Despite the diversity of contemporary linguistic theory, certain fundamental views enjoy a rough consensus and are widely accepted without serious question. Points of general agreement include the following: (a) language is a self-contained system amenable to algorithmic characterization, with sufficient autonomy to be studied in essential isolation from broader cognitive concerns; (b) grammar ...

in more than 2000 catchments. Intangible benefits included the development or strengthening of community agroforestry and the sense of commitment from campesinos, probably enhanced by increased property values at the project sites. Rodŕıguez acknowledges the limits of this approach in conserving biodiversity and devotes some thoughts as to how similar strategies could apply to other ecosystems ...

The Atmospheric Integrated Research and Monitoring Network (AIRMoN) of NOAA is a research program aimed at developing and implementing improved dry and wet deposition monitoring methodologies. For dry deposition, the array is built on the basis of air-surface exchange research stations, originally set up as the `CORE/Satellite Dry Deposition Inferential Methoda array under the National Acid Pre...

Two groups recently deduced the positive value for the cosmological constant, concluding at a high (≥ 99%) confidence level that the Universe should be accelerating. This conclusion followed from the statistical analysis of dozens of high-redshift supernovae. In this paper this conclusion is discussed. From the conservative frequentist’s point of view the validity of null hypothesis of the zero...

Bacillus anthracis is one of the most genetically homogeneous pathogens described, making strain discrimination particularly difficult. In this paper, we present a novel molecular typing system based on rapidly evolving variable-number tandem repeat (VNTR) loci. Multiple-locus VNTR analysis (MLVA) uses the combined power of multiple alleles at several marker loci. In our system, fluorescently l...

BACKGROUND Nowadays, bioflocculation is considered as a potential technology that could be able to alleviate microalgae dewatering cost regarded as the cornerstone hindrance of their full-scale application. However, most bioflocculation studies reported are laboratory scales. This study examined a pilot-scale and in situ flocculation of freshwater microalgae Desmodesmus brasiliensis by microbia...

Doubtlessly the most central notion in superconductivity, for both low and high transition temperatures Tc, is that of Cooper pairs (CPs) [1] that form among the underlying electron (or hole) charge carriers of the many-electron system. And yet, it is perhaps the least understood concept. Shortly after the publication of the BCS theory [2] of superconductivity, charged pairs observed in magneti...

Immature vertebrates-either as an embryo in an egg, as free-living larva, or as an in utero fetus, are clearly not just small versions of adults. Their cardiovascular physiology (and doubtlessly other aspects of physiology) differs from that of adults both qualitatively and quantitatively. Yet, comparative cardiovascular physiologists have been relatively conservative in constructing a new (or ...

No one would argue that the human hand is the most complex and challenging structure of the human anatomy to replace and restore. The hand is an extremely complex structure which moves with a precision and dexterity that has long challenged the minds of researchers in medicine and engineering. Beyond its kine­ matic capabilities, the hand is also one of the most intricate sensory mechanisms of ...

Assessing outcomes for extracorporeal orthotic and prosthetic clinical and technological intervention is fairly straight forward: just ask. Of course, the resulting subjective interpretation (ratings) might not fully capture or accurately reflect the underlining biological issues involved in physical restoration and rehabilitation of individuals with desensitized or missing limbs. Further, such...