Reading Others Well and Being Well Read

The conceptual problem of other minds is over how we can so much as form thoughts or beliefs about (let alone know) mental lives other than our own. What I call the conceptual problem of other conscious minds restricts this question to others’ phenomenally conscious experiences. Past appeals to an individual’s inferential, imaginative, or perceptual faculties all more plausibly presuppose than provide a solution to this problem: such faculties allow us to form thoughts about others’ experiences only if we already have some prior means of doing so (§§2-5). This is not the case with testimony, which I introduce and defend as the most plausible solution to the conceptual problem of other conscious minds (§§6-7). I then try to introduce an analogous conceptual problem over others’ psychological states to see whether testimony too might solve it (§8). Testimony cannot solve what I call the conceptual problem of other cognitive minds—regarding others’ psychological dispositions—but this turns out to be something of a pseudo-problem (§9). What I call the conceptual problem of other people—regarding others’ commitments and values—is a significant problem of other minds (§10), and one for which testimony again seems to be the best solution (§11)

Measuring internal forces in single-stranded DNA: Application to a DNA force clamp

We present a new method for calculating internal forces in DNA structures using coarse-grained models and demonstrate its utility with the oxDNA model. The instantaneous forces on individual nucleotides are explored and related to model potentials, and using our framework, internal forces are calculated for two simple DNA systems and for a recently-published nanoscopic force clamp. Our results highlight some pitfalls associated with conventional methods for estimating internal forces, which are based on elastic polymer models, and emphasise the importance of carefully considering secondary structure and ionic conditions when modelling the elastic behaviour of single-stranded DNA. Beyond its relevance to the DNA nanotechnological community, we expect our approach to be broadly applicable to calculations of internal force in a variety of structures -- from DNA to protein -- and across other coarse-grained simulation models.Comment: 39 pages, 9 figure

Inversion of Randomly Corrugated Surfaces Structure from Atom Scattering Data

The Sudden Approximation is applied to invert structural data on randomly corrugated surfaces from inert atom scattering intensities. Several expressions relating experimental observables to surface statistical features are derived. The results suggest that atom (and in particular He) scattering can be used profitably to study hitherto unexplored forms of complex surface disorder.Comment: 10 pages, no figures. Related papers available at http://neon.cchem.berkeley.edu/~dan

Perspectives on the Trypanosoma cruzi-host cell receptor interaction

Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The critical initial event is the interaction of the trypomastigote form of the parasite with host receptors. This review highlights recent observations concerning these interactions. Some of the key receptors considered are those for thromboxane, bradykinin, and for the nerve growth factor TrKA. Other important receptors such as galectin-3, thrombospondin, and laminin are also discussed. Investigation into the molecular biology and cell biology of host receptors for T. cruzi may provide novel therapeutic targets

Safety of Whey basic protein isolates as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on whey basic protein isolate as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The NF is obtained by ion exchange chromatography of skimmed cow's milk. The applicant intends to market the NF in infant and follow-on formulae and meal replacement beverages, dietary foods for special medical purposes and as food supplements. The highest estimated intake of the NF based on the proposed uses and use levels would be 24.8 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day in infants and 27.8 in toddlers. The information provided on composition, specifications, production process and stability of the NF do not raise safety concerns. Taking into account the composition of the NF and the intended use levels, the Panel considers that the consumption of the NF is not nutritionally disadvantageous. The Panel considers that there is no concern with respect to genotoxicity. The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of a subchronic 13-week rat study was 2000 mg/kg bw per day. Considering the source, the production process and nature of the NF, the Panel considers the margin of exposure (MOE) of 154 to be sufficient for the adult population (on a high-estimated intake of 13 mg/kg bw). For infants and toddlers, the MOE would be at least 81 and 72, respectively. Taking into account the composition of the NF, its source, the history of consumption of the main components of the NF, the production process and that the NOAEL in a subchronic rat study was the highest dose tested the Panel considers that also the MOE for infants and toddlers are sufficient. The Panel concludes that the novel food ingredient, whey basic protein isolate, is safe under the proposed uses and use levels. (C) 2018 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.Peer reviewe

Safety of Allanblackia seed oil for extended uses in vegetable oils and milk and in yellow fat and cream-based spreads up to 30% (w/w)

In 2007, the EFSA NDA Panel concluded that Allanblackia seed oil obtained from the seeds of Allanblackia trees is safe for human consumption under the proposed conditions of use. Due to its high contents of stearic-oleic-stearic and stearic-oleic-oleic triglycerides, which made the oil suitable as a ‘hardstock’ component, the applicant applied for its use as a novel food (NF) ingredient in yellow fat and cream-based spreads at a level of 20% (w/w). In this application, the applicant seeks (1) to increase the authorised maximum use level (i.e. 20% w/w) in yellow fat spreads and cream-based spreads to 30% (w/w) and (2) the use of this NF in mixes of vegetable oils and milk up to a maximum use level of 30% (w/w). (3) The applicant proposes also some changes in the specifications of the NF, although he noted that the oil is collected, extracted and refined using the same processes that are currently used for other edible vegetable oils and which have been evaluated in the original application assed by EFSA in 2007. According to the information provided by the applicant, the production process and the composition of the NF do not change. The Panel notes that the revised specification limits on trans-fatty acid (TFA), unsaponifiable matter, peroxide value are similar to those for other edible oils and fats. The applicant also indicated that he had performed an updated comprehensive literature search using several different databases, but no preclinical studies or human studies on Allanblackia seed oil were identified which have not been provided for the previous EFSA assessment in 2007. The Panel notes that the proposed extended uses would increase the potential intake of the NF, which is considered not to be nutritionally disadvantageous. The Panel concludes that Allanblackia seed oil is safe at the extended uses and use level

Safety of egg membrane hydrolysate as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on egg membrane hydrolysate as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The NF is a water-soluble hydrolysate of egg membrane, produced by alkaline treatment of the thin layer lining the shells of chicken eggs. The main constituents of the NF are elastin, collagen and glycosaminoglycans. The information provided on the production process, batch-to-batch variability, composition and specifications of the NF is sufficient and does not raise safety concerns. The NF is proposed to be used as a food supplement for adults, at a maximum daily amount of 450 mg. The consumption of the NF is not nutritionally disadvantageous. One human study, which was not designed for safety but included a number of endpoints pertaining to safety, did not raise safety concerns. The Panel considers that taking into account the information provided and considering the nature, the source and the production process of the NF, there are no safety concerns for the NF at the proposed conditions of use. The Panel concludes that the NF, egg membrane hydrolysate, is safe as a food supplement at a dose of 450 mg/day. The target population for the NF is the general adult population. (C) 2018 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.Peer reviewe

Adenovirus Type 7 Peptide Diversity during Outbreak, Korea, 1995–2000

To understand the molecular basis of observed regional shifts in the genome types of adenovirus type 7 (Ad7) isolated in Korea during nationwide outbreaks from 1995 to 2000, the genetic variabilities of Ad7d and Ad7l were studied by sequence analysis of hexon, fiber, E3, and E4 open reading frame (ORF) 6/7 peptides. One amino acid change in the receptor-binding domain of fiber and 6 amino acid variations in E4 ORF 6/7 were identified between 2 genome types, while no variations were found in hexon and E3. Phylogenetic trees based on hexon, fiber, and E4 suggested that the Ad7 epidemic was probably caused by the introduction of the Japanese Ad7d strains. Our data also provide evidence that the rapid divergence of Ad7d to a novel genome type Ad7l could have been due to viral strategies involving multiple sequence changes in E4. This result suggests fiber and E4 ORF 6/7 peptides participate in the evolution of Ad7