Le livre de Dragoş Duicu présente l’oeuvre de Patočka comme une phénoménologie du mouvement dont il opère l’archéologie conceptuelle en effectuant un retour à Aristote, ce qui permet aussi de situer Patočka dans le paysage phénoménologique. Il est établi tout au long de l’ouvrage que le mouvement est le sens d’être de l’être, dès lors compris comme physis, et de l’existence elle-même qui est mouvement de part en part, force voyante. Ce qui pour la tradition philosophique échappe au mouvrement est (...) en vérité toujours une extase du mouvement, déposé par lui, et s’avère dès lors secondaire, dérivé, car sédimenté. La philosophie de Patočka se donne donc indissociablement comme une ontologie et une phénoménologie du mouvement, l’auteur proposant un approfondissement cosmologique de la phénoménologie largement étayé sur une théorie de la sédimentation. Le livre offre une interprétation aussi érudite qu’originale de la cosmologie et de l’anthropophénoménologie patočkiennes.The book of Dragoş Duicu, presents the work of Patočka as a phenomenology of movement wherein he operates a conceptual archaeology by returning to Aristotle, and which allows him to situate Patočka in the phenomenological landscape. It is established throughout the work that movement is the meaning of being, therefore understood as physis, and that existence itself is all-around movement, force voyante. That which in the philosophical tradition escapes from movement is always in truth an ecstasy of movement, laid by the movement, which happens to be secondary and derivative, for it is ‘sedimented.’ The philosophy of Patočka presents itself therefore inseparably as an ontology and phenomenology of movement, as the author proposes a cosmological deepening of phenomenology largely supported by a theory of sedimentation. The book offers an interpretation as scholarly as it is original of the Patočkian cosmology and anthropo-phenomenology.Il libro di Dragoş Duicu presenta l’opera di Jan Patočka come una fenomenologia del movimento di cui l’autore svolge un’archeologia concettuale, che risale fino ad Aristotele, e al tempo stesso una ricollocazione all’interno del paesaggio fenomenologico. Il libro è attraversato da un filo rosso: il movimento è il senso d’essere dell’essere, in quanto physis, e dell’esistenza stessa, in quanto movimento anch’essa da cima a fondo, movimento o forza veggente. In questa prospettiva, ciò che per la tradizione filosofica si sottrae al movimento è sempre in verità un’estasi del movimento, depositata dal movimento stesso e proprio perciò secondaria, derivata, sedimentata. La filosofia di Patočka si offre, indissociabilmente, come un’ontologia e come una fenomenologia del movimento, come mostra Duicu sulla base di un approfondimento cosmologico della fenomenologia patockiana largamente incentrato su una teoria della sedimentazione. Il libro offre quindi un’interpretazione tanto erudita quanto originale della cosmologia e dell’antropologia patočkiane. (shrink)

We present an age-structured model for erythropoiesis in which the mortality of mature cells is described empirically by a physiologically realistic probability distribution of survival times. Under some assumptions, the model can be transformed into a system of delay differential equations with both constant and distributed delays. The stability of the equilibrium of this system and possible Hopf bifurcations are described for a number of probability distributions. Physiological motivation and interpretation of our results are provided.

Ce livre ne parle pas de religion. Son but n'est pas de plaider la cause d'une quelconque confession, avec ses dogmes et ses préceptes, mais d'examiner la question de savoir s'il existe un être suprême, suffisamment distinct du monde pour qu'on puisse l'appeler "Dieu". Il s'agit donc d'une recherche purement philosophique, appuyée sur les seules ressources de l'expérience et de la logique. Pour avancer clans cette voie, l'auteur commence par réfuter les objections les plus couramment opposées à cette entreprise (freudisme, (...) matérialisme, kantisme), avant de développer cieux types d'arguments tendant à prouver qu'il existe un Dieu : les premiers partent du constat que l'univers physique ne se suffit pas à lui-même, qu'il ne saurait donc exister sans avoir une cause transcendante ; les seconds, qui se fondent sur l'analyse des idées et des aspirations humaines, arrivent à la conclusion anti-voltairienne que "si Dieu n'existait pas, nous ne pourrions pas l'inventer". Ces deux types d'arguments, qui furent d'abord élaborés par les philosophes de l'Antiquité et les théologiens du Moyen Age, font ici l'objet d'une reformulation rigoureuse, nourrie par les travaux des philosophes anglo-saxons contemporains. L'ambition de cet ouvrage, au-delà des preuves qu'il soumet à la discussion, est d'accréditer à nouveau l'idée que l'existence de Dieu n'est pas seulement l'objet d'une foi incommunicable, mais la conclusion au moins probable de raisonnements accessibles à tous. (shrink)

This book, first published in 1997, is an introductory overview of decision theory. It is completely non-technical, without a single formula in the book. Written in a crisp and clear style it succinctly covers the full range of philosophical issues of rationality and decision theory, including game theory, social choice theory, prisoner's dilemma and much else. The book aims to expand the scope and enrich the foundations of decision theory. By addressing such issues as ambivalence, inner conflict, and the constraints (...) imposed upon us by our attachments to others, Frederic Schick reveals that our thinking is often more subtle than standard theories of rationality allow. Only a theory that respects that subtlety can illumine what is otherwise puzzling. The book contains many examples drawn from history and literature dealing with subjects such as love, war, friendship, and crime. (shrink)

Les activités nautiques sont fréquemment construites par les municipalités des stations balnéaires comme des produits à destination des touristes. Elles sont de ce fait associées aux temps des vacances. Mais elles sont aussi un temps de travail pour ceux qui les encadrent. Les éducateurs sportifs en nautisme sont en fait contraints de travailler à contretemps, c’est-à-dire de s’inscrire dans des temporalités qui ne s’apparentent guère à celles caractéristiques des univers ordinaires de travail. Cela peut leur poser problème, notamment dans la (...) conciliation entre travail et vie familiale. Les représentations ou perceptions du contretemps par ces éducateurs sportifs, ainsi que la manière dont ils vivent leurs situations de travailleurs dans ces temporalités, sont analysées dans cet article. Celui-ci tente d’identifier et de caractériser les ressources et stratégies utilisées pour faire face aux divers effets et conséquences du contretemps. Les résultats présentés s’appuient principalement sur des entretiens et des observations de diverses situations de travail réalisées dans le cadre d’une enquête sur le littoral de la région Pays-de-la-Loire. (shrink)

Background: Informed consent for genetic tests is a well-established practice. It should be based on good quality information and in keeping with the patient’s values. Existing informed consent assessment tools assess knowledge and values. Nevertheless, there is no consensus on what specific elements need to be discussed or considered in the consent process for genetic tests.Methods: We performed a systematic review to identify all factors involved in the decision-making and consent process about genetic testing, from the perspective of patients. Through (...) public databases, we identified studies reporting factors that influence the decision to accept or decline genetic testing. Studies were included if they reported the perspective of patients or at-risk individuals. All articles were thematically coded.Results: 1989 articles were reviewed: 70 met inclusion criteria and 12 additional articles were identified through the references of included studies. Coding of the 82 articles led to the identification of 45 factors involved in decision-making and consent, which were initially divided into three domains: in favor of, against or with an undetermined influence on genetic testing. Each factor was also divided into three subdomains relating to the informed choice concept: knowledge, values or other. The factors in the “other” subdomain were all related to the context of testing (e.g. timing, cost, influence of family members, etc), and were present in all three domains.Conclusions: We describe the network of factors contributing to decision-making and consent process and identify the context of genetic testing as a third component to influence this process. Future studies should consider the evaluation of contextual factors as an important and relevant component of the consent and decision-making process about genetic tests. Based on these results, we plan to develop and test a more comprehensive tool to assess informed consent for genetic testing. (shrink)

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is critical in sodium and blood pressure (BP) regulation, and in cardiovascular-renal (CVR) diseases and therapeutics. As a contribution to SAPHIR project, we present a realistic computer model of renin production and circulating RAS, integrated into Guyton’s circulatory model ( GCM ). Juxtaglomerular apparatus, JGA , and Plasma modules were implemented in C ++/M2SL (Multi-formalism Multi-resolution Simulation Library) for fusion with GCM . Matlab © optimization toolboxes were used for parameter identification. In JGA , renin production (...) and granular cells recruitment (GCR) are controlled by perfusion pressure (PP), macula densa (MD), angiotensin II (Ang II), and renal sympathetic activity (RSNA). In Plasma , renin and ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) activities are integrated to yield Ang I and II. Model vs. data deviation is given as normalized root mean squared error (nRMSE; n points). Identification: JGA and Plasma parameters were identified against selected experimental data. After fusion with GCM : (1) GCR parameters were identified against Laragh’s PRA-natriuresis nomogram; (2) Renin production parameters were identified against two sets of data ([renin] transients vs. ACE or renin inhibition). Finally, GCR parameters were re-identified vs. Laragh’s nomogram (nRMSE 8%, n = 9). Validation: (1) model BP, PRA and [Ang II] are within reported ranges, and respond physiologically to sodium intake; (2) short-term Ang II infusion induces reported rise in BP and PRA. The modeled circulating RAS, in interaction with an integrated CVR, exhibits a realistic response to BP control maneuvers. This construction will allow for modelling hypertensive and CVR patients, including salt-sensitivity, polymorphisms, and pharmacotherapeutics. (shrink)

Hypoxia hampers ATP production and threatens cell survival. Since cellular energetics tightly controls cell responses and fate, ATP levels and dynamics are of utmost importance. An integrated mathematical model of ATP synthesis by the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation/electron transfer chain system has been recently published :e36, 2005). This model was validated under static conditions. To evaluate its performance under dynamical situations, we implemented and simulated it . Inner membrane potential and [NADH] were used as indicators of mitochondrial function. Root mean squared (...) error was used to compare simulations and experiments :39155–39165, 2003). Steady-state experimental data were reproduced within 2–6%. Model dynamics were evaluated under: baseline, activation of NADH production, addition of ADP, addition of inorganic phosphate, oxygen exhaustion. In all phases, except the last one, ΔΨ and [NADH] as well as oxygen consumption, were reproduced . Under anoxia, simulated ΔΨ markedly depolarized . In conclusion, the model reproduces dynamic data as long as oxygen is present. Anticipated improvement by the inclusion of ATP consumption and explicit Krebs cycle are under evaluation. (shrink)

The intersection of AI and neurotechnology has resulted in an increasing number of medical and non-medical applications and has sparked debate over the need for new human rights, or “neurorights,”...

The traditional international law of self-defense provides little indication about how far states should be willing to defend. That choice is better understood as constrained, beyond the jus in bello and the jus ad bellum, by human rights norms that implicate responsibilities of the sovereign vis-à-vis its own population. Different conceptions of human rights, however, underscore different possible theories of the extent of self-defense. The main polarity is between a conception of self-defense as protecting bare life and a conception of (...) self-defense as protecting collective self-determination. In the practice of justifying particular uses of self-defense, these foundations are constantly and dynamically rearticulated to justify fighting on, surrendering, or negotiating. This raises questions about the impact of conditions of uncertainty, different conceptions of agency, and the role of the international community. Ultimately, the article suggests that self-defense radicalizes anxieties about the foundation and finality of rights. (shrink)