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domenica 30 settembre 2018

# trade: deep transition scenarios in finance and banking through webtech

<< Good Money is a mobile-first banking wallet that allows users to hold all of their assets, both fiat and cryptocurrencies, in one place. The wallet has no annual fee ($0 per year vs. the average $400 per year of consumer checking accounts) and allows for full fiat and cryptocurrency interoperability. Further, Good Money offers a 1.8 percent interest rate - over 100 times greater than interest rates offered by traditional checking accounts. Beyond interest rates, a second failure of traditional consumer banking is that customers do not control how their stored money is invested by banks. Meaning that your money could well be invested in the petroleum industry when you are in fact a die-hard environmentalist. As the name implies, Good Money enables you as the user to choose how your stored money is invested, aligning it with your vision for humanity. >>

Peter H. Diamandis. The Biggest Tech-Driven Changes Happening in Finance and Banking. Sep 20, 2018.

https://singularityhub.com/2018/09/20/the-bright-tech-driven-future-of-finance-and-banking/

sabato 29 settembre 2018

# evol: precision in work among Neanderthals

<< Neanderthals were also more similar to modern humans in their physical expression than previously thought. The study, which analysed Neanderthal hand and arm bones, reveals that these individuals didn’t actually rely primarily on force in their daily activities – they used precision grips just like we do. >>

Francis Wenban-Smith. Neanderthals were no brutes - research reveals they may have been precision workers. University of Southampton. Sep 26, 2018.

https://theconversation.com/neanderthals-were-no-brutes-research-reveals-they-may-have-been-precision-workers-103858 

Fotios Alexandros Karakostis, Gerhard Hotz, et al. Evidence for precision grasping in Neandertal daily activities. Science Advances  26 Sep 2018: Vol. 4, no. 9, eaat2369 doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aat2369

http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/4/9/eaat2369

Also

"Neanderthal"

https://flashontrack.blogspot.com/search?q=neanderthal

venerdì 28 settembre 2018

# psych: a view around dark personalities, by Morten et al.

<< Egoism, Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, sadism, spitefulness and others are among the traits of the malevolent side of human personality. As results from a recently published German-Danish research project show, these traits share a common "dark core." People with one of these tendencies are also likely to have one or more of the others. >>

Psychologists define the 'dark core of personality'. University of Copenhagen. Sep 27, 2018.

https://m.medicalxpress.com/news/2018-09-psychologists-dark-core-personality.html

Moshagen Morten,Hilbig Benjamin E.,Zettler Ingo. The dark core of personality. Psychological Review, Jul 12 , 2018

http://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Frev0000111

Also

"silvo sadico"  (by quasistochastic poetry)

https://inkpi.blogspot.com/search?q=silvo+sadico

Charlie vs Donald
(never boring with chaos and tit-for-tat theories)

https://flashontrack.blogspot.com/2016/06/s-gst-never-boring-with-chaos-and-tit.html

giovedì 27 settembre 2018

# evol: adaptability by genome duplications (A. kamchatica)

<< "With these results, we have demonstrated on a molecular-genetic level that genome duplications can positively affect the adaptability of organisms," says plant scientist Timothy Paape. The multiple gene copies enable the plant to assume advantageous mutations while keeping an original copy of important genes. >>

Genome duplication drives evolution of species. University of Zurich. Sep 25, 2018.

https://m.phys.org/news/2018-09-genome-duplication-evolution-species.html

Timothy Paape, Roman V. Briskine, et al. Patterns of polymorphism and selection in the subgenomes of the allopolyploid Arabidopsis kamchatica.
Nature Comm 9 3909 Sep 25, 2018

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-06108-1

mercoledì 26 settembre 2018

# tech: self-assembling origami, smart options for architecture

<< Origami and high-performance textiles are transforming architecture plans for smart human habitats >>

Origami opens up smart options for architecture on the Moon and Mars. Europlanet. Sep 21, 2018.

https://m.phys.org/news/2018-09-origami-smart-options-architecture-moon.html

lunedì 24 settembre 2018

# chem: a 'ghost' bond with a partner that isn't there

<< A peculiar type of atom can be induced to form a ‘ghost’ chemical bond with a nonexistent atom, according to new calculations. >>

<< A highly excited atom that includes a loosely bound electron has the weird ability to form 'trilobite' chemical bonds. Such bonds are created by the small attraction between the electron and a second atom in its lowest energy state. The electron is most often found at long distances from its host nucleus, 'reaching out' to the second atom. A visualization of the electron’s likely location in this ultra-long-range bond depicts a series of elongated shells that resemble the segments of an extinct sea animal called a trilobite. >>

<< Through computer simulations, [AA] found that the same effect can be engineered even in the absence of the second atom by exposing the excited atom to a rapid series of electric and magnetic pulses. In the resultant ghost chemical bond, the excited electron appears to reach out to the nonexistent second atom. Such a bond could be formed in a laboratory setting, the authors write. >>

How an atom forms a 'ghost' bond with a partner that isn't there. Nature. Sep 21, 2018

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-06745-y

<< The existence of such a ghost chemical bond in which an electron reaches out from one atom to a nonexistent second atom is a consequence of the high level degeneracy. >>

Matthew T. Eiles, Zhengjia Tong, Chris H. Greene. Theoretical Prediction of the Creation and Observation of a Ghost Trilobite Chemical Bond. Phys. Rev. Lett. 121, 113203. Sep 12, 2018.

https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.121.113203

domenica 23 settembre 2018

# phys: amorphous, but elastic

<< Long-range stress correlations, like those DeGiuli and others have found in amorphous solids, are characteristic of an elastic solid-a material that bounces back to its original shape after being deformed. >>

Emanuela Del Gado. Viewpoint: Constructing a Theory for Amorphous Solids. Sep 10, 2018.

https://physics.aps.org/articles/v11/88

sabato 22 settembre 2018

# game: where cooperation is flexible, not fixed

<<
- Assortment on cooperation is a characteristic feature of hunter-gatherer life
- Assortment persists despite substantial migration and residential mixing
- No evidence for stable social types or a preference to live with cooperators
- Individuals respond in kind to the cooperative behavior of their group members
>>

Kristopher M. Smith, Tomas Larroucau, et al.  Hunter-Gatherers Maintain Assortativity in Cooperation despite High Levels of Residential Change and Mixing. Curr Biol doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.07.064 Sep 20, 2018.

https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(18)30994-1

Nomadic hunter-gatherers show that cooperation is flexible, not fixed. University of Pennsylvania.  Sep 20, 2018.

https://m.phys.org/news/2018-09-nomadic-hunter-gatherers-cooperation-flexible.html

venerdì 21 settembre 2018

# drugs: how to socialize octopuses (O. bimaculoides)

<< By studying the genome of a kind of octopus not known for its friendliness toward its peers, then testing its behavioral reaction to a popular mood-altering drug called MDMA or "ecstasy," scientists say they have found preliminary evidence of an evolutionary link between the social behaviors of the sea creature and humans, species separated by 500 million years on the evolutionary tree. >>

<< What our studies suggest is that certain brain chemicals, or neurotransmitters, that send signals between neurons required for these social behaviors are evolutionarily conserved. >> Gul Dolen

Octopuses given mood drug 'ecstasy' reveal genetic link to evolution of social behaviors in humans. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Sept 20, 2018.

https://m.phys.org/news/2018-09-octopuses-mood-drug-ecstasy-reveal.html

Eric Edsinger, Gul Dolen. A Conserved Role for Serotonergic Neurotransmission in Mediating Social Behavior in Octopus. Curr Biol. Sep 20, 2018. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.07.061 

https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(18)30991-6

giovedì 20 settembre 2018

# evol: life as a product of molecular self-assembly

<< There are currently two main schools of thought regarding the origins of RNA. In one school, RNA is considered to be a product of nonenzymatic, prebiotic reactions. In the other, RNA is considered to be a product of chemical and/or biological evolution. >>

AA << report progress toward finding a proto-RNA that is the product of molecular self-assembly. >>

Cafferty B.J., Fialho D.M., Hud N.V. (2018) Searching for Possible Ancestors of RNA: The Self-Assembly Hypothesis for the Origin of Proto-RNA. In: Menor-Salvan C. (eds) Prebiotic Chemistry and Chemical Evolution of Nucleic Acids. Nucleic Acids and Molecular Biology, vol 35. Springer, Cham. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-93584-3_5

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-3-319-93584-3_5

Joelle Renstrom. New study identifies possible ancestors of RNA. Astrobiol  Mag. Sep 17, 2018.

https://m.phys.org/news/2018-09-ancestors-rna.html 

martedì 18 settembre 2018

# acad: oops! half of all EU trials are non-compliant

<< Of 7274 trials where results were due, 49.5% (95% confidence interval 48.4% to 50.7%) reported results. >>

<< Compliance with the European Commission requirement for all trials to post results on to the EUCTR [EU Clinical Trials Register] within 12 months of completion has been poor, with half of all trials non-compliant. >>

Ben Goldacre, Nicholas J DeVito, et al. Compliance with requirement to report results on the EU Clinical Trials Register: cohort study and web resource. BMJ 2018;362:k3218. Sep 12, 2018.

https://www.bmj.com/content/362/bmj.k3218

<< "chaos, rather than malice" is behind academics’ poor reporting of trial results. >> Ben Goldacre

Inga Vesper. Europe’s academics fail to report results for 90% of clinical trials. But nearly 70% of industry-sponsored trials report their results within a year of ending. Nature doi: 10.1038/d41586-018-06676-8 Sep 13, 2018.

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-06676-8

domenica 16 settembre 2018

# brain: seeing "ghosted" images

<< the human eye and brain are together capable of seeing "ghosted" images >>

<< it is possible to create ghost images with a technique using light to make an image without reflecting it off the original object. The technique is called "ghosting," >>

Bob Yirka. Human eye capable of seeing 'ghosted' images. Sep 4, 2018

https://m.phys.org/news/2018-09-human-eye-capable-ghosted-images.html

<< Computational ghost imaging relies on the decomposition of an image into patterns that are summed together with weights that measure the overlap of each pattern with the scene being imaged. These tasks rely on a computer. Here [AA] demonstrate that the computational integration can be performed directly with the human eye. >>

Alessandro Boccolini, Alessandro Fedrizzi, Daniele Faccio. Ghost imaging with the human eye. arXiv:1808.05137 [q-bio.NC] Aug 13, 2018.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1808.05137

sabato 15 settembre 2018

# behav: a small fish (the cleaner wrasse L. dimidiatus) passes self-awareness test

AA << show that the cleaner wrasse fish, Labroides dimidiatus, passes through all phases of the mark test: (i) social reactions towards the reflection, (ii) repeated idiosyncratic behaviours towards the mirror (contingency testing), and (iii) frequent observation of their reflection. >>

Masanori Kohda, Hatta Takashi, et al.  Cleaner wrasse pass the mark test. What are the implications for consciousness and self-awareness testing in animals?  BioRxiv  doi: 10.1101/397067 Aug 21, 2018

https://www.biorxiv.org/content/early/2018/08/21/397067

<< Since the 1970s, a test developed by Gordon Gallup has been the gold standard for testing for self-awareness - researchers make a mark on a creature's face and introduce a mirror. If the animal makes some attempt to touch or remove the mark, they are deemed to have self-awareness. Since the test first came into use, only a few animals have ever passed the test. Besides humans, the list currently includes chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans, dolphins, elephants and pigeons. >>

Bob Yirka. Small fish passes classic self-awareness test. Sep 4, 2018.

https://m.phys.org/news/2018-09-small-fish-classic-self-awareness.html

venerdì 14 settembre 2018

# gst: how to detect a sinkhole

<< It comes as quite a shock when the ground beneath your feet, your house or your field suddenly disappears leaving a hole. [..] We call these sinkholes, and they are a global problem. >>

<< These voids may eventually come to the surface over time as the roof progressively collapses. These collapses can be gradual, or can happen suddenly, with surface depressions appearing overnight without warning. >>

Peter Styles, Jamie Pringle. How to detect a sinkhole - before it swallows you up. Keele University. Sep 4, 2018.

https://theconversation.com/how-to-detect-a-sinkhole-before-it-swallows-you-up-101543

giovedì 13 settembre 2018

# zen: "walking doesn't get the respect it deserves"

<< Walking is one of the things that distinguishes us from all other animals and, according to a Harvard Medical School Review, "walking doesn't get the respect it deserves". >>

<< Our genome has been evolving over millennia and we still have the same genomes as our hunter-gather ancestors who were active and not obese. >> Anthony Hannan.

Jill Margo. Science shows how walking keeps the brain developing deep into old age.

https://www.afr.com/lifestyle/health/science-shows-how-walking-keeps-the-brain-developing-deep-into-old-age-20180820-h147re

Also

Kinhin

https://it.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinhin

sabato 8 settembre 2018

# gst: even repulsive interactions generate solitons

<< Solitons are nonspreading wave packets that exist in a wide range of real-world systems, including water waves, sound, DNA, optics, and so on. >>

<< Two or more solitons can bind together to form a soliton molecule with dynamics similar to matter molecules, such as vibration, synthesis, and dissociation. >>

<< Formation processes for three types of soliton molecules were studied: ground-, excited-state, and a new one termed an intermittent-vibration soliton molecule. While it is generally believed that attractive interactions of solitons are responsible for the formation of soliton molecules, the authors found that soliton interactions are not limited to attractive interactions. Counterintuitively, even repulsive interactions can lead to the formation of soliton molecules, >>

John Wallace. Investigation with a femtosecond fiber laser finds new type of soliton ‘molecule’. Aug 01, 2018.

https://www.laserfocusworld.com/articles/print/volume-54/issue-08/newsbreaks/investigation-with-a-femtosecond-fiber-laser-finds-new-type-of-soliton-molecule.html

<< For closely‐separated bound solitons, soliton interactions display wide diversities in repeated measurements, including soliton attraction, repelling, collision, vibration, and annihilation. For well‐separated bound solitons, repulsive interactions dominate the soliton interactions. >>

Junsong Peng, Heping Zeng. Build‐Up of Dissipative Optical Soliton Molecules via Diverse Soliton Interactions. Laser & Photonics Reviews 2018, 12, 1800009.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/lpor.201800009 

Also "soliton" in:

https://flashontrack.blogspot.com/search?q=soliton

https://inkpi.blogspot.com/search?q=solitons

lunedì 3 settembre 2018

# gst: a chaos-inducing approach against superbugs evolution

<< The CHAOS [Controlled Hindrance of Adaptation of OrganismS] method takes advantage of this effect, pulling multiple genetic levers in order to build up stress on the bacterial cell and eventually trigger a cascading failure, leaving the bug more vulnerable to current treatments. The technique does not alter the bug's DNA itself, only the expression of individual genes, similar to the way a coded message is rendered useless without the proper decryption. >>

<< We now have a way to cut off the evolutionary pathways of some of the nastiest bugs and potentially prevent future bugs from emerging at all, >> Peter Otoupal

Chaos-inducing genetic approach stymies antibiotic-resistant superbugs. University of Colorado at Boulder. Sept 3, 2018.

https://m.phys.org/news/2018-09-chaos-inducing-genetic-approach-stymies-antibiotic-resistant.html 

<< While individual perturbations improved fitness during antibiotic exposure, multiplexed perturbations caused large fitness loss in a significant epistatic fashion. >>

Peter B. Otoupal, William T. Cordell, et al. Multiplexed deactivated CRISPR-Cas9 gene expression perturbations deter bacterial adaptation by inducing negative epistasis. Comm  Biol 1 (129) Sept 3, 2018

https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-018-0135-2