While additional experimental studies are still required to determine the precise function of Ral, the possibility that it, as well as those of the other uniquely conserved haloarchaeal proteins, functions in adaptation of these organisms to their naturally extreme environments is an attractive hypothesis.
Those who offer teleological theories of mental content agree that the relevant notion of function permits the possibility of malfunction; it allows that a token trait could have a function to do Z even if it lacks the disposition to do Z.
When the first SOD1 mutations were identified they were postulated to give rise to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis through a loss of function mechanism, but experimental data soon showed that the disease arises from a still unknown toxic gain of function, and the possibility that loss of function plays a role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis pathogenesis was abandoned.
One patient (case 1) was on haemodialysis and 4 patients (cases 2, 4, 7, 10) had marked reduction of renal function, limiting the possibility of using conventional contrast media (table 1).
Patients received treatment until disease progression or a maximum of 3 years in the case of continuing complete response to avoid the deterioration of bone marrow function and/or the possibility of other serious side effects.
As an input variable takes its realization according to its probability distribution, the two PIMs can quantify the possibility of reducing the variance of the output performance function and the possibility of improving the structural system reliability, respectively.
The temperature concentration dependences of the cluster-size distribution function show the possibility of a new mechanism of SWNT thermal diffusion in solution.
Expression levels of several core cell cycle regulators remain unchanged after Mdka loss- or gain-of-function, though the possibility exists that Mdka could regulate the translation, duration or phosphorylation state of these proteins.
Considering the structure and function of the cuticle, one possibility is that the Hh-related proteins function as structural components similar to collagens.
This specific inhibitory function suggests the possibility of clinical application in the treatment of osteoporosis associated with excessive bone resorption (Farina and Gagliardi 2002 Xu et al. 2007).
