bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Visual Consciousness and The Phenomenology of Perception
Authors: McClamrock Ron 
Published: January 2013

AbstractIdeally, psychological and phenomenological studies of visual experience should be mutually informative. In that spirit, this article outlines parts of Maurice Merleau‐Ponty's phenomenological view of visual experience as a kind of independently active opaque bodily synthesis, and uses those views to (a) help ground and extend Alva Noë's rejection of the “snapshot” theory of visual experience in favor of a more enactive view of visual content, (b) critique a failing of Noë's account, and (c) show how the assumptions underlying more internalist and Cartesian views of visual experience can illegitimately creep in even when they are being carefully criticized.
On Progress in Philosophy
Authors: Mironov Vladimir V. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThis article seeks to clarify the concept of progress in philosophy. It treats progress as a kind of development. But not every development is a progress. When we talk about progress, what really matters is the direction of development. In some cases it is relatively easy to reach agreement about this direction. But not in the case of philosophy, if we abstract it from the obvious and the trivial, like the number of books on philosophy. As a result, the article concludes that there cannot be progress in philosophy. Instead we see a continual multiplication of interpretations.
Does Current Social Philosophy Develop Progressively?
Authors: Momdjan Karen 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThis article begins with clarification of the notion of progress. The author believes that it is possible to consider progress objectively, if by progress we understand a positive change in the effectiveness of something. He mentions two types of progress: progress of improvement and progress of augmentation. He then distinguishes evaluative from reflective philosophy. Evaluative philosophy gives answers to the second and third of Kant's famous three questions; reflective philosophy answers the first, dealing with the limits of human knowledge. Progress in evaluative philosophy takes the form of augmentation. But in reflective philosophy it could take the form of improvement. The author believes, however, that it is not an easy task to improve contemporary social philosophy. Three main obstacles are: the “anthropological turn” in philosophy, the challenge of postmodernism, and the turning of social philosophy into a kind of useful knowledge.
Kantian and Consequentialist Ethics: The Gap Can Be Bridged
Authors: Forschler Scott 
Published: January 2013

AbstractRichard Hare argues that the fundamental assumptions of Kant's ethical system should have led Kant to utilitarianism, had Kant not confused a norm's generality with its universality, and hence adopted rigorist, deontological norms. Several authors, including Jens Timmermann, have argued contra Hare that the gap between Kantian and utilitarian/consequentialist ethics is fundamental and cannot be bridged. This article shows that Timmermann's claims rely on a systematic failure to separate normative and metaethical aspects of each view, and that Hare's attempt to bridge the gap between Kantian and consequentialist ethics is immune to Timmermann's criticisms. Furthermore, the term “Kantian ethics” is often misleading, and should typically be qualified as either “Kantian rationalism” or “Kantian deontology” in order to avoid confusions of the sort Timmermann falls into.
Philosophical Sensitivity
Authors: Lone Jana Mohr 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAlthough much has been written about the nature of philosophy and how the discipline can be defined, little attention has been paid to the ways we develop the facility to reflect philosophically or why cultivating this ability is valuable. This article develops a conception of “philosophical sensitivity,” a perceptual capacity that facilitates our awareness of the philosophical dimension of experience. Based in part onAristotle's notion of a moral perceptual capacity, philosophical sensitivity starts with most people's natural inclinations as children to reflect about life's fundamental mysteries; when this capacity is cultivated with training over time, our attentiveness to the philosophical features of ordinary life becomes almost second nature. In much the same way an aesthetically sensitive person notices certain qualities of experience not readily perceptible by others, philosophical sensitivity involves the development of a particular way of seeing the world.
Emerging trade‐offs – impact of photoprotectants (PsbS, xanthophylls, and vitamin E) on oxylipins as regulators of development and defense
Authors: Demmig‐Adams Barbara , Cohu Christopher M. , Amiard Véronique , van Zadelhoff Guus , Veldink Gerrit A. , Muller Onno , Adams William W. 
Published: January 2013

SummaryThis review summarizes evidence for a mechanistic link between plant photoprotection and the synthesis of oxylipin hormones as regulators of development and defense. Knockout mutants of Arabidopsis, deficient in various key components of the chloroplast photoprotection system, consistently produced greater concentrations of the hormone jasmonic acid or its precursor 12‐oxo‐phytodienoic acid (OPDA), both members of the oxylipin messenger family. Characterized plants include several mutants deficient in PsbS (an intrinsic chlorophyll‐binding protein of photosystem II) or pigments (zeaxanthin and/or lutein) required for photoprotective thermal dissipation of excess excitation energy in the chloroplast and a mutant deficient in reactive oxygen detoxification via the antioxidant vitamin E (tocopherol). Evidence is also presented that certain plant defenses against herbivores or pathogens are elevated for these mutants. This evidence furthermore indicates that wild‐type Arabidopsis plants possess less than maximal defenses against herbivores or pathogens, and suggest that plant lines with superior defenses against abiotic stress may have lower biotic defenses. The implications of this apparent trade‐off between abiotic and biotic plant defenses for plant ecology as well as for plant breeding/engineering are explored, and the need for research further addressing this important issue is highlighted.
Failure of auditors: The lack of compliance for business combinations inChina
Authors: Taplin Ross , Zhao Yafang , Brown Alistair 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThis empirical study investigates the compliance of 344Chinese listed companies with theAccountingStandard forEnterprises No. 20‐BusinessCombination, a mandatory reporting standard applicable to companies involved in business combinations.China has recently reformed its auditing sector, enabling private firms to provide auditing services. The results of the study show a low level of compliance byChinese listed companies. While companies audited byChinese domestic auditors have significantly lower compliance than companies audited byBigFour auditors on supplementary disclosure that is mandatory under theChinese accounting standards, compliance remains low even after companies receive unqualified reports from these international auditors. There appears to be a lack of commitment, and possibly expertise, amongBigFour auditors, in fully applying the reporting requirements of the business combination standard in aChinese setting. This raises concerns about the independence ofChinese auditing in disclosing reliable information about business combinations. Broader theoretical contributions of the paper go beyond theChinese context by problematizing whether well‐resourced international auditors uphold internationally expected standards or succumb to local non‐compliant practices.
Using Online Reviews in Social Care
Authors: Trigg Lisa 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe emphasis placed on choice of social care provider means that there is an increasing need to furnish service users with reliable and up‐to‐date information on provider quality. In England, encouraging users to leave online feedback on providers is seen as one of the ways of improving the supply of information. However, using these channels for social care raises a number of issues, for example, the challenge of generating enough content to be of value, and the need to protect the anonymity of potentially vulnerable users. This article aims to summarize these issues, by drawing upon the experience of an established ratings site (TripAdvisor), and of heath service rating systems, as well as literature on decision‐making and behaviour across social care and related sectors. The article concludes that online ratings can assist users to choose providers, however, they will need to be supported by carefully designed processes to maximize their usefulness.
Immunoprofiling reveals unique cell‐specific patterns of wall epitopes in the expanding Arabidopsis stem
Authors: Hall Hardy C. , Cheung Jingling , Ellis Brian E. 
Published: January 2013

SummaryThe Arabidopsis inflorescence stem undergoes rapid directional growth, requiring massive axial cell‐wall extension in all its tissues, but, at maturity, these tissues are composed of cell types that exhibit markedly different cell‐wall structures. It is not clear whether the cell‐wall compositions of these cell types diverge rapidly following axial growth cessation, or whether compositional divergence occurs at earlier stages in differentiation, despite the common requirement for cell‐wall extensibility. To examine this question, seven cell types were assayed for the abundance and distribution of 18 major cell‐wall glycan classes at three developmental stages along the developing inflorescence stem, using a high‐throughput immunolabelling strategy. These stages represent a phase of juvenile growth, a phase displaying the maximum rate of stem extension, and a phase in which extension growth is ceasing. The immunolabelling patterns detected demonstrate that the cell‐wall composition of most stem tissues undergoes pronounced changes both during and after rapid extension growth. Hierarchical clustering of the immunolabelling signals identified cell‐specific binding patterns for some antibodies, including a sub‐group of arabinogalactan side chain‐directed antibodies whose epitope targets are specifically associated with the inter‐fascicular fibre region during the rapid cell expansion phase. The data reveal dynamic, cell type‐specific changes in cell‐wall chemistry across diverse cell types during cell‐wall expansion and maturation in the Arabidopsis inflorescence stem, and highlight the paradox between this structural diversity and the uniform anisotropic cell expansion taking place across all tissues during stem growth.
International Climate Finance and Its Influence on Fairness and Policy
Authors: Pittel Karen , Rübbelke Dirk 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBesides costs and benefits, fairness aspects tend to influence negotiating parties’ willingness to join an international agreement on climate change mitigation. Fairness is largely considered to improve the prospects of success of international negotiations and hence measures raising fairness perception might – in turn – help to bring about effective cooperative international climate change mitigation. We consider the influences present international support of climate policy in developing countries exerts on fairness perception and how this again might affect international negotiations. In doing so we distinguish between fairness perception that is based on historical experiences and perception that is based on conjectures about opponents’ intentions. By identifying beneficial components of current support schemes lessons can be learnt for designing new schemes like the Green Climate Fund.
Association between plasma transfusions and clinical outcome in critically ill children: a prospective observational study
Authors: Karam O. , Lacroix J. , Robitaille N. , Rimensberger P. C. , Tucci M. 
Published: January 2013

Background and ObjectivesPlasma transfusions are commonly used in adult and paediatric intensive care units. Recent data suggest an association between plasma transfusions and worse clinical outcome in adult trauma patients. To date, no prospective paediatric study has addressed this issue. Our objective was to prospectively analyse the association between plasma transfusions and clinical outcome of critically ill children.Materials and MethodsProspective, observational and single centre study that includes all consecutive admissions to a tertiary level multidisciplinary paediatric critical care unit over a 1‐year period. The primary outcome measure was the incidence after transfusion of new or progressive multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Secondary outcome measures included nosocomial infections, intensive care unit length of stay and 28‐day mortality. Odds ratios were adjusted for weight, severity of illness, coagulopathy, plasma transfusions prior to admission, need for extracorporeal life support and transfusion of other labile blood products.ResultsA total of 831 patients were enrolled, among which 94 (11%) received at least one plasma transfusion. In the latter group of patients, the adjusted odds ratio for an increased incidence of new or progressive multiple organ dysfunction syndrome was 3·2 (P = 0·002). There was also a significant difference in the occurrence of nosocomial infections and intensive care unit length of stay, but no significant difference in the 28‐day mortality.ConclusionsIn critically ill children, plasma transfusions seem to be independently associated with an increased occurrence of new or progressive multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, nosocomial infections and prolonged length of stay.
Mechanisms underlying regional differences in the Ca2+ sensitivity of BKCa current in arteriolar smooth muscle
Authors: Yang Yan , Sohma Yoshiro , Nourian Zahra , Ella Srikanth R. , Li Min , Stupica Aaron , Korthuis Ronald J. , Davis Michael J. , Braun Andrew P. , Hill Michael A. 
Published: January 2013

Key points
The plasma membrane large‐conductance Ca2+‐activated, K+ channel (BKCa) is a major ion channel contributing to the regulation of membrane potential.
Activation of large‐conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ channel by both depolarization and increased intracellular Ca2+ results in hyperpolarization that acts to limit agonist and mechanically induced vasoconstriction in small arteries.
Using patch‐clamp techniques we demonstrate that regional differences exist in how BKCa is regulated, particularly with respect to its Ca2+ sensitivity.
Using single‐channel recordings and siRNA to manipulate protein subunit expression, it is argued that the β1‐subunit plays a more dominant role in cerebral blood vessels as compared with small arteries from skeletal muscle.
Subtle differences in the regulation of membrane potential in different vascular beds allow local blood flow and pressure to be closely adapted to the tissue's metabolic needs.
Abstract  β1‐Subunits enhance the gating properties of large‐conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ channels (BKCa) formed by α‐subunits. In arterial vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), β1‐subunits are vital in coupling SR‐generated Ca2+ sparks to BKCa activation, affecting contractility and blood pressure. Studies in cremaster and cerebral VSMCs show heterogeneity of BKCa activity due to apparent differences in the functional β1‐subunit:α‐subunit ratio. To define these differences, studies were conducted at the single‐channel level while siRNA was used to manipulate specific subunit expression. β1 modulation of the α‐subunit Ca2+ sensitivity was studied using patch‐clamp techniques. BKCa channel normalized open probability (NPo) versus membrane potential (Vm) curves were more left‐shifted in cerebral versus cremaster VSMCs as cytoplasmic Ca2+ was raised from 0.5 to 100 μm. Calculated V1/2 values of channel activation decreased from 72.0 ± 6.1 at 0.5 μm Ca2+i to −89 ± 9 mV at 100 μm Ca2+i in cerebral compared with 101 ± 10 to −63 ± 7 mV in cremaster VSMCs. Cremaster BKCa channels thus demonstrated an ∼2.5‐fold weaker apparent Ca2+ sensitivity such that at a value of Vm of −30 mV, a mean value of [Ca2+]i of 39 μm was required to open half of the channels in cremaster versus 16 μm[Ca2+]i in cerebral VSMCs. Further, shortened mean open and longer mean closed times were evident in BKCa channel events from cremaster VSMCs at either −30 or 30 mV at any given [Ca2+]. β1‐Subunit‐directed siRNA decreased both the apparent Ca2+ sensitivity of BKCa in cerebral VSMCs and the appearance of spontaneous transient outward currents. The data are consistent with a higher ratio of β1‐subunit:α‐subunit of BKCa channels in cerebral compared with cremaster VSMCs. Functionally, this leads both to higher Ca2+ sensitivity and NPo for BKCa channels in the cerebral vasculature relative to that of skeletal muscle.
AMP‐activated protein kinase is required for exercise‐induced peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ co‐activator 1α translocation to subsarcolemmal mitochondria in skeletal muscle
Authors: Smith Brennan K. , Mukai Kazutaka , Lally James S. , Maher Amy C. , Gurd Brendon J. , Heigenhauser George J. F. , Spriet Lawrence L. , Holloway Graham P. 
Published: January 2013

Key points
The transcriptional co‐activator peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ co‐activator 1α (PGC‐1α), in concert with mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam), has been implicated in the direct regulation of the mitochondrial genome.
In humans, rats and mice, acute exercise was found to promote PGC‐1α translocation to subsarcolemmal (SS) mitochondria.
In rats, treatment with 5‐aminoimidazole‐4‐carboxamide‐1‐β‐ribofuranoside induced both PGC‐1α and Tfam translocation and in addition PGC‐1α and Tfam were found to co‐locolize with α‐tubulin.
In mice, rendering AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) inactive prevented PGC‐1α translocation.
These data suggest that exercise causes translocation of PGC‐1α preferentially to SS mitochondria in an AMPK‐dependent manner.
Abstract  In skeletal muscle, mitochondria exist as two subcellular populations known as subsarcolemmal (SS) and intermyofibrillar (IMF) mitochondria. SS mitochondria preferentially respond to exercise training, suggesting divergent transcriptional control of the mitochondrial genomes. The transcriptional co‐activator peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ co‐activator 1α (PGC‐1α) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam) have been implicated in the direct regulation of the mitochondrial genome in mice, although SS and IMF differences may exist, and the potential signalling events regulating the mitochondrial content of these proteins have not been elucidated. Therefore, we examined the potential for PGC‐1α and Tfam to translocate to SS and IMF mitochondria in human subjects, and performed experiments in rodents to identify signalling mechanisms regulating these translocation events. Acute exercise in humans and rats increased PGC‐1α content in SS but not IMF mitochondria. Acute exposure to 5‐aminoimidazole‐4‐carboxamide‐1‐β‐ribofuranoside in rats recapitulated the exercise effect of increased PGC‐1α protein within SS mitochondria only, suggesting that AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) signalling is involved. In addition, rendering AMPK inactive (AMPK kinase dead mice) prevented exercise‐induced PGC‐1α translocation to SS mitochondria, further suggesting that AMPK plays an integral role in these translocation events. In contrast to the conserved PGC‐1α translocation to SS mitochondria across species (humans, rats and mice), acute exercise only increased mitochondrial Tfam in rats. Nevertheless, in rat resting muscle PGC‐1α and Tfam co‐immunoprecipate with α‐tubulin, suggesting a common cytosolic localization. These data suggest that exercise causes translocation of PGC‐1α preferentially to SS mitochondria in an AMPK‐dependent manner.
Inoculum Effects of Ceftobiprole, Daptomycin, Linezolid, and Vancomycin with Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae at Inocula of 105and 107CFU Injected into Opposite Thighs of Neutropenic Mice
Authors: Lee Dong-Gun , Murakami Yoichi , Andes David R. , Craig William A. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTReduced bactericidal efficacy at a high inoculum is known as the inoculum effect (IE). We used neutropenic mice to compare the IEs of ceftobiprole (CFB), daptomycin (DAP), linezolid (LZD), and vancomycin (VAN) against 6 to 9 strains ofStaphylococcus aureusand 4 strains ofStreptococcus pneumoniaeat 2 inocula in opposite thighs of the same mice. Neutropenic mice had 104.5to 105.7CFU/thigh (low inoculum [LI]) in one thigh and 106.4to 107.2CFU/thigh (high inoculum [HI]) in the opposite thigh when treated for 24 h with subcutaneous (s.c.) doses every 12 h of DAP at 0.024 to 100 mg/kg of body weight and LZD at 0.313 to 320 mg/kg and s.c. doses every 6 h of CFB at 0.003 to 160 mg/kg and VAN at 0.049 to 800 mg/kg. Dose-response data were analyzed by a maximum effect (Emax) model using nonlinear regression. Static doses for each drug and at each inoculum were calculated, and the difference between HI and LI (IE index) gave the magnitude of IE for each drug-organism combination. Mean (range) IE indexes ofS. aureuswere 2.9 (1.7 to 4.6) for CFB, 4.1 (2.6 to 9.3) for DAP, 4.6 (1.7 to 7.1) for LZD, and 10.1 (6.3 to 20.3) for VAN. InS. pneumoniae, the IE indexes were 2.5 (1.3 to 3.3) for CFB, 2.0 (1.6 to 2.8) for DAP, 1.9 (1.7 to 2.2) for LZD, and 1.5 (0.8 to 3.2) for VAN; these values were similar for all drugs. InS. aureus, the IE was much larger with VAN than with CFB, DAM, and LZD (P< 0.05). Anin vivotime course of vancomycin activity showed initiation of killing at 4- to 16-fold-higher doses at HI than at LI despite similar initial growth of controls.
Direct and Indirect Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Tulathromycin in Bovine Macrophages: Inhibition of CXCL-8 Secretion, Induction of Apoptosis, and Promotion of Efferocytosis
Authors: Fischer Carrie D. , Beatty Jennifer K. , Duquette Stephanie C. , Morck Douglas W. , Lucas Merlyn J. , Buret André G. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTRecent evidence indicates that immunomodulation by antibiotics may enhance their clinical efficacy. Specifically, drug-induced leukocyte apoptosis and macrophage efferocytosis have been shown to promote the resolution of inflammation in a variety of disease settings. Tulathromycin is a new macrolide antibiotic for the treatment of bovine respiratory disease. The direct antimicrobial effects of the drug alone do not fully justify its superior clinical efficacy, and we hypothesize that tulathromycin may have immunomodulating properties. We recently reported that tulathromycin promotes apoptosis and inhibits proinflammatory NF-κB signaling in bovine neutrophils. In this study, we investigated the direct and indirect anti-inflammatory effects of tulathromycin in bovine macrophages. The findings indicate that bovine monocyte-derived macrophages and alveolar macrophages readily phagocytose tulathromycin-induced apoptotic neutrophils bothin vitroand in the airways ofMannheimia haemolytica-infected calves. Moreover, tulathromycin promotes delayed, concentration-dependent apoptosis, but not necrosis, in bovine macrophagesin vitro. Activation of caspase-3 and detection of mono- and oligonucleosomes in bovine monocyte-derived macrophages treated with tulathromycin was observed 12 h posttreatment; pretreatment with a pan-caspase inhibitor (ZVAD) blocked the proapoptotic effects of the drug. Lastly, tulathromycin inhibited the secretion of proinflammatory CXCL-8 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated bovine macrophages; this effect was independent of caspase activation or programmed cell death. Taken together, these immunomodulating effects observed in bovine macrophages help further elucidate the mechanisms through which tulathromycin confers anti-inflammatory and proresolution benefits. Furthermore, these findings offer novel insights on how antibiotics may offer anti-inflammatory benefits by modulating macrophage-mediated events that play a key role in inflammation.