Glossary

Antibiotic

Axillary Bud

A small bud located in the angle (or "axil") between a leaf and the stem of a plant. It has the potential to develop into a branch, flower, or shoot. When you see a tiny bump or protrusion right where the base of a leaf meets the main stem or branch, that's the axillary bud. It's like a little plant "backup plan" that can grow if needed!

Bacteria

Carbon Sequestration

Think of carbon sequestration as Earth's way of trapping and storing unwanted carbon dioxide (CO2) – a gas that's a big contributor to global warming. Imagine you've got a room filled with bouncing balls (that's the CO2), and you need to get them into storage boxes to keep the room manageable. In nature, these "storage boxes" can be plants, soil, or even the ocean. Trees, for instance, grab CO2 from the air and lock it into their wood and leaves. Farmers are even finding ways to enhance soil to store more CO2. Carbon sequestration is like a nature-based solution to help slow down climate change, and scientists are also developing technology to do this artificially. It's a bit like cleaning up a mess by putting things back where they belong!

Carbon Storage

Imagine carbon dioxide (CO2) as a bunch of marbles rolling around the room. Now, carbon storage is like putting those marbles into a jar and sealing it shut. In the natural world, carbon storage happens when CO2 from the atmosphere gets captured and tucked away in places like trees, plants, soil, or even deep in the ocean. It's a part of Earth's way of balancing the amount of CO2, so things don't get too warm. Even coal and oil deep underground are forms of stored carbon from ancient plants and animals! Understanding carbon storage is like figuring out how to keep the marbles in the jar, so they don't bounce all over the place and create problems, like climate change. It's an essential puzzle piece in managing our planet's health.

ChatGPT

ChatGPT is an advanced computer program that can understand and generate human-like text. The "Chat" part is just like chatting with a friend. The "GPT" part is a bit more technical - it stands for "Generative Pre-training Transformer." This might sound like a lot of mumbo jumbo, but let's break it down: - "Generative" is just like it sounds. ChatGPT can generate or create its own responses to whatever you type. It's not just choosing from pre-written replies - it's making up new ones on the spot. - "Pre-training" is like the homework it did before it started chatting. It studied a huge amount of text (like, imagine reading the internet) to learn how words and sentences flow together. - "Transformer" is the name of the super-smart architecture that powers the model. It's like the engine of a car, helping ChatGPT to run and generate those conversations. Taken these together, it is a huge leap in artificial intelligence, especially in the field of natural language processing. Let's see how ChatGPT is developed: first, the ChatGPT model is trained with a massive amount of the data to learn the word patterns from all these materials and gradually calibrate all its parameters, so that, when you are feeding a sentence (prompt) to it, it could use these calibrated parameters to predict the most likely next word of the sentence. It would then combine this newly generated word with the previous feeding sentence together to predict the next most likely word. This model is constantly learning and adjusting its parameters to form a complete reply sentence. Sometimes, these newly created sentences may contain incorrect information. After this faulty information are usually corrected by human reviews, the parameters are further calibrated.

Hey, I've got a few ideas buzzing around my head that I'd love to share with you. Who knows? They might spark some cool thoughts of your own. We have all heard people talking about AI (Artificial Intelligence) for years, have you ever wondered why ChatGPT, especially ChatGPT-4, is suddenly all over the news since Jan 2023? What is the big deal with this and why is it suddenly the talk of the town?  There are no right or wrong answers for this question. Like what I mentioned previously, think independently; however, think independently does not mean you have to think differently. 

ChatGPT as a program does not store any of the previous trained information, rather it stores calibrated parameters that it could use to calculate out the answers. In ChatGPT-3.5 version, it has about 175 billion independent parameters to adjust. While, in the newer ChatGPT-4 version, this number jumps up near 1000 times (971 times, to be precise), and reaches 170 trillion parameters. When comparing the performance of ChatGPT3.5 version with ChatGPT4 version, people often referred that "intelligence explosion" occurred in the ChatGPT4 version as it could provide far more understanding of the prompts and produce far better answers (intelligence, or creativity). How come? In an average human brain, we have around 86 billion neurons, which form an intricate network of connections. These cells have somewhere between 100 trillion to 1000 trillion synapses. These synapses are the points of communication between neurons, allowing them to transmit simple signals to each other in order for brain to THINK. You must have noticed that the number of parameters in ChatGPT-4 is similar in number to the ones of synapses in human brains, which correlates with the "intelligence explosion". 

I will stop here, and you can carry on the thinking. Does our brain function with any similarities as a large language-based AI model? Both brains and AI models can process and interpret information. Human brain processes information in parallel across various interconnected regions, allowing for complex functions such as perception, memory, reasoning and understanding. It has the abilities to comprehend and intercept information, make connections and form meaningful representations. While AI model is a product of machine learning algorithms and processes text or input data sequentially, apply learned patterns and associations to generate responses. What is "understanding", what is "intelligence"? Read this if you are interested. 

Throughout history, knowledge has been passed down through generations via verbal communication and/or written sources like books and papers. Within any given generation, it's impossible for any individual to read every book or fully grasp the vast knowledge spanning across all fields. Consider the expertise in ancient Aztec history - someone with sufficient knowledge in this niche could potentially become a specialized professor due to the rarity of such expertise. However, as large language-based artificial intelligence models continue to develop and advance, the transmission of knowledge is bound to undergo inevitable changes. No longer will expertise be easily attained through possessing specific knowledge alone. Imagine a world where you could gain access to ALL accumulated knowledge in human history simply by asking the right questions. The way we learn is on the verge of transformation, so get ready to embrace these exciting changes.

Let me provide you with an example of how the world would be different. I serve as an Associate Editor of a peer-reviewed journal, and my role involves seeking advice from a diverse group of experts to assess the quality and scientific validity of submitted manuscripts. In the past, I often received complaints about grammar mistakes and English misuse in manuscripts authored by individuals from non-English-speaking countries. However, I believe that with the widespread use of ChatGPT or similar AI models, this issue could become a thing of the past. By leveraging the capabilities of language models like ChatGPT, authors from non-English-speaking countries could receive real-time assistance in improving their English proficiency and writing skills. They could utilize these models to refine their work, ensuring better readability and adherence to language standards. This would not only enhance the overall quality of their work but also foster greater inclusivity and diversity in scientific research. 

The First Industrial Revolution (late 18th to early 19th century) is driven by the invention of the steam engine, this revolution transformed manual production methods to mechanical ones. It primarily affected the manufacturing industry and transportation, but many aspects of society (like healthcare, education, or information processing) remained largely unaffected. While the Second Industrial Revolution (late 19th to early 20th century) was characterized by advancements in steel production, electricity, and internal combustion engines, this revolution led to the growth of industries such as railroads, oil, and steel, and it further modernized manufacturing and transportation. However, many other aspects of society still relied on pre-industrial methods. A decade ago, the third Industrial Revolution (the Digital Revolution) (mid-20th to early 21st century) has witnessed the move from analog and mechanical technology to digital, and the advent of the internet. While this revolution had far-reaching effects on sectors such as communications, it didn't fully transform other areas like energy production or transportation, which still relied heavily on technologies from the Second Industrial Revolution. In contrast, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, driven by technologies like AI, is expected to permeate and transform all sectors of society, from healthcare and education to energy and transportation. The changes are expected to be more fundamental, affecting not just how we work and communicate, but also how we make decisions, how we understand the world, and how we interact with each other. You'd better be ready for this.

In your case, you could also use this website www.ChatPDF.com to use the AI tool to read research papers.

Climate Change

Climate change is like a slow shift in the weather patterns we're used to. Imagine if, over time, your favorite summer spot started feeling more like winter, or the winters began feeling strangely warm. This isn't just about a few unusual days; it's a long-term change that affects the whole planet. Why is this happening? Largely because of human activities like burning fossil fuels (think cars, factories), which release gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. It's like wrapping Earth in a thicker blanket that holds in more warmth. The result? Melting ice, rising seas, and unpredictable weather. From polar bears losing their icy homes to farmers facing uncertain harvests, climate change is a complex challenge that impacts everyone and everything on Earth. It's a big topic but understanding it is key to shaping a sustainable future.

Compound Leaf

A leaf that is divided into multiple smaller leaflets, all attached to a single central stem or rachis. It might look like multiple leaves, but they're all part of one compound leaf structure. If you've ever seen a fern or a mimosa tree where it seems like there are many tiny leaves branching off a single stem, you're actually looking at the leaflets of a compound leaf!

Deciduous

Refers to plants, primarily trees and shrubs, that shed their leaves once a year, typically in the fall. This shedding is an adaptation to conserve water and energy during unfavorable seasons, like winter in temperate regions or dry seasons in some tropical areas. Contrastingly, evergreen plants retain their leaves throughout the year. If you think of trees that are bare in winter and regrow their leaves in spring, you're picturing deciduous trees!

Ecology

A branch of science that's like unraveling a complex web of life. Imagine a forest, a desert, or even a city park; ecology explores how all the plants, animals, and even the weather and soil are connected in these places. It's about understanding who eats whom, who lives where, and why certain creatures behave the way they do. From tiny insects to towering trees, ecology helps us see the big picture of life on Earth, and why it matters to protect it. Whether you're into animals, plants, or just curious about the world around you, ecology offers a fascinating window into how life thrives and survives.

Evergreen

Pertains to plants that retain their leaves throughout the entire year, without a distinct shedding season. These plants always appear "green" and leafy, regardless of the season. This characteristic contrasts with deciduous plants, which lose their leaves annually. Examples of evergreen plants include pine trees and holly shrubs. Imagine trees that stay green even during winter – those are evergreens!

Large Language Model (LLM)

You may have heard that the ChatGPT is an LLM-based AI tool. A type of artificial intelligence (AI) model designed to understand and generate human-like text based on vast amounts of data. It's a subset of deep learning models called transformers, which are trained on enormous datasets to predict the next word in a sequence, based on the provided prompt. Once the next word is predicted, it would be integrated with the previous words into a new query, to predict the next word. This allows them to generate coherent and contextually relevant sentences. OpenAI's GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) series, including GPT-3 and GPT-4, are examples of large language models. These models can be used for a variety of tasks like answering questions, writing essays, generating creative content, and more. Think of them as super-advanced text predictors, but with the ability to understand and craft entire paragraphs in a conversational manner!

Leaf Arrangement

Refers to the pattern in which leaves are positioned along the stem of a plant. There are several common types of leaf arrangements:

1. Alternate (or Spiral): One leaf attaches at each node (point on the stem) in a staggered pattern. If you see leaves coming off a stem in a zig-zag fashion, one by one, that's alternate arrangement.

2. Opposite: Two leaves attach at each node, directly across from each other. It's like the stem has pairs of leaves at each point.

3.* Whorled: Three or more leaves attach at a single node, encircling the stem. It appears as if multiple leaves are sprouting from the same spot in a circular pattern.

Understanding the leaf arrangement can help in plant identification, as certain species or families of plants often have specific and consistent patterns of leaf arrangement.

Leaf Margin

Refers to the edge or boundary of a leaf blade. The characteristics of the leaf margin can vary and are often used as key identifiers for plant species. Common types of leaf margins include:

1. Entire: Smooth and unbroken edges without any teeth or lobes. Think of a simple, clean border.

2. Serrated (or Toothed): Sharp, tooth-like projections along the edge, resembling the teeth of a saw.

3. Doubly Serrated: Has smaller teeth on the primary teeth, giving it a double-toothed appearance.

4. Lobed: Large, rounded or pointed projections. The spaces between these projections are called "sinuses." Oak leaves are a classic example with their distinct lobes.

5. Crenate: Rounded teeth along the edge, creating a scalloped appearance.

Examining the leaf margin provides valuable clues when trying to identify or classify a plant, as certain patterns are typical of specific plant families or species.

Leaflet

A smaller, individual section or blade of a compound leaf. Unlike a simple leaf, which is undivided, a compound leaf is made up of multiple leaflets attached to a central stem or rachis. Each leaflet might look like a separate leaf, but they collectively form one compound leaf together. If you think of a leaf that looks like a mini-branch with tiny leaves on it, those tiny "leaves" are actually leaflets of the larger compound leaf!

Linear Regression Analysis

A statistical method used to model and analyze the relationships between a dependent variable and one or more independent variables. The main goal is to determine the best fit linear relationship (or equation) describing the data.

Petiole

The slender stalk that connects a leaf blade to the stem of a plant. It functions as a bridge, allowing water and nutrients to flow between the leaf and the main plant body. When you hold a leaf by its "handle" before it widens into the main leafy part, you're holding the petiole. It's like the leaf's personal stem!

R-Squared (Coefficient of Determination):

A statistical measure that represents the proportion of the variance for the dependent variable that's explained by the independent variable(s) in a regression model, ranging from 0 to 1.

Simple Leaf

A type of leaf that is undivided and has a single, unbroken blade. It is attached to the stem by a petiole (a small stalk). Unlike compound leaves, which are divided into smaller leaflets, a simple leaf remains as one whole piece. If you picture a typical leaf that's just one continuous piece without any "sub-leaves" branching off of it, you're thinking of a simple leaf!

Tree of Life

The Tree of Life is a visual representation or metaphorical concept that illustrates the evolutionary relationships and diversification of all living organisms on Earth. It depicts the evolutionary history and interconnections between different species, showing how they have evolved from common ancestors over millions of years. The Tree of Life is based on the concept of common descent, which suggests that all organisms share a common ancestor and have undergone gradual changes and branching events to give rise to the immense biodiversity observed today. The branches and nodes of the tree represent the evolutionary lineages and speciation events, with common ancestors giving rise to new species over time. The Tree of Life encompasses all domains of life, including bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes, and showcases the incredible diversity of life forms and their evolutionary relationships. The concept of the Tree of Life has been developed and refined through extensive studies in the fields of paleontology, molecular biology, genetics, and comparative anatomy. Advances in DNA sequencing and computational methods have provided valuable insights into the relationships between organisms and allowed scientists to construct more accurate and detailed phylogenetic trees. The Tree of Life serves as a powerful tool for understanding the interconnectedness and evolutionary history of life on Earth and provides a framework for studying biodiversity, ecological relationships, and the origins of different species. It also highlights the importance of preserving and conserving the rich tapestry of life for future generations.