A STUDY ON ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS AMONG THE TEACHER EDUCATORS OF KUVEMPU UNIVERSITY

Every human being has the right to decent life but today there are elements in our environment that tend to militate against the attainment and enjoyment of such a life. The exacerbation of the pollution of environment can cause untold misery. Unhappiness and suffering to human beings, simply because of our lack of concerns for the common good and the absence of sense of responsibility and ethics for sustaining a balanced eco-system. If we are to aspire to a better quality of life – one which will ensure freedom from want, from disease and from fear itself, then we must all join hands to stem the increasing toxification of this earth. What we need in order to defuse this environmental time bomb is immediate concerted action of all the people, but such needed action will come only if we reorient such citizenry values, i.e., imbibe them with proper awareness and values (ethics), specifically those that will lead to a greater concern for preserving balance in the ecosystem, besides teaching them how to save the environment from further degradation, and to help, make it more healthful and progressive place to live in, springs from a strong sense of social responsibility. KEYWORD: Environmental Ethics

Generalized harmonic analysis reveals a frequency modulated timer regulates mammalian hibernation

Mammalian hibernators decrease basal metabolism and body temperature (Tb) to minimize energy expenditure in harsh seasons. During hibernation, Tb drops to low temperature (<10 °C) and remains constant for days, known as deep torpor. Spontaneous interbout arousals interrupt torpor bouts, when Tb recovers to euthermic state ~37 °C. Torpor-interbout arousal event repeats during hibernation. Little is known about mechanisms governing Tb fluctuation during hibernation. Here, we analyzed Tb fluctuation across Syrian hamsters′ hibernation cycle using generalized harmonic analysis and discovered a model with frequency modulation quantitatively reproducing Tb fluctuation. This analysis identified that an unexpectedly longer period of 120—430 days modulates period of several days, generating Tb fluctuation. We propose that concerted action of two endogenous periods governs torpor-interbout arousal cycles during hibernation.

Design and Verification of a Simple Approach to Brownfields Categorization

Brownfields have been the subject of research, evaluation, categorization and, of course, redevelopment for many years. The ABC(D) model (an assessment tool to identify different types of sites in terms of their potential) by the Concerted Action on Brownfield and Economic Regeneration Network (CABERNET) has been mentioned in many publications. The aim of the assessment method presented in this article is to use the basic essence of the categories in the ABC(D) model and to use our own very simple criteria. Our criteria are the result of many years of experience in the creation and management of the brownfield database. In 2017, the development potential of selected brownfields in the database of the Moravian-Silesian region (Czech Republic) was evaluated using our proposed procedure (three objective and one subjective criterion). In 2020, verification of the categories in regard to how correctly or incorrectly they were proposed was carried out. The results from this verification, including reasons for the accompanying inaccuracies, are a part of this article. We verified that the very simple evaluation procedure we proposed is functional and can be applied by database administrators continuously without the need to create complex datasets and statistical evaluations.

Using non-human culture in conservation requires careful and concerted action

Discussions of how animal culture can aid the conservation crisis are burgeoning. As scientists and conservationists working to protect endangered species, we call for reflection on how the culture concept may be applied in practice. Here, we discuss both the potential benefits and potential shortcomings of applying the animal culture concept and propose a set of achievable milestones that will help guide and ensure effective integration of this concept into existing conservation frameworks, such as Adaptive Management cycles or Open Standards.

Clot Retraction: Cellular Mechanisms and Inhibitors, Measuring Methods, and Clinical Implications

Platelets have important functions in hemostasis. Best investigated is the aggregation of platelets for primary hemostasis and their role as the surface for coagulation leading to fibrin- and clot-formation. Importantly, the function of platelets does not end with clot formation. Instead, platelets are responsible for clot retraction through the concerted action of the activated αIIbβ3 receptors on the surface of filopodia and the platelet’s contractile apparatus binding and pulling at the fibrin strands. Meanwhile, the signal transduction events leading to clot retraction have been investigated thoroughly, and several targets to inhibit clot retraction have been demonstrated. Clot retraction is a physiologically important mechanism allowing: (1) the close contact of platelets in primary hemostasis, easing platelet aggregation and intercellular communication, (2) the reduction of wound size, (3) the compaction of red blood cells to a polyhedrocyte infection-barrier, and (4) reperfusion in case of thrombosis. Several methods have been developed to measure clot retraction that have been based on either the measurement of clot volume or platelet forces. Concerning the importance of clot retraction in inborn diseases, the failure of clot retraction in Glanzmann thrombasthenia is characterized by a bleeding phenotype. Concerning acquired diseases, altered clot retraction has been demonstrated in patients with coronary heart disease, stroke, bronchial asthma, uremia, lupus erythematodes, and other diseases. However, more studies on the diagnostic and prognostic value of clot retraction with methods that have to be standardized are necessary.

From Ideas to Action: Transforming Learning to Inspire Action on Critical Global Issues

Transforming learning from a passive to an active endeavor is critically important in today’s world. In 2015, the United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals that represent a global consensus on the world’s most pressing issues. Realizing these ambitious goals will require concerted action at all levels, including local action. Young people are valuable components of this, and their learning experiences should both inform and inspire them as current and future changemakers. From Ideas to Action articulates the theoretical basis of Smithsonian Science for Global Goals, a series of socio-scientific community research guides focused on achieving a systemic understanding of global problems with the goal of inspiring young people to take informed and sustained action to help address global issues.

From Ideas to Action: Transforming Learning to Inspire Action on Critical Global Issues

Transforming learning from a passive to an active endeavor is critically important in today’s world. In 2015, the United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals that represent a global consensus on the world’s most pressing issues. Realizing these ambitious goals will require concerted action at all levels, including local action. Young people are valuable components of this, and their learning experiences should both inform and inspire them as current and future changemakers. <i>From Ideas to Action</i> articulates the theoretical basis of Smithsonian Science for Global Goals, a series of socio-scientific community research guides focused on achieving a systemic understanding of global problems with the goal of inspiring young people to take informed and sustained action to help address global issues.