The Simplicity of Divine Ideas: Theistic Conceptual Realism and The Doctrine of Divine Simplicity

There has been little discussion of the compatibility of Theistic Conceptual Realism (TCR) with the doctrine of divine simplicity (DDS). On one hand, if a plurality of universals is necessary to explain the character of particular things, there is reason to think this commits the proponent of TCR to the existence of a plurality of divine concepts. So the proponent of the DDS has a prima facie reason to reject TCR (and vice versa). On the other hand, many mediaeval philosophers accept both the existence of divine ideas and the DDS. In this paper I draw on Mediaeval and contemporary accounts of properties and divine simplicity to argue that the two theories are not logically incompatible

The Effects of the Fungus Beauvaria Sp. on the Cave Cricket, Hadenoecus Subterraneus

The cave cricket, Hadenoecus subterraneus, is a keystone species in cave ecosystems within Mammoth Cave National Park (MCNP). Within MCNP, many cricket cadavers have been found with a thick, white fungus growing on them; this fungus has previously been identified to be Beauveria bassiana. However, new molecular data suggests that this may actually be the species B. amorpha. Cricket cadavers with Beauveria sp. were collected from MCNP and cultured on potato dextrose agar. Cultures will be sent to the USDA for a genetic analysis and identification of the fungus. The purpose of this study is to examine if the relationship between the cave crickets and the fungus is of parasitic or saprophytic nature. Fifteen crickets will be exposed to a 1 x 106 conidia solution, while the other 15 will be exposed to a Tween-80 solution for the control group. Mortality rates will be observed daily and analyzed

Collective Being: Arranged Chaos

Compositionally I focus on the use of texture, found objects, and color to create a painting language, that includes, but is not solely centered around subject matter in a way that invites the viewer to a conversation. Conceptually I am interested in relating living and nonliving forms to common experiences of existence. The experiential ideas I explore include deterioration, awareness of self, chaos, and conspiratorial characteristics of our culture. I combine varying media to communicate these subjects in an abstracted ethereal manner. Nature and it’s connection to the the human spirit influences my use of nature-forms and man-made items. These objects work together with other media to draw out a specific connection or emotion from the viewer. Historically I am attracted to the way the artists of the Expressionist movement radically distorted subjects for emotional effect in order to evoke moods or ideas of their own. Contemporary Artists Pat Steir and Seth Apter also influence the way I use color, texture and found objects. Mixing media provides a sense of exploration and freedom which gives me a chance to express myself in such a flexible, varied, and creative way. I challenge myself to solve chaos, plan, and improvise daily. I combine a sense of control and intuition to manipulate paint and other media using varying methods and building on old techniques as I go. Studying the artists’ work that I admire gives me inspiration to create expressive compositions in this manner. I begin with a broad compositional idea that continuously evolves as I make. The abstract compositions I create are further emphasized through hidden imagery, varying texture, and color that make up the dialogue between my materials and concept. This expression of myself through painting and sculpture creates a broadened platform for me to communicate my thoughts and experiences. We are products of our environment. What makes up my environment spills over into my work to start a conversation about awareness of self, chaos, deterioration, and conspiratorial characteristics of our culture. These concepts are constantly in my mind and have an effect on all of our lives. To recognize the way these things effect us helps me gain a stronger understanding and control of my own state of being

Global Contamination Trends of Persistent Organic Chemicals

Environmental pollution by man-made persistent organic chemicals (POCs) has been a serious global issue for over half a century. Exposure to certain POCs may result in environmental and health effects including skin disorders, liver damage, birth defects, brain development, and certain types of cancers. Global Contamination Trends of Persistent Organic Chemicals provides comprehensive coverage of spatial and temporal trends of classical and emerging contaminants in aquatic, terrestrial, and marine ecosystems, including the Arctic and Antarctic ecosystems

Effect of the strain Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42 on the microbial community in the rhizosphere of lettuce under field conditions analyzed by whole metagenome sequencing

doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00252 Effect of the strain Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42 on the microbial community in the rhizosphere of lettuce under field conditions analyzed by whole metagenome sequencin

Brown midrib 6 and 12 Genes introgression in two nigerien and one malian sorghum varieties: A practical guide to young scientists with limited molecular facility

Introgression of bmr genes from less adapted donor parent to well adapted high yielding biomass varieties with poor nutritional value is very important for sustainable cattle feeding during pasture scare time in the Sahel. The main objective of this work was to introgress bmr6 and bmr12 genes in Nigerien and Malian sorghum varieties background for dual purpose grain and biomass potential. The plant material was composed of two improved sorghum varieties (Sepon82 and Kalla Kene) and El mota a farmer preferred variety as recurrent parents. bmr donor parents were redlan bmr6, Tx630 bmr12 and Wheatland bmr12. The hand emasculation technique was used to introgress bmr genes in recurrent parents to produce F3 and BC1F3 populations at Sotuba research Station in Mali from January 2016 to June 2017. Anthocyanin pigment and heterosis effects were key phenotypic traits to identify F1 and BC1F1 plants during the population development. Anthocyanin allowed the identification of F1 plants in a cross involving anthocyanin (purple plant) and tan plants, while for both tan plants cross, heterosis effect was major key to discriminate F1 from parental lines and bmr segregation in F2 to ascertain successful crosses. The χ2 test was used to analyze bmr segregation ration. Segregation ratios of bmr plants in F2 and BC1F2 showed a good fit of a single recessive gene (3:1). bmr 6 and 12 genes were successfully transferred to three recurrent parents varieties which are at F4 and BC1F3 generation for grain and biomass yields potential tests in Niger during the 2017 cropping season

Adaptation Mechanisms in the Evolution of Moss Defenses to Microbes

The tri-colored bat (Perimyotis subflavus) has declined severely across its range since 2006 due to white nose syndrome, a fungal disease causing massive bat mortality in North America. My objective was to determine distinguishing characteristics of roost trees and habitat used by tri-colored bats so that the species’ needs can be considered in management plans. I mist-netted for tri-colored bats in western Kentucky and Tennessee during the summers of 2015 and 2016, and attached a radio transmitter to each captured adult bat. I tracked 15 bats to their day roosts and collected habitat data at 38 roost areas and at 74 randomly selected trees in the area of the capture radius of each bat for comparison. Tri-colored bats used roost trees within a relatively small area. The average distance between roosts was 86 m and bats roosted within 2.5 km of their original capture site. All roosting bats were located in the foliage of live trees. Tri-colored bats’ roost tree selection was nonrandom. Bats were observed roosting in nine different species of tree, with the most commonly selected species being Carya tomentosa and Quercus alba (46% and 23% of roost trees, respectively). The most abundant species among the randomly selected trees was Q. alba, which was selected roughly in proportion to its abundance, and Acer saccharum, which was never selected as a roost tree species. A generalized linear model on all variables measured showed that increasing tree crown depth, distance from roads, and basal area of trees were correlated with roost tree selection. Management needs of tri-colored bats differ from those of several other declining bat species which prefer trees in mid-decay stages. Tri-colored bats in my study typically used mature live deciduous trees that were further than average from roads, had a greater than average crown depth, and were in a location with higher than average basal area of trees. It is likely necessary to conserve large parcels of heterogenous forest, with high numbers of mature trees to adequately protect habitat for remnant populations of tri-colored bat that persist on the landscape

Is it possible to predict the success of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation in acute respiratory failure due to COPD?

AbstractThere is now sufficient evidence that non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) in selected patients with severe hypercapnic acute respiratory failure due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is more effective than pharmacological therapy alone. The aim of this study was to identify prognostic factors to predict the success of this technique. Fifty-nine consecutive patients with COPD admitted to a respiratory ward for 75 episodes of acute respiratory failure treated with NIPPV were analysed: success (77%) or failure (23%) were evaluated by survival and the need for endotracheal intubation. There were no significant differences in age, sex, cause of relapse and lung function tests between the two groups. Patients in whom NIPPV was unsuccessful were significantly underweight, had an higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, and a lower serum level of albumin in comparison with those in whom NIPPV was successful. They demonstrated significantly greater abnormalities in pH and P a CO2at baseline and after 2 h of NIPPV. The logistic regression analysis demonstrated that, when all the variables were tested together, a high APACHE II score and a low albumin level continued to have a significant predictive effect. This analysis could predict the outcome in 82% of patients. In conclusion, our study suggests that low albumin serum levels and a high APACHE II score may be important indices in predicting the success of NIPPV