bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acute cocaine exposure alters spine density and long‐term potentiation in the ventral tegmental area
Authors: Sarti Federica , Borgland Stephanie L. , Kharazia Viktor N. , Bonci Antonello 
Published: August 2007

AbstractGrowing evidence indicates that the expression of synaptic plasticity in the central nervous system results in dendritic reorganization and spine remodeling. Although long‐term potentiation of glutamatergic synapses after cocaine exposure in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) has been proposed as a cellular mechanism underlying addictive behaviors, the relationship between long‐term potentiation and dendritic remodeling induced by cocaine on the dopaminergic neurons of the VTA has not been demonstrated. Here we report that rat VTA cells classified as type I and II showed distinct morphological responses to cocaine, as a single cocaine exposure significantly increased dendritic spine density in type I but not in type II cells. Further, only type I cells had a significant increase in the AMPA receptor : NMDA receptor ratio after a single cocaine exposure. Taken together, our data provide evidence that increased spine density and synaptic plasticity are coexpressed within the same VTA neuronal population and that only type I neurons are structurally and synaptically modified by cocaine.
Co‐localization and functional cross‐talk between A1and P2Y1purine receptors in rat hippocampus
Authors: Tonazzini I. , Trincavelli M. L. , Storm‐Mathisen J. , Martini C. , Bergersen L. H. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractAdenosine and ATP, via their specific P1 and P2 receptors, modulate a wide variety of cellular and tissue functions, playing a neuroprotective or neurodegenerative role in brain damage conditions. Although, in general, adenosine inhibits excitability and ATP functions as an excitatory transmitter in the central nervous system, recent data suggest the existence of a heterodimerization and a functional interaction between P1 and P2 receptors in the brain. In particular, interactions of adenosine A1and P2Y1receptors may play important roles in the purinergic signalling cascade. In the present work, we investigated the subcellular localization/co‐localization of the receptors and their functional cross‐talk at the membrane level in Wistar rat hippocampus. This is a particularly vulnerable brain area, which is sensitive to adenosine‐ and ATP‐mediated control of glutamatergic transmission. The postembedding immunogold electron microscopy technique showed that the two receptors are co‐localized at the synaptic membranes and surrounding astroglial membranes of glutamatergic synapses. To investigate the functional cross‐talk between the two types of purinergic receptors, we evaluated the reciprocal effects of their activation on their G protein coupling. P2Y1receptor stimulation impaired the potency of A1receptor coupling to G protein, whereas the stimulation of A1receptors increased the functional responsiveness of P2Y1receptors. The results demonstrated an A1–P2Y1receptor co‐localization at glutamatergic synapses and surrounding astrocytes and a functional interaction between these receptors in hippocampus, suggesting ATP and adenosine can interact in purine‐mediated signalling. This may be particularly important during pathological conditions, when large amounts of these mediators are released.
Oxytocin injected into the ventral tegmental area induces penile erection and increases extracellular dopamine in the nucleus accumbens and paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus of male rats
Authors: Melis Maria Rosaria , Melis Tiziana , Cocco Cristina , Succu Salvatora , Sanna Fabrizio , Pillolla Giuliano , Boi Antonio , Ferri Gian‐Luca , Argiolas Antonio 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe neuropeptide oxytocin (20–100 ng), induces penile erection when injected unilaterally into the caudal but not rostral mesencephalic ventral tegmental area (VTA) of male Sprague–Dawley rats. Such pro‐erectile effect started 30 min after treatment and was abolished by the prior injection of d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)2‐Orn8‐vasotocin (1 µg), an oxytocin receptor antagonist injected into the same caudal ventral tegmental area or of haloperidol (1 µg), a dopamine receptor antagonist, injected either into the nucleus accumbens shell (NAs) or into the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) ipsilateral to the injected ventral tegmental area. Penile erection was seen 15 min after the occurrence of, or concomitantly to, an increase in extracellular dopamine and its metabolite 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in the dialysate obtained from the nucleus accumbens or the paraventricular nucleus, which was also abolished by d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)2‐Orn8‐vasotocin (1 µg), injected into the ventral tegmental area before oxytocin. In the caudal ventral tegmental area oxytocin‐containing axons/fibres (originating from the paraventricular nucleus) appeared to closely contact cell bodies of mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons retrogradely labelled with Fluorogold injected into the nucleus accumbens shell, suggesting that oxytocin effects are mediated by the activation of mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons, followed in turn by that of incerto‐hypothalamic dopaminergic neurons impinging on oxytocinergic neurons mediating penile erection. As the stimulation of paraventricular dopamine receptors not only induces penile erection, but also increases mesolimbic dopamine neurotransmission by activating oxytocinergic neurons, these results provide further support for the existence of a neural circuit in which dopamine and oxytocin influence both the consummatory and motivational/rewarding aspects of sexual behaviour.
SURVIVAL LOTTERIES RECONSIDERED
Authors: ØVERLAND GERHARD 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTIn 1975 John Harris envisaged a survival lottery to redistribute organs from one to a greater number in order to reduce number of deaths as a consequence of organ failure. In this paper I reach a conclusion about when running a survival lottery is permissible by looking at the reason prospective participants have for allowing the procedure from a contractual perspective.I identify three versions of the survival lottery. In a National Lottery, everyone within a jurisdiction is a candidate for being a donor for everyone else, disregarding all differences between individuals' eventual possibility of needing an organ. In a Group Specific Lottery, it is a question of running a lottery among members of a specific group who share the same probability of getting organ failure. In a Local Lottery one randomises among individuals who are already in need of a new organ but who happen to be compatible and in need of different organs. While the first is vulnerable to considerations of fairness, it is difficult to perceive a feasible way to implement the second option that does not come with a host of unwelcome consequences. I argue, however, that it is permissible to run Local Lotteries.
POTENTIALITY AND HUMAN EMBRYOS
Authors: LIZZA JOHN P. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTConsideration of the potentiality of human embryos to develop characteristics of personhood, such as intellect and will, has figured prominently in arguments against abortion and the use of human embryos for research. In particular, such consideration was the basis for the call of the US President's Council on Bioethics for a moratorium on stem cell research on human embryos. In this paper, I critique the concept of potentiality invoked by the Council and offer an alternative account. In contrast to the Council's view that an embryo's potentiality is determined by definition and is not affected by external conditions that may prevent certain possibilities from ever being realized, I propose an empirically grounded account of potentiality that involves an assessment of the physical and decisional conditions that may restrict an embryo's possibilities. In my view, some human embryos lack the potentiality to become a person that other human embryos have. Assuming for the sake of argument that the potential to become a person gives a being special moral status, it follows that some human embryos lack this status. This argument is then used to support Gene Outka's suggestion that it is morally permissible to experiment on ‘spare’ frozen embryos that are destined to be destroyed.
Deon in Deontics
Authors: CONTE AMEDEO G. 
Published: August 2007

Abstract.The starting point of deontic logic is the distinction between non‐normative necessity and normative necessity. The first part of the paper shows that the distinction between normative necessity and non‐normative necessity occurs already in Aristotle's Orgunon. The second part of the paper makes a further distinction within normative deon itself: The distinction between deontic deon and anankastic deon. Anankastic deon behaves differently from deontic deon in a very important respect: Deontic indifference has no anankastic counterpart.
Application Discourse and the Special Case‐Thesis*
Authors: DWARS INGRID 
Published: August 2007

Abstract.Klaus Günther's (1988) book developed the distinction between two kinds of discourse, the foundation discourse and the application discourse. In an article (Günther 1989a) following the publication of the book, he used this basic distinction as the starting point for a criticism of the special case‐thesis as defended by Robert Alexy (1978, 32ff., 263ff.; Alexy 1989, 16ff., 213ff.). The aim of this article is to criticize this criticism in its turn and to show that the special case‐thesis does not need the reformulation which Günther proposes. It should be clear from the outset that this concerns an internal discussion in the field of discourse theory; certain discourse‐theoretical premises are taken for granted. In order to understand Giinther's criticism I will first give a brief account of the distinction he has made.
Legal Paternalism and Legal Moralism: Devlin, Hart and Ten*
Authors: HÄYRY HETA 
Published: August 2007

AbstractH. L. A. Hart in his Law, Liberty, and Morality (1963) defended the view that legal paternalism and legal moralism can be clearly distinguished from each other. Hart also stated that while legal moralism is always unacceptable, paternalistic laws are often justifiable. In this paper it is argued that Hart held the right view for the wrong reasons. Hart defended legal paternalism by claiming, against J. S. Mill, that for various psychological reasons individuals do not know their own interests best. It will be shown in the paper that if this view is taken, it is impossible to reject legal moralism. The fact that paternalism is sometimes justifiable while moralism is not can be more firmly founded on a distinction made by C. L. Ten (1971). Ten's point is that in matters which concern only the individuals themselves, their actions cannot be legitimately restricted by appeals to the consequences of their action alone. Paternalistic control can be justified only if the decision‐making abilities of the controlled individual are temporarily diminished.
A Roman Catholic Concept of Justice
Authors: LOMBARDIVALLAURI LUIGI 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe author collates a Roman Catholic concept of justice with the general principles of law and justice. He explores the Church's stand on earthly justice and deals extensively with divine justice, moving to the criticism of its dogmas from original sin to redemption, ecclesiology and the sacraments to hell, purgatory and paradise and the problems these concepts entail. He concludes by focussing on a paradox in Catholic thinking and the new trend in Catholic theology.
Some Remarks on the Notions of Legal Order and Legal System
Authors: MORESO JOSÉ JUAN , NAVARRO PABLO EUGENIO 
Published: August 2007

AbstractIn this paper, the authors discuss some problems related to the existence and identity of legal norms and legal systems. Firstly, two criteria for identification of legal norms are analyzed: linguistic criteria and non‐linguistic criteria. Secondly, the dynamics of legal systems and the distinction between legal system and legal order are examined (close to Raz's distinction between momentary legal system and legal system). Based on the logical relations of membership and inclusion, two ways of analysing the change of legal systems are suggested. Thirdly, a criterion for identification of legal orders (from Bulygin) is discussed and it is shown that this criterion does not explain adequately, on the one hand, the existence of some norms, i.e., customary norms; and, on the other, the existence of invalid norms; i.e., unconstitutional norms. The main conclusions of this paper are: (a) the concepts of legal system and legal order could not explain the existence of law in a given society; (b) the concepts of legal system and legal order could be considered models of rational normative systems.
Self‐Defeating Civic Republicanism*
Authors: CHRISTODOULIDIS EMILIOS A. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe author discusses the recent attempt by constitutional theorists to develop a theory about the empowerment of political community through law. Having outlined the civic republican position, he then examines Ackerman's example of the difference between marriage and love, as an analogy for law and politics, or in republican terminology, “constitutional” and “ordinary” politics respectively. These oppositions are set up around the purchase they offer to the question of community. In turning Ackerman's example against him, his objective is to show that the language of law inhibits rather than facilitates the quest for community.
A Formal Theory of the Rule of Law*
Authors: SUMMERS ROBERT S. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe author presents a relatively formal theory of the rule of law which includes three basic components: conceptual, institutional and axiological. He then emphasizes the differences between a formal and a substantive theory of the rule of law and highlights the advantages and limits of the former. Finally, the author indicates the importance of this type of theory, namely the values it implies such as predictability, justified reliance, autonomous choice, minimization of disputes and legitimacy.**
Justification and Application of Norms*
Authors: ALEXY ROBERT 
Published: August 2007

AbstractAccording to the author there is no doubt that one has to distinguish between the justification and the application of norms. Problems are seen only to arise if one asks what exactly the distinction is and which consequences have to be drawn from it. Recently, Klaus Günther, in particular, has searched for this distinction and connected it with far‐reaching conclusions concerning the theory of norms, arguments, and morals. His theses are the object of the author's considerations.
Institutional Theory of Action and Its Significance for Jurisprudence
Authors: WEINBERGER OTA 
Published: August 2007

AbstractOnce affirmed that a formal and finalistic theory of action is one of the four pillars of neo‐institutionalism, the author introduces the concept of Freedom of action, which is based on two points: the empirical existence of a scope for action and an information process which determine the choice between alternative actions. He then analyzes different versions of determinism and the distinction between descriptive and practical sentences, and concludes that a theory of action based on the information process has to deal with the structures of teleological thought. In this sense he stresses the practical relevance of the plurality of ends, often conflicting with each other. Finally, he explains how formal teleology is used in his theory of action and how this theory provides methodological achievements for jurisprudence.*
Double Pairs*
Authors: MARfN RAFAEL HERNANDEZ 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThis article discusses C. E. Alchourrdn and E. Bulygin's ideas regarding the distinction between strong permission and weak permission. The author takes for granted that the distinction between the two terms should be placed at the level of the assertive metalanguage about norms. But the symbolizations and the definitions of strong and weak permissions offered by Alchourrdn and Bulygin, as well as their thesis concerning the relations between the two concepts are challenged.
Dyzenhaus on Positivism and Judicial Obligation
Authors: HARTNEY MICHAEL 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe author criticizes the argument in Dyzenhaus (1991) that a study of South African judicial decisions establishes the superiority of Dworkinian anti‐positivism over legal positivism. Among the claims criticized are: (1) Positivism and anti‐positivism each imply a specific theory of judicial duty, and the decisions of South African judges are explained by their adherence to one or the other of these theories; (2) resistance to South African government policy was morally required of judges; (3) the only theory which supports this resistance (anti‐positivism) is therefore the correct one; (4) the cases establish that judges do not have discretion in hard cases; (5) Dworkin's theory does not imply that South African judges are required to apply the wicked principles embedded in their legal system; (6) positivism involves a pragmatic contradiction.
Social Justice and Individual Ethics*
Authors: PARIJS PHILIPPE VAN 
Published: August 2007

Abstract. If one is committed to a “Rawlsian” conception of justice, is one not also necessarily committed to a “Christian” personal ethics? MOE explicitly, if one believes that social justice requires the maximinning of material conditions, should one not use one's time and resources as well as one can in order to assist the poorest? The paper offers a very partial answer to these questions by arguing for the following two claims: (1) Contrary to what is implied by some egalitarian critics of Rawls, the idea of a well‐ordered society does not require maximin‐guided choices at the individual level, and hence leaves room for legitimate incentive payments.(2) Despite Rawls's own neglect of this fact, a limited form of patriotism does constitute an individual “natural duty” following from a commitment to maximin social justice.
Defeating the Inference from General to Particular Norms*
Authors: KARLSSON MIKAEL M. 
Published: August 2007

Abstract.The author argues that in order to maintain, with the later Kelsen, that particular norms are not deducible from general norms, it is unnecessary to deny (1) that norms are propositional, (2) that norms have truth value, (3) that there are normative facts, or (4) that norms fall within the compass of logic. It is claimed that general norms, like many generalizations in science, are not, typically, unrestricted universal generalizations, but generalizations of a different kind, which have sometimes been called normic generalizations. Normic generalizations may have truth value and describe facts; and there is no obvious reason for thinking that they fall outside the compass of logic. Yet they do not deductively imply the instances which fall under them. Exceptions to a generalization of this sort need not constitute falsifying instances; in some cases, at least, they serve rather to qualify the scope or power of the generalization. The logic of such generalizations is thus not deductive. Granting that general norms are typically of this kind, we may accept Kelsen's conclusion about the non‐deducibility of particular from general norms without accepting the grounds upon which he accounted for this fact.
Continuity of Midwifery Care in England: A New Professional Project?
Authors: Sandall Jane 
Published: August 2007

Over the last decade, an increasing amount of research has examined the relationship between gender and professionalization using female professional projects to illustrate how the generic notion of a profession has been a gendered one.This paper develops Witz's (1990) theory of professional strategies in female‐dominated occupations particularly regarding midwives in Britain in the twentieth century and suggests that an important dimension that also needs to be critically examined in midwifery history is the interaction of gender and social class within midwifery. Furthermore it documents the traditional emphasis in midwifery on the single woman's career path. This historical analysis has resonance today as midwifery in Britain is undergoing a renaissance. The role of the midwife and the current organization of the maternity services are being reviewed with the intention of providing increased choice and control over the reproductive process for women and increased continuity of care with a midwife. These changes are viewed as midwives' new professional project and the implications for midwives and women discussed.The aim of this paper is to explore the explanatory power of these approaches to current developments in maternity care and by drawing historical parallels, consider the impact that this professionalizing strategy may have for those who are excluded from this process of ‘dual closure’. Furthermore, this paper asks whether this new way of working empowers midwives, women, both or neither?
How does a re‐colonizing population of Asian elephants affect the forest habitat?
Authors: Pradhan N. M. B. , Wegge P. , Moe S. R. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe Asian elephant Elephas maximus is currently re‐colonizing the Bardia National Park in lowland Nepal. We studied their impact on woody vegetation in the nutrient‐rich floodplain and in the relatively nutrient‐poor sal forest. The types and extent of tree impact were recorded along fixed‐width transects (335 km). Species composition, density and size classes ≥8 cm diameter breast height (dbh) were recorded in 15‐m radius random plots (n=95). Impact was higher in the floodplain complex than in the sal‐dominated forest. Our hypothesis that elephants were more selective on species in the nutrient‐poor sal forest was only partly supported; the niche breadth of impacted trees was slightly higher in the floodplain complex. Pushed‐over trees accounted for the highest proportion of impact (55%), followed by killed trees (39%). Of the pushed trees, 10% were not used for food. Among food trees, elephants selectively impacted size class 12–16 cm dbh, whereas non‐food trees were impacted independently of size. A large proportion of the freshly browsed trees had been felled previously, indicating that most felled trees survived, enabling elephants to feed on them again. This may reflect an evolutionary adaptation among long‐lived species with high site fidelity. Owing to preferential use but low abundance, two species in sal forest, Grewia spp. and Desmodium oojeinense, were found to be particularly vulnerable to local extinction due to elephants. Although the elephants had impacted a large number of species (62, 73% of all), 56.4% of the impacted trees consisted of Mallotus phillippinensis. A recently observed increase in the density of M. phillippinensis and the concurrent reduction of the hardly utilized Shorea robusta indicates that the rapidly growing elephant population may modify the composition of the forest by increasing its preferred food species.
Limiting similarity and species assemblages in the short‐tailed fruit bats
Authors: York H. A. , Papes M. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractWe analyzed the morphometrics of seven taxa of short‐tailed fruit bats Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae: Carollia, (Carollia benkeithi, Carollia brevicauda, Carollia castanea, Carollia perspicillata azteca, Carollia perspicillata perspicillata, Carollia sowelli and Carollia subrufa) to assess within‐taxon variation and to address the possibility that morphological distinctions facilitate sympatry within this genus of ecologically similar bats. Whereas morphological similarities were found among species in certain combinations of allopatric taxa, members of sympatric assemblages differ significantly, indicating that there is a consistent representation of morphotypes within various assemblages of Carollia despite changes in species composition across the range of the genus. Furthermore, the differences in the skull size and shape among taxa correspond to potential differences in food‐handling abilities and point to dietary differentiation among species as a factor in the facilitation of coexistence.