Do non-philosophers think epistemic consequentialism is counterintuitive?

Direct epistemic consequentialism is the idea that X is epistemically permissible iff X maximizes epistemic value. It has received lots of attention in recent years and is widely accepted by philosophers to have counterintuitive implications. There are various reasons one might suspect that the relevant intuitions will not be widely shared among non-philosophers. This paper presents an initial empirical study of ordinary intuitions. The results of two experiments demonstrate that the counterintuitiveness of epistemic consequentialism is more than a philosophers' worry---the folk seem to agree

Functional Integration of Grafted Neural Stem Cell-Derived Dopaminergic Neurons Monitored by Optogenetics in an In Vitro Parkinson Model

Intrastriatal grafts of stem cell-derived dopamine (DA) neurons induce behavioral recovery in animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD), but how they functionally integrate in host neural circuitries is poorly understood. Here, Wnt5a-overexpressing neural stem cells derived from embryonic ventral mesencephalon of tyrosine hydroxylase-GFP transgenic mice were expanded as neurospheres and transplanted into organotypic cultures of wild type mouse striatum. Differentiated GFP-labeled DA neurons in the grafts exhibited mature neuronal properties, including spontaneous firing of action potentials, presence of post-synaptic currents, and functional expression of DA D2 autoreceptors. These properties resembled those recorded from identical cells in acute slices of intrastriatal grafts in the 6-hydroxy-DA-induced mouse PD model and from DA neurons in intact substantia nigra. Optogenetic activation or inhibition of grafted cells and host neurons using channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) and halorhodopsin (NpHR), respectively, revealed complex, bi-directional synaptic interactions between grafted cells and host neurons and extensive synaptic connectivity within the graft. Our data demonstrate for the first time using optogenetics that ectopically grafted stem cell-derived DA neurons become functionally integrated in the DA-denervated striatum. Further optogenetic dissection of the synaptic wiring between grafted and host neurons will be crucial to clarify the cellular and synaptic mechanisms underlying behavioral recovery as well as adverse effects following stem cell-based DA cell replacement strategies in PD

Activation of lumbosacral 5-HT2C receptors induces bursts of rhythmic activity in sympathetic nerves to the vas deferens in male rats

1. We previously demonstrated that p-chloroamphetamine (PCA) intravenously (i.v.) evokes a specific patterned bursting response in the vas deferens nerve (VDN) of anaesthetised male rats that is associated with contraction of the vas deferens, and ejaculation and contraction of the bulbospongiosus muscles. The present study used selective 5-HT agonists to induce similar rhythmic bursting responses in the VDN in order to reveal the 5-HT receptor subtypes involved. 2. The 5-HT(2C) receptor agonist (1.0 mg kg(−1) Ro600175 i.v.) evoked the characteristic bursting pattern responses in the VDN. The 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist (1.0 mg kg(−1) 8-OH-DPAT i.v.) failed to elicit any responses. However, 8-OH-DPAT coadministered in combination with Ro600175 induced a potentiation of the responses. 3. Responses were also evoked in rats with a mid-thoracic spinalisation, with a more predictable response being observed following the combination of agonists. This suggests an action of both agonists in the lumbosacral spinal cord. 4. Responses were blocked by 0.5 mg kg(−1) SB206553 i.v. (5-HT(2B/C) receptor antagonist) or 0.5 mg kg(−1) WAY100635 i.v. (5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist), but not 0.1 or 1.0 mg kg(−1) SB269970 i.v. (5-HT(7) receptor antagonist). 5. We suggest that activation of 5-HT(2C) and 5-HT(1A) receptor subtypes synergistically elicits contraction of the vas deferens through the activation of sympathetic preganglionic neurones in the spinal cord. 6. These data support the idea of a proejaculatory action of 5-HT(2C) receptors in the lumbosacral spinal cord, suggesting a descending 5-HT excitatory pathway in addition to a 5-HT inhibitory pathway. An excitatory action of 8-OH-DPAT at lumbosacral sites is also evident

The effects of 5HT1agonists on erection in rats in vivo and rabbit corpus cavernosum in vitro

10.1038/sj.ijir.3900848International Journal of Impotence Research144205-212IJIR