Photometric light curves of TW Cas do not exhibit any apparent complications. Yet, a careful analysis of the light conditions in the system leads to some contradictory results. A nontraditional explanation is suggested.
Mutant Lurcher mice represent an animal model of naturally
occurring cerebellar degeneration. A gene mutation causes the
demise of all Purkinje cells, as along with certain other types, as
well as the functional elimination of the cerebellar cortex.
Involvement in the research using this model of the C3H strain
began at the Department of Physiology, UCL in 1995/96.
It continued in scientific cooperation with other European
laboratories where we obtained Lurcher mice of the B6CBA
strain. The aim of the effort was first to identify the extent to
which the cerebellum is involved in the higher nervous activity,
i.e. cognitive and other functions. In that research, use was
made of an entire array of methodological procedures to examine
learning, memory, motor functions and emotional behavior.
It was completed with an electrophysiological examination of the
brain and special microscopic procedures. The results
demonstrated that the cerebellum (aside from its traditional
tasks) does in fact play a significant role in cognitive function,
emotions, etc. It was further found that the neurodegenerative
processes also affected the immune and endocrine functions,
confirming the concept of the unity of the psychoneuroendocrine-immune system. Surprisingly, despite their
neurological impairment, the affected animals were able to learn
to some extent and, make progress with physical training,
improving not only their motor skills but also learning and
memory, including deferring of signs of aging. These particular
findings may prove useful for human medicine.
Preventing human-wildlife conflict is key to maintaining viable predator populations. In Namibia, over 90% of cheetahs are found outside of protected areas, therefore risk of conflict with farmers is high. Since 1994, the Cheetah Conservation Fund has implemented a programme to prevent livestock depredation using livestock guarding dogs (LGDs). Long-term (25-year period) monitoring efforts in Namibia have provided insights on the efficiency and performance of LGDs and farmers‘ perceptions. LGDs reduced livestock losses for 91% of respondents and farmers were highly satisfied with their LGD. Poor performance from behavioural issues, such as “staying at home” and “chasing game”, was linked to the LGDs receiving less care and being found in poorer body condition. Unwanted ecological impacts of wildlife killings by LGDs merit further investigation, but occurrence of behavioural issues reduced over time, suggesting a targeted and adaptive management approach to increase performance. Addressing behavioural issues, increasing LGD lifespans and understanding LGD performance under different conditions will be crucial for optimising LGD management leading to better performance. Our long-term study provides unique insights into a highly successful programme and is recommended to be replicated and adapted where imminent human-predator conflicts threaten coexistence.
In the paper, I distinguish between the semantic and the ''direct'' approach to event ontology. The first approach, employed by D. Davidson, starts with logical analysis of natural language. This analysis uncovers quantification over the domain of events. Thus, we have ontological commitment to events and, at the same time, also a suggestion of how to view their nature. The second approach, used by J. Kim and D. Lewis, deals with events ''directly'', i.e. not by analyzing language first. Events are postulated because they are useful in other theories (of causation, explanation, etc.) and their nature is adjusted to the needs of these theories. In the paper, I analyze both approaches and outline their problems and advantages. I conclude that we should conditionally prefer the latter approach on methodological grounds. This preference is based on the assumption that submitting hypotheses to tests seems to be a crucial part of metaphysical methodology. Since the ''direct'' approach to event ontology allows for more testing, it should be preferred over the semantic approach., V příspěvku rozlišuji mezi sémantickým a ,,přímým'' přístupem k ontologii událostí. První přístup, který používá D. Davidson, začíná logickou analýzou přirozeného jazyka. Tato analýza odhaluje kvantifikaci v oblasti událostí. Máme proto ontologický závazek k událostem a zároveň i návrh na to, jak se dívat na jejich povahu. Druhý přístup, který používají J. Kim a D. Lewis, se zabývá událostmi ,,přímo'', tj. Ne analýzou jazyka jako první. Události jsou postulovány, protože jsou užitečné v jiných teoriích (příčin, vysvětlení atd.) A jejich povaha je přizpůsobena potřebám těchto teorií. V příspěvku analyzuji oba přístupy a nastiňuji jejich problémy a výhody. Závěrem konstatuji, že bychom měli z metodických důvodů upřednostňovat druhý přístup. Tato preference je založena na předpokladu, že předložení hypotéz k testům se zdá být klíčovou součástí metafyzické metodiky. Protože ,,přímý'' přístup k ontologii událostí umožňuje více testování, mělo by být upřednostňováno před sémantickým přístupem., and Eugen Zeleňák
Two new species of the genus Camptylonemopsis (Cyanoprokaryota, Cyanobacteria), namely C. epibryos spec. nova and C. sennae spec. nova, are described from the coastal tropical rainy forest “Mata Atlantica” in Brazil (state Săo Paulo). The diacritical features and the taxonomic position of the genus, particularly the comparison with the related genera Coleodesmium, Tolypothrix and Scytonema are discussed. The tabular review of the genus Camptylonemopsis is presented.