Phenotypic integration in the carnivoran backbone and the evolution of functional differentiation in metameric structures

Whether there has been a transition to something new in what it is possible to think remains to be seen. In the absence of such a transition, we are unlikely to see significant changes in the conditions of rule. If indeed capitalism is a spent force, then economic decline will accelerate and material inequality will increase. Short of a complete collapse, established conditions of rule will be reinforced—the mighty frame ever mightier, the international society of modern state-nations shows no signs of fading away. As migration dilutes blood ties and multiplies languages in daily use, nations depend all the more on territory for their social coherence and emotional appeal. That sovereignty is more difficult to locate spatially only illustrates the effects of modernist functional differentiation, which does not displace space or overlay it so much as penetrate the immediacy of place, every place, stealthily, by making itself indispensable.

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Patterns and Determinants of Religious Change in the Modern Period

10.1093/oso/9780198801665.003.0020 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Detlef Pollack ◽

Gergely Rosta

Keyword(s):

Theoretical Perspective ◽

Functional Differentiation ◽

Market Model ◽

Religious Communities ◽

Religious Change ◽

State Spending ◽

Economic Interests ◽

Government Regulations ◽

Modern Period ◽

Determining Factors

Chapter 14 does not design a general theory of religious change, but develops a multiple theoretical perspective including various theoretical elements, which are instrumental for explaining religious changes and which can be combined flexibly. In brief, they are: 1. Functional differentiation as a rule stands in a strained relationship to the integrational capacity of religious communities and churches. If, however, religious identities are linked with non-religious, for example, political, national, or economic interests, religion and church are strengthened. 2. Processes of individualization mostly have an erosive impact on religious ties. 3. In contrast to the assumptions of the market model, religious pluralism does not foster religious vitality, but actually inhibits it. In the case of conflict, though, religious diversity can fuel religious passions. Other determining factors such as government regulations of the religious sector, state spending on the welfare system, social inequality, immigration, and path dependency are also taken into account.

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The Theory of Functional Differentiation and the History of Modern Society. Reflections on the Reception of Systems Theory in Recent Historiography

Zehn Jahre danach. Niklas Luhmanns »Die Gesellschaft der Gesellschaft« ◽

10.1515/9783110509229-019 ◽

2008 ◽

pp. 220-229

Author(s):

Benjamin Ziemann

Keyword(s):

Systems Theory ◽

Modern Society ◽

Functional Differentiation ◽

History Of

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Structure Unveils Relationships between RNA Virus Polymerases

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13020313 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 313

Author(s):

Heli A. M. Mönttinen ◽

Janne J. Ravantti ◽

Minna M. Poranen

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Tree ◽

Rna Viruses ◽

Rna Virus ◽

Sequence Similarity ◽

Protein Structures ◽

Structural Similarity ◽

Functional Differentiation ◽

Comparison Method ◽

Homologous Structure ◽

Biological Entities

RNA viruses are the fastest evolving known biological entities. Consequently, the sequence similarity between homologous viral proteins disappears quickly, limiting the usability of traditional sequence-based phylogenetic methods in the reconstruction of relationships and evolutionary history among RNA viruses. Protein structures, however, typically evolve more slowly than sequences, and structural similarity can still be evident, when no sequence similarity can be detected. Here, we used an automated structural comparison method, homologous structure finder, for comprehensive comparisons of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRps). We identified a common structural core of 231 residues for all the structurally characterized viral RdRps, covering segmented and non-segmented negative-sense, positive-sense, and double-stranded RNA viruses infecting both prokaryotic and eukaryotic hosts. The grouping and branching of the viral RdRps in the structure-based phylogenetic tree follow their functional differentiation. The RdRps using protein primer, RNA primer, or self-priming mechanisms have evolved independently of each other, and the RdRps cluster into two large branches based on the used transcription mechanism. The structure-based distance tree presented here follows the recently established RdRp-based RNA virus classification at genus, subfamily, family, order, class and subphylum ranks. However, the topology of our phylogenetic tree suggests an alternative phylum level organization.

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Toward a differentiation-based framework for middle power behavior

International Theory ◽

10.1017/s1752971920000688 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-24

Author(s):

Sarah Teo

Keyword(s):

International Politics ◽

Social Power ◽

Relevant Literature ◽

Functional Differentiation ◽

Great Powers ◽

Power Politics ◽

Underlying Assumption ◽

Middle Power ◽

Middle Powers ◽

New Framework

Abstract Differentiation is a foundational premise in the study of middle powers, as evident in the way that the relevant literature distinguishes these states from the great powers and smaller states. Despite the underlying assumption of differentiation, the middle power literature has rarely engaged theoretically with the concept. This paper seeks to make more explicit this basis of differentiation in the study of middle powers, by advancing a new framework for middle power behavior that draws on differentiation theory. The framework makes the case that it is the differentiated structure in international politics – a departure from the dominant neorealist understanding of structure – that enables the behavior of middle powers. The effects of this differentiated structure are activated by the relative, relational, and social power politics that middle powers engage in, in a particular time and place. Through this process, middle powers are able to leverage their ‘middlepowerness’ in international politics by weakening stratification particularly where the great powers are concerned, and strengthening functional differentiation through taking on key and distinctive roles. By putting differentiation at the core of a framework for middle power behavior, the paper strives to make a constructive contribution to the theorizing of middle powers.

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