Intuitions, Externalism, and Conceptual Analysis

Semantic externalism about a class of expressions is often thought to make conceptual analysis about members of that class impossible. In particular, since externalism about natural kind terms makes the essences of natural kinds empirically discoverable, it seems that mere reflection on one's natural kind concept will not be able to tell one anything substantial about what it is for something to fall under one's natural kind concepts. Many hold the further view that one cannot even know anything substantial about the reference-fixers of one's natural kind concepts by armchair reflection. In this paper I want to question this latter view and claim that, because of the way our standard methodology of doing theories of reference relies on semantic intuitions, typical externalists in fact presuppose that one can know the reference-fixers of one's natural kind concepts by mere armchair reflection. The more interesting question is how substantial such knowledge can be. I also take some steps toward answering this question

Probiotic lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the mouth – in vitro studies on saliva-mediated functions and acid production

Probiotic lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the mouth – in vitro studies on saliva-mediated functions and acid production Probiotics are viable bacteria which, when used in adequate amounts, are beneficial to the health of the host. Although most often related to intestinal health, probiotic bacteria can be found also in the mouth after consumption of products that contain them. This study aimed at evaluating the oral effects of probiotic bacteria already in commercial use. In a series of in vitro studies, the oral colonisation potential of different probiotic bacteria, their acid production and potential saliva-mediated effects on oral microbial ecology were investigated. The latter included effects on the salivary pellicle, the adhesion of other bacteria, and the activation of the peroxidase system. Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus gordonii, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Helicobacter pylori were used as bacterial indicators of the studied phenomena. There were significant differences between the probiotic strains in their colonisation potential. They all were acidogenic, although using different sugars and sugar alcohols. However, their acid production could be inhibited by the peroxidase system. Based on the results, it can be suggested that probiotic bacteria might influence the oral microbiota by different, partly species or strain-specific means. These include the inhibition of bacterial adhesion, modification of the enamel pellicle, antimicrobial activity, and activation of the peroxidase system. To conclude, probiotic strains differed from each other in their colonisation potential and other oral effects as evaluated in vitro. Both positive and potentially harmful effects were observed, but the significance of the perceived results needs to be further evaluated in vivo.Siirretty Doriast

The emergence of the new economy, and its challenge to financial intermediation and banking: A survey

Technological progress and knowledge-based innovations have more important role in economic growth and development than ever. This conjecture is often called the new economy, referring to economic growth that is strongly associated to the development of information and communication technology. In order to understand this ongoing process it is important to separate short and long term as well as micro- and macroeconomic aspects of the new economy. Financial intermediation and banking are under constant structural change due to new technologies and deregulation. Despite that, the basic functions of banks do not change. However, in the changing environment banks have to manage the potential threat of disintermediation, i.e., structural change from indirect to direct finance. As an example of the new challenges, banks are forced to create an online strategy in order to survive the everincreasing global competition.Uusi talous viittaa informaatio- ja kommunikaatioteknologian kehitykseen vahvasti liittyvään taloudellisen kasvuun. Teknologisella kehityksellä ja inhimilliseen pääomaan perustuvilla innovaatioilla on tärkeämpi merkitys taloudellisessa kasvussa ja kehityksessä kuin koskaan aiemmin. Meneillään olevan kehityksen ymmärtämiseksi on tärkeää tehdä ero talouden lyhyen ja pitkän tähtäyksen, kuten myös mikro- ja makrotaloudellisten tekijöiden välillä. Uuden teknologian ja sääntelyn purkamisen myötä rahoituksenvälitys ja pankkitoiminta ovat jatkuvassa rakennemuutoksessa. Siitä huolimatta pankkien perustehtävät eivät muutu. Muuttuvassa ympäristössä pankkien pitää kuitenkin ottaa huomioon toimialaliukumien yleistyminen ja siirtyminen epäsuorasta suoraan rahoitukseen. Yksi esimerkki uusista haasteista on se, että pankit ovat pakotettuja luomaan omat strategiansa suhteessa verkkopankkitoimintaan selviytyäkseen yhä kiristyvästä maailmanlaajuisesta kilpailusta

Asiaa polysemiasta

Kirja-arvioLeino, Pentti: Polysemia - kielen moniselitteisyys. Suomen kielen kognitiivista kielioppia

How Do Biech Defences Operate ?

University of Turka (Finland)Proceedings : IUFRO Kanazawa 2003 "Forest Insect Population Dynamics and Host Influences"., Scedule:14－19 September 2003, Vemue: Kanazawa Citymonde Hotel, Kanazawa, Japan, Joint metting of IUFRO working groups : 7.01.02 Tree resistance to Insects | 7.03.06 Integrated management of forset defoloating insects | 7.03.07 Population dynamics of forest insects, Sponsored by: IUFRO-J | Ishikawa Prefecture | Kanazawa City | 21st-COE Program of Kanazawa University, Editors: Kamata, Naoto | Liebhold, Nadrew M. | Quiring, Dan T. | Clancy, Karen M

Sademies ja kieli

The Rain Man and language: linguistic savants and linguistic theory (englanti

Kielikyky ja evoluutio

Ihmisen ääntöväylä on kehittynyt nykyiseen muotoonsa noin 100 000–150 000 vuotta sitten. Sen syntyä edeltäneenä aikana puhekyvyn on jo täytynyt olla tärkeä valintakriteeri, sillä nykyihmisen ääntöväylä soveltuu edeltäjiään paremmin puhumiseen mutta huonommin hengittämiseen ja syömiseen. Keskustelu kielikyvyn evoluutiosta on kuitenkin luonteeltaan väistämättä spekulatiivista. Spekulaatiolla on kuitenkin selkeät rajat: sen on sovittava yhteen ihmisen lajinkehityksen faktojen ja evoluutiobiologian perusteiden kanssa, ja toisaalta se ei myöskään saa rikkoa valitun kieliteorian perusteita vastaan