scholarly journals From Norm Evaluation to Norm Construction

2022 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 141-158
Author(s):  
Ziad Bou Akl
Keyword(s):  
Ethical Theory ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Typical Feature ◽  
Construction Process ◽  
Ex Post ◽  
Legal Texts

This study examines the issue of norm construction in al-Ghazālī’s thought focusing on the grounds advanced to support his radical infallibilist position. To fulfill such end, al-Ghazālī, I explain, relies on two types of arguments, the first one relates to the presumptive nature of legal texts in order to highlight their fundamental indeterminacy and the second links to the interpreter to show the impossibility to fall into error. To buttress these arguments, al-Ghazālī both draws on epistemological principles and metaethical ones. As it will be shown in the study, al-Ghazālī ultimately explains the divergence in interpretation of norms using the concept of ṭabʿ (nature, disposition or appetitive self) drawing on his well-known relativist ethical theory concerning norm evaluation and therefore brings in a unique way this typical feature of Ashʿarism within his own radical infallibilist theory of norm construction. The concept of ṭabʿ allows to bridge the gap between the ambiguity in the revealed text and the mujtahid’s interpretation in the norm construction process, and ultimately serves to justify ex post the choices made by the mujtahid. In doing so, al-Ghazālī assigns to theology a critical role in revealing the origin of the illusion of the jurists who naively think that licit and illicit are qualities of things themselves.

New Insights on KCa3.1 Channel Modulation

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (18) ◽  
pp. 2096-2101
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Manfroni ◽  
Francesco Ragonese ◽  
Lorenzo Monarca ◽  
Andrea Astolfi ◽  
Loretta Mancinelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Potassium Channel ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Calcium Signalling ◽  
Typical Feature ◽  
Open Probability ◽  
Pharmacological Agents ◽  
Channel Modulation ◽  
Calcium Dependent ◽  
Modelling Techniques ◽  
Calcium Activated Potassium Channel

The human intermediate conductance calcium-activated potassium channel, KCa3.1, is involved in several pathophysiological conditions playing a critical role in cell secretory machinery and calcium signalling. The recent cryo-EM analysis provides new insights for understanding the modulation by both endogenous and pharmacological agents. A typical feature of this channel is the low open probability in saturating calcium concentrations and its modulation by potassium channel openers (KCOs), such as benzo imidazolone 1-EBIO, without changing calcium-dependent activation. In this paper, we proposed a model of KCOs action in the modulation of channel activity. The KCa3.1 channel has a very rich pharmacological profile with several classes of molecules that selectively interact with different binding sites of the channel. Among them, benzo imidazolones can be openers (positive modulators such as 1-EBIO, DC-EBIO) or blockers (negative modulators such as NS1619). Through computation modelling techniques, we identified the 1,4-benzothiazin-3-one as a promising scaffold to develop new KCa3.1 channel modulators. Further studies are needed to explore the potential use of 1-4 benzothiazine- 3-one in KCa3.1 modulation and its pharmacological application.

scholarly journals Assets mix and financial performance of listed consumer goods firms in nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-45
Author(s):  
Nangih Efeeloo ◽  
Emeka Nwokeji N.A
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Consumer Goods ◽  
Intangible Assets ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Optimum Level ◽  
Analytical Technique ◽  
Ex Post ◽  
Ex Post Facto ◽  
Level Of Significance

This study assessed the effect of asset mix on financial performance of selected consumer goods firms in Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the effects of tangible non-current assets, current and intangible assets structures and returns on asset. Ex post facto research design was adopted and data obtained from the annual reports of the companies for a seven-year period from 2013 to 2019. Multiple regression analytical technique was employed in analyzing the data. The findings of the study revealed that the independent variables employed in the study explained about 13.7% of the variations in returns on asset. Specifically, both current and intangible assets have positive and significant effect with ROA at 5% level of significance. Noncurrent asset has positive but insignificant effect on ROA. Thus, the assets composition of a firm plays a critical role in the financial performance of that firm, although it explains only about 14% of the performance of the firm. It was therefore recommended that firms should increase their current and intangible assets, but should keep it at an optimum level that will ensure that maturing short-term business obligations are met.

scholarly journals The Ethical Dimension in the New Public Management: Revisiting the Theory of Accountability, the Case of Public Finances in Morocco

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (31) ◽  
pp. 440
Author(s):  
Akhlaffou Mohamed ◽  
El Wazani Youssef ◽  
Souaf Malika ◽  
Lechheb Hafsa
Keyword(s):  
Public Management ◽  
Ethical Theory ◽  
New Public Management ◽  
Public Organizations ◽  
Ethical Dimension ◽  
Construction Process ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Public Finances ◽  
New Public

In this paper, we focus on the positioning of the ethical theory of accountability and the relevance of the new public management in the integration of the ethical dimension in the management of public organizations and non-profit organizations. The objective is to show how the NPM and the theory of accountability incorporate the ethical dimension, and to what extent these two theories consider ethics in the construction process of public action, the sense and nonsense in public management and its relationship with the position of ethics in the management of public organizations. This will be done through a case study on the ethical dimension in the management of public finances in Morocco, proposing recommendations to make accountability in public finances more transparent and ethical.

scholarly journals Edifice Complex: Managing Risk During Construction

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. e26119
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Hirsch ◽  
Roger Rudy ◽  
Taylor Wright
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Critical Path ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Construction Process ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Building Projects ◽  
Preventive Conservation ◽  
Museum Professionals ◽  
Managing Risk

As the museum building serves a critical role in preventive conservation, its maintenance and repair represent important measures to ensure the safekeeping of cultural heritage. Construction projects can be key to the long-term preservation of the building, and in turn advance the need for collection care, but the construction process itself introduces risk from a variety of sources. Moreover, safety concerns related to building projects often restrict access to portions of the building, complicating the work of museum professionals who have a responsibility for preserving collection material but may not be directly involved in day-to-day construction activities. What are the problems of most potential destruction to building contents, and where can planning make a world of difference in reducing risk? This presentation presents an overview of the construction process, using a critical path schedule as an introduction for people who’ve not participated in a capital project. Discussion will identify how risk changes according to the phase of construction, where work increases the vulnerability of collection material and what measures can be taken early in a project to manage these factors. The presenters will focus on fire protection during construction, referencing published reports about incidents of damage and their causes, then connecting this data to challenges unique to museum projects. Budgets and museum professionals’ time should be directed toward mitigating damage based on a risk assessment built upon data that exists from multiple sources within the construction industry.

scholarly journals Cultural Dimensions Of Legal Discourse

2014 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 189-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Halina Sierocka
Keyword(s):  
Critical Role ◽  
Legal Discourse ◽  
Legal Culture ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Cultural Dimension ◽  
Application Of Law ◽  
Legal Texts ◽  
Precision And Accuracy ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Way

Abstract Despite the intention for precision and accuracy, legal discourse is oftentimes complex, archaic and ambiguous - which gives rise to contentious interpretation. Moreover, little or no attention is paid to the cultural dimension of legal discourse, which plays a critical role in the translation and interpretation of legal texts, as well as in the application of law. This paper endeavours to illustrate the impact the culture, or, more precisely, legal culture has on the way legal texts are construed or translated and to present problems which arise in the interpretation, translation and application of law as a result of cultural diversities

OPTIMAL INCENTIVE-COMPATIBLE INSURANCE WITH BACKGROUND RISK

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-28
Author(s):  
Yichun Chi ◽  
Ken Seng Tan
Keyword(s):  
Critical Role ◽  
Insurance Premium ◽  
Background Risk ◽  
Risk Transfer ◽  
Optimal Insurance ◽  
Insurance Contracts ◽  
Incentive Compatible ◽  
Ex Post ◽  
Compatible Condition ◽  
Mean Variance

ABSTRACT In this paper, the optimal insurance design is studied from the perspective of an insured, who faces an insurable risk and a background risk. For the reduction of ex post moral hazard, alternative insurance contracts are asked to satisfy the principle of indemnity and the incentive-compatible condition. As in the literature, it is assumed that the insurer calculates the insurance premium solely on the basis of the expected indemnity. When the insured has a general mean-variance preference, an explicit form of optimal insurance is derived explicitly. It is found that the stochastic dependence between the background risk and the insurable risk plays a critical role in the insured’s risk transfer decision. In addition, the optimal insurance policy can often change significantly once the incentive-compatible constraint is removed.

scholarly journals The Role of Stroma in Cholangiocarcinoma: The Intriguing Interplay between Fibroblastic Component, Immune Cell Subsets and Tumor Epithelium

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. 2885 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Gentilini ◽  
Mirella Pastore ◽  
Fabio Marra ◽  
Chiara Raggi
Keyword(s):  
Immune Cells ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Tumor Stroma ◽  
Typical Feature ◽  
Poor Clinical Outcome ◽  
Soluble Factors ◽  
Secreted Factors ◽  
Immune Cell Subsets

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a severe and mostly intractable adenocarcinoma of biliary epithelial cells. A typical feature of CCA is its highly desmoplastic microenvironment containing fibrogenic connective tissue and an abundance of immune cells (T lymphocytes, Natural Killer (NK) cells, and macrophages) infiltrating tumor epithelium. This strong desmoplasia is orchestrated by various soluble factors and signals, suggesting a critical role in shaping a tumor growth-permissive microenvironment that is responsible for CCA poor clinical outcome. Indeed stroma not only provides an abundance of factors that facilitate CCA initiation, growth and progression, but also a prejudicial impact on therapeutic outcome. This review will give an overview of tumor-stroma signaling in a microenvironment critically regulating CCA development and progression. Identification of CCA secreted factors by both the fibroblast component and immune cell subsets might provide ample opportunities for pharmacological targeting of this type of cancer.

Dexamethasone Effect on Embryonic Chick Respiratory Epithelium

1982 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 248-249
Author(s):  
M.R. Richter ◽  
R.V. Blystone
Keyword(s):  
Lung Development ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Respiratory Epithelium ◽  
Chick Embryos ◽  
Embryonic Chick ◽  
White Leghorn ◽  
Lung Maturation ◽  
Synthetic Analogs ◽  
Lung Physiology ◽  
Avian Lung

Dexamethasone and other synthetic analogs of corticosteroids have been employed clinically as enhancers of lung development. The mechanism(s) by which this steroid induction of later lung maturation operates is not clear. This study reports the effect on lung epithelia of dexamethasone administered at different intervals during development. White Leghorn chick embryos were used so as to remove possible maternal and placental influences on the exogenously applied steroid. Avian lung architecture does vary from mammals; however, respiratory surfactant produced by the lung epithelia serves an equally critical role in avian lung physiology.

An atomic resolution study of a carbide phase in platinum

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-21
Author(s):  
M.J. Witcomb ◽  
M.A. O'Keefe ◽  
CJ. Echer ◽  
C. Nelson ◽  
J.H. Turner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solid Solution ◽  
Carbon Atom ◽  
Carbide Phase ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Alloy System ◽  
Atomic Resolution ◽  
Excess Carbon ◽  
Interstitial Carbon ◽  
Resolution Study

Under normal circumstances, Pt dissolves only a very small amount of interstitial carbon in solid solution. Even so, an appropriate quench/age treatment leads to the formation of stable Pt2C {100} plate precipitates. Excess (quenched-in) vacancies play a critical role in the process by accommodating the volume and structural changes that accompany the transformation. This alloy system exhibits other interesting properties. Due to a large vacancy/carbon atom binding energy, Pt can absorb excess carbon at high temperatures in a carburizing atmosphere. In regions rich in carbon and vacancies, another carbide phase, Pt7C which undergoes an order-disorder reaction was formed. The present study of Pt carburized at 1160°C and aged at 515°C shows that other carbides in the PtxC series can be produced.

Quantitative Model-Based Image Analysis of NuMa Distribution Links Nuclear Organization with Cell Phenotype

2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (S2) ◽  
pp. 578-579
Author(s):  
David W. Knowles ◽  
Sophie A. Lelièvre ◽  
Carlos Ortiz de Solόrzano ◽  
Stephen J. Lockett ◽  
Mina J. Bissell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Image Analysis ◽  
Mammary Epithelial Cells ◽  
Nuclear Organization ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Quantitative Model ◽  
Mammary Epithelial ◽  
Cell Phenotype ◽  
Proliferating Cells ◽  
Mitotic Apparatus ◽  
Model Based

The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a critical role in directing cell behaviour and morphogenesis by regulating gene expression and nuclear organization. Using non-malignant (S1) human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs), it was previously shown that ECM-induced morphogenesis is accompanied by the redistribution of nuclear mitotic apparatus (NuMA) protein from a diffuse pattern in proliferating cells, to a multi-focal pattern as HMECs growth arrested and completed morphogenesis . A process taking 10 to 14 days.To further investigate the link between NuMA distribution and the growth stage of HMECs, we have investigated the distribution of NuMA in non-malignant S1 cells and their malignant, T4, counter-part using a novel model-based image analysis technique. This technique, based on a multi-scale Gaussian blur analysis (Figure 1), quantifies the size of punctate features in an image. Cells were cultured in the presence and absence of a reconstituted basement membrane (rBM) and imaged in 3D using confocal microscopy, for fluorescently labeled monoclonal antibodies to NuMA (fαNuMA) and fluorescently labeled total DNA.

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