AOJ Special Issue - Call for Papers

[Stefano Borgo]

Special Issue - Call for Papers

-- THE ONTOLOGY OF FUNCTIONS: BIOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND BEYOND --
http://www.loa-cnr.it/func_sp_issue2010

Applied Ontology Journal (IOS Press)


Function and functionality play a central role not only in modern science but also in our extra-scientific understanding of the world. Unfortunately, the term 'function' is hereby used with a variety of meanings and is associated with a variety of views as to what functions are. 

This special issue is devoted to the foundation, the comparison and the application of functional theories in all areas, with particular attention to the biological and engineering domains.
The goal is to publish state-of-the-art theoretical and technical contributions related to the description, characterization, and application of functions. We especially welcome contributions in which the theories are presented and motivated with an eye on the underlying ontological aspects and an introduction to their formalization. 

Contributions may include analyses of the different notions of function that have proven useful in science, proposals towards development of a unifying framework, or criticisms of existing frameworks. The goal is to provide materials for the creation of an ontological treatment of functions and functioning that will:

1) identify and describe functions in a consistent and comprehensive way;
2) list the arguments that lead to a preference of one notion of function over others;
3) make clear the basic assumptions and principles of classification that motivate a given notion of function;
4) discuss formalization issues and relevant application methodologies.

TOPICS include, but are not limited to, the following:
- comparison of functional theories and models
- formalization of functional theories and models 
- basic functions, functional classification, functional (de)composition 
- assigning functions to natural and/or artificial entities 
- functional ontology 
- unified theory of biological and artifact functions 
- theory of artifacts 
- what kinds of biological entities have functions?
- how are biological functions related to disease? 

IMPORTANT DATES
* Abstract Submission: 22-02-2010
* Invitation to submit a full paper (20/25 pages): 10-03-2010
* Full papers due: 12-05-2010
* Notification of acceptance/rejection: 24-06-2010
* Revised papers due: 21-07-2010 
* Final review: 15-09-2010 
* Camera-ready papers due: 12-10-2010 
* Publication: Spring 2011 

PAPER SUBMISSION
Submissions to the first phase (deadline: 22 Feb 2010) should include an abstract of about 1000 words, a separate list of references and a cover page with title, name, address (including e-mail address) and affiliation of author(s) and a list of keywords. 
Authors are encouraged to submit high-quality, original work that has neither appeared in, nor is under consideration by, other journals. Manuscripts must be written in English.  
Manuscripts must be submitted to: functions (at) loa-cnr.it
Please indicate in the email subject that you are submitting to the ''AOJ Special Issue on Functions''. 

GUEST EDITORS
Stefano Borgo, Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, CNR, Italy
Riichiro Mizoguchi, The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, Japan
Barry Smith, University at Buffalo, USA

REVIEW COMMITTEE
Massimiliano Carrara, University of Padova 
Randall R. Dipert, University at Buffalo 
Pawel Garbacz, Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawla II 
John S. Gero, George Mason University 
Ashok K. Goel, Georgia Institute of Technology
W.N. Houkes, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven 
Yoshinobu Kitamura, Osaka University 
Peter Kroes, Technische Universiteit Delft 
Ulrich Krohs, University of Bielefeld  
Pieter Vermaas, Technische Universiteit Delft