Problems with Using Evolutionary Theory in Philosophy

Does science move toward truths? Are present scientific theories (approximately) true? Should we invoke truths to explain the success of science? Do our cognitive faculties track truths? Some philosophers say yes, while others say no, to these questions. Interestingly, both groups use the same scientific theory, viz., evolutionary theory, to defend their positions. I argue that it begs the question for the former group to do so because their positive answers imply that evolutionary theory is warranted, whereas it is self-defeating for the latter group to do so because their negative answers imply that evolutionary theory is unwarranted

Reconstitution of T cell receptor signaling in ZAP-70-deficient cells by retroviral transduction of the ZAP-70 gene.

A variant of severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome (SCID) with a selective inability to produce CD8 single positive T cells and a signal transduction defect in peripheral CD4+ cells has recently been shown to be the result of mutations in the ZAP-70 gene. T cell receptor (TCR) signaling requires the association of the ZAP-70 protein tyrosine kinase with the TCR complex. Human T cell leukemia virus type I-transformed CD4+ T cell lines were established from ZAP-70-deficient patients and normal controls. ZAP-70 was expressed and appropriately phosphorylated in normal T cell lines after TCR engagement, but was not detected in T cell lines from ZAP-70-deficient patients. To determine whether signaling could be reconstituted, wild-type ZAP-70 was introduced into deficient cells with a ZAP-70 retroviral vector. High titer producer clones expressing ZAP-70 were generated in the Gibbon ape leukemia virus packaging line PG13. After transduction, ZAP-70 was detected at levels equivalent to those observed in normal cells, and was appropriately phosphorylated on tyrosine after receptor engagement. The kinase activity of ZAP-70 in the reconstituted cells was also appropriately upregulated by receptor aggregation. Moreover, normal and transduced cells, but not ZAP-70-deficient cells, were able to mobilize calcium after receptor ligation, indicating that proximal TCR signaling was reconstituted. These results indicate that this form of SCID may be corrected by gene therapy

Reconstruction of plasma density profiles by measuring spectra of radiation emitted from oscillating plasma dipoles

We suggest a new method for characterising non-uniform density distributions of plasma by measuring the spectra of radiation emitted from a localised plasma dipole oscillator excited by colliding electromagnetic pulses. The density distribution can be determined by scanning the collision point in space. Two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations demonstrate the reconstruction of linear and nonlinear density profiles corresponding to laser-produced plasma. The method can be applied to a wide range of plasma, including fusion and low temperature plasmas. It overcomes many of the disadvantages of existing methods that only yield average densities along the path of probe pulses, such as interferometry and spectroscopy

Sorindeia warneckei Engl. (Anacardiaceae), une espèce multi-usagère de la dépression de la Lama au Togo

Sorindeia warneckei est une espèce multi-usagère utilisée comme brosse à dent végétale. Sa pérennité est très menacée à cause des installations humaines et du manque d’informations scientifiques la concernant. La présente étude réalisée dans la dépression de la Lama (Région Maritime du Togo) vise une valorisation de S. warneckei. La collecte des données est basée sur des inventaires phytoécologiques de 51 fourrés couplés à des enquêtes ethnobotaniques semi-directives par interviews individuelles et par focus-groupe. Une diversité de 149 espèces dont 36 préférentielles réparties en 128 genres et 51 familles ont été recensées. Les espèces les plus fréquentes sont respectivement: Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides, Sorindeia warneckei, Carissa edulis et Azadirachta indica. Les espèces les plus abondantes sont respectivement : C. edulis, Z. zanthoxyloides, S. warneckei, Hexalobus monopetalus et Mallotus oppositifolius. Les investigations ethnobotaniques montrent qu’en plus des tiges de la plante utilisées comme brosse végétale, la pulpe des graines est consommée. La vente des brosses végétales de l’espèce se pratique par certaines femmes de l’ethnie Ouatchi. Cette espèce aux vertus sanitaires et aux potentielles économiques mérite d’être valorisée. Cependant, la forte dégradation des forêts littorales togolaises et des fourrés de la dépression de la Lama est une menace à la survie de l’espèce.Mots-clés : Sorindeia warneckei, brosse végétale, valorisation, dépression de la Lama, Togo

Caractérisation physique de sables silteux au Togo

Le sable est l’un des matériaux les plus utilisés dans la réalisation des ouvrages de génie civil au Togo, notamment dans la confection du béton ainsi que du mortier. La présente étude est destinée à analyser certains gisements de sables silteux du Togo dans le but de déterminer leurs propriétés granulaires. 72 échantillons de sables silteux ont été prélevés dans 16 sites d’extraction et soumis aux essais en laboratoire. Il ressort des résultats que les sables silteux étudiés sont globalement très fins (Mf~1,966), de catégorie « f3 », de classe granulaire 0/1 (d~0,08mm), mal gradués (SP), de granulométrie serrée, très mal classés (Si~9,119), de forte asymétrie vers les petites tailles (Sk~0,451) et légèrement argileux (ES~66,32). Globalement inadaptés comme granulats pour bétons classiques, les carrières prises individuellement regorgent de sables silteux dont les qualités sont adaptées soit aux bétons classiques dont la résistance est exigée, soit aux bétons dont la facilité de mise en oeuvre est plus recherchée.Mots-clés : sables silteux, Togo, propriétés granulaires, propreté

Effects of Circulating and Local Uteroplacental Angiotensin II in Rat Pregnancy.

The renin-angiotensin (Ang) system is important during placental development. Dysregulation of the renin-Ang system is important in preeclampsia (PE). Female rats transgenic for the human angiotensinogen gene crossed with males transgenic for the human renin gene develop the PE syndrome, whereas those of the opposite cross do not. We used this model to study the role of Ang II in trophoblast invasion, which is shallow in human PE but deeper in this model. We investigated the following groups: PE rats, opposite-cross rats, Ang II–infused rats (1000 ng/kg per day), and control rats. Ang II infusion increased only circulating Ang II levels (267.82 pg/mL), opposite cross influenced only uteroplacental Ang II (13.52 fmol/mg of protein), and PE increased both circulating (251.09 pg/mL) and uteroplacental (19.24 fmol/mg of protein) Ang II. Blood pressure and albuminuria occurred in the models with high circulating Ang II but not in the other models. Trophoblast invasion increased in PE and opposite-cross rats but not in Ang II–infused rats. Correspondingly, uterine artery resistance index increased in Ang II–infused rats but decreased in PE rats. We then studied human trophoblasts and villous explants from first-trimester pregnancies with time-lapse microscopy. Local Ang II dose-dependently increased migration by 75%, invasion by 58%, and motility by 282%. The data suggest that local tissue Ang II stimulates trophoblast invasion in vivo in the rat and in vitro in human cells, a hitherto fore unrecognized function. Conceivably, upregulation of tissue Ang II in the maternal part of the placenta represents an important growth factor for trophoblast invasion and migration

Building governance and energy efficiency: Mapping the interdisciplinary challenge

Improving the energy efficiency of multi-owned properties (MoPs)—commonly known as apartment or condominium buildings—is central to the achievement of European energy targets. However, little work to date has focused on how to facilitate retrofit in this context. Drawing on interdisciplinary Social Sciences and Humanities expertise in academia, policy and practice, this chapter posits that decision-making processes within MoPs might provide a key to the retrofit challenge. Existing theories or models of decision-making, applied in the MoP context, might help to explain how collective retrofit decisions are taken—or overlooked. Insights from case studies and practitioners are also key. Theories of change might then be employed to develop strategies to facilitate positive retrofit decisions. The chapter maps the issues and sets an agenda for further interdisciplinary research in this novel area

Iridium oxide based potassium sensitive microprobe with anti-fouling properties

Here, we present a new type of potassium sensor which possesses a combination of potassium sensing and anti-biofouling properties. Two major advancements were required to be developed with respect to the current technology; Firstly, design of surface linkers for this type of coating that would allow deposition of the potassiumselective coating on Iridium (Ir) wire or micro-spike surface for chronic monitoring for the first time. As this has never been done before, even for flat Ir surfaces, the material’s small dimensions and surface area render this challenging. Secondly, the task of transformation of the coated wire into a sensor. Here we develop and bench-test the electrode sensitivity to potassium and determine its specificity to potassium versus sodium interference. For this purpose we also present a novel characterisation platform which enables dynamic characterization of the sensor including step and sinusoidal response to analyte changes. The developed sensor shows good sensitivity (<1 mM concentrations of K+ ions) and selectivity (up to approximately 10 times more sensitive to K+ than Na+ concentration changes, depending on concentrations and ionic environment). In addition, the sensor displays very good mechanical properties for the small diameter involved (sub 150 μm), which in combination with anti-biofouling properties, renders it an excellent potential tool for the chemical monitoring of neural and other physiological activities using implantable devices

The analysis of European lacquer : optimization of thermochemolysis temperature of natural resins

In order to optimize chromatographic analysis of European lacquer, thermochemolysis temperature was evaluated for the analysis of natural resins. Five main ingredients of lacquer were studied: sandarac, mastic, colophony, Manila copal and Congo copal. For each, five temperature programs were tested: four fixed temperatures (350, 480, 550, 650 degrees C) and one ultrafast thermal desorption (UFD), in which the temperature rises from 350 to 660 degrees C in 1 min. In total, the integrated signals of 27 molecules, partially characterizing the five resins, were monitored to compare the different methods. A compromise between detection of compounds released at low temperatures and compounds formed at high temperatures was searched. 650 degrees C is too high for both groups, 350 degrees C is best for the first, and 550 degrees C for the second. Fixed temperatures of 480 degrees C or UFD proved to be a consensus in order to detect most marker molecules. UFD was slightly better for the molecules released at low temperatures, while 480 degrees C showed best compounds formed at high temperatures

2nd IEEE International Mediterranean Conference on Communications and Networking (IEEE MeditCom 2022) 5-8 September 2022, Athens, Greece

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