Current theoretical work on inclusive fitness is discussed, with emphasis on the author’s ‘formal Darwinism project’. Generally, favourable conclusions are drawn about the validity of assuming fitness DZNeP maximization, but the need for continuing work is emphasized, along with the possibility that substantive exceptions may be uncovered. The formal Darwinism project aims more ambitiously to represent in a formal mathematical framework the central

point of Darwin’s Origin of Species, that the mechanical processes of inheritance and reproduction can give rise to the appearance of design, and it is a fitting ambition in Darwin’s bicentenary year to capture his most profound discovery in the lingua franca of science.”
“LixAg1-x(Nb0.5Ta0.5)O-3 (0 <= x <= 0.25) solid solutions

have been fabricated by the mixed oxide method. Compositions with x <= 0.15 were single phase perovskite by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and could be indexed using the end member, Ag(Nb0.5Ta0.5)O-3 Pbcm cell, root 2a, root 2a, 4a (where a is the pseudocubic lattice parameter). For x >= 0.20, Li(Nb, Ta)O-3 peaks emerged as a second phase. Electron diffraction patterns from the perovskite phase could also be indexed according to the Pbcm cell but there was a systematic decrease in the intensity of 00 1/4(p) as Li concentration PD98059 mouse increased which indicated that the correlation length of cation displacements perpendicular to c decreased from long to short range order. The reduction in correlation length of cation displacements resulted in a convergence of the M-1-M-2-M-3 transitions to give a single broad, frequency dependent maximum at

x=0.15. Further increase in Li concentration did not qualitatively affect the temperature dependent dielectric data, consistent with the https://www.selleckchem.com/products/dinaciclib-sch727965.html solubility limit determined by XRD. P-E loops did not show any significant enhancement in switchable polarization in the system with the majority of samples exhibiting a linear dielectric response. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3485813]“
“The evolution of organismality is a social process. All organisms originated from groups of simpler units that now show high cooperation among the parts and are nearly free of conflicts. We suggest that this near-unanimous cooperation be taken as the defining trait of organisms. Consistency then requires that we accept some unconventional organisms, including some social insect colonies, some microbial groups and viruses, a few sexual partnerships and a number of mutualistic associations. Whether we call these organisms or not, a major task is to explain such cooperative entities, and our survey suggests that many of the traits commonly used to define organisms are not essential.