scale). Kinematic variables were quantified by pre and posttest. Efficiency criteria were established to optimize biomechanical variables in the phases: Preparatory and Kicking. Thus, the adolescent's training was oriented according to the strengths and weaknesses identified from the biomechanical perspective, which allowed optimizing the technique of the dominant and non-dominant lower limbs. Among other results, the increase in synchronization and consequent improvement in the temporal pattern of movement stood out, which facilitated the coordination of partial impulse, and therefore the transfer of energy from the body to the ball, positively influencing the resulting speed, trajectory and precision of the ball which increased the frequency of the goal, a fact that affected the performance and profile of the young woman, standing out in the lateral position with an efficient handling of the ball by both profile.La presente investigación se realizó con el objetivo de analizar las variables cinemáticas que se manifiestan en la técnica del pateo en el fútbol a partir de criterios de eficiencia biomecánicos. Fue una investigación de nivel descriptivo, con un diseño de campo, basado en un estudio de caso con una atleta de 15 años. Se utilizó el método videográfico tridimensional (3D) con los enfoques:  cuantitativo (programa “Human v 5.0”) y cualitativo (escala Likert). Se cuantificaron las variables cinemáticas mediante pre y pos test. Se establecieron criterios de eficiencia para optimizar variables biomecánicas en las fases: Preparatoria y Pateo. Así, se orientó el entrenamiento de la adolescente en función de fortalezas y debilidades identificadas desde la perspectiva biomecánica, lo que permitió optimizar la técnica de los miembros inferiores, dominante y no dominante. Entre otros resultados, destacó el aumento de sincronización y consecuente mejoría del patrón temporal de movimiento lo que facilitó la coordinación de impulso parcial, y por ende la transferencia de energía del cuerpo hacia el balón, incidiendo positivamente en la velocidad resultante, trayectoria y precisión del balón con lo cual aumentó la frecuencia del gol, hecho que incidió en el rendimiento y perfil de la joven, destacándose en la posición lateral con un manejo eficiente del balón por ambos perfiles

Methyl methacrylate and respiratory sensitization: A Critical review

Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is a respiratory irritant and dermal sensitizer that has been associated with occupational asthma in a small number of case reports. Those reports have raised concern that it might be a respiratory sensitizer. To better understand that possibility, we reviewed the in silico, in chemico, in vitro, and in vivo toxicology literature, and also epidemiologic and occupational medicine reports related to the respiratory effects of MMA. Numerous in silico and in chemico studies indicate that MMA is unlikely to be a respiratory sensitizer. The few in vitro studies suggest that MMA has generally weak effects. In vivo studies have documented contact skin sensitization, nonspecific cytotoxicity, and weakly positive responses on local lymph node assay; guinea pig and mouse inhalation sensitization tests have not been performed. Cohort and cross-sectional worker studies reported irritation of eyes, nose, and upper respiratory tract associated with short-term peaks exposures, but little evidence for respiratory sensitization or asthma. Nineteen case reports described asthma, laryngitis, or hypersensitivity pneumonitis in MMA-exposed workers; however, exposures were either not well described or involved mixtures containing more reactive respiratory sensitizers and irritants.The weight of evidence, both experimental and observational, argues that MMA is not a respiratory sensitizer

PALEO-HEBREW SCRIPT IN JERUSALEM AND JUDEA FROM THE SECOND CENTURY B.C.E. THROUGH THE SECOND CENTURY C.E.: A RECONSIDERATION

The article focuses on the use of the Paleo-Hebrew script versus the square script (known also as “Jewish script†or “Assyrianâ€) by the Jews of Judea during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. From the Persian period until the Bar Kokhba Rebellion, Paleo-Hebrew script was used in various Jewish contexts (official, sacred, funerary) and on a variety of substrates (parchment, stone, coins, and pottery). The most representative artefacts bearing inscriptions in the Paleo-Hebrew script are Jewish coins of that time and the Dead Sea Scrolls. One common view is that because the Hasmoneans and the rebels in both revolts sought to establish their sovereignty, they employed symbols of Jewish significance and the archaic and obsolete – but prestigious – Paleo-Hebrew script, which was a reminder of the glorious past. Studies of the Dead Sea Scrolls commonly premise that greater holiness and value was attached to the Paleo-Hebrew script than to the square script. The article shows that, in the Second Temple period, the square script was considered holy. Consequently, those who were scrupulous about observing the laws of ritual purity refrained from using the square script for mundane purposes and used the Paleo-Hebrew script instead