In a recent paper, Manuel Pérez Otero attempted to turn the tables on Paul Boghossian's claim that content externalism is incompatible with the 'a priority of our logical abilities'. In reply, Boghossian argued that Pérez Otero's criticism misses the main point of his argument through concentrating on the semantics of singular (as opposed to general) terms. I elaborate on Boghossian's reply by showing that even taken on its own terms Pérez Otero's paper fails to engage with internalism through systematically misrepresenting what a truly internalistic account of the semantics of singular terms should be.

This investigation compared gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) concentrations in periodontitis patients subjected to a strict supragingival biofilm control (Supra) for 6 months. Never-smokers (23) and smokers (n = 20; 19.6 +/- 11.8 cigarettes/day) moderate-to-severe chronic periodontitis patients underwent a 6 months period of supragingival control with weekly recall visits. Periodontal probing depth (PPD), bleeding on probing (BOP) and GCF samples (from different PPD category sites: 3-5 mm and 6-10 mm) were obtained at the baseline, 30, and 180 days. IL-1beta was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Generalized estimating equations were used to fit prediction models of IL-1beta changes, considering the dependence between the examinations, and using only data from experimental sites. Overall IL-1beta concentrations decreased from 3.2 pg/microL to 1.9 pg/microL. Higher baseline IL-1beta concentrations were associated with higher baseline PPD values in both groups. There were no differences in IL-1beta concentrations between never-smokers and smokers over time for any PPD category. Higher baseline PPD values and the presence of BOP on day 180 were significantly associated with higher IL-1beta concentrations. A strict Supra regimen reduced IL-1beta concentrations over time in periodontitis patients. The benefits observed for smokers underline the importance of oral hygiene measures, even considering the presence of this important risk factor.

A vontade racional (e a sua atividade como vontade pura) é a faculdade investigada por Kant na sua Metafísica dos costumes. Neste artigo, procuro esclarecer a concepção que Kant tem dessa faculdade, isto é, como um poder causal constituído por uma norma. Para tanto, são analisados três textos-chave de Kant. A comparação com a posição luterana sobre a concupiscência sugere uma forte influência dessa posição sobre a concepção kantiana da vontade.