scholarly journals “Memory of Water” Experiments Explained with No Role Assigned to Water: Pattern Expectation after Classical Conditioning of the Experimenter

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis Beauvais
Keyword(s):  
Classical Conditioning ◽  
Biological System ◽  
Initial Position ◽  
Convincing Evidence ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
System States ◽  
Forced Return ◽  
Random Fluctuations ◽  
The Relationship

Introduction. The “memory of water” experiments suggested the existence of molecular-like effects without molecules. Although no convincing evidence of modifications of water – specific of biologically-active molecules – has been reported, consistent changes of biological systems were nevertheless recorded. We propose an alternate explanation based on classical conditioning of the experimenter.Methods. Using a probabilistic modelling, we describe not only the biological system, but also the experimenter engaged in an elementary dose-response experiment. We assume that during conventional experiments involving genuine biologically-active molecules, the experimenter is involuntarily conditioned to expect a pattern, namely a relationship between the descriptions (or “labels”) of experimental conditions and the corresponding biological system states.Results. The modelling predicts that the conditioned observer could continue to record the learned pattern even in the absence of the initial cause, namely biologically-active molecules. The phenomenon is self-sustained since the observation of the expected pattern reinforces the initial conditioning. A necessary requirement is the use of a system submitted to random fluctuations with autocorrelated successive states (no forced return to the initial position). The relationship observed by the conditioned observer is however not causal and has a quantum-like structure. The modelling predicts also that blind experiments with an “outside” supervisor lead to a loss of correlations (i.e. system states randomly associated to “labels”). Conclusion. This psychophysical modelling allows explaining the results of “memory of water” experiments without referring to water or another local cause. It could be extended to other scientific fields in biology, medicine and psychology when an experimenter effect is suspected.

scholarly journals “Memory of Water” Experiments Explained with No Role Assigned to Water: Pattern Expectation after Classical Conditioning of the Experimenter

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis Beauvais
Keyword(s):  
Classical Conditioning ◽  
Biological System ◽  
Initial Position ◽  
Convincing Evidence ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
System States ◽  
Forced Return ◽  
Random Fluctuations ◽  
The Relationship

The “memory of water” experiments suggested the existence of molecular-like effects without molecules. Although no convincing evidence of modifications of water – specific of biologically-active molecules – has been reported up to now, consistent changes of biological systems were nevertheless recorded. We propose an alternate explanation based on classical conditioning of the experimenter. Using a probabilistic model, we describe not only the biological system, but also the experimenter engaged in an elementary dose-response experiment. We assume that during conventional experiments involving genuine biologically-active molecules, the experimenter is involuntarily conditioned to expect a pattern, namely a relationship between descriptions (or “labels”) of experimental conditions and corresponding biological system states. The model predicts that the conditioned experimenter could continue to record the learned pattern even in the absence of the initial cause, namely the biologically-active molecules. The phenomenon is self-sustained because the observation of the expected pattern reinforces the initial conditioning. A necessary requirement is the use of a system submitted to random fluctuations with autocorrelated successive states (no forced return to the initial position). The relationship recorded by the conditioned experimenter is, however, not causal in this model because blind experiments with an “outside” supervisor lead to a loss of correlations (i.e., system states randomly associated to “labels”). In conclusion, this psychophysical model allows explaining the results of “memory of water” experiments without referring to water or another local cause. It could be extended to other scientific fields in biology, medicine and psychology when suspecting an experimenter effect.

scholarly journals Benveniste’s Experiments Explained by a Non-Conventional Experimenter Effect

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis Beauvais
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Experiment ◽  
Biological System ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Experimental Situation ◽  
Probabilistic Modelling ◽  
Classical Approach ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Water Properties ◽  
Experimenter Effect ◽  
System States

Background: Benveniste’s biology experiments suggested the existence of molecular-like effects without molecules (“memory of water”). In this article, it is proposed that these disputed experiments could have been the consequence of a previously unnoticed and non-conventional experimenter effect. Methods: A probabilistic modelling is built in order to describe an elementary laboratory experiment. A biological system is modelled with two possible states (“resting” and “activated”) and exposed to two experimental conditions labelled “control” and “test”, but both biologically inactive. The modelling takes into account not only the biological system, but also the experimenters. In addition, an outsider standpoint is adopted to describe the experimental situation. Results: A classical approach suggests that, after experiment completion, the “control” and “test” labels of biologically-inactive conditions should be both associated with “resting” state (i.e. no significant relationship between labels and system states). However, if the fluctuations of the biological system are also considered, a quantum-like relationship emerges and connects labels and system states (analogous to a biological “effect” without molecules). Conclusions: No hypotheses about water properties or other exotic explanations are needed to describe Benveniste’s experiments, including their unusual features. This modelling could be extended to other experimental situations in biology, medicine and psychology.

The relationship of the scleractinian corals to the rugose corals

Paleobiology ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 6 (02) ◽  
pp. 146-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
William A. Oliver
Keyword(s):  
Critical Points ◽  
Scleractinian Corals ◽  
Convincing Evidence ◽  
Early Triassic ◽  
Rugose Corals ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Biologic Factors

The Mesozoic-Cenozoic coral Order Scleractinia has been suggested to have originated or evolved (1) by direct descent from the Paleozoic Order Rugosa or (2) by the development of a skeleton in members of one of the anemone groups that probably have existed throughout Phanerozoic time. In spite of much work on the subject, advocates of the direct descent hypothesis have failed to find convincing evidence of this relationship. Critical points are:(1) Rugosan septal insertion is serial; Scleractinian insertion is cyclic; no intermediate stages have been demonstrated. Apparent intermediates are Scleractinia having bilateral cyclic insertion or teratological Rugosa.(2) There is convincing evidence that the skeletons of many Rugosa were calcitic and none are known to be or to have been aragonitic. In contrast, the skeletons of all living Scleractinia are aragonitic and there is evidence that fossil Scleractinia were aragonitic also. The mineralogic difference is almost certainly due to intrinsic biologic factors.(3) No early Triassic corals of either group are known. This fact is not compelling (by itself) but is important in connection with points 1 and 2, because, given direct descent, both changes took place during this only stage in the history of the two groups in which there are no known corals.

scholarly journals Endolysosomal Cation Channels and MITF in Melanocytes and Melanoma

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1021
Author(s):  
Carla Abrahamian ◽  
Christian Grimm
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Gene Expression ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Convincing Evidence ◽  
Signaling Cascades ◽  
Cation Channels ◽  
Pore Channel ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Canonical Wnt ◽  
The Relationship

Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is the principal transcription factor regulating pivotal processes in melanoma cell development, growth, survival, proliferation, differentiation and invasion. In recent years, convincing evidence has been provided attesting key roles of endolysosomal cation channels, specifically TPCs and TRPMLs, in cancer, including breast cancer, glioblastoma, bladder cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma and melanoma. In this review, we provide a gene expression profile of these channels in different types of cancers and decipher their roles, in particular the roles of two-pore channel 2 (TPC2) and TRPML1 in melanocytes and melanoma. We specifically discuss the signaling cascades regulating MITF and the relationship between endolysosomal cation channels, MAPK, canonical Wnt/GSK3 pathways and MITF.

scholarly journals The Relationship between Resistance Exercise Performance and Ventilatory Efficiency after Beetroot Juice Intake in Well-Trained Athletes

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1094
Author(s):  
Noemí Serra-Payá ◽  
Manuel Vicente Garnacho-Castaño ◽  
Sergio Sánchez-Nuño ◽  
Lluís Albesa-Albiol ◽  
Montserrat Girabent-Farrés ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Resistance Exercise ◽  
Exercise Test ◽  
Exercise Performance ◽  
Beetroot Juice ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Ventilatory Efficiency ◽  
End Tidal ◽  
Oxygen Uptake Efficiency Slope ◽  
The Relationship

The assessment of ventilatory efficiency is critical to understanding the matching of ventilation (VE) and perfusion in the lungs during exercise. This study aimed to establish a causal physiological relationship between ventilatory efficiency and resistance exercise performance after beetroot juice (BJ) intake. Eleven well-trained males performed a resistance exercise test after drinking 140 mL of BJ (~12.8 mmol NO3−) or a placebo (PL). Ventilatory efficiency was assessed by the VE•VCO2−1 slope, the oxygen uptake efficiency slope and the partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide (PetCO2). The two experimental conditions were controlled using a randomized, double-blind crossover design. The resistance exercise test involved repeating the same routine twice, which consisted of wall ball shots plus a full squat (FS) with a 3 min rest or without a rest between the two exercises. A higher weight lifted was detected in the FS exercise after BJ intake compared with the PL during the first routine (p = 0.004). BJ improved the VE•VCO2−1 slope and the PetCO2 during the FS exercise in the first routine and at rest (p < 0.05). BJ intake improved the VE•VCO2−1 slope and the PetCO2 coinciding with the resistance exercise performance. The ergogenic effect of BJ could be induced under aerobic conditions at rest.

scholarly journals STRUCTURE-FUNCTION RELATIONSHIPS IN THE ADIPOSE CELL

1970 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 342-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel W. Cushman
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Colloidal Gold ◽  
Intracellular Transport ◽  
Nonesterified Fatty Acid ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Nonesterified Fatty Acids ◽  
Adipose Cell ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
The Relationship

Pinocytic activity in the adipose cell has been examined by measuring the uptake of colloidal gold. Pinocytic activity occurs in the isolated adipose cell under all experimental conditions; a portion of the vesicular elements of the cell can be identified by electron microscopy as pinocytic in origin. The isolated adipose cell appears to take up serum albumin by pinocytosis. Pinocytic activity in the isolated adipose cell is enhanced by epinephrine, but not by insulin. The relationship between pinocytosis and the metabolic activity of the adipose cell has been studied by measuring simultaneously the uptake of radioactive colloidal gold, the incorporation of 14C-counts from U-glucose-14C into CO2, total lipid, triglyceride glycerol and triglyceride fatty acids, and the release of nonesterified fatty acids in the absence of hormones and in the presence of insulin or epinephrine. Correlations between hormone-produced alterations in lipid metabolism and in pinocytic activity suggest that intracellular nonesterified fatty acid levels are a factor in the regulation of both the cell's pinocytic activity and its metabolism and that pinocytosis in the adipose cell functions in the extracellular-intracellular transport of nonesterified fatty acids.

Muscle Weight Relationship to Serum Proteins, Hemocytes, and Hepatopancreas in the Lobster, Homarus americanus

1967 ◽  
Vol 24 (11) ◽  
pp. 2339-2354 ◽  
Author(s):  
James E. Stewart ◽  
John W. Cornick ◽  
Diane M. Foley ◽  
M. F. Li ◽  
C. M. Bishop
Keyword(s):  
Serum Protein ◽  
Physiological Condition ◽  
Serum Proteins ◽  
Homarus Americanus ◽  
Total Serum Protein ◽  
Total Serum ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Muscle Weight ◽  
Beef Liver ◽  
The Relationship

Total serum protein values, hemocyte numbers, and muscle weights were determined for 216 intermolt lobsters immediately after their capture, and for 230 others held captive under a variety of dietary and environmental conditions. Average muscle values ranged from approximately 13% to the more normal 20–25% of the live animals' weight, depending upon experimental conditions. The total serum protein up to a level of 55 mg/ml was shown to be a reliable indicator of muscle weights, although the relationship was not identical for all lobster groups. It appeared to be modified chiefly by the areas from which the different groups were taken. Diet was more important than the temperatures (5 to 14 C) in affecting changes in muscle and serum protein values. Starvation caused a greater reduction (50 to 70%) in the size of the hepatopancreas than in the muscle. Histological examination of the hepatopancreatic tissue showed that the lipid content was markedly reduced upon starvation and that a degeneration of this organ was apparent for lobsters fed a beef liver and herring diet. Measurement of serum proteins would appear to be a useful technique in experiments on lobster nutrition and have value, within specified limits, for assessing the physiological condition of wild lobsters.

Effects of pollution and climate change on the ecosystem components

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuriy Lykholat
Keyword(s):  
Endocrine System ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Current State ◽  
Herbaceous Communities ◽  
Active Chemical ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Ecological Patterns ◽  
The Relationship

The book contains the study results of the environmental and soil conditions of the transformed territories, the ecological patterns of woody plants natural communities’ formation as well as the features of the herbaceous communities’ succession in flooded areas. The current state of forest areas is highlighted, the problems of forest management and their exploitation in Ukraine are outlined. Aspects of anthropogenic impact on natural aquatic ecosystems are shown and various biotesting methods of negative effects are characterized. The relationship between the presence of exogenous biologically active chemical compounds in the environment and damage to the endocrine system of animals has been revealed. The scientific manuscript is intended for ecologists, specialists interested in environmental management and environmental protection. The book may be useful for graduate students and scientific researchers.

Search for active candidates in a range of flavonoids regarding SARS-CoV-2 by the method of molecular docking

2021 ◽  
pp. 22-35
Author(s):  
Stanislav V. Pechinskii ◽  
Eduard T. Oganesyan ◽  
Anna G. Kuregyan
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Docking ◽  
Antiviral Activity ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Active Structures ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
Targeted Screening ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Structure And Activity

Molecular docking is a convenient and cost-effective tool for targeted screening of biologically active structures. This method makes it possible to reveal the relationship between structure and activity, as well as to search for new active compounds. Due to the fact that the antiviral activity of flavonoids and their derivatives has been shown experimentally and clinically, the study of their antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 is a promising study. In an in silico experiment, the possibility of binding 20 flavonoid ligands and the main protease SARS-CoV-2 was studied. The structural features of flavone and flavanone derivatives have been determined, which determine their ability to block the main protease of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Structures of eight new candidates that bind the main protease SARS-CoV-2, which have the prospect of synthesis and further pharmacological research, have been proposed.

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