bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Understanding Alien Morals
Authors: SREENIVASAN GOPAL 
Published: May 2007

Anthropologists often claim to have understood an ethical outlook that they nevertheless believe is largely false. Some moral philosophers—e.g., Susan Hurley—argue that this claim is incoherent because understanding an ethical outlook necessarily involves believing it to be largely true. to reach this conclusion, they apply an argument of Donald Davidson's to the ethical case. My central aim is to defend the coherence of the anthropologists' claim against this argument.To begin with, I specify a candidate‐language that contains a significant number of alien thick descriptions. A thick description is a term that has both descriptive and evaluative content, e.g., “courageous.” I then argue that, because of its alien thick descriptions, this candidate‐language cannot be interpreted by someone who adheres to the strictures of Davidson's account of interpretation. to complete my criticism, I demonstrate that the meaningfulness of this candidate‐language cannot be impugned on Davidson's own terms. This involves showing that an interpreter's correctly assigning truthconditions, expressed in her own language, to sentences featuring alien thick descriptions is consistent with her believing those sentences to be false.“In cycle maintenance things are not that involved, but when confusion starts it's a good idea to hold it down by making everything formal and exact. Sometimes just the act of writing down the problems straightens out your head as to what they really are.”Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Perception and Belief
Authors: SMITH A. D. 
Published: May 2007

An attempt is made to pinpoint the way in which perception is related to belief. Although, for familiar reasons, it is not true to say that we necessarily believe in the existence of the objects we perceive, nor that they actually have their ostensible characteristics, it is argued that the relation between perception and belief is more than merely contingentThere are two main issues to address. the first is that ‘collateral’ beliefs may impede perceptual belief. It is argued that this still assigns an essential role to belief in perception, though the belief may be of an attenuated form. the second is Fred Dretske's claim that even attenuated belief may be entirely absent from perception. It is argued that (a) ‘non‐epistemic’perception can be understood only by employing the concept of ‘epistemic’perception; (b) that the former can occur only partially—i.e., within perceptions that are otherwise epistemic; and (c) that by switching attention from the perception of objects to the Phenomenological tradition's concern with the perception of world, we can see that perception must be entirely permeated with ‘doxastic’force.
Happiness and Pleasure1
Authors: HAYBRON DANIEL M. 
Published: May 2007

This paper argues against hedonistic theories of happiness. First, hedonism is too inclusive: many pleasures cannot plausibly be construed as constitutive of happiness. Second, any credible theory must count either attitudes of life satisfaction, affective states such as mood, or both as constituents of happiness; yet neither sort of state reduces to pleasure. Hedonism errs in its attempt to reduce happiness, which is at least partly dispositional, to purely episodic experiential states. the dispositionality of happiness also undermines weakened nonreductive forms of hedonism, as some happiness‐constitutive states are not pleasures in any sense. Moreover, these states can apparently fail to exhibit the usual hedonic properties; sadness, for instance, can sometimes be pleasant. Finally, the nonhedonistic accounts are adequate if not superior on grounds of practical and theoretical utility, quite apart from their superior conformity to the folk notion of happiness.“And does his philosophy make you happy?”“I have never searched for happiness. Who wants happiness?I have searched for pleasure.”Oscar Wilde, the Picture of Dorian Gray (p. 209)
Self‐Knowledge Failures and First Person Authority1
Authors: MCCULLAGH MARK 
Published: May 2007

Davidson and Burge have claimed that the conditions under which self‐knowledge is possessed are such that externalism poses no obstacle to their being met by ordinary speakers and thinkers. On their accounts, no such person could fail to possess self‐knowledge. But we do from time to time attribute to each other such failures; so we should prefer to their accounts an account that preserves first person authority while allowing us to make sense of what appear to be true attributions of such failures.While the core idea behind Davidson's and Burge's accounts appears ioadequate to this task, I argue that it can be deployed in such a way as to deliver the desired result. What makes this possible is that two attitude‐types can differ as follows: the self‐knowledge required for an utterance to be a Oing that p is different from the self‐knowledge required for it to be a Ψfing that p.
Free Will and Scientiphicalism
Authors: Unger Peter 
Published: May 2007

It's been agreed for decades that not only does Determinism pose a big problem for our choosing from available alternatives, but its denial seems to pose a bit of a problem, too. It's argued here that only Determinism, and not its denial, means no real choice for us.But, what explains the appeal of the thought that, where things aren't fully determined, to that extent they're just a matter of chance? It's the dominance of metaphysical suppositions that, together, comprise Scientiphicalism: Wholly composed of such mindless physical parts as electrons, you are a being whose powers are all physical powers, physically deriving from the powers of your parts and their physical arrangements. Scientiphicalism conflicts with your having real choice.Some fairly conservative alternatives to Scientiphicalism may allow for choice. Two are briefly discussed: On the further‐fetched, you are a Cartesian mental being, a nonphysical being in powerful interaction with physical things. On the more conservative approach, you are wholly composed of physical parts, but some of your powers are radically emergent, including your power to choose.Finally, it's argued that, if you choose, you must be, to some extent, exempt from natural laws.
The Ontological Status of Persons*
Authors: BAKER LYNNE RUDDER 
Published: May 2007

Chisholm held that persons are essentially persons. The Constitution View affords a non‐Chisholmian way m defend the thesis that persons are essentially persons. The Constitution View shows how persons are constituted by‐but not identical to‐human animals. On the Constitution View, being a person determines a person's persistence conditions. On the Animalist View, being an animal determines a person's persistence conditions.Things of kind K have ontological significance if their persistence conditions are determined by their being members of K. On Chisholm's view, persons have ontological significance, but animals do not. On Animalism, animals have ontological significance, but persons do not. After explaining the notion of ontological significance, this article argues that persons do have ontological significance, and hence that Animalism is not true
“This is Simply What I Do”
Authors: LEGG CATHERINE 
Published: May 2007

Wittgenstein's discussion of rule‐following is widely regarded to have identified what Kripke called “the most radical and original sceptical problem that philosophy has seen to date”. But does it? This paper examines the problem in the light of Charles Peirce's distinctive scientific hierarchy. Peirce identifies a phenomenological inquiry which is prior to both logic and metaphysics, whose role is to identify the most fundamental philosophical categories. His third category, particularly salient in this context. pertains to general predication.Rule‐following scepticism, the paper suggests, results from running together two questions: “How is it that I can project rules?”, and, “What is it for a given usage of a rule to be right?”. In Peircean terms the former question, concerning the irreducibility of general predication (to singular reference), must be answered in phenomenology, while the latter, concerning the difference between true and false predication, is answered in logic. A failure to appreciate this distinction, it is argued, has led philosophers to focus exclusively on Wittgenstein's famous public account of rule‐following rightness, thus overlooking a private, phenomenological dimension to Wittgenstein's remarks on following a rule which gives the lie to Kripke's reading of him as a sceptic.
Tropic of Value*
Authors: RABlNOWlCZ WLODEK , RØNNOW‐RASMUSSEN TONI 
Published: May 2007

The authors of this paper earlier argued that concrete objects, such as things or persons, may have final value (value for their own sake), which is not reducible to the value of states of affairs that concern the object in question.Our arguments have been challenged. This paper is an attempt to respond to some of these challenges, viz. those that concern the reducibility issue. The discussion presupposes a Brentano‐inspired account of value in terms of fitting responses to value bearers. Attention is given to a yet another type of reduction proposal, according to which the ultimate bearers of final value are abstract particulars (so‐called tropes) rather than abstract states or facts. While the proposal is attractive ((fone entertains the existence of tropes), it confronts serious difficulties. To recognise tropes as potential bearers of final value, along with other objects, is one thing; but to reduce the final value of concrete objects to the final value of tropes is another matter.
The Transcendental Necessity of Morality
Authors: HEATH JOSEPH 
Published: May 2007

David Gauthier tries to defend morality by showing that rational agents would choose to adopt a fundamental choice disposition that permits them to cooperate in prisoner's dilemmas. In this paper, I argue that Gauthier, rather than trying to work out a prudential justification for his favored choice disposition, should opt for a transcendental justification. I argue that the disposition in question is the product of socialization, not rational choice. However, only agents who are socialized in such a way that they acquire a disposition of this type could acquire the capacity to use language. Given the internal connection between language and thought, this means that no agent endowed with such a disposition could rationally choose to adopt another. Thus rational reflection by moral agents upon their own fundamental choice disposition will have no tendency to destabilize it.“It is a necessary truth that people tend to do what they think they ought to do, for it is a necessary truth that people who occupy a linguistic position which means /ought to do A now, tend to do A. If they did not, the position they occupy could not mean Iought to do A now.”Wilfrid Sellars, “Some Reflections on Language Games.”
Charity Implies Meta‐Charity
Authors: SORENSEN ROY 
Published: May 2007

The principle of charity says that all agents are rational. The principle of meta‐charity says that all agents believe all agents are rational. My thesis is that the arguments which are used to support charity also support meta‐charity. Meta‐charity implies meta‐meta‐charity. By recursion, the principle of charity implies that it is common knowledge. But there appears to be intelligent, well‐informed disagreement with the principle of charity. So if the entailment thesis holds, opponents of the principle of charity have a new objection to the principle. Defenders of the principle of charity must either refute the entailment thesis or accept much stronger consequences than they expected.“As I am, so I see.”—Ralph Waldo Emerson
The Phenomenology of Cognition OrWhat Is It Like to Think That P?
Authors: PITT DAVID 
Published: May 2007

A number of philosophers endorse, without argument, the view that there's something it's like consciously to think thatp, which is distinct from what it's like consciously to think thatq. This thesis, if true, would have important consequences for philosophy of mind and cognitive science. In this paper I offer two arguments for it.The first argument claims it would be impossible introspectively to distinguish conscious thoughts with respect to their content if there weren't something it's like to think them. This argument is defended against several objections.The second argument uses what I call “minimal pair” experiences—sentences read without and with understanding—to induce in the reader an experience of the kind I claim exists. Further objections are considered and rebutted.
Epicurean Equanimity Towards Death
Authors: DRAPER KAI 
Published: May 2007

This paper assesses two reformulations of Epicurus' argument that “death … is nothing to us, since while we exist, death is not present; and whenever death is present, we do not exist.” The first resembles many contemporary reformulations in that it attempts to reach the conclusion that death is not to the disadvantage of its subject. I argue that this rather anachronistic sort of reformulation cannot succeed. The second reformulation stays closer to the spirit of Epicurus' actual position on death by attempting to reach the conclusion that it is inappropriate to fear or dread or have any other negative affective response towards death. I raise a plausible objection to this argument, suggesting that dissatisfaction is sometimes an appropriate response to the approach of death. I then go on to consider the possibility that Epicurus was partly right in that it may always be inappropriate to dread death.Death is nothing to us. For while we are still alive, death is not present; and when death is present, we are not.Epicurus1
Modular organization in the reductive evolution of protein-protein interaction networks
Authors: Tamames Javier , Moya Andrés , Valencia Alfonso 
Published: May 2007

Abstract
Background
The variation in the sizes of the genomes of distinct life forms remains somewhat puzzling. The organization of proteins into domains and the different mechanisms that regulate gene expression are two factors that potentially increase the capacity of genomes to create more complex systems. High-throughput protein interaction data now make it possible to examine the additional complexity generated by the way that protein interactions are organized.

Results
We have studied the reduction in genome size of Buchnera compared to its close relative Escherichia coli. In this well defined evolutionary scenario, we found that among all the properties of the protein interaction networks, it is the organization of networks into modules that seems to be directly related to the evolutionary process of genome reduction.

Conclusion
In Buchnera, the apparently non-random reduction of the modular structure of the networks and the retention of essential characteristics of the interaction network indicate that the roles of proteins within the interaction network are important in the reductive process.
A graph-based methodology for hybrid rapid design
Authors: Rivette M , Hacoët J-Y , Mognol P 
Published: May 2007

Currently, the complexity of new products and the number of their functions are increasing considerably. In the process of development, prototypes are used more and more for testing every function. These prototypes, like development time table of the product, are subject to constraints of time, cost, and reactivity. In answer to these constraints, a method is proposed, based on a multicomponent prototype (MCP) approach, called hybrid rapid prototype (HRP). The part is decomposed into several components. Each MCP can be manufactured using a more adaptable process. Moreover, during testing of the various solutions, only one or two components would have to be remanufactured separately. This method is also used for tooling, in small series of products with alternatives. The main weakness of previous HRP studies is that only build accessibility has been considered. The evolutionarity, the choice of an appropriate process, and the assembly design of different components have not been taken into account. The main objective of the developed analysis is to propose an available technological assembly between the different components of MCP. The protocol used for the data is STEP AP-224. A list of standard assemblies (notably assembly identity card)-(CIA) is defined. Via fuzzy logic, some entities are associated with a CIA according to evolutionary and manufacturing analysis.
Modelling windage power loss from an enclosed spur gear
Authors: Al-Shibl K , Simmons K , Eastwick C. N. 
Published: May 2007

Within a gearbox the majority of transmission losses can be attributed to bearing losses, meshing losses, or losses due to windage/churning. In this paper the commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code Fluent 6.2.16 is applied in a two-dimensional study of windage power loss (WPL) from a single spur gear rotating in air. By comparing CFD data to published experimental data appropriate grid density and modelling parameters are identified. The model is used to investigate how peripheral shrouding affects WPL and whether WPL can be reduced through minor modifications to tooth tip geometry. Non-dimensional shroud spacings (ratio of gap to gear PCD) of between 0.005 and 0.05 were investigated at shaft speeds between 5000 and 20 000 r/min. Although CFD data compared reasonably well to experimental data, trends were not reproduced and an optimum shroud could not be identified. A full three-dimensional study is recommended. Modifying the tooth tip by adding a small chamfer on the leading edge reduced WPL by ∼6 per cent. A small fillet increased total WPL by a similar amount suggesting that WPL may increase as a gear wears. This preliminary study suggests further work in this area would be beneficial.
Endogenous sex hormone levels in postmenopausal women undergoing carotid artery endarterectomy
Authors: Debing Erik , Peeters Els , Duquet William , Poppe Kris , Velkeniers Brigitte , Van den Brande Pierre 
Published: May 2007

Objective: To study the endogenous sex hormone levels in natural postmenopausal women and their association with the presence of internal carotid artery (ICA) atherosclerosis.
Design: Case-control study
Methods: We compared 56 patients with severe ICA atherosclerosis referred for carotid artery endarterectomy (CEA) with 56 age-matched control subjects free of severe atherosclerotic disease. The presence of atherosclerosis was determined by high-resolution B-mode ultrasound. Metabolic parameters and sex hormones were measured or calculated: total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, insulin resistance index, IGF-I, DHEA, DHEA sulfate (DHEA-S), free testosterone, total testosterone, estrone, estradiol, androstenedione, and sex hormone-binding globulin.
Results: The cases had statistically significant lower levels of both total testosterone (0.23 ± 0.12 vs 0.31 ± 0.20 μg/l, P = 0.043) and free testosterone (3.42 ± 1.94 vs 4.59 ± 2.97 ng/l, P = 0.009) and significantly lower levels of androstenedione (625.3 ± 168.7 vs 697.0 ± 211.9 ng/l, P = 0.017) when compared with controls. Multivariate linear regression analysis, adjusted for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, baseline and physiologic characteristics, showed a significant inverse relationship between both serum free testosterone (β = −0.234, P = 0.028) and androstenedione (β = −0.241, P = 0.028) levels with the presence of severe atherosclerosis of ICA.
Conclusions: The study provides evidence of a positive association between low serum androgen levels and severe ICA atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women. It suggests that higher, but physiological, levels of androgens in postmenopausal women have a protective role in the development of atherosclerosis of ICA.
Heterogeneity in responsiveness of perceived quality of life to body composition changes between adult- and childhood-onset Japanese hypopituitary adults with GH deficiency during GH replacement
Authors: Urushihara Hisashi , Fukuhara Shunichi , Tai Shigeru , Morita Satoshi , Chihara Kazuo 
Published: May 2007

Objective: To examine the responsiveness of quality of life (QoL) associated with changes in clinical indices relevant to GH deficiency (GHD) in Japanese hypopituitary adults.
Design and methods: QoL was determined using the Short Form (SF)-36 in Japanese adults with adult-(AO; n = 27) or childhood- (CO; n = 37) onset GHD in a 24-week double-blind placebo-controlled study with a fixed GH dose, and a subsequent 48-week open-label extension study with GH doses individualized using serum IGF-I levels.
Results: Baseline QoL was significantly decreased from the Japanese national reference in both onset types, more so in AO patients. Throughout the study, AO patients showed a trend for an increase in physical functioning and general health (P = 0.0564 and 0.0999 respectively), whereas CO patients showed no changes in these domains. Fat mass changes negatively correlated with the changes in physical functioning and general health in AO patients (r = −0.42 and −0.64 respectively), but to a lesser degree in CO patients (r = −0.36 and −0.32 respectively). CO patients displayed significant decreases in social functioning (P = 0.0305) and mental health (P = 0.0442) and a decreasing trend in bodily pain (P = 0.0769), although no correlation between these decreases and any measured clinical index was observed, except between changes in bodily pain and IGF-I levels (r = −0.43).
Conclusions: QoL impairment was evident in Japanese adults with GHD, particularly in AO patients. In AO patients, general health and physical functioning domains were responsive to fat mass changes during GH treatment; this association was not evident in CO patients. These relationships between QoL and body composition warrant verification.
Changes in expression of T-helper (Th) 1- and Th2-associated chemokine receptors on peripheral blood lymphocytes and plasma concentrations of their ligands, interferon-inducible protein-10 and thymus and activation-regulated chemokine, after antithyroid drug administration in hyperthyroid patients with Graves’ disease
Authors: Inukai Yoshihisa , Momobayashi Atsushi , Sugawara Naoto , Aso Yoshimasa 
Published: May 2007

Objective: Although Graves’ disease is considered an autoantibody-mediated, T-helper 2 (Th2)-dominant disease, Th1-dominance may prevail in its initial phase. We longitudinally investigated Th1/Th2 balance in untreated hyperthyroid patients with Graves’ disease after treatment of methimazole (MMI), an antithyroid drug.
Design: University clinic outpatients were studied prospectively.
Patients: Subjects included 23 untreated hyperthyroid patients with Graves’ disease and 17 age-matched control subjects.
Methods: Before and after treatment, we measured Th1- and Th2-associated chemokine receptors (CXCR)3 and CCR4, on peripheral blood lymphocytes using flow cytometry, as well as plasma concentrations of their ligands, interferon-inducible protein (IP)-10 and thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC).
Results: The percentage of CXCR3-expressing cells among CD4+T lymphocytes and plasma IP-10 was significantly higher in hyperthyroid Graves’ disease patients than in controls. At 12 and 24 weeks after initiation of MMI, percentage of CXCR3-expressing CD4+T lymphocytes had decreased significantly, while the percentage of CCR4-expressing CD4+T lymphocytes had increased significantly at 24 weeks. The CXCR3/CCR4 ratio had decreased significantly at 24 weeks. Plasma concentrations of IP-10 had decreased significantly at 12 and 24 weeks. Plasma concentrations of TARC also had decreased significantly at 24 weeks.
Conclusions: In hyperthyroid patients with Graves’ disease in the active phase, Th1 cells rather than Th2 cells predominated among peripheral blood lymphocytes. After initiation of MMI, an ongoing transition from Th1 to Th2 dominance occurred.