Why the designer's intended function is central for proper function assignment and artifact conceptualization: Essentialist and normative accounts

2016 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 38-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio E. Chaigneau ◽  
Guillermo Puebla ◽  
Enrique C. Canessa
Keyword(s):  
Proper Function ◽  
Intended Function ◽  
Function Assignment

The Spirit of Modesty

Dialogue ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 587-602
Author(s):  
Shaun P. Young
Keyword(s):  
Political Philosophy ◽  
Recent Work ◽  
Social Order ◽  
Proper Function ◽  
Principal Function ◽  
Contemporary Theory ◽  
Intended Function ◽  
The Subject

What is the principal function of political philosophy? This question has long been the source of discourse and debate, especially amongst those who practise this ancient art. For Ronald Beiner, the primary and proper function of political philosophy is, always has been, and forever will be, to expand our analytical horizons and thereby improve our ability to judge accurately the desirability and subsequent acceptability of our existing social order(s). Beiner contends, however, that contemporary theorists have so restricted the scope and focus of their investigations that political philosophy is no longer able to fulfil its intended function. This is a theme which has animated much of Beiner's recent work, and provides the foundation and focus for his book Philosophy in a Time of Lost Spirit: Essays on Contemporary Theory (PTS), the subject of this essay.

Interrelationship of Jatharagni and Dhatvagni in context to Dhatvagni Pradoshaj Vikaras.

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kishor G. Satani ◽  
Hemang Raghvani ◽  
Kunjal Bhatt
Keyword(s):  
Basic Concept ◽  
Functional Relationship ◽  
Structural Relationship ◽  
The Other ◽  
Proper Function ◽  
One Step ◽  
Material Form

The concept of Agni is basic concept of Ayurveda. Agni is believed to be the agency for any kind of transformation. Maharshi Vagbhatta says that each of the Dosha, Dhatu, Mala etc. have their own Agni. This is how the number of Agni cannot be limited. Though each and every Agni has its own importance, Dehagni or Jatharagni is the most important one as all other Agnis are depended upon Dehagni. Acharya Vagbhatta says that proper function of every Dhatvagni is depended on the Jatharagni. Increase or decrease of Jatharagni directly affects the function of Dhatvagni. Thus, Maharshi Charaka established functional relationship among Jatharagni and other Agnis. Maharshi Vagbhattta goes one step ahead of Maharshi Charaka by using word “Amsha” means; moieties of Kayagni, located to in its own place, are distributed to and permeate to all the Dhatus. A decrease of it (below the normal) makes for an increase of the Dhatus, while an increase of it (above the normal) makes for a decrease of a Dhatus. This shows structural relationship too, between Jatharagni and Dhatvagni as “Amsha” always indicates Murtatva or material form. Further more all these Agnis are connected with each other and due to this relationship, vitiation of Jatharagni results in vitiation of all the other Agnis.

Must Functionalists Be Aristotelians?

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert C. Koons ◽  
Alexander Pruss
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Computing System ◽  
Proper Function ◽  
Causal Powers ◽  
Normative Language ◽  
Functionalist Theory ◽  
Mental Properties ◽  
Argument Proceeds ◽  
Aristotelian Tradition

Functionalism in the theory of mind requires an account of function that has a normative component—mere conditional connection (whether indicative or sub-junctive) is not enough. For instance, a component of a computing system isn’t an adder just in case its output is always or would always be the sum of the inputs, since any computing system in a world with as much indeterminism as ours can err or malfunction. Two general reductions of normative language have been proposed that one might wish to apply to the problem of defining proper function: the evolutionary reduction (Wright, Millikan) and the agential reduction (Plantinga). We argue that whatever the merits of the reductions in other contexts, a functionalist theory of mind that defines proper function in either of these ways must fail. The argument proceeds by first showing the agential reduction is viciously circular in the context of a functionalist theory of agency. Second, if functionalism about mind is true and proper function is reducible evolutionarily, then it is possible to have a situation in which the presence or absence of mental properties depends in an implausibly spooky, acausal way on remote facts. It is plausible that the only currently avail-able way for the functionalist to meet these challenges is to accept irreducible end-directed causal powers of minds and/or their functional parts, in accordance with a broadly Aristotelian tradition.

scholarly journals Hypusination, a Metabolic Posttranslational Modification of eIF5A in Plants during Development and Environmental Stress Responses

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1261
Author(s):  
Péter Pálfi ◽  
László Bakacsy ◽  
Henrietta Kovács ◽  
Ágnes Szepesi
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Environmental Stress ◽  
Plant Development ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Posttranslational Modification ◽  
Proper Function ◽  
Signal Pathways ◽  
Deoxyhypusine Synthase ◽  
Deoxyhypusine Hydroxylase ◽  
Eukaryotic Translation

Hypusination is a unique posttranslational modification of eIF5A, a eukaryotic translation factor. Hypusine is a rare amino acid synthesized in this process and is mediated by two enzymes, deoxyhypusine synthase (DHS) and deoxyhypusine hydroxylase (DOHH). Despite the essential participation of this conserved eIF5A protein in plant development and stress responses, our knowledge of its proper function is limited. In this review, we demonstrate the main findings regarding how eIF5A and hypusination could contribute to plant-specific responses in growth and stress-related processes. Our aim is to briefly discuss the plant-specific details of hypusination and decipher those signal pathways which can be effectively modified by this process. The diverse functions of eIF5A isoforms are also discussed in this review.

scholarly journals Implication of Contactins in Demyelinating Pathologies

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Ilias Kalafatakis ◽  
Maria Savvaki ◽  
Theodora Velona ◽  
Domna Karagogeos
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Cell Adhesion Molecules ◽  
White Matter Lesions ◽  
Myelinated Axon ◽  
Immunoglobulin Superfamily ◽  
Proper Function ◽  
Myelinated Axons ◽  
And Function

Demyelinating pathologies comprise of a variety of conditions where either central or peripheral myelin is attacked, resulting in white matter lesions and neurodegeneration. Myelinated axons are organized into molecularly distinct domains, and this segregation is crucial for their proper function. These defined domains are differentially affected at the different stages of demyelination as well as at the lesion and perilesion sites. Among the main players in myelinated axon organization are proteins of the contactin (CNTN) group of the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) of cell adhesion molecules, namely Contactin-1 and Contactin-2 (CNTN1, CNTN2). The two contactins perform their functions through intermolecular interactions, which are crucial for myelinated axon integrity and functionality. In this review, we focus on the implication of these two molecules as well as their interactors in demyelinating pathologies in humans. At first, we describe the organization and function of myelinated axons in the central (CNS) and the peripheral (PNS) nervous system, further analyzing the role of CNTN1 and CNTN2 as well as their interactors in myelination. In the last section, studies showing the correlation of the two contactins with demyelinating pathologies are reviewed, highlighting the importance of these recognition molecules in shaping the function of the nervous system in multiple ways.

scholarly journals Effect of ethanol and cocaine on [11C]MPC-6827 uptake in SH-SY5Y cells

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naresh Damuka ◽  
Miranda Orr ◽  
Paul W. Czoty ◽  
Jeffrey L. Weiner ◽  
Thomas J. Martin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanism Of Action ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Neuroblastoma Cells ◽  
Proper Function ◽  
Brain Functions ◽  
Biodistribution Studies ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Vitro Binding

AbstractMicrotubules (MTs) are structural units in the cytoskeleton. In brain cells they are responsible for axonal transport, information processing, and signaling mechanisms. Proper function of these processes is critical for healthy brain functions. Alcohol and substance use disorders (AUD/SUDs) affects the function and organization of MTs in the brain, making them a potential neuroimaging marker to study the resulting impairment of overall neurobehavioral and cognitive processes. Our lab reported the first brain-penetrant MT-tracking Positron Emission Tomography (PET) ligand [11C]MPC-6827 and demonstrated its in vivo utility in rodents and non-human primates. To further explore the in vivo imaging potential of [11C]MPC-6827, we need to investigate its mechanism of action. Here, we report preliminary in vitro binding results in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells exposed to ethanol (EtOH) or cocaine in combination with multiple agents that alter MT stability. EtOH and cocaine treatments increased MT stability and decreased free tubulin monomers. Our initial cell-binding assay demonstrated that [11C]MPC-6827 may have high affinity to free/unbound tubulin units. Consistent with this mechanism of action, we observed lower [11C]MPC-6827 uptake in SH-SY5Y cells after EtOH and cocaine treatments (e.g., fewer free tubulin units). We are currently performing in vivo PET imaging and ex vivo biodistribution studies in rodent and nonhuman primate models of AUD and SUDs and Alzheimer's disease.

scholarly journals The endoribonuclease N4BP1 prevents psoriasis by controlling both keratinocytes proliferation and neutrophil infiltration

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenliang Gou ◽  
Wenkai Ni ◽  
Panpan Ma ◽  
Fengbo Zhao ◽  
Zhou Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physiological Role ◽  
Neutrophil Infiltration ◽  
Proper Function ◽  
Psoriatic Skin ◽  
Epidermal Keratinocytes ◽  
Keratinocyte Proliferation ◽  
Proliferation And Differentiation ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Chronic Skin ◽  
Upregulated Genes

AbstractPsoriasis is a common chronic skin disease, characterized by abnormal interplay between hyperproliferative epidermal keratinocytes and self-reactive immune cells with not fully addressed molecular mechanism. N4BP1 (NEDD4-binding protein 1) is considered as an immune regulator for a long time but its physiological role is not determined yet. Here, we found that the expression of N4BP1 in skin was highest among all 54 tested tissues, and its expression was further upregulated in psoriatic skin. N4BP1-deficient mice exhibited normal grossly, but developed severe and prolonged IMQ-induced psoriasis-like disease comparing to controls. N4BP1 mainly expressed in keratinocytes and located on nucleus. Up- but not downregulated genes in N4BP1-deficient skin were specifically enriched in keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. The proliferation of N4BP1-deficient primary keratinocytes was faster compared to that of controls. The upregulated genes upon ablation of N4BP1 were highly enriched in targets of AP-1 transcription factor. Knocking out N4BP1 resulted in upregulation of JunB and FosB, and conversely, overexpression of N4BP1 greatly reduced their expression. Furthermore, N4BP1 binds with JunB and FosB encoding mRNAs and greatly reduces their stability. In addition, with a high expression in neutrophils, N4BP1 limits survival of neutrophils in blood and infiltration of neutrophils in psoriatic skin by targeting CXCL1, CCL20, and S100A8. These findings demonstrate that N4BP1 controls the proper function of keratinocytes and neutrophils by negatively regulating JunB, FosB, and CXCL1, respectively, and that is critical for psoriasis prevention.

scholarly journals Translational Selection and Yeast Proteome Evolution

Genetics ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 164 (4) ◽  
pp. 1291-1303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Akashi
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Amino Acid Composition ◽  
Acid Composition ◽  
Synonymous Codon ◽  
Amino Acid Usage ◽  
Proper Function ◽  
Efficient Synthesis ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Speed And Accuracy

AbstractThe primary structures of peptides may be adapted for efficient synthesis as well as proper function. Here, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome sequence, DNA microarray expression data, tRNA gene numbers, and functional categorizations of proteins are employed to determine whether the amino acid composition of peptides reflects natural selection to optimize the speed and accuracy of translation. Strong relationships between synonymous codon usage bias and estimates of transcript abundance suggest that DNA array data serve as adequate predictors of translation rates. Amino acid usage also shows striking relationships with expression levels. Stronger correlations between tRNA concentrations and amino acid abundances among highly expressed proteins than among less abundant proteins support adaptation of both tRNA abundances and amino acid usage to enhance the speed and accuracy of protein synthesis. Natural selection for efficient synthesis appears to also favor shorter proteins as a function of their expression levels. Comparisons restricted to proteins within functional classes are employed to control for differences in amino acid composition and protein size that reflect differences in the functional requirements of proteins expressed at different levels.

scholarly journals Example of Warehouse System Design Based on the Principle of Logistics

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4492
Author(s):  
Janka Saderova ◽  
Andrea Rosova ◽  
Marian Sofranko ◽  
Peter Kacmary
Keyword(s):  
System Design ◽  
Design Process ◽  
System Analysis ◽  
Proper Function ◽  
Logistics Systems ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Storage Area ◽  
Area Percentage ◽  
First In First Out ◽  
Percentage Ratio

The warehouse process, as one of many logistics processes, currently holds an irreplaceable position in logistics systems in companies and in the supply chain. The proper function of warehouse operations depends on, among other things, the type of the used technology and their utilization. The research in this article is focused on the design of a warehouse system. The selection of a suitable warehouse system is a current research topic as the warehouse system has an impact on warehouse capacity and utilization and on the speed of storage activities. The paper presents warehouse system design methodology that was designed applying the logistics principle-systematic (system) approach. The starting point for designing a warehouse system represents of the process of design logistics systems. The design process consists of several phases: project identification, design process paradigm selection, system analysis, synthesis, and project evaluation. This article’s contribution is the proposed methodology and design of the warehouse system for the specified conditions. The methodology was implemented for the design of a warehouse system in a cold box, which is a part of a distribution warehouse. The technology of pallet racking was chosen in the warehouse to store pallets. Pallets will be stored and removed by forklifts. For the specified conditions, the warehouse system was designed for two alternatives of racking assemblies, which are served by forklifts. Alternative 1—Standard pallet rack with wide aisles and Alternative 2—Pallet dynamic flow rack. The proposed systems were compared on the basis of selected indicators: Capacity—the number of pallet places in the system, Percentage ratio of storage area from the box area, Percentage ratio of handling aisles from the box area, Access to individual pallets by forklift, Investment costs for 1 pallet space in EUR. Based on the multicriteria evaluation, the Alternative 2 was chosen as the acceptable design of the warehouse system with storage capacity 720 pallet units. The system needs only two handling aisles. Loading and unloading processes are separate from each other, which means that there are no collisions with forklifts. The pallets with the goods are operated on the principle of FIFO (first in, first out), which will facilitate the control of the shelf life of batches or series of products. The methodology is a suitable tool for decision-making in selecting and designing a warehouse system.

scholarly journals Generation and characterization of iPSC-derived renal proximal tubule-like cells with extended stability

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vidya Chandrasekaran ◽  
Giada Carta ◽  
Daniel da Costa Pereira ◽  
Rajinder Gupta ◽  
Cormac Murphy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Proximal Tubule ◽  
Retinoic Acid Receptor ◽  
Renal Proximal Tubule ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Proper Function ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Glomerular Filtrate ◽  
Proximal Tubular ◽  
Induced Pluripotent

AbstractThe renal proximal tubule is responsible for re-absorption of the majority of the glomerular filtrate and its proper function is necessary for whole-body homeostasis. Aging, certain diseases and chemical-induced toxicity are factors that contribute to proximal tubule injury and chronic kidney disease progression. To better understand these processes, it would be advantageous to generate renal tissues from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). Here, we report the differentiation and characterization of iPSC lines into proximal tubular-like cells (PTL). The protocol is a step wise exposure of small molecules and growth factors, including the GSK3 inhibitor (CHIR99021), the retinoic acid receptor activator (TTNPB), FGF9 and EGF, to drive iPSC to PTL via cell stages representing characteristics of early stages of renal development. Genome-wide RNA sequencing showed that PTL clustered within a kidney phenotype. PTL expressed proximal tubular-specific markers, including megalin (LRP2), showed a polarized phenotype, and were responsive to parathyroid hormone. PTL could take up albumin and exhibited ABCB1 transport activity. The phenotype was stable for up to 7 days and was maintained after passaging. This protocol will form the basis of an optimized strategy for molecular investigations using iPSC derived PTL.

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