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This is a new proposal as to the meaning and genesis of that classically enigmatic text, 'You shall not boil a kid in its mother's milk' (Exod. 23:19b; Exod. 34:26b Deut. 14:21b). The author, after surveying the many, disparate, and often ingenious suggestions that have been put forward over more than two millennia as to the meaning of the prohibition, turns to the context (in each case involving regulations about the bringing of firstfruits of the grain harvest) as the prime key to the interpretative puzzle. On this basis he hypothesizes that the expression 'boil a kid in its mother's milk' was a figure of speech used by the Hebrews to refer to a common peasant farmer's tactic for resisting oppression: the practice of secretly making up a portion of the yearly rent obligation-when possible-with surplus grain from the previous year's harvest. Two ideas create the points of contact for the metaphor: (1) the idea of mixing of parent and child generations, and (2) the idea of going back to get a second contribution from the parent which has already paid its obligation by contributing its offspring. Exegetical and archaeological evidence is adduced in support of the proposal, together with evidence about the life cycle of metaphors in language and culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between the clustering of adhesive lipids and the binding of multivalent ligands has been investigated using a simple model system. Pyrene perfluoroalkyl lipids capped with mannose and biotin were found to extensively phase separate in phospholipid bilayers containing >25% mol/mol cholesterol. This clustering of adhesive lipids into these “artificial lipid rafts” did not enhance multivalent binding in either case, conversely weakening the initial interaction between avidin and phase-separated biotin-capped lipid (at 1% mol/mol). The affinity of concanavalin A for vesicle-bound mannose lipid (K∼ 2500 M−1) was low and insensitive to the extent of adhesive lipid clustering, fitting an intervesicular monovalent binding model. Although the initial binding of avidin to vesicle-bound biotin lipid was also weak (Kup to 8 × 106M−1), avidin maximised the adhesive interaction by either clustering or dispersing these biotinylated lipids. This reorganisation gave up to a ∼500-fold increase in affinity, consistent with multivalent intramembrane binding of avidin to biotinylated lipids. These observations suggest that in natural systems, high receptor densities in lipid rafts may not be designed solely to generate high affinities for multivalent ligands but also to allow multivalent ligands to induce signal transduction or endocytosis by increasing ordecreasing receptor density in lipid rafts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a thorough study on the development of a polymer optical fibre-based tuneable filter utilizing an intra-core Bragg grating that is electrically tuneable, operating at 1.55 µm. The Bragg grating is made tuneable using a thin-film resistive heater deposited on the surface of the fibre. The polymer fibre was coated via the photochemical deposition of a Pd/Cu metallic layer with the procedure induced by VUV radiation at room temperature. The resulting device, when wavelength tuned via Joule heating, underwent a wavelength shift of 2 nm for a moderate input power of 160 mW, a wavelength to input power coefficient of [?]13.4 pm mW[?]1 and time constant of 1.7 s[?]1. A basic theoretical study verified that for this fibre type one can treat the device as a one-dimensional system. The model was extended to include the effect of input electrical power changes on the refractive index of the fibre and subsequently to changes in the Bragg wavelength of the grating, showing excellent agreement with the experimental measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the theory of fixed point index, we discuss the existence of nontrivial (multiple) solutions of a nonlinear scalar heat equation with nonlocal boundary conditions depending on a positive parameter. Solutions lose positivity as the parameter decreases. For a certain parameter range, not all solutions can be positive but there are positive solutions for certain types of nonlinearity. We also prove a uniqueness result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic relationship between vegetation and climate is now widely acknowledged. Climate influences the distribution of vegetation; and through a number of feedback mechanisms vegetation affects climate. This implies that land-use changes such as deforestation will have climatic consequences. However, the spatial scales at which such feedbacks occur remain largely unknown. Here, we use a large database of precipitation and tree cover records for an area of the biodiversity-rich Atlantic forest region in south eastern Brazil to investigate the forest–rainfall feedback at a range of spatial scales from ca 101–104km2. We show that the strength of the feedback increases up to scales of at least 103km2, with the climate at a particular locality influenced by the pattern of landcover extending over a large area. Thus, smaller forest fragments, even if well protected, may suffer degradation due to the climate responding to land-use change in the surrounding area. Atlantic forest vertebrate taxa also require large areas of forest to support viable populations. Areas of forest of ca 103km2 would be large enough to support such populations at the same time as minimizing the risk of climatic feedbacks resulting from deforestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We experimentally investigate the use of an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) to interrogate fibre Bragg grating (FBG) sensors. A broadband light source is used to illuminate the FBG sensors. Reflected spectral information is directed to the AWG containing integral photodetectors providing 40 electrical outputs. Three methods are described to interrogate FBG sensors. The first technique makes use of the wavelength-dependent transmission profile of an AWG channel passband, giving a usable range of 500 με and a dynamic strain resolution of 96 nε Hz-1/2 at 13 Hz. The second approach utilizes wide gratings larger than the channel spacing of the AWG; by monitoring the intensity present in several neighbouring AWG channels an improved range of 1890 με was achieved. The third method improves the dynamic range by utilizing a heterodyne approach based on interferometric wavelength shift detection, providing an improved dynamic strain resolution of 17 nε Hz-1/2 at 30 Hz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selective endothelin receptor-A antagonists are a promising new treatment in patients with heart failure and/or pulmonary hypertension. Animal studies have suggested that these agents may have additional cardiac electrophysiologic actions, however, no data exist in man. We examined the effects of acute endothelin receptor-A blockade on the sinus node, the atrioventricular node and on the ventricular myocardium, in patients with single-vessel coronary artery disease and preserved left ventricular function. The selective endothelin receptor-A antagonist BQ-123 was administered by the intracoronary route, in order to achieve maximum local cardiac effects.After endothelin receptor-A blockade, QT interval increased from 373 ± 30 msec (mean ± SD) to 395 ± 20 msec (p < 0.01) and QTc interval increased from 394 ± 36 msec to 421 ± 28 msec (p < 0.01). QT-dispersion, calculated from 12-lead ECG, decreased from 40 ± 18 msec to 24 ± 8 msec (p < 0.01) and QTc-dispersion decreased from 44 ± 20 msec to 26 ± 9 msec (p < 0.05). These changes were evident only after infusion in the left, but not in the right coronary artery. No effect was found on the sinus node, the atrioventricular node, or the ventricular effective refractory periods.We conclude that selective endothelin receptor A blockade lengthens ventricular repolarization and decreases its inhomogeneity. Further studies are needed to evaluate possible antiarrhythmic actions of this class of agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Estrogen receptors are present in the urogenital tract. However, little is known about the quantitative distribution of the traditional estrogen receptor (ERα) mRNA and the recently identified ERβ mRNA. By quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis, the distributions of ERα and ERβ mRNA in mouse urogenital tissues and their expression in selected urogenital tissues after oophorectomy, with or without estrogen replacement, were evaluated. ERα mRNA concentrations were higher in the ovary, oviduct, uterus and vagina than in the kidney, ureter or bladder (P<0.05); ERβ transcripts were highest in the ovary, oviduct and bladder (P<0.05). After oophorectomy and estrogen replacement, significant changes were identified in ERα and ERβ mRNA expression. ERα and ERβ mRNA are differentially expressed in mouse urogenital tissues. Oophorectomy and estrogen replacement affect estrogen receptors differently in the bladder, vagina and uterus. These results may explain some tissue-specific responses to estrogen and selective estrogen receptor modulators. Summary: The mRNA distributions of estrogen receptors α and β and their expression after oophorectomy, with or without estrogen replacement, differ in mouse urogenital tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An understanding of the comparative nutritional requirements of important timber species is fundamental in the development of sustainable systems for the production of wood from plantations on many infertile, highly weathered soils in the humid tropics. We established a field experiment comparing the responses of four highly-valued cabinet timber species (Cedrela odorata, Agathis robusta, Flindersia brayleyana and Castanospermum australe) to phosphate fertiliser on a soil very low in chemically extractable phosphorus (4 mg P/kg soil). Similar soils derived from Palaeozoic metasediments are widespread throughout the humid tropics of northern Australia, south-east Asia and the south-western Pacific, and are typical of those on many sites available for plantation forestry in the region. Phosphorus fertiliser treatments (ranging from 0 to 300 g P/tree) were applied soon after planting to all four species, as was a basal fertiliser dressing supplying adequate levels of all other mineral nutrients. Two species (F. brayleyana and C. australe) maintained good growth even without additional P and showed little or no response in growth or foliar P concentration to increased P supply. The other two species (C. odorata and A. robusta) responded strongly in both growth and foliar P concentration to increasing P supply. In these responsive species, chemical analysis of foliage at 17 months after planting was shown to have potential diagnostic and prognostic value. Phosphorus concentrations less than 0.30% dry matter (DM) in the petiole plus rachis of young mature leaves of C. odorata, and less than 0.19% DM in the distal needle leaves of A. robusta, were associated with diminished growth of these two species both at the time of sampling and 21 months later. The results indicate that there are significant differences in the ability of tropical tree species to acquire and use phosphorus, and consequently that simple prescriptive applications of phosphorus fertiliser to young plantations, irrespective of soil type or tree species, are often inefficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to provide a new, more comprehensive stakeholder theory of the relationships between nonprofit, for-profit, and government sectors. This theory combines aspects of neoclassical economics and principal-agency theory to complement the traditional notions that these organizations either compete or exist in a vacuum relative to one another. The article discusses nonprofit organizations that are employee groups (unions and professional associations), shareholders (institutional investors including pension funds and endowments), community and other interest groups, government contractors, competitors, consumers, and suppliers. By viewing these organizations as agents relative to a principal for-profit (or government) organization, it is possible to hypothesize about relationships and behaviors between organizations of different sectors of the economy. This new perspective allows a better understanding of the many relationships observed in the nonprofit sector and of a much greater range of nonprofit stakeholders than is currently possible given existing theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic nanoparticle–vesicle assemblies embedded within a hydrogel extravesicular matrix have been shown to release their contents in response to a remote magnetic trigger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple ion channel has been developed that can be created or disassembled through the addition or removal of palladium(ii). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hydrogel-based sensor for screening protease specificity has been developed that combines the versatility of solid-phase synthesis (SPS) with the simplicity of liquid crystal display (LCD) technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a detailed analysis of the radial distribution of light-element multiple populations (LE-MPs) in the massive and dense globular cluster M80, based on a combination of UV and optical Hubble Space Telescope data. Surprisingly, we find that first-generation (FG) stars (FG) are significantly more centrally concentrated than extreme second-generation (SG) stars out to ∼2.5rh from the cluster center. To understand the origin of such peculiar behavior, we used a set of N-body simulations following the long-term dynamical evolution of LE-MPs. We find that, given the advanced dynamical state of the cluster, the observed difference does not depend on the primordial relative distributions of FG and SG stars. On the contrary, a difference of ∼0.05–0.10 M⊙ between the average masses of the two subpopulations is needed to account for the observed radial distributions. We argue that such a mass difference might be the result of the higher He abundance of SG stars (of the order of ΔY ∼ 0.05–0.06) with respect to FG stars. Interestingly, we find that a similar He variation is necessary to reproduce the horizontal branch morphology of M80. These results demonstrate that differences in mass among LE-MPs, due to different He content, should be properly taken into account for a correct interpretation of their radial distribution, at least in dynamically evolved systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The ventilators involved in non-invasive mechanical ventilation commonly provide ventilator support via a facemask. The interface of the mask with a patient promotes air leaks that cause errors in the feedback information provided by a pneumatic sensor and hence patient-ventilator asynchrony with multiple negative consequences. Our objective is to test the possibility of using chest-wall motion measured by an optical fibre-grating sensor as a more accurate non-invasive ventilator triggering mechanism. Approach: The basic premise of our approach is that the measurement accuracy can be improved by using a triggering signal that precedes pneumatic triggering in the neuro-ventilatory coupling sequence. We propose a technique that uses the measurement of chest-wall curvature by a long-period fibre-grating sensor. The sensor was applied externally to the rib-cage and interrogated in the lateral (edge) filtering scheme. The study was performed on 34 healthy volunteers. Statistical data analysis of the time lag between the fibre-grating sensor and the reference pneumotachograph was preceded by the removal of the unwanted heartbeat signal by wavelet transform processing. Main results: The results show a consistent fibre-grating signal advance with respect to the standard pneumatic signal by (230  ±  100) ms in both the inspiratory and expiratory phases. We further show that heart activity removal yields a tremendous improvement in sensor accuracy by reducing it from 60 ml to 0.3 ml. Significance: The results indicate that the proposed measurement technique may lead to a more reliable triggering decision. Its imperviousness to air leaks, non-invasiveness, low-cost and ease of implementation offer good prospects for applications in both clinical and homecare ventilation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, people who are unable to stand to transfer are lifted using a mechanical hoist and sling. This can be difficult for carers, is time-consuming and often robs the user of their dignity, particularly when transferring for toileting. This presentation will showcase the innovative 'hoistable clothing' design developed by Jo Webb and Barbara Ackley and now available through Lynch Healthcare Ltd. Klip-2-Lift is suitable for people who find current sling designs unsuitable or difficult to fit, or who have anxiety around being hoisted or challenging behaviours. The jacket becomes part of the daily dressing routine, reducing the risk of shearing or friction, allowing the user to sit directly on their pressure cushion or wheelchair without the added risk of leaving a sling in situ. The Klip-2-Lift waistcoat can be worn throughout the day, allowing the user to be 'clipped' onto a hoist quickly and easily, without the fitting of a sling, which can sometimes be distressing and intrusive. The Klip-2-Handle jacket assists carers when handling children with challenging behaviours, improving safety and reducing risk of injury, and Klip-2-Stand can be used with a stand aid or standing frame as part of rehabilitation to engage in a range of daily living activities. Application is not limited to the home setting - the Klip-2-Lift can be used to access leisure facilities where traditional slings are not practical. This may open many opportunities for people currently excluded due to limitations in existing sling design and restrictions of moving and handling legislation (MHOR, 1992). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research purpose and aims: Manual handling is intrinsic to many health care professions as part of assessment and intervention. Mandatory manual handling training is inconsistent, ranging from demonstration sessions to practical classroom competency, yet there is no evidence that training is effective in reducing staff and patient risks (Clemes et al., 2010 and Haslam et al., 2007). Webb et al. (2016) note a significant evidence base supporting the use of an online training system while reducing the risks for the handler and patients. The purpose of this study is to establish whether the reduction in face to face training when using a classroom based assessment model combined with the use of an online system impacts on manual handling errors, skills and risks. Methods: Experimental design, randomised trial comparing 2 groups of students (n=243). Experimental groups were assessed using a classroom competency model where face to face training was replaced with the use of an online training system. Results/Conclusions: Results demonstrate differences across all tasks, highlighting interesting comparisons with traditional yearly training, while improving skills and levels of safety. Impact: Evidence base supports the ability to reduce training without impacting level of risk and will have an impact on associated training costs while improving skills, safety and reducing errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review paper summarizes the current state of research into polymer optical fibre grating sensors. The properties of polymers are explored to identify situations where polymers offer potential advantages over more conventional silica fibre sensing technology. Photosensitivity is discussed and the sensitivities of polymer fibre gratings to strain, temperature and water are described. Finally, applications are reported which utilize the unique properties of polymer fibres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of surface plasmonic fibre devices were fabricated using multiple coatings deposited on a lapped section of a single mode fibre. Coupling from the guided mode to surface plasmons was promoted following UV laser irradiation of the coated region through a phase mask, which generated a surface relief grating structure. The devices showed high spectral sensitivities and strong coupling for low refractive indices as compared to other grating-type fibre devices. The plasmonic devices were used to detect the variation in the refractive indices of alkane gases with measured wavelength and coupling sensitivity to index of 3400 nm RIU[?]1 and 8300 dB RIU[?]1, respectively. As a demonstration of the performance of these gas sensors, a minimum concentration of 2% by volume of butane in ethane was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on a Bragg grating written in an eccentric-cored polymer optical fibre for measurement of strain, bend and temperature. The strain sensitivity achieves 1.13 pm me[?]1. The temperature response shows a negative sign with the thermal sensitivity of [?]50.1 pm degC[?]1. For bend sensing, this device exhibits a strong fibre orientational dependence, wide bend curvature range of +-22.7 m[?]1 and a high bend sensitivity of 63.3 pm/m[?]1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and ET receptor blockade has shown renoprotective effects in animals. We examined the haemodynamic and renal effects of an ET receptor antagonist, TAK-044, in patients with CKD. Methods. Seven patients with CKD (mean arterial pressure 103 mmHg; mean plasma creatinine 3.5 mg/dl) received three 15 min intravenous infusions, each separated by at least 7 days, of either placebo or TAK-044 (100 or 750 mg) in a randomized, double blind crossover study. Systemic and renal haemodynamics, and plasma immunoreactive ET-1, big ET-1 and C-terminal fragment concentrations, were determined before and after the infusions of placebo and drugs. Results. Compared with placebo, TAK-044 reduced mean arterial pressure (MAP) (100 mg: 7.4 ± 1.9 mmHg, 750 mg: 8.4 ± 2.3 mmHg, P P P Conclusions. These findings suggest an important role for ET-1 in controlling systemic and renal haemodynamics in patients with CKD. The antihypertensive and potentially renoprotective actions of ET receptor antagonists shown in this study may prove useful in slowing the progression of CKD. Clinical trials are now needed to address these key questions for CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of in-line curvature sensors on a garment are used to monitor the thoracic and abdominal movements of a human during respiration. These results are used to obtain volumetric tidal changes of the human torso in agreement with a spirometer used simultaneously at the mouth. The curvature sensors are based on long-period gratings (LPGs) written in a progressive three-layered fiber to render the LPGs insensitive to the refractive index external to the fiber. A curvature sensor consists of the fiber long-period grating laid on a carbon fiber ribbon, which is then encapsulated in a low-temperature curing silicone rubber. The sensors have a spectral sensitivity to curvature, dλ/dR from ∼7-nm m to ∼9-nm m. The interrogation technique is borrowed from derivative spectroscopy and monitors the changes in the transmission spectral profile of the LPG’s attenuation band due to curvature. The multiplexing of the sensors is achieved by spectrally matching a series of distributed feedback (DFB) lasers to the LPGs. The versatility of this sensing garment is confirmed by it being used on six other human subjects covering a wide range of body mass indices. Just six fully functional sensors are required to obtain a volumetric error of around 6%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]