Symbiosis, Transient Biological Individuality, and Evolutionary Processes

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frédéric Bouchard
Keyword(s):  
Biological Individuality ◽  
Evolutionary Processes ◽  
Paradigm Case ◽  
Temporal Scales ◽  
Biological Ontology ◽  
Symbiosis Research ◽  
New Research

Whereas individual organisms have acted as the paradigm case to make us think about biological individuality, multi-organism assemblages such as colonies and communities force us to reconsider how biological individuality can emerge. Symbiosis research has given philosophers of biology tools for rethinking the nature of biological individuality. This chapter discusses how the adaptations linked to symbiotic communities highlight a new research dilemma: should we think of a biological ontology focused on individuals and their traits (even if this means positing non-orthodox individuals with non-standard properties)? Or should we move beyond individuals and focus instead on intersecting evolutionary processes? While reasons are offered to favour the former option, it is explained why this dilemma highlights the question of the different temporal scales at which evolution occurs and how this forces us to consider the transient and intermittent biological individuals generated by evolution, as well as the significance of the processes that generate them.

Urban Evolutionary Biology

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Space ◽  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Social Characteristics ◽  
Urban Habitat ◽  
Evolutionary Processes ◽  
Urban Neighbourhoods ◽  
Evolutionary Changes ◽  
Research Themes ◽  
New Research

Cities occupy about 3 per cent of the Earth’s habitable land area and are home to one out of two humans worldwide; both estimates are predicted to grow. Urban space is thus becoming an important, novel ecological niche for humans and wildlife alike. Building on knowledge gathered by urban ecologists during the last half century, evidence of evolutionary responses to urbanization has rapidly emerged. Urban evolutionary biology is a nascent yet fast-growing field of research—and a fascinating testing ground for evolutionary biologists worldwide. Urbanization offers a great range of opportunities to examine evolutionary processes because of the radically altered and easily quantifiable urban habitat, and the large number of cities worldwide, enabling rigorous, replicated tests of evolutionary hypotheses. Urban populations are increasingly exhibiting both neutral and adaptive evolutionary changes at levels ranging from genotypes to phenotypes. The novelty of urban evolutionary biology is that these changes are driven by the cities we have built, including effects of infrastructure, pollution, and social characteristics of our urban neighbourhoods. It will thereby enrich the field of evolutionary biology with emergent yet incredibly potent new research themes where the urban habitat is key. In a series of sixteen chapters written by leading evolutionary biologists working on urban drivers of evolution, Urban Evolutionary Biology is the first academic book in the field. It synthesizes current knowledge on evolutionary processes occurring literally on our doorstep, across the globe, and in each city independently.

Evolution of Web-Based Shopping Systems

2010 ◽  
pp. 178-195
Author(s):  
Changsu Kim ◽  
Robert D. Galliers ◽  
Kyung Hoon Yang ◽  
Jaekyung Kim
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Analysis ◽  
Electronic Commerce ◽  
Product Line ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Evolution Strategies ◽  
Research Model ◽  
Evolutionary Processes ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Direct Sales ◽  
New Research

This article offers a theoretical analysis of evolutionary processes in WBSS strategies. For that purpose, we propose a research model that shows strategy patterns. Based upon the model, we identified several types of strategies. In our research model, WBSS are classified into four types: (1) general-direct-sales (GDS); (2) general-intermediary-sales (GIS); (3) specialized-direct-sales (SDS); and (4) specializedintermediary- sales (SIS). On the basis of these four categories of WBSS, we analyze the characteristics of WBSS and suggest five evolution strategies for WBSS, which have implications for both theory and practice. Amazon.com’s strategic movements, such as product line expansion through alliance and acquisition, provide an exemplary case of the evolution of WBSS strategy. We expect that this research will serve as a guide for Internet businesses and as a catalyst for new research agendas relevant to Web-based shopping and electronic commerce.

What is taken for granted in autism research?

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Ilana Friedner
Keyword(s):  
Research Methodologies ◽  
Communicative Practices ◽  
Autism Research ◽  
Autistic People ◽  
The Social ◽  
New Research

Abstract This commentary focuses on three points: the need to consider semiotic ideologies of both researchers and autistic people, questions of commensurability, and problems with “the social” as an analytical concept. It ends with a call for new research methodologies that are not deficit-based and that consider a broad range of linguistic and non-linguistic communicative practices.

The Need Inventory of Sensation Seeking (NISS)

2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcus Roth ◽  
Philipp Hammelstein
Keyword(s):  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Factorial Structure ◽  
Conventional Methods ◽  
New Research ◽  
Sensation Seeking Scale ◽  
Temperamental Trait ◽  
Nonclinical Study

Based on the conception of sensation seeking as a need rather than a temperamental trait ( Hammelstein, 2004 ), we present a new assessment method, the Need Inventory of Sensation Seeking (NISS), which is considered to assess a motivational disposition. Three studies are presented: The first examined the factorial structure and the reliability of the German versions of the NISS; the second study compared the German and the English versions of the NISS; and finally, the validity of the NISS was examined in a nonclinical study and compared to the validity of conventional methods of assessing sensation seeking (Sensation Seeking Scale – Form V; SSS-V). Compared to the SSS-V, the NISS shows better reliability and validity in addition to providing new research possibilities including application in experimental areas.

The Psychophysiology of Anxiety and Mood Disorders

2017 ◽  
Vol 225 (3) ◽  
pp. 175-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Lang ◽  
Lisa M. McTeague ◽  
Margaret M. Bradley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Brain Function ◽  
Physiological Reactivity ◽  
Research Domain Criteria ◽  
Diagnostic Systems ◽  
Psychophysiological Reactivity ◽  
Diagnostic Categories ◽  
New Research ◽  
Research Domain

Abstract. Several decades of research are reviewed, assessing patterns of psychophysiological reactivity in anxiety patients responding to a fear/threat imagery challenge. Findings show substantive differences in these measures within principal diagnostic categories, questioning the reliability and categorical specificity of current diagnostic systems. Following a new research framework (US National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], Research Domain Criteria [RDoC]; Cuthbert & Insel, 2013 ), dimensional patterns of physiological reactivity are explored in a large sample of anxiety and mood disorder patients. Patients’ responses (e.g., startle reflex, heart rate) during fear/threat imagery varied significantly with higher questionnaire measured “negative affect,” stress history, and overall life dysfunction – bio-marking disorder groups, independent of Diagnostic and Statistical Manuals (DSM). The review concludes with a description of new research, currently underway, exploring brain function indices (structure activation, circuit connectivity) as potential biological classifiers (collectively with the reflex physiology) of anxiety and mood pathology.

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