scholarly journals The Anuvrat Movement: A Case Study of Jain-inspired Ethical and Eco-conscious Living

Religions ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 636
Author(s):  
Michael Reading
Keyword(s):  
Life Forms ◽  
Conscious Living ◽  
Ecological Practice

From proclaiming the equality of all life forms to the stringent emphasis placed upon nonviolent behavior (ahimsa), and once more to the pronounced intention for limiting one’s possessions (aparigraha), Jainism has often been pointed to for its admirably ecofriendly example. Incorporating some of this eco-friendliness into its design for ethical vow taking, the Jain-inspired Anuvrat Movement, founded in 1949 by Acharya Sri Tulsi, today offers some arguably vital relevance for the urgent modern task to live eco-consciously. While such relevance includes, most explicitly, Anuvrat’s final vow (vow eleven) which calls for practitioners to “refrain from such acts as are likely to cause pollution and harm the environment,” and to avoid the “cutting down of trees” and the “wasting of water,”1 it also includes several of Anuvrat’s other vows as well, which carry significance on a more implicit level. Hence, presenting some of the basic history and philosophy behind Anuvrat, this article also analyzes its potential for ensuring ethical (and eco-conscious) behavior via its hallmark mechanism of vow restriction—a modality of arguably potent strategic and motivational value. Altogether, while first providing a brief inventory of Jain ecological practice in general, the article will then turn its attention to Anuvrat, arguing that when it comes to the modern eco-conscious imperative to “live simply so that others may simply live” (as the popular adage has it), there is indeed much that Anuvrat has to offer.

scholarly journals Artificial life and ‘nature’s purposes’: The question of behavioral autonomy

Human Affairs ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 587-596
Author(s):  
Elena Popa
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Life ◽  
Life Forms ◽  
Behavioral Traits ◽  
Ethical Implications ◽  
Autonomous Behavior ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Behavioral Autonomy ◽  
Synthetic Life ◽  
Biological Organisms

AbstractThis paper investigates the concept of behavioral autonomy in Artificial Life by drawing a parallel to the use of teleological notions in the study of biological life. Contrary to one of the leading assumptions in Artificial Life research, I argue that there is a significant difference in how autonomous behavior is understood in artificial and biological life forms: the former is underlain by human goals in a way that the latter is not. While behavioral traits can be explained in relation to evolutionary history in biological organisms, in synthetic life forms behavior depends on a design driven by a research agenda, further shaped by broader human goals. This point will be illustrated with a case study on a synthetic life form. Consequently, the putative epistemic benefit of reaching a better understanding of behavioral autonomy in biological organisms by synthesizing artificial life forms is subject to doubt: the autonomy observed in such artificial organisms may be a mere projection of human agency. Further questions arise in relation to the need to spell out the relevant human aims when addressing potential social or ethical implications of synthesizing artificial life forms.

scholarly journals Mapping Gendered Spaces and Women’s Mobility: A Case Study of Mitathal Village, Haryana

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prerna Siwach
Keyword(s):  
Gender Roles ◽  
Public Space ◽  
Physical Space ◽  
Life Forms ◽  
Gendered Spaces ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Gender Stratification ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
The Village

The most explicit representation of gendering of space is the division between public and private space. Public space—the space of transcendence, production, politics, and power—is the sphere of men, whereas private productive space—the sphere of reproduction—is the women’s space. The spatial perspective developed here recognizes the complexities of a patriarchal society and how these define gender roles, which further help in sustaining gender stratification on the physical space. Whatever mobility women accrue is due to the nature of their work; thus, the nature of work and the gender roles a woman performs define her space of access. Age and caste are two major factors that affect mobility. The study also attempts to explore how “patriarchal bargain” takes place. They are a bargain, in that the “rules” which regulate gender relations in a region are constantly contested and renegotiated in daily life. Forms and expressions of patriarchy are undergoing changes; moreover, it can be said that the village is moving toward a kind of patriarchal bargain that allows women more mobility.

scholarly journals Terrestrial and aquatic flora along a mesotrophic lake shore remaining under increasing human impact: a case study of Lake Powidzkie (Poland)

2010 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-90
Author(s):  
Wojciech Stachnowicz
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Human Impact ◽  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Life Forms ◽  
Lake Shore ◽  
Mesotrophic Lake ◽  
Aquatic Flora ◽  
Impatiens Parviflora ◽  
Natura 2000 Site

Terrestrial and aquatic flora along a mesotrophic lake shore remaining under increasing human impact: a case study of Lake Powidzkie (Poland) Floristical investigations were carried out in 2009 in both terrestrial and littoral zones along the NW shore of the mesotrophic Lake Powidzkie (a Natura 2000 site: PLH300026). The results comprise: a general comparison of aquatic vs. terrestrial species richness; a census of 296 species of vascular plants and 7 species of charophytes; the taxonomical, biological (life forms) and geographical-historical (native vs. alien taxa) structure of vascular flora. Distribution of nationally and regionally threatened and legally protected species is presented on maps which illustrate that most of these taxa are concentrated in Lake Powidzkie and in its neighbourhood. The ongoing synanthropization of the flora is assessed and discussed considering localities of chosen alien species and their occurrence within natural plant communities: 21 of 27 aliens were recorded at least once in natural vegetation, whereas 4 of them (Aster lanceolatus, Elodea canadensis, Impatiens parviflora and Rhus typhina) formed their own, xenospontaneous communities. The main conclusion is that while the area still abounds in regionally valuable components of native biodiversity, it simultaneously is more and more threatened by increasing anthropopressure, which has already been manifested by the presence of many potentially invasive alien species.

Antioxidant systems of aquatic macrophytes in three life forms: a case study in Lake Erhai, China

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 665-674
Author(s):  
Changbo Yuan ◽  
Tianshun Zhu ◽  
Te Cao ◽  
Yilong Xi ◽  
Xiaolin Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aquatic Macrophytes ◽  
Life Forms ◽  
Antioxidant Systems ◽  
Lake Erhai

Application of large- and medium-scale aerial photographs to forest vegetation management: A case study

2000 ◽  
Vol 76 (6) ◽  
pp. 903-913 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas G. Pitt ◽  
Ulf Runesson ◽  
F. Wayne Bell
Keyword(s):  
Life Forms ◽  
Vegetation Management ◽  
Aerial Photographs ◽  
Herbaceous Species ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Forest Classification ◽  
Vegetation Complexes ◽  
Product Verification ◽  
Selection Of

Five experimental conifer release treatments applied to each of four, three- to seven- year-old spruce plantations resulted in a mosaic of woody and herbaceous vegetation complexes after two growing seasons. A combination of 1:5000-scale overview and 1:500-scale sample photographs were evaluated as a means of mapping and quantifying cover in each of eight vegetation and two non-vegetation categories. On 23-cm format, 1:5000-scale photographs, blocks were stereoscopically stratified into areas (> 25 m2) of uniform vegetation. A random selection of eighty 70-mm format, 1:500 photo samples were then used as "training sites" to calibrate strata assessment on the 1:5000 photographs. Remaining sample plots were used to verify the accuracy of the final map product. Verification plots suggested that principle vegetation components such as tall, mid, and low shrub, grass, and herbaceous species were estimated to within 5–10% cover, at least 70% of the time. Errors for lesser components, such as dead shrub, conifer, bare ground and slash were 2–5% cover. Ferns could not be discerned at the 1:5000 scale and there was evidence of occasional confusion between herbaceous species and other life forms, including mid shrub, low shrub, and grass categories. Operational applications of the methodology are discussed. Key words: remote sensing, digitized aerial photographs, vegetation management, forest classification

scholarly journals Effects of Ionizing Radiation on Flora Ten Years after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Disaster

Plants ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 222
Author(s):  
Gian Marco Ludovici ◽  
Andrea Chierici ◽  
Susana Oliveira de Souza ◽  
Francesco d’Errico ◽  
Alba Iannotti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Ionizing Radiation ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Life Forms ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Adaptive Processes ◽  
Ionizing Radiations

The aim of this work is to analyze the effects of ionizing radiation and radionuclides (like 137Cs) in several higher plants located around the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FNPP), evaluating both their adaptive processes and evolution. After the FNPP accident in March 2011 much attention was focused to the biological consequences of ionizing radiation and radionuclides released in the area surrounding the nuclear plant. This unexpected mishap led to the emission of radionuclides in aerosol and gaseous forms from the power plant, which contaminated a large area, including wild forest, cities, farmlands, mountains, and the sea, causing serious problems. Large quantities of 131I, 137Cs, and 134Cs were detected in the fallout. People were evacuated but the flora continued to be affected by the radiation exposure and by the radioactive dusts’ fallout. The response of biota to FNPP irradiation was a complex interaction among radiation dose, dose rate, temporal and spatial variation, varying radiation sensitivities of the different plants’ species, and indirect effects from other events. The repeated ionizing radiations, acute or chronic, guarantee an adaptation of the plant species, demonstrating a radio-resistance. Consequently, ionizing radiation affects the genetic structure, especially during chronic irradiation, reducing genetic variability. This reduction is associated with the different susceptibility of plant species to chronic stress. This would confirm the adaptive theory associated with this phenomenon. The effects that ionizing radiation has on different life forms are examined in this review using the FNPP disaster as a case study focusing the attention ten years after the accident.

Levels of Intelligence

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Daeyeol Lee
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Life Forms ◽  
Essential Property ◽  
Social Nature ◽  
The Social ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Self Replication ◽  
Simple Behavior

Intelligence is the ability to find solutions to complex problems a life faces in a complex and uncertain environment. This cannot be captured by a standardized numerical score, such as IQ, that focuses on a narrow range of cognitive capabilities, such as working memory or verbal fluency. Intelligence also cannot be separated from the most essential property of all life forms, which is self-replication. This chapter briefly reviews the evolutionary history and diversity of intelligence from single-cell organisms to humans. The chapter includes a definition of intelligence and a discussion of how the nervous system works, the simple behavior of reflexes and the limitations of reflexes, connectome (the comprehensive map of all the connections in an animal’s nervous system), the multiple controllers for muscles, and the social nature of many behaviors. The chapter also includes a case study on eye movements.

scholarly journals Detailed Geoecological Research of Terroir with the Focus on Georelief and Soil – A Case Study of Krátke Kesy Vineyards

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 214-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimír Falťan ◽  
Lucia Krajčírovičová ◽  
František Petrovič ◽  
Miloslav Khun
Keyword(s):  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Local Scale ◽  
Soil Factors ◽  
Accredited Laboratory ◽  
Landscape Ecological ◽  
Ecological Practice ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract The aim of this research is to present the application of the detailed geoecological research for use by the identification of natural elements of terroir, based on the example of cadastral area Krátke Kesy. The characteristics of georelief (influencing the microclimate of vineyards) and soil characteristics (affecting the vineyard nutrition) are the most important elements of a terroir on a local scale. We present maps of 10 types of geoecological complexes in topic dimension, whose borders were allocated on the base of georelief as a leading factor of regionalization. Foot slopes, transport slopes and terraces prevail in the vineyard. Cultivated Haplic and Luvi-Haplic Chernozem of the Danube Lowland have excellent conditions for precision agriculture. The impact of soil factors on vineyards was evaluated with the use of accredited laboratory analysis. Using statistical methods, we confirmed the hypothesis that the relationship between observed relevant soil elements in the study area and sugar content of grape is direct, and between the soil elements and acids in must is indirect. The biggest dependence was seen for magnesium, zinc and copper. Research results were presented in the form of maps and tables that can find use in vineyard and landscape-ecological practice.

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