scholarly journals Anthropocene Crisis: Climate Change, Pollinators, and Food Security

Environments ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Marshman ◽  
Alison Blay-Palmer ◽  
Karen Landman
Keyword(s):  
Critical Role ◽  
Natural World ◽  
Direct Result ◽  
Geological Time ◽  
Geological Time Scale ◽  
Habitat Creation ◽  
Community Approach ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
Institutional Space

In this paper, we propose a new approach—understood as a whole-of-community approach—to address a dualistic and dysfunctional human/nature relationship. Of particular concern is the decline in health and numbers of the insects that pollinate an estimated 90 percent of the Earth’s flora and an estimated 35 percent of global crop volume. Specifically, bees provide the majority of biotic pollination and play a critical role in food crop pollination. Multiple factors are contributing to this growing problem including a changing climate. In 2016, the International Commission on Stratigraphy agreed that the concept of the Anthropocene—the human epoch—is of sufficient scale to be considered part of the geological time scale. This indicates that these crises are not random or passive—they are largely the direct result of human activities. Despite decades of awareness of these socio-ecological issues, they continue to worsen. In addition, the growing awareness of the critical role of pollinators is creating a new understanding of our interconnectedness with the “natural” world. We introduce the Bee City movement as a way to operationalize a whole-of-community approach. Individual action is critical, but addressing pollinator health in these forums legitimizes and provides an institutional space for otherwise fringe, or even marginalized, activities and more coherent spaces for habitat creation.

It Keeps Me Seeking

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Briggs ◽  
Hans Halvorson ◽  
Andrew Steane
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Quantum Physics ◽  
Natural World ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Good Argument ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Argument From Design ◽  
Relationship Of

Two scientists and a philosopher aim to show how science both enriches and is enriched by Christian faith. The text is written around four themes: 1. God is a being to be known, not a hypothesis to be tested; 2. We set a high bar on what constitutes good argument; 3. Uncertainty is OK; 4. We are allowed to open up the window that the natural world offers us. This is not a work of apologetics. Rather, the text takes an overview of various themes and gives reactions and responses, intended to place science correctly as a valued component of the life of faith. The difference between philosophical analysis and theological reflection is expounded. Questions of human identity are addressed from philosophy, computer science, quantum physics, evolutionary biology and theological reflection. Contemporary physics reveals the subtle and open nature of physical existence, and offers lessons in how to learn and how to live with incomplete knowledge. The nature and role of miracles is considered. The ‘argument from design’ is critiqued, especially arguments from fine-tuning. Logical derivation from impersonal facts is not an appropriate route to a relationship of mutual trust. Mainstream evolutionary biology is assessed to be a valuable component of our understanding, but no exploratory process can itself fully account for the nature of what is discovered. To engage deeply in science is to seek truth and to seek a better future; it is also an activity of appreciation, as one may appreciate a work of art.

Verb paradigm in Tomo Kan Dogon: interconnections of polypredicative constructions, grammaticalization, and tonology

2021 ◽  
pp. 252-268
Author(s):  
V. V. Dyachkov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Role ◽  
The Other ◽  
Anal Ysis ◽  
Syntactic Position ◽  
The Family ◽  
Similar Range ◽  
Tonal Contour ◽  
Relationship Of

The paper deals with the grammaticalization problems in Tomo Kan (Dogon family, Niger-Congo) and, in particular, with the diachronic relationship of polypredicative constructions and TAM markers. Dogon languages are characterized by TAM systems that seem to be dia-chronically unstable since markers with a similar range of meanings go back to different lexi-cal sources in different languages of the family. TAM markers are apparently associated with polypredicative constructions, which are very common in Dogon and preserve some of their morphosyntactic properties. At the same time, Dogon languages are characterized by complex tonal changes triggered not only by phonological context but also by the syntactic position of constituents. These tonal changes, frequently referred to as tonosyntax, accompany the formation of polypredicative constructions and other syntactic phenomena. A thorough inves-tigation of Tomo Kan TAM markers shows their tonosyntactic properties to resemble those of polypredicative constructions. Moreover, assuming that tonosyntax of polypredicative con-structions triggers certain tonal contour overlays, one can account for tonal alternations ob-served in TAM forms which would have been left otherwise unexplained. However, the anal-ysis also reveals that at least two classes of TAM forms must be distinguished in Tomo Kan: one of them inherits the tonosyntax of polypredicative constructions while the other does not. A hypothesis is put forward that the latter class has a different source of grammaticalization and is probably associated with verb stem incorporation rather than with polypredication. Methodologically, the paper shows a critical role of tonology in the analysis of grammaticalization processes in tonal languages.

The Role of Unabsorbed Slack in Internal and Collaborative Innovation Processes — A Resource-Based Framework

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (03) ◽  
pp. 1640007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrich Lichtenthaler
Keyword(s):  
Critical Role ◽  
Slack Resources ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Collaborative Innovation ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Unabsorbed Slack ◽  
Innovation Processes

Extant research has highlighted the critical role of unabsorbed slack resources in internal innovation processes. In recent years, many firms have continued to open up their innovation processes to actively collaborate with external partners. In light of a limited understanding of the determinants of collaborative innovation, we provide new theoretical arguments about the relationship of unabsorbed slack resources with internal and collaborative innovation processes. Specifically, we draw on resource-based and competence-based logic and develop a conceptual framework for intraorganizational and interorganizational innovation with propositions for the impact of unabsorbed slack resources on internal and external knowledge acquisition and commercialization processes. The arguments underscore the critical role of excess resources in collaborative innovation, and they highlight the need for a fine-grained examination of the impact of unabsorbed slack resources in innovation processes. The arguments are particularly important in light of a renewed interest in essential enablers and barriers to collaborative innovation processes.

The Emerging Alliance of Religion and Ecology

1997 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Evelyn Tucker
Keyword(s):  
United Nations ◽  
Natural World ◽  
Environmental Crisis ◽  
Environmental Groups ◽  
Political Leaders ◽  
Religion And Ecology ◽  
The United Nations ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractThe role of the world's religions may be crucial in rethinking the relationship of humans to the natural world in a mutually enhancing manner. I first acknowledge, although briefly, the scale and complexity of the environmental crisis. Next, I suggest the need for seeking common grounds to work toward a resolution of the crisis. Then I highlight the call for the co-operation and action of the world's religions from particular sectors such as environmental groups, the United Nations, political leaders, scientists, and ethicists. Finally, I document some of the responses and the resources of the world's religions in evoking new attitudes toward nature.

How Does Thought-Action Fusion Relate to Responsibility Attitudes and Thought Suppression to Aggravate the Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms?

2010 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Müjgan Altın ◽  
Tülin Gençöz
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Thought Suppression ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
Thought Action Fusion

Background: Comprehensive cognitive theories of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) propose that clinical obsessions and compulsions arise from specific sorts of dysfunctional beliefs and appraisals, such as inflated sense of responsibility, thought-action fusion (TAF), and thought suppression. Aims: The present study aimed to examine the mediator roles of responsibility and thought suppression between TAF and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Specifically, it aimed to explore the relative effects of TAF factors (i.e. morality and likelihood) on inflated sense of responsibility and on thought suppression to increase the obsessive qualities of intrusions. Method: Two hundred and eighty-three Turkish undergraduate students completed a battery of measures on responsibility, thought suppression, TAF, OC symptoms, and depression. Results: A series of hierarchical regression analyses, where depressive symptoms were controlled for, indicated that TAF-morality and TAF-likelihood follow different paths toward OC symptoms. Although TAF-morality associated with inflated sense of responsibility, TAF-likelihood associated with thought suppression efforts, and in turn these factors increased OC symptoms. Conclusions: These findings provide support for the critical role of sense of responsibility and thought suppression between the relationship of TAF and OC symptoms. Findings were discussed in line with the literature.

scholarly journals What Makes an Elite Shooter and Archer? The Critical Role of Interoceptive Attention

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengli Li ◽  
Quanyu Lu ◽  
Qiong Wu ◽  
Xinghua Liu ◽  
Yanhong Wu
Keyword(s):  
Elite Athletes ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Detection Task ◽  
Mindfulness Training ◽  
Expert Performance ◽  
National Team ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Expertise Level ◽  
Relationship Of

It is well-acknowledged that attention is important for expert performance in sports. However, the role of interoceptive attention, i.e., the attentional mechanism of awareness and conscious focus of bodily somatic and visceral signals, in self-paced and far-aiming sports remains to be explored. This study aims to investigate the relationship of expertise level and interoceptive attention ability in shooting and archery, and to examine if interoceptive attention can be improved by mindfulness training in elite athletes of shooting and archery. We tested the performance differences of 41 elite athletes from the Chinese national team of shooting and archery and 43 non-elite athletes from a provincial team in breath detection task (BDT) and dot flash detection task (DDT), which were designed to measure interoceptive and exteroceptive attention (i.e., attention toward information input of primary sensory), respectively. Furthermore, we applied mindfulness training to the 41 elite athletes for 5–8 weeks and remeasured their performances of BDT and DDT. Results showed that elite athletes outperformed non-elite athletes in BDT (but not in DDT) both in accuracy (DiffBDT = 11.50%, p = 0.004) and in discrimination sensitivity (d′, DiffBDT = 1.159, p = 0.002). Difference in accuracy and d′ reached significant level only in BDT (accuracy: DiffBDT = −8.50%, p = 0.001; d′: DiffBDT = −0.822, p = 0.003) before and after mindfulness training. These results indicate that elite athletes of shooting and archery (i.e., relative to non-elite athletes) can better perceive the somatic and visceral responses or changes and discriminate these signals from noises. Moreover, interoceptive attention can be improved by mindfulness training. These results have important implications for the selection and training of athletes of shooting and archery.

Role of MCP-1 in the development of tubulointerstitial fibrosis in patients with primary chronic glomerulonephritis

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 92-98
Author(s):  
A. V. Mukhtarova ◽  
M. M. Batyushin ◽  
Е. А. Sinelnik ◽  
N. V. Antipova
Keyword(s):  
Average Length ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Albumin Level ◽  
Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis ◽  
Chronic Glomerulonephritis ◽  
Tubular Damage ◽  
Moderate Degree ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

BACKGROUND. To date, the study of the factors involved in the glomerular-tubular pathological connections leading to damage to the tubulointerstitial tissue is one of the topical areas of nephrology. THE AIM: to study the effect of MCP-1 in the development of tubulointerstitial fibrosis as a factor in the irreversible progression of chronic renal failure. PATIENTS ANDMETHODS. Prospective observation and retrospective analysis of case histories were carried out, which included a total of 75 patients with primary chronic glomerulonephritis. RESULTS. The average age of the patients was 36.7 ± 12.3 years, of which 52 were males, 23 were women. The average length of service in a nephrological disease was 3.0 [1.0; 5.0] years. The calculated GFR values are 87.3 ± 31.2 ml / min / 1.73 m2. In the general population, the moderate degree of MCP-1 expression, estimated at 2 points, was 35 %, pronounced expression was found in 25 % of the respondents. In the mesangium of the glomeruli and in macrophages, the expressed degree of MCP-1 expression was 20 % and 16 %, respectively, which characterizes MCP-1 as a marker produced by resident cells. When studying the relationship of MCP-1 in blood with clinical parameters, a correlation was found with the values of total protein (Rs= –0.43; p <0.05), with erythrocyturia (Rs= –0.28; p <0.05), as well as with an albumin level (Rs= –0.5; p <0.05), which indicates the role of MCP-1 in the development of nephritic forms of glomerulonephritis. Depending on the severity of MCP-1 expression in biopsy specimens, the incidence of focal tubulointerstitial fibrosis with MCP-1 expression estimated at 1 point was 13.3 %, 2 points – 14.3 %, 3 points – 44.0 %. The revealed significant correlation between the serum level of MCP-1 and the severity of tubulointerstitial fibrosis confirms the MCP-1-mediated mechanism of progression of CKD. CONCLUSION. The relationship of serum and tissue forms of MCP-1 with the progression of tubulointerstitial fibrosis in chronic glomerulonephritis has been demonstrated. MCP-1-induced mesangial cell plays a critical role in the development of renal tubular damage, and its increased expression is associated with progressive tubulointerstitial fibrosis and decreased renal function.

The Crucial Role of Culture in Japanese Environmental Philosophy

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Midori Kagawa-Fox
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Ethics ◽  
Natural World ◽  
Environmental Philosophy ◽  
Japanese Culture ◽  
Japanese People ◽  
Moral Consciousness ◽  
Beliefs And Practices ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

A hybrid Japanese philosophy, integrating traditional Japanese Buddhist thought with the Western philosophical canon emerged during the twentieth century in response to the program of modernization instituted by the Maiji Restoration. Japanese culture, however, has been as important in shaping Japanese environmental ethics as have Japanese philosophical values. Japan has an extensive cultural heritage that has been built on mythology and folklore, and on religious beliefs and practices, and these ingredients have influenced the Japanese ethical consciousness. The indigenous Shinto religion, which evolved from animism, teaches that the ever-present kami (spirits) bind the Japanese to their environment. Their presence imparts a strong moral consciousness. Thus an understanding of the relationship of the kami to the Japanese people is essential for appreciating Japanese environmental ethics. Most Japanese have an intuitive belief in the kami that has been significant in forming their caring attitude toward the natural world.

scholarly journals Business Communication – A Key to Improve Customer Satisfaction

2021 ◽  
pp. 173-180
Author(s):  
Asima Begum
Keyword(s):  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Business Communication ◽  
Feedback System ◽  
Customer Relationship ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Communication Models ◽  
Customer Trust ◽  
Relationship Of

In the fast growing and changing competitive market, it is inevitable for the business to win the customer trust. But it is possible while maintaining proper business communication. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the critical role of business communication in enhancing customer satisfaction. The literature focused mainly on how business communication relates to customer satisfaction in addition to value creation and relationship of sales. In this paper it also covered the some aspects that can influence on customers satisfaction such as role of communication, maintaining customer relationship and their loyalty towards the organisation. The findings are in order to deliver better goods and services, it is best for the organisation to expand the use of communication models. The organisation should develop its feedback system, incorporate staff training, and run a daily advertisement campaign to attract new customers and warn current customers about upcoming events, according to the recommendations.

scholarly journals MOLTMANN SPEAKING AT THE ECO-ENVIRONMENTALISTS CONFERENCE: ECOLOGY AND THEOLOGY IN DIALOGUE

Scriptura ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 120 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelebogile Thomas Resane
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Ecological Crisis ◽  
Trinitarian Theology ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Ecological Understanding ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Triune God ◽  
Relationship Of

This article explains Moltmann’s doctrine of ecology as applied by ecotheologians to address the ecological crisis. Ecotheology is highlighted as a critical role-player in the harmonisation of theology and ecology. The role of ecotheology is defined within the ecological crisis in South Africa. The emergence of ecotheology assists scholars to balance and maintain a stable and theologically sensible mode of stewardship, taking a command from the perichoretical example for us to dwell together with God and creation as partners towards creation fulfilment. Moltmann’s response to ecological abuse is to provide a Trinitarian theology of the environment that encompasses creation, redemption and anthropology. His theology of the environment attempts to widen its eschatological focus by stressing that humanity and the environment are being redeemed in the coming of God’s Kingdom. Moltmann’s trinitarian theology, especially from the perichoretical inter-relationship of the triune God, pneumatological application in creation, and humanity’s pivotal position and role are all elaborated to support ecological understanding. Humanity as imago Dei are encouraged to move from the traditional view of dominating the earth towards that of becoming partners with God in the eschatological replenishment of the earth. Humans need to take a gigantic leap of acquiring knowledge of the trinitarian creation model suggested by Moltmann’s ecological doctrine i.e. God-Creation-Humanity. Human beings must find out what their God-given meaning for the creation is, and when they have done so, their sense of responsibility will be ignited.

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