Biological Forms Research Articles

Mitigation of Elephant Disturbance in Pemerihan Village, Bengkunat Sub-District, Pesisir Barat District

This study aims to describe the mitigation of elephant disturbance in Pemerihan Village, Bengkunat District, and West Coast District. The population in this study were all people who experienced disturbance by elephants in Pemerihan Village, Bengkunat District. The sample in this study was 52 families using a purposive sampling technique. Retrieval of data using questionnaires, observation, interviews, and documentation techniques. Data analysis using the Likert analysis technique. The results of the elephant disturbance mitigation research in Pemerihan Village are in a physical form by making guard towers, using below lights or large flashlights, and shooting firecrackers. Mitigation of elephant disturbance in the form of biology is carried out by making noise to drive the elephants away, keeping honey bees or bees ringing on the paths that are passed by elephants, and with the ERU (Elephant Responsive Unit). Mitigation of elephant disturbance in a social form is carried out by using tools that are used together to drive away elephants, forming a special task force (task force) to drive elephants into plantations and guarding plantation crops, using various sound devices such as spirit cannons and firecrackers.

Physicochemical characterization of biological and synthetic forms of two lipid A-based TLR4 agonists

Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists are recognized as potential immune-enhancing adjuvants and are included in several licensed vaccines. Monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL®, GlaxoSmithKline) is one such TLR4 agonist that has been approved for use in human vaccines, such as Cervarix and Shingrix. Due to the heterogeneous nature of biologically derived MPL and the need for safer and more potent adjuvants, our groups have developed the novel TLR4 agonist candidates, BECC438 and BECC470 using the Bacterial Enzymatic Combinatorial Chemistry (BECC) platform. BECC438 and BECC470 have been included in studies to test their adjuvant potential and found to be effective in vaccines against both viral and bacterial disease agents. Here, we report detailed biophysical characterization of BECC438 and BECC470 purified from a biological source (BECC438b and BECC470b, respectively) and synthesized chemically (BECC438s and BECC470s, respectively). Both BECC438s and BECC470s have identical acyl chain configurations, BECC438s is bis-phosphorylated and BECC470s is mono-phosphorylated with the removal of the 4′ phosphate moiety. We determined the phase transition temperatures for the acyl chains of BECC438b and BECC470b and found them to be different from those exhibited by their synthetic counterparts. Furthermore, the phosphate groups of BECC438b and BECC470b are more highly hydrated than are those of BECC438s and BECC470s. In addition to exploring the BECC molecules’ biophysical features in aqueous solution, we explored potential formulation of BECC438 and BECC470 with the aluminum-based adjuvant Alhydrogel and as part of an oil-in-water emulsion (Medimmune Emulsion or ME). All of the lipid A analogues could be fully absorbed to Alhydrogel or incorporated onto ME. Surprisingly, the BECC470s molecule, unlike the others, displayed a nearly baseline signal when monitored using a Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) endotoxin detection system. Despite this, it was shown to behave as an agonist for human and mouse TLR4 when tested using multiple cell-based systems. This work paves the way for further formulation optimization of two chemically defined TLR4 agonists that are showing great promise as vaccine adjuvants.

Kapitalisme Tubuh Perempuan: Sebuah Pendisiplinan Atau Industrialisasi

The beauty of women's bodies in the context of today's media has transformed into an object of public consumerism that cannot be avoided. The body is no longer just a biological form but an exploration of itself. Meanwhile, the exploration and expansion of the body have a very subtle difference, because, in the end, the body becomes a passive object during the self-egoists active subject. The demand for an ideal body in public discourse impels women to modify their bodies. The discourse on women's bodies is not only in the form of powerlessness over their bodies, but also political tendencies and powers that regulate women as objects of sexuality, women's body discourse becomes the most essential thing in political interests. As a result, taking care of the body and appearance has now become a necessity for women due to the demands of social construction which have a major influence on the ideal standard of female beauty. The body of women who transforms into consumptive materialism is used as an attraction for industrialization in a change in symbolic capital. This contestation was formed in the arena of consumerism, capitalism, hedonism, and patriarchal culture which resulted in increasingly strong women's constructivism in the industrialized world which is always associated with the problem of the negative image of women's bodies and self.

An innovative multifunctional biomimetic adaptive building envelope based on a novel integrated methodology of merging biological mechanisms

Architectural envelopes have a key role in reducing a building's energy consumption and achieving thermal comfort. Many adaptive building envelopes are developed through synthesis with biomimetics for increased performance, but most adapt to a single environmental factor, while living organisms evolved several adaptation solutions that are high-response and multi-functional. However, existing methodologies to develop biomimetic adaptive building envelopes focus on monofunctional systems, which are limited in addressing multifunctional. This paper proposes a novel integrated methodology to develop the design of a multi-functional biomimetic adaptive building envelope by transforming the biological adaptation systems in nature into bio-inspired adaptation mechanisms and merging them into one technical system hosting multiple functions. The merging process is conducted based on the various static and dynamic biological mechanisms' sizes, forms, processes, and functions. The methodology is demonstrated through the MBio-ABE case study, which results from the merging process of different biological mechanisms for Mimosa pudica, Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii), and Stone Plant (Lithops salicola). Thereafter, building performance simulation using EnergyPlus is conducted and the results are evaluated through an optimization process using an algorithm based on Python software to measure the thermal comfort level. The results showed a considerable improvement in the thermal performance of the multi-functional biomimetic adaptive building envelope, which decreased the temperature inside by 3 °C through only natural ventilation. Additionally, the average thermal comfort conditions over the year increased by 11.3%. Obviously, the merging process plays a significant role in achieving multifunctionality in the biomimetic adaptive building envelope to improve the performance of traditional building envelopes.

Crispr-a novel approach towards a fortified immune system

Human genome is extremely enigmatic and is known for its intricacy. The high level of its complex nature has indeed provoked several investigators to disclose the hidden insights which till date have been accomplished on a partial basis. Several facts in relation to the human genome has triggered curiosity among scientific demonstrators to further dig in to the roots of these fascinating molecular entities and one such fact that serves as the main basis for this article is the relation between human immunity and its genome through microbial perspective. Prokaryotes are considered as one of the most primitive biological facets that have led to the origin of complex life forms and evolution has made these unicellular contenders as an integral part of several biological forms including human beings. One of the latest and most researched aspects in prokaryotes is certain regions of the genome consisting of interspersed short palindromic sequence that confers resistance against bacteriophages (bacterial viruses) which is a consequence of viral infection. The prime objective of this review is to explore the same from the context of immunity in human beings. The current article attempts to emphasize on the use of CRISPR technology towards the benefit of human beings and its role as apromising tool to counteract clinical manifestation and safeguard the immune system.

Lines, Points, Waves, Streams

From the 1860s, the Swiss house researcher Jakob Hunziker sought an ethnic typology of housing that he, like others in Central Europe, believed would help reconstruct the history of settlement and relatedness of European peoples. Heinrich Brockman-Jerosch and Richard Weiss later reinterpreted the diversity of Swiss material culture in ecological and functional terms. Throughout, ethnography drew on the naturalist collecting sciences for its diagrammatic and conceptual toolkit. Consistent across the period was the role of maps as a conceptual language, a means of organizing empirical work, and a medium of argument. Maps could contain various logics of relatedness and also, with the ecological turn in Swiss botany, help sever the link between biological descent and cultural forms.

Modeling of Walking-Gait Parameters and Walking Strategy for Quadruped Robots

The inspiration for the footed robot was originally derived from biology, and it was an imitation of biological form and movement. In this paper, a bionic-robot dog is designed to reveal the motion characteristics of a quadruped robot mechanism through modeling, model kinematic analysis, and other methods. First, the structural characteristics and movement characteristics of the developed bionic-dog model are studied. The first step is to study the physiological structure of the dog, analyze the function of the dog’s limbs, and then use a high-speed camera to capture the motion of the marked bionic-robot dog and shoot motion video of the bionic-robot dog in different motion states. The effective data of the marked points in the video are extracted using PHOTRON 1.0 software, and the extracted data are analyzed and processed in the software MATLAB R2020a, and finally the structural characteristics and motion laws of the bionic-robot dog are obtained. Then, a bionic-robot-dog experimental platform is built to conduct experiments with three planned gaits (dynamic gait, static gait, and gait transition). The experiments showed that the three gaits were consistent with the planned movements and the bionic-robot dog could perform stable fast-gait walking, slow-gait walking, and quickly complete gait transitions. All three gaits were simulated in ADAMS 2019 software, and the simulation results showed that all three gaits caused the bionic dog robot to move smoothly.

RWD80 Use of Ml Model to Predict Biologic to Biosimilar Switch in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

To identify the predictors of switching from biologic to Infliximab biosimilar in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients. According to CDC, patients with IBD tend to have higher healthcare utilization including doctor’s visits, ER visits, and GI-related surgeries as compared to non-IBD patients. The recent treatment modalities in the form of biologics and biosimilars have proven beneficial in halting disease progression and improving quality of life. Biosimilars hold value in terms of providing cost-effective treatment still there is low penetration observed for biosimilar usage.

Organic Transitioning and Queer Topophilia in Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl

Abstract: Andrea Lawlor's (2017) historical picaresque novel Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl tracks the ephemeral embodiments and identifications of Paul Polydoris, a gender-fluid, shape-shifting anti-hero who adapts to queer environments across the United States during 1993–1995, a time when gay hedonism, lesbian feminism, punk anti-homonormativity, and LGBTQ responses to AIDS combined to make a complex heyday of queer culture. Paul exemplifies "organic" transitioning in that his gender processes complicate the culture/nature binary, resist anthropocentrism, emphasize empathetic interrelation with other organisms, and privilege understanding of the complex involvement of biology, culture, and individual will in transition. Paul's body is an enchanted site of meaning that is created in situ and in which he is then positioned to participate in local culture, moving the concept "sense of place" from green trope to queer fantasy of limitless engendering. Approaching the novel from a queer ecological/ecofeminist perspective, this paper argues that as a magical, marginal bricoleur who assembles performative selves from biological forms and cultural references via passionate liminal engagement with queer spaces, Paul inhabits a self-directed transness that challenges conventional understandings of the "natural" and the "human," modeling a dynamic, queer topophilia.

Augmentation of Brexpiprazole fluorescence through photoinduced electron transfer inhibition for the sensitive spectrofluorimetric assay of pharmaceutical dosage forms and spiked human plasma: Application to content uniformity testing

Brexpiprazole (BRX) is a new antipsychotic drug that recently was used in the treatment of schizophrenia and other psychosis. The presence of benzothiophene ring in its chemical structure makes BRX naturally fluoresces. However, the native fluorescence of the drug was low in neutral or alkaline medium owing to the occurrence of photoinduced electron transfer (PET) from the nitrogen of the piperazine ring to the benzothiophene ring. Protonation of this nitrogen atom using sulfuric acid could efficiently block PET process and thus retaining the strong fluorescence of the compound. Accordingly, a straightforward, highly sensitive, fast and green spectrofluorimetric approach was established for BRX determination. In 1.0 M sulfuric acid solution, BRX exhibited significant native fluorescence measured at emission wavelength of 390 nm after excitation at 333 nm. ICH requirements were used to evaluate the method. The fluorescence intensity and BRX concentration were found to be correlated linearly within the range of 5–220 ng mL−1 with a coefficient of correlation 0.9999. The limit of quantitation was 2.38 ng mL−1 while limit of detection was 0.78 ng mL−1. The developed approach was successfully used to analyze BRX in biological fluids and pharmaceutical dosage form. The suggested approach worked well when applied for testing the uniformity of content.

A Study of Free-Form Shape Rationalization Using Biomimicry as Inspiration.

Bridging the gap between the material and geometrical aspects of a structure is critical in lightweight construction. Throughout the history of structural development, shape rationalization has been of prime focus for designers and architects, with biological forms being a major source of inspiration. In this work, an attempt is made to integrate different phases of design, construction, and fabrication under a single framework of parametric modeling with the help of visual programming. The idea is to offer a novel free-form shape rationalization process that can be realized with unidirectional materials. Taking inspiration from the growth of a plant, we established a relationship between form and force, which can be translated into different shapes using mathematical operators. Different prototypes of generated shapes were constructed using a combination of existing manufacturing processes to test the validity of the concept in both isotropic and anisotropic material domains. Moreover, for each material/manufacturing combination, generated geometrical shapes were compared with other equivalent and more conventional geometrical constructions, with compressive load-test results being the qualitative measure for each use case. Eventually, a 6-axis robot emulator was integrated with the setup, and corresponding adjustments were made such that a true free-form geometry could be visualized in a 3D space, thus closing the loop of digital fabrication.

Kinetic Models of Disinfection with Sodium Hypochlorite and Peracetic Acid of Bacteria Isolated from the Effluent of a WWTP

The disinfection of wastewater is a treatment that allows for its reuse. However, not all pathogenic microorganisms or their resistant structures, e.g., endospores, cysts, or oocysts, are eliminated in conventional treatments. This work compared the removal efficacy of sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) and peracetic acid (PAA) on three strains of bacteria isolated from the tertiary effluent of a wastewater treatment plant. The results of the inactivation kinetics showed that complete inactivation of S. pasteuri was achieved with both NaClO (>12 log, t = 5–10 min, 15–30 mg/L) and PAA (~9 log, t = 20–30 min, 15 mg/L). Likewise, with higher concentration of both disinfectants, the inactivation time decreased. K. pneumoniae showed greater resistance to PAA (3 log, t = 30 min) than to NaClO (8 log, t = 15 min). B. subtilis endospores showed resistance to NaClO (3 log, t = 60–100 min, 15 mg/L); however, PAA was more effective (~4 log, t = 45–100 min), with 15 mg/L regarding these latter four kinetics. The inactivation curves of these strains showed concave and linear tendencies with tail effects, fitting the Weibull and Geeraerd models. Both the inactivation kinetics and the models established for vegetative cells and endospores in this study are conclusive to understand the differences between these biological forms and, consequently, their ability to survive disinfection.

Engineering Themes in Plant Forms and Functions.

Living structures constantly interact with the biotic and abiotic environment by sensing and responding via specialized functional parts. In other words, biological bodies embody highly functional machines and actuators. What are the signatures of engineering mechanisms in biology? In this review, we connect the dots in the literature to seek engineering principles in plant structures. We identify three thematic motifs-bilayer actuator, slender-bodied functional surface, and self-similarity-and provide an overview of their structure-function relationships. Unlike human-engineered machines and actuators, biological counterparts may appear suboptimal in design, loosely complying with physical theories or engineering principles. We postulate what factors may influence the evolution of functional morphology and anatomy to dissect and comprehend better the why behind the biological forms.

Nature favors simplicity and symmetry in biological forms

Why do symmetric and regular shapes abound in biology? Using arguments based on algorithmic information theory, we explain why a preference for simple shapes often occurs in biological systems. Our theory is validated via predicting the shape frequencies for naturally occurring protein assemblies, non-coding RNAs, self-assembled tile shapes, and a cell cycle mathematical model.

The Expanded Central Dogma: Genome Resynthesis, Orthogonal Biosystems, Synthetic Genetics.

Synthetic biology seeks to probe fundamental aspects of biological form and function by construction [i.e., (re)synthesis] rather than deconstruction (analysis). In this sense, biological sciences now follow the lead given by the chemical sciences. Synthesis can complement analytic studies but also allows novel approaches to answering fundamental biological questions and opens up vast opportunities for the exploitation of biological processes to provide solutions for global problems. In this review, we explore aspects of this synthesis paradigm as applied to the chemistry and function of nucleic acids in biological systems and beyond, specifically, in genome resynthesis, synthetic genetics (i.e., the expansion of the genetic alphabet, of the genetic code, and of the chemical make-up of genetic systems), and the elaboration of orthogonal biosystems and components.

Когнитивные модели мышления

Three hypostases of human existence are considered: the natural-scientific material world, the animate object of which he is, the biological form of life of an animate subject-individual, characterized by the presence of highly organized matter — the human brain, and the society of joint work, communication and ethic-cultural community of people, — and activity as an attribute of human life. The ability to act in the objective world, as well as to think in the cognitive world of human existence, are not transmitted genetically, but are assimilated in life and constitute the fundamental basis of all cognition. Socially confirmed experience of activity acquires the value of standards, cognitive “units” of reality. Cognition expresses the unity of dialectical reflection of the material world, socially-mediated historically-developing collective subject-practical practice and communication (communication) of all participants in the cognitive relationship. The material substrate, the psychophysiological basis of thinking are the functional systems of the brain, the afferent fields of the brain. A brief description of modern types of thinking is given.

Targeting Riboswitches with Beta-Axial-Substituted Cobalamins.

RNA-targeting small-molecule therapeutics is an emerging field hindered by an incomplete understanding of the basic principles governing RNA-ligand interactions. One way to advance our knowledge in this area is to study model systems where these interactions are better understood, such as riboswitches. Riboswitches bind a wide array of small molecules with high affinity and selectivity, providing a wealth of information on how RNA recognizes ligands through diverse structures. The cobalamin-sensing riboswitch is a particularly useful model system, as similar sequences show highly specialized binding preferences for different biological forms of cobalamin. This riboswitch is also widely dispersed across bacteria and therefore holds strong potential as an antibiotic target. Many synthetic cobalamin forms have been developed for various purposes including therapeutics, but their interaction with cobalamin riboswitches is yet to be explored. In this study, we characterize the interactions of 11 cobalamin derivatives with three representative cobalamin riboswitches using in vitro binding experiments (both chemical footprinting and a fluorescence-based assay) and a cell-based reporter assay. The derivatives show productive interactions with two of the three riboswitches, demonstrating simultaneous plasticity and selectivity within these RNAs. The observed plasticity is partially achieved through a novel structural rearrangement within the ligand binding pocket, providing insight into how similar RNA structures can be targeted. As the derivatives also show in vivo functionality, they serve as several potential lead compounds for further drug development.

“Roote out those odde rymes!”: The Unruly Matter of Early Modern Verse

ABSTRACT This article focuses on the literary-critical metaphors of late sixteenth-century England, taking as its starting point Thomas Lodge’s 1579 call to “roote out those odde rymes which runnes in euery rascales mouth.” In contrast to the humanist poetics that envisioned poetic form as geometric, even transcendent, artifice, Lodge’s language (“roote out,” “runnes”) suggests the earthbound and invasive. In this, it belongs to a cluster of early modern metaphors that figure poetic structures (rhyme, metric feet, alliteration) as material, biological forms. Moving between Lodge’s, William Webbe’s, Gabriel Harvey’s and Edmund Spenser’s “ecopoetic” metaphors, this article proposes an early modern “ecopoetics.” It argues that to recognize how such poetic structures “act as quasi agents … with trajectories, propensities, or tendencies of their own” is to reapproach early modern poiesis, centering less on the individual poet’s delimiting techne and more on how extra-human patterns and rhythms find their way onto the page.

Philosophie der Bionik: Das Komponieren von bio-robotischen Formen

AbstractIn this paper, I explore how bio-hybrid forms can be created and combined starting from organic forms. The thesis put forward is epistemological: the combinatorial practice of bionics, biomimetics, biorobotics, and all design strategies inspired by nature is not based on a kind of biomimetic inspiration, i. e., on a kind of imitation of nature, but on a practice of translation.To develop this thesis, I focus on the practices of contemporary biorobotics, first examining the practice of translating natural forms into technical artefacts as developed by Raoul Heinrich Francé at the beginning of the 20th century, secondly, analysing the production of robots capable of replicating complex locomotion systems and, finally, investigating the interaction between robots and living organisms (fish). In the last part of the paper, I reflect on the philosophical payoff and broader conditions of possibility for this translational practice. I discuss when and to what extent a translation of biological forms into biotechnical ones is acceptable and point out the notion of form that underlies this practice. Moreover, I draw attention to the need to philosophically investigate what happens between different domains of knowledge – and especially between science and technology. This article is thus an invitation to philosophers to develop a philosophy in the interstices of knowledge production.

Changes in the flora of Lobbia Alta, a peak of the Adamello-Presanella Alps (Trento, Italy) between 1935 and 2021

Global warming is causing an enrichment of summit flora worldwide. This article presents the case of a peak in the southeastern Alps (Lobbia Alta, 3,196 m a.s.l., Adamello, Trento, Italy), for which a complete list of tracheophytes dating back to 1935 was available. As this peak is well delimited by glaciers and vertical cliffs, it has been possible to faithfully repeat this floristic inventory. We made three surveys, in 1991, 2006 and 2021, exploring the whole area. It resulted that in 86 years the species present on this peak have tripled, increasing from 17 to 51, with an acceleration in recent years. The biological forms have increased from two to six. The average temperature and the nutritional indexes according to Ellenberg have increased as well. We found that as many as six species reach their elevation record in the Alps on the Lobbia Alta, suggesting that this area is particularly prone to species ascension. Particularly interesting is the discovery of a 35 cm-tall specimen of Larix decidua at 3,130 m a.s.l., which seems to be the elevational record of the species.