Search Results (15)

This article examines the scholarship of John Allegro on the Dead Sea Scrolls and the role his status as a scholar has played in the reception of his The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross. While the Dead Sea Scrolls play no prominent role in the book, people promoting Sacred Mushroom and its unorthodox proposals stress that Allegro is a respected scholar with great philological acumen by appealing to status as an expert on the Dead Sea Scrolls. But Allegro’s contribution to the field is much more mixed than is often acknowledged by proponents of Sacred Mushroom. Allegro was also one of the first to promote the corrosive conspiracy theory that the rest of the editorial team was being controlled by the Vatican. Recognizing that Allegro’s scholarship is infused with a kind of conspiratorial ideation helps understand his method and approach in Sacred Mushroom—that the evidence that Christianity began as a sacred mushroom cult was intentionally obscured by New Testament authors. To agree with Allegro, one must grant that the evidence is hidden and below the surface. The renewed popularity for Allegro’s work, which is out of sync with his reputation among Qumran scholars, can be understood as one example of the broader phenomenon of the popularity of conspiratorial theories in contemporary culture Full article

Naematelia aurantialba and its allies are important edible and medicinal mushrooms in China. They are usually called Jiner (金耳) and have been cultivated on a commercial scale. However, due to the lack of DNA sequences from the holotype of Naematelia aurantialba, the taxonomic issues of the species complex are unresolved. In this study, the authors successfully generated DNA sequences from the holotype of N. aurantialba by a genome skimming approach and additional allied species by Sanger sequencing. Based on morphological characteristics, molecular phylogenetic data, and geographic distribution patterns, four species, including three new ones, in the complex in southwestern China were uncovered. Naematelia aurantialba occurs at high altitudes (over 3000 m above sea level), with subalpine dead plants as its substrates, and has larger basidiospores, while the commonly cultivated species, described as N. sinensis in this work, is distributed in subtropical areas at altitudes between 1800 m and 2600 m on the dead wood of subtropical plants and has smaller basidiospores. The third species, namely N. nodulosa, has habitats similar to those of N. sinensis but differs from the latter in its basidiomata with an uneven nodulose surface, a loose context with small internal cavities, and numerous conidia. The fourth species, N. pedicellata, is easily distinguished from the others by its basidia, with long basal stalks and broadly ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 10.5–12.5 × 8.0–10.0 μm. All these species are parasitic on Stereum species. This study provides a solid basis for future guidance for the selection of new strains and cultivation practices of these valuable fungi. Full article

The discovery of the Nag Hammadi Codices (NHC) in 1945 rates as one of the two most profound occurrences for Biblical archaeology and interpretation during the last hundred years, along with the Dead Sea Scrolls (1946–1956). The codices allow us to document Christian monastic culture, gnostic Christianity and gnostic offshoots in the desert climate of Late Ancient Egypt. The recovery of the related Codex Tchacos (CT) brought further excitement for contemporary readers by 2006, it being sensational that narratives of “Judas the betrayer” and “doubting Thomas” were found in the whole collection of writings. The text named the [First] Apocalypse of James, significantly, was found to be in both NHC and CT in different Coptic versions (from near the sacred sites of Chenoboskion and El Minya), but yet another more fragmentary version in Greek had turned up much earlier among the huge cache of papyri found at Oxyrhynchus (also, like the other places, on the banks of the Nile). Given the opportunity for comparison, what distinguishes the three versions? Does comparative analysis better tell us what this ancient text is about? Does the strong presence of Gnostic Christian insights in the Coptic texts still imply a historical Jamesian community is being honoured? This paper concentrates on three comparable passages in the three versions that apparently contain historical memories of James and his followers. It works on the reasonable hypothesis that the Greek version of Oxyrhynchus Papyri (P.Oxy. 5533) (hereafter = PO) is prior and read with different purposes than the two Coptic translated versions of CT (CT 2.10–30) and NHC (NHC V,3. 24–44). When a critical approach, involving a socio-linguistic comparison, is applied, we will see that the three versions of the text were not directly related to each other, but that narratives about James the Just were available to desert monastics from the second century CE. The paper argues for a literal transmission of traditions from a Jewish Christian community around James into Egypt, that the textual figure of James in the Oxyrhynchus fragments points to a ‘mutual familiarity’ between PO and CT, while the NHC tradition of James has been further elaborated by processes of compilation and addition. Full article

Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) are anchored floating structures often made with cheap scrapped materials and used to aggregate pelagic fish species under their artificial shadows. Globally, the dangerous impact of FADs is well known. They pose a severe threat as a source of bycatch, as a danger to navigation, and with their high potential to become marine litter. Unintended entanglement and consequent mortality in FADs of vulnerable (e.g., sharks, sea turtles, and cetaceans) and commercial species is a serious concern for several international inter-governmental bodies (e.g., EU, GFCM, and IWC). This work describes the first case of a cetacean, a striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), entangled in a FAD in the Mediterranean Sea. A young male of striped dolphins was found dead along the coast of Lazio (central Tyrrhenian Sea) with its peduncle entangled in typical debris from illegal/artisanal FADs (i.e., a nylon rope, teared gardening plastic sheets, bush branches, and scrapped empty plastic bottles). Although this is the first confirmed case of a cetacean entangled in a FAD in Mediterranean waters, given the extent of the deployment of anchored FADs, the scale of this type of interaction with protected species might be seriously underestimated. Therefore, actions and monitoring need to be implemented urgently to effectively protect and conserve marine biodiversity. Full article

Combination prediction models have gained great development in the area of information science, and are widely applied in engineering fields. The underwater glider (UG) is a new type of unmanned vehicle used in ocean observation for the advantages of long endurance, low noise, etc. However, due to its lower speed relative to the ocean current, the surfacing positioning point (SPP) of an UG often drifts greatly away from the preset waypoint. Therefore, this paper proposes a new combination model for predicting the SPP at different time scales. First, the kinematic model and working flow of the Petrel-L glider is analyzed. Then, this paper introduces the principles of a newly proposed combination model which integrates single prediction models with optimal weight. Afterwards, to make an accurate prediction, ocean current data are interpolated and averaged according to the diving depth of UGs as an external influencing factor. Meanwhile, with sea trial data collected in the northern South China Sea by Petrel-L, which had a total range of 4230.5 km, SPPs are predicted using single prediction models at different time scales, and the combination weights are derived with a novel simulated annealing optimized Frank–Wolfe method. Finally, the evaluated results demonstrate that the MAE and MSE are 966 m and 969 m, which proves that the single models achieved good performance under specified situations, and the combination model performed better at full scale because it integrates the advantages of the single models. Furthermore, the predicted SPPs will be helpful in the dead reckoning of the UG, and the proposed new combination method could extend into other fields for prediction. Full article

In the Roman period, the cult of Osiris, together with other Egyptian deities, reached the Italian peninsula through the sea trade. Here, his watery nature was especially stressed. Following ancient Egyptian beliefs, Osiris was identified with the yearly flooding of the Nile, which renewed nature and fertilized the fields, and was used in lustration rituals to bring the dead to life as well as to satiate the deceased’s thirst. Since Osiris was embodied in this vital fluid, he was perceived as a bearer of life. Far from aiming to collect all the evidence of the cult of Osiris found in the Italian peninsula, the goal of this work is to provide an overview of which forms of Osiris were mainly worshipped there, and what role he held in funerary contexts and beyond, through the analysis of some of the most relevant sources related to his cult and the examinations of the contexts in which he was worshipped. Full article

Background: Thermal waters have been showing different beneficial effects on the skin due to their physicochemical composition. The beneficial effect of thermal water in the treatment of some skin diseases may thus justify its use as an active ingredient in cosmetic formulations. The main objective of this work was to demonstrate the potential of incorporating thermal water as an active ingredient in cosmetic formulations. (2) Methods: A descriptive literature review was carried out by the analysis of scientific articles in PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Twelve thermal spring waters were found (Avène, Blue Lagoon, Comano, Cró, Dead Sea, La Roche-Posay, Monfortinho, Saint-Gervais, Salies-de-Béarn, São Pedro do Sul, Uriage and Vichy) with potential as an active in cosmetic products, demonstrated through in vitro studies evaluating the different activities/properties and clinical trials in healthy volunteers or with skin pathologies. (3) Results: For these studies, in natura thermal water as well as incorporated in cosmetic formulations were used. In in vitro studies, most thermal waters have been shown to have activities on membrane fluidity, skin barrier repair, antiradical, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, proliferative activity, regulation of processes involved in ageing and moisturizing properties. In clinical trials, cosmetic thermal waters reduced skin discomfort through their soothing and exhibited moisturizing and anti-irritant properties. (4) Conclusions: The effect of thermal waters on the skin and the absence of side effects reported in different studies allows them to be used as an adjuvant or in the treatment of various skin disorders and may play an important role in the cosmetics industry. However, further clinical trials are needed to assess their effectiveness and safety. Full article

From the 1970s, the Dead Sea experienced severe halo-karstification and anthropogenic modifications. Progressively, but at an accelerating rate, subsidence, landslides, and sinkholes have increased in number and magnitude. The hazards’ triggering factors are the terminal lake level lowering at more than one meter per year and the dynamic equilibrium of the hydrogeological system. Over the Lisan peninsula, archived satellite images revealed the extent of the damaged areas. On 22 March 2000, the destruction of dike 19 represented a loss of 38 M USD. This is the most important event recorded since the beginning of the Dead Sea recession some 50 years ago. In 2018, a rehabilitation project of that dike started. This research analyses the viability of the reinstatement works. The advanced space borne radar interferometry technique is applied to map ground deformations before and during the project. This article reveals that the ongoing rehabilitation and reinstatement works of dike 19 are threatened by ongoing halo-karstification processes. Field observations and subsidence/uplift dynamics support this statement. The past experiences are taken into consideration to adapt industrial expansion strategies. However, the permeability of the salt pan floor could trigger a fast development of a karst system able to destroy the rehabilitated dike 19. Full article

A vision for the establishment of a Geopark in Jordan is given in this work, with a subsequent application to the UNESCO Global Geopark programme. The Dead Sea area and its surroundings have suffered strong changes in the last decades, accompanied by a variety of natural hazards related to enhanced erosional processes. The aspiring Geopark will thematically encompass the influence that these changes and related natural hazards, including flash floods and subsidence, have had on the local population, from geological, over historical up to recent times. The hydrogeology and geomorphology, i.e., the connection between erosion by water, dissolution of minerals, and landscape evolution, will be the main guiding theme that connects the Eastern Rim Highlands with the Dead Sea rift valley through ephemeral wadis, vegetated springs areas, and traditionally communities. The creation of the Geopark is aimed at holistic, sustainable development and management of the area by eco-tourism, and includes education on water resource management, hazard awareness and resilience, as well as international research. We here present the conceptual approach to the initial development of a Geopark network in Jordan. In a narrative discourse, we highlight realised and further implementation steps, with an evaluation of the expected timeline, potential partner institutions, regional involvement and the chances for realisation. Full article

Satureja nabateorum (Danin and Hedge) Bräuchler is a perennial herb in the Lamiaceae family that was discovered and classified in 1998. This green herb is restricted to the mountains overlooking the Dead Sea, specifically in Jordan’s southwest, the Edom mountains, and the Tubas mountains in Palestine. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of essential oil (EO) of air-dried and fresh S. nabateorum resulted in the identification of 30 and 42 phytochemicals accounting for 99.56 and 98.64% of the EO, respectively. Thymol (46.07 ± 1.1 and 40.64 ± 1.21%) was the major compound, followed by its biosynthetic precursors γ-terpinene (21.15 ± 1.05% and 20.65 ± 1.12%), and p-cymene (15.02 ± 1.02% and 11.51 ± 0.97%), respectively. Microdilution assay was used to evaluate the antimicrobial property of EOs against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), clinical isolate Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Enterococcus faecium (ATCC 700221) Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 13883), Proteus vulgaris (ATCC 700221), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) and Candida albicans (ATCC-90028). With a MIC of 0.135 μg/mL, the EOs has the most potent antibacterial action against K. pneumonia. Both EOs display good antifungal efficacy against C. albicans, with a MIC value of 0.75 μg/mL, which was better than that of Fluconazole’s (positive control, MIC = 1.56 μg/mL). The antioxidant capacity of EOs extracted from air-dried and fresh S. nabateorum was determined using the DPPH assay, with IC₅₀ values of 4.78 ± 0.41 and 5.37 ± 0.40 μg/mL, respectively. The tested EOs showed significant cytotoxicity against Hela, HepG2, and COLO-205 cells, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 82 ± 0.98 to 256 ± 1.95 μg/mL. The current work shows there is a possibility to use the S. nabateorum EOs for various applications. Full article

The coexistence of nature and anthropogenic development requires continuous monitoring and research to address and respond to unforeseen threatening processes that occur with time. This is particularly relevant to the groundwater flow regime in the coastal aquifer adjacent to the Dead Sea, the level of which is dropping, and the industrial evaporation ponds, whose levels are rising. The increasing hydraulic gradient between the two water bodies has produced severe leakage through the pond embankments. To prevent this leakage, a vertical deep sealing wall was built along the embankment. In this study, the overall leakage is calculated by mass balance, and the subsurface leakage component is numerically simulated, based on the mass balance and hydrological observations. Some of the leakage discharges into surface canals and some at the Dead Sea. The leakage volume increased from 20 mcm/year in the 1980s to 100 mcm/year before the sealing wall was built (in 2012), and from 60 mcm/year once the wall was established to 80 mcm/year today. Using the calibrated model, the leakage volume is predicted to increase in the next few decades, mainly through the Ye’elim alluvial fan. Further research effort is needed to come up with new preventive measures. Full article

Underwater acoustic sensor networks play an important role in assisting humans to explore information under the sea. In this work, we consider the combination of sensor selection and data routing in three dimensional underwater wireless sensor networks based on Bayesian compressive sensing and particle swarm optimization. The algorithm we proposed is a two-tier PSO approach. In the first tier, a PSO-based clustering protocol is proposed to synthetically consider the energy consumption and uniformity of cluster head distribution. Then in the second tier, a PSO-based routing protocol is proposed to implement inner-cluster one-hop routing and outer-cluster multi-hop routing. The nodes selected to constitute i-th effective routing path decide which positions in the i-th row of the measurement matrix are nonzero. As a result, in this tier the protocol comprehensively considers energy efficiency, network balance and data recovery quality. The Bayesian Cramér-Rao Bound (BCRB) in such a case is analyzed and added in the fitness function to monitor the mean square error of the reconstructed signal. The experimental results validate that our algorithm maintains a longer life time and postpones the appearance of the first dead node while keeps the reconstruction error lower compared with the cutting-edge algorithms which are also based on distributed multi-hop compressive sensing approaches. Full article

As an independent building entity on the sea, the ship has a large number of internal electrical equipment and a compact space structure, which is prone to fire. This paper proposes a key technology of virtual dynamic escape of ships based on the fire spread prediction model for research. Taking the 63,500 DWT(Dead Weight Tonnage) tanker cabin as a research entity, the mathematical and physical models of ship fire simulation are established. Through the graphical analysis of the experimental data of the fire spread simulation, the temperature, CO concentration, and smoke concentration change rules under different working conditions at the fixed detection point position are obtained. Then, based on temperature, CO concentration and smoke concentration three impact factors, set up a comprehensive fire real-time situational risk evaluation index system. Using the MATLAB software, based on the principle of the fuzzy neural network fire ship’s integrated real-time situational risk evaluation model structure design and simulation test, obtained the corresponding training to comprehensive risk evaluation model of the network. Generate navigation grid according to the law of fire sprawl, and plan escape path. The traditional A* algorithm is improved, and an example is used to prove that the path-finding result after the improved algorithm is shorter than the path found by the traditional algorithm, which meets the path-finding requirements in a three-dimensional environment. Full article

Thus far, the negative effects of Nodularia spumigena blooms on aquatic organisms have been mainly attributed to the production of the hepatotoxic nodularin (NOD). In the current work, the accumulation of other N. spumigena metabolites in blue mussels and crustaceans, and their effect on Thamnocephalus platyurus and Artemia franciscana, were examined. The liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analyses provided evidence that both blue mussels collected after a cyanobacterial bloom in the Baltic Sea and the crustaceans exposed under laboratory conditions to N. spumigena extract accumulated the cyclic anabaenopeptins (APs). In the crustaceans, the linear peptides, spumigins (SPUs) and aeruginosins (AERs), were additionally detected. Exposure of T. platyurus and A. franciscana to N. spumigena extract confirmed the negative effect of nodularin on the organisms. However, high numbers of dead crustaceans were also recorded in the nodularin-free fraction, which contained protease inhibitors classified to spumigins and aeruginosins. These findings indicate that cyanobacterial toxicity to aquatic organisms is a complex phenomenon and the induced effects can be attributed to diverse metabolites, not only to the known hepatotoxins. Full article

A corer, which can obtain long in situ pressure-retained sediments of up to 30 m core containing gas hydrates, has been applied in the South China Sea (SCS) dozens of times. The corer presented in this paper is a convenient, efficient and economical long in situ pressure-retained coring and research tool for submarine sediments, that can applied to completely cope with all sediments close to the seafloor ranging from shallow waters to the deep sea depths of 6000 m. This article mainly presents the overall structure, working principles, key pressure-retained components, coring mechanism, sea trials and outlook of the corer. The analyses found that the coring ability was affected by formation characteristics, the outer diameter of the core barrels and inner diameter of the core liners, the shapes of the cutter and the dead weight of the corer. This study can provide the practical basis for the structural optimization of this type of corer and designs for corers with greater penetrability. Sea trials showed that the developed corer presented in this paper can support the in situ pressure of the seafloor sediment core, which is an improvement over the conventional piston corer. Full article