bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SYSTEMIC RESISTANCE INDUCED BY RHIZOSPHERE BACTERIA
Authors: van Loon L. C. , Bakker P. A. H. M. , Pieterse C. M. J.
Published: July 2002

▪ Abstract  Nonpathogenic rhizobacteria can induce a systemic resistance in plants that is phenotypically similar to pathogen-induced systemic acquired resistance (SAR). Rhizobacteria-mediated induced systemic resistance (ISR) has been demonstrated against fungi, bacteria, and viruses in Arabidopsis, bean, carnation, cucumber, radish, tobacco, and tomato under conditions in which the inducing bacteria and the challenging pathogen remained spatially separated. Bacterial strains differ in their ability to induce resistance in different plant species, and plants show variation in the expression of ISR upon induction by specific bacterial strains. Bacterial determinants of ISR include lipopolysaccharides, siderophores, and salicylic acid (SA). Whereas some of the rhizobacteria induce resistance through the SA-dependent SAR pathway, others do not and require jasmonic acid and ethylene perception by the plant for ISR to develop. No consistent host plant alterations are associated with the induced state, but upon challenge inoculation, resistance responses are accelerated and enhanced. ISR is effective under field conditions and offers a natural mechanism for biological control of plant disease.
The Induction and Modulation of Plant Defense Responses by Bacterial Lipopolysaccharides
Authors: Dow Max , Newman Mari-Anne , von Roepenack Edda
Published: July 2002

Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) are ubiquitous, indispensable components of the cell surface of Gram-negative bacteria that apparently have diverse roles in bacterial pathogenesis of plants. As an outer membrane component, LPS may contribute to the exclusion of plant-derived antimicrobial compounds promoting the ability of a bacterial plant pathogen to infect plants. In contrast, LPS can be recognized by plants to directly trigger some plant defense-related responses. LPS can also alter the response of plants to subsequent bacterial inoculation; these delayed effects include alterations in the expression patterns of genes coding for some pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins, promotion of the synthesis of antimicrobial hydroxycinnamoyl-tyramine conjugates, and prevention of the hypersensitive reaction caused by avirulent bacteria. Prevention of the response may allow expression of resistance in the absence of catastrophic tissue damage. Recognition of LPS (and other nonspecific determinants) may initiate responses in plants that restrict the growth of nonpathogenic bacteria, whereas plant pathogens may possess hrp gene-dependent mechanisms to suppress such responses.
Hypoxia Induces Aortic Hypertrophic Growth, Left Ventricular Dysfunction, and Sympathetic Hyperinnervation of Peripheral Arteries in the Chick Embryo
Authors: Rouwet E.V. , Tintu A.N. , Schellings M.W.M. , van Bilsen M. , Lutgens E. , Hofstra L. , Slaaf D.W. , Ramsay G. , le Noble F.A.C.
Published: July 2002

Background

—

Low birth weight is associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, later in life. This suggests that antenatal insults program for fetal adaptations of the circulatory system. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of mild hypoxia on cardiac function, blood pressure control, and arterial structure and function in near-term chick embryos.

Methods and Results

—

Chick embryos were incubated under normoxic (21% O
2
) or hypoxic (15% O
2
) conditions and evaluated at incubation day 19 by use of histological techniques, isolated heart preparations, and in vivo measurements of sympathetic arterial tone and systemic hemodynamics. Chronic hypoxia caused a 33% increase in mortality and an 11% reduction in body weight in surviving embryos. The lumen of the ascending aorta in hypoxic embryos was 23% smaller. Left ventricular systolic pressure was 22% lower, and heart weight/body weight ratio was 14% higher. In resistance arteries of hypoxic embryos, in vivo baseline tone was 23% higher, norepinephrine sensitivity was similar, and norepinephrine release from sympathetic nerves increased 2-fold, indicating sympathetic hyperinnervation. Mean arterial pressure and heart rate were similar under resting conditions, but chronically hypoxic embryos failed to maintain blood pressure during acute stress.

Conclusions

—

This study indicates that mild hypoxia during embryonic development induces alterations in cardiac and vascular function and structure and affects hemodynamic regulation. These findings reveal that antenatal insults have profound effects on the control and design of the circulatory system that are already established at birth and may program for hypertension and heart failure at a later age.
International and Domestic Constraints on Political Business Cycles in OECD Economies: A Comment
Authors: Leertouwer Erik , Maier Philipp
Published: July 2002

We attempt to assess the effect of monetary policy in a panel model for 16 member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). To answer the question of whether central banks actively create political business cycles, we focus on the short-term interest rate as a proxy for the use of monetary instruments. Our results indicate that central banks do not create political business cycles. This conclusion holds whether or not central banks are independent and whether or not they are constrained by the exchange-rate system in force.
Nature, Technology and Art: The Emergence of a New Relationship?
Authors: Huws Ursula
Published: July 2002

The three-way relationship between nature, technology and the human subject has been a problematic and shifting one in the history of Western art and thought. In this article, the author begins by summarizing this history, pointing to the inadequacy of most theoretical accounts in the face of the growing interpenetration of the “natural” by the “technological” resulting from such developments as genetic engineering and artificial intelligence. The author goes on to argue that the convergence between scientific developments in the field of artificial life and the emergent art movement points to the development of a new understanding of this relationship and a new role for the artist.
How the etoy Campaign Was Won: An Agent's Report
Authors: Grether Reinhold
Published: July 2002

In November 1999, the Internet toy store eToys.com initi-ated a trademark lawsuit against “net.art” site etoy.com. etoy and other Internet activists responded by launching TOYWAR, a decen-tralized on-line mobilization against eToys, waged on fronts from shopping servers to on-line investors' forums. The author, one of the “agents” participating in TOYWAR, offers this analysis of the successful campaign of resis-tance, carried out in keeping with etoy's artistic project: “the exhibi-tion of the bizarre practices of the financial world.” eToys eventu-ally dropped its suit, having suf-fered $4.5 billion in lost stock value in the interim.
Digital Art Takes Shape at MoMA
Authors: London Barbara
Published: July 2002

In the art world, technological advances have implications similar to those in science and industry. Digital art exists in a “development stream” that parallels software design; a curator must be skilled at rapid upgrades. On the other hand, the permanence of digital information allows a more complete documentation of artistic development in a swiftly maturing medium and fosters equal access to work from throughout the world.
Temporal Allocation of Visual Attention in Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Authors: Hollingsworth Deidre E. , McAuliffe Sean P. , Knowlton Barbara J.
Published: July 2002

In two experiments, we examined the ability of adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to preocess multiple targets appearing in a rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) stream. Using a standard attentional blink (AB) task, subjects were required to both identify a target in the RSVP stream and detect a probe appearing in one of several posttarget serial positions. In Experiment 1, ADHD adults exhibited a protracted AB compared to controls, in that their probe detection did not improve as a function of increasing probe-to-target intervals (450-720 msec). In Experiment 2, the ADHD group performed as well as controls in detectin probes appearing immediately (i.e., 90 msec) after the target. Taken together, the results demonstrate that adults with ADHD exhibit a selective deficit in rapidly shifting attention between the target and the probe, when two appear several hundred milliseconds apart. These results suggest that adults with ADHD can use automatic (reflexive) attention to detect items in close temporal proximity in the RSVP stream, but have difficulty allocating controlled attention to multiple stimuli separated by several hundred milliseconds.
On the Synthesis of Brain-State-in-a-Box Neural Models with Application to Associative Memory
Authors: Sevrani Fation , Abe Kennichi
Published: July 2002

In this article we present techniques for designing associative memories to be implemented by a class of synchronous discrete-time neural networks based on a generalization of the brain-state-in-a-box neural model. First, we address the local qualitative properties and global qualitative aspects of the class of neural networks considered. Our approach to the stability analysis of the equilibrium points of the network gives insight into the extent of the domain of attraction for the patterns to be stored as asymptotically stable equilibrium points and is useful in the analysis of the retrieval performance of the network and also for design purposes. By making use of the analysis results as constraints, the design for associative memory is performed by solving a constraint optimization problem whereby each of the stored patterns is guaranteed a substantial domain of attraction. The performance of the designed network is illustrated by means of three specific examples.
Theatre Works' Desdemona: Fusing Technology and Tradition
Authors: Grehan Helena
Published: July 2002

“Interculturalism” needs to be expanded and redefined to include the responses of spectators as well as the work of artists. In what ways does Theatre Works' Desdemona, as seen at the 2000 Adelaide Festival, represent a “new wave of Asian production”? Or are such works disturbing evidence of the increasing erosion of the local?
Optical Versus Video See-Through Head-Mounted Displays in Medical Visualization
Authors: Rolland Jannick P. , Fuchs Henry
Published: July 2002

We compare two technological approaches to augmented reality for 3-D medical visualization: optical and video see-through devices. We provide a context to discuss the technology by reviewing several medical applications of augmented-reality re search efforts driven by real needs in the medical field, both in the United States and in Europe. We then discuss the issues for each approach, optical versus video, from both a technology and human-factor point of view. Finally, we point to potentially promising future developments of such devices including eye tracking and multifocus planes capabilities, as well as hybrid optical/video technology.
Integrating Pedagogical Agents into Virtual Environments
Authors: Johnson W. Lewis , Rickel Jeff , Stiles Randy , Munro Allen
Published: July 2002

In order for a virtual environment to be effective as a training tool, it is not enough to concentrate on the fidelity of the renderings and the accuracy of the simulated behaviors. The environment should help trainees develop an understanding of the task and should provide guidance and assistance as needed. This paper describes a system for developing virtual environments in which pedagogical capabilities are incorporated into autonomous agents that interact with trainees and simulations of objects in the environment. These pedagogical agents can monitor trainee progress and provide guidance and assistance. This paper describes the architectural features of the environment and of the agents that accomplish the instructional objectives within the virtual environment. It also discusses how agent-based instruction is combined with other methods of delivering instruction.
Knowledge-based Multiagent Coordination
Authors: Laird John E. , Jones Randolph M. , Nielsen Paul E.
Published: July 2002

In many domains, intelligent agents must coordinate their activities in order for them to be successful both individually and collectively. Over the last ten years, research in distributed artificial intelligence has emphasized building knowledge-lean systems, where coordination emerges either from simple rules of behavior or from a deep understanding of general coordination strategies. In this paper, we contend that there is an alternative for domains in which the types and methods of coordination are well structured (even though the environment may be very unstructured and dynamic). The alternative is to build real-time, knowledge-based agents that have a broad—but shallow—understanding of how to coordinate. We demonstrate the viability of this approach by example. Specifically, we have built agents that model the coordination performed by Navy and Air Force pilots and controllers in air-to-air and air-to-ground missions within a distributed interactive simulation environment. The major contribution of the paper is an examination of the requirements and approaches for supporting knowledge-based coordination, in terms of the structure of the domain, the agents' knowledge of the domain, and the underlying AI architecture.
“Niche Selection” and the Evolution of Complex Behavior in a Changing Environment—A Simulation
Authors: Walker Richard
Published: July 2002

One of the key problems in theoretical biology is the identification of the mechanisms underlying the evolution of complexity. This paper suggests that some difficulties in current models could be avoided by taking account of “niche selection” as proposed by Waddington [21] and subsequent authors [2]. Computer simulations, in which an evolving population of artificial organisms “selects” the niche(s) that maximize their fitness, are compared with a Control Model in which “Niche Selection” is absent. In the simulations the Niche Selection Model consistently produced a greater number of “fit” organisms than the Control Model; although the Niche Selection Model tended, in general, to produce organisms occupying simple niches, it was nonetheless more effective than the Control Model in producing well-adapted organisms inhabiting complex niches. It is shown that the production of these organisms is critically dependent on the rate of environmental change: Slow change leads to fit but undifferentiated populations, dominated by organisms occupying simple niches; differentiated populations, including well-adapted organisms living in complex niches, require rates of environmental change lying just beyond a mathematically well-defined critical value. In simulation “Niche Selection,” unlike conventional “Natural Selection,” provides a permanent selective bias in favor of simplicity. This tendency is counterbalanced by statistical forces favoring shifts from rare “simple niches” to commoner niches of greater complexity. Fit organisms inhabiting complex niches only emerge in conditions where the rate of environmental change is high enough to avoid the concentration of the population in very simple niches, but slow enough to permit step-by-step adaptation to niches of gradually increasing complexity. This result appears to be robust to changes in simulation parameters and assumptions, and leads to interesting conjectures about the real world behavior of biological organisms (and other complex adaptive systems). It is suggested that some of these conjectures might be relatively easy to test.
RESPONSE TO THOMAS BERRY'S THE GREAT WORK
Authors: Radford Ruether Rosemary
Published: July 2002

In this commentary on Thomas Berry's recent book, The Great Work, Rosemary Radford Ruether argues that the transformation that is needed to achieve a sustainable society must contain a dynamic interaction of three components: transformation of consciousness and culture, transformation of technology and transformation of social, legal and economic relations between humans. There cannot be a focus on only one or two of these components at the expense of the other(s). The transformation of culture and consciousness includes a profound deconstruction of the patterns of hierarchical dualism in Western theological, philosophical, psychology and scientific thought and their reconstruction in terms of relations of dynamic mutuality.
Growth, sexual dimorphism, and population biology of the olive sea snake, Aipysurus laevis, on the Great Barrier Reef of Australia
Authors: Burns Glen , Heatwole Harold
Published: July 2002

The olive sea snake, Aipysurus laevis (Lacépède) grows at a rate of 0.22-0.95 cm/month, with young animals growing faster than older ones. Males reach sexual maturity in their third year and females in their fourth or fifth year. There is sexual dimorphism in size, with females larger than males; at snout-vent lengths greater than 80 cm, females are heavier than males of equivalent length. Small snakes were uncommon. Apparent sexratio favours males in winter but moves toward equality or even a preponderance of females in summer, probably reflecting changes in reproductive behaviour. Numbers of snakes are approximately 0.70-0.86 snakes per metre of reef edge. Olive sea snakes live to about 15 years or older.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR VISUAL EXPERIENCE WHICH MIGHT ALLOW IMPRINTING IN CHICKS RAISED BY BROODY HENS
Authors: Workman  , Adam  , Andrew R.J.
Published: July 2002

Chicks raised by a broody hen can see social fellows (mother, sibs) to whom they might attach, only during emergence from under the mother. Chicks raised by a hen showed longest emergences when in broods of 1-2, shortest in broods of 3-4 and longer again in broods > 4. As a result, the first visual experience of any length was on day 2 for broods > 4 and on day 3 for broods of 3-4. Mean duration/chick was 45-50 min in both cases, comparable to times found to give attachment to models. The mother's moving (and often calling) head must be a dominant visual feature for chicks: they most commonly emerge from under the breast and are at once confronted by it. When they emerge from under the wings, the mother turns the head to them, and they then accompany it back to the breast, where they nearly always re-enter. The first experience of the mother in translatory motion on day 5 is so different from this that it probably leads to further learning. Chicks reared in groups without a mother learn to discriminate sibs from strangers. If this occurs in normal broods, it could begin in the group emergences, which are usual on day 3.
THE DESIGN AND PRODUCTION OF A SEXUAL SIGNAL: HOODS AND HOOD BUILDING BY MALE FIDDLER CRABS UCA MUSICA
Authors: Christy John , Backwell Patricia R.Y. , Goshima Seiji
Published: July 2002

Courting male fiddler crabs Uca musica sometimes build hoods at the entrances of their burrows to which females come for mating. Females differentially orient to burrows with hoods and thereby show a mate preference for hood builders. Here we describe how this mode of sexual selection may affect hood design and building. Larger males built generally larger but not higher hoods. Small males may build relatively high hoods so that they will be conspicuous to females of all sizes and construction or other costs may limit hood height. Most males built only one hood each biweekly reproductive cycle, typically on a day that many females chose mates, and they finished construction before females began mate searching. Both patterns fit predictions based on applying ideal free theory to the timing of sexual signaling. Sexual selection may favor more frequent hood building but the timing of hood building appears to be optimal.
Murder in the East: German-Jewish Liberal Reactions to Anti-Jewish Violence in Poland and Other East European Lands, 1918–1920
Authors: Hagen William W.
Published: July 2002

World War I intensified antisemitism everywhere in Central and Eastern Europe, both at the level of public opinion, among right-leaning political parties and, often, in government circles. The war elevated the significance of the Jewish question in other ways as well, and not only because the Balfour Declaration of 1917 conjured up a Zionist triumph. The prospect of a German victory over Russia promised a reordering under German hegemony of the civil condition and citizenly status of the east European Jews, such as the Central Powers' creation in November 1916 of the Kingdom of Poland in the heartland of Russia's former Polish lands had already begun to bring about. Later, in the shadow of the German defeat, there arose the quite different question of the Jews' integration into the newly founded, nationally legitimized, nationalistically agitated successor states to the now vanished multiethnic monarchies.
Photochromism of azobenzene in the hydrophobic interlayer spaces of dialkyldimethylammonium-fluor-tetrasilicic mica films
Authors: Ogawa M. , Hama M. , Kuroda K.
Published: July 2002

Photochemical isomerization of azobenzene intercalated in the hydrophobic, interlayer spaces of swelling fluor-tetrasilicic micas exchanged with dialkyldimethylammonium ions, with the alkyl chain length from 10 to 18, was investigated. Thin films of the organoammonium-mica-azobenzene intercalation compounds were obtained by depositing a suspension of the organoammonium-micas (prepared using a toluene/methanol solution of azobenzene) on quartz substrates. The intercalated azobenzene showed reversible photochromic reactions induced by UV and visible light irradiation. The fraction of the photochemically formed cis-isomer in the photostationary states decreased with a decrease in temperature. The observed change in the photochemical reactions is thought to reflect changes in the states of the dialkyldimethylammonium ions in the interlayer space of the swelling fluor-tetrasilicic mica.
Ristocetin-dependent, but not botrocetin-dependent, binding of von Willebrand factor to the platelet glycoprotein Ib-IX-V complex correlates with shear-dependent interactions
Authors: Dong Jing-Fei , Berndt Michael C. , Schade Alicia , McIntire Larry V. , Andrews Robert K. , López José A.
Published: July 2002

Under conditions of high shear stress, both hemostasis and thrombosis are initiated by the interaction of the platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) Ib-IX-V complex with its adhesive ligand, von Willebrand factor (vWF), in the subendothelial matrix or plasma. This interaction involves the A1 domain of vWF and the N-terminal extracellular region of GP Ibα (His-1-Glu-282), and it can also be induced under static conditions by the modulators ristocetin and botrocetin. In this study, a panel of anti-vWF and anti-GP Ibα antibodies—previously characterized for their effects on ristocetin- and botrocetin-dependent vWF–GP Ib-IX-V interactions—was analyzed for their capacity to inhibit either the adhesion of Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing recombinant GP Ibα to surface-associated vWF under hydrodynamic flow or shear-stress–induced platelet aggregation. The combined results suggest that the shear-dependent interactions between vWF and GP Ibα closely correlate with ristocetin- rather than botrocetin-dependent binding under static conditions and that certain anti-vWF monoclonal antibodies are able to selectively inhibit shear-dependent platelet aggregation.
Targeting of a B7-1 (CD80) immunoglobulin G fusion protein to acute myeloid leukemia blasts increases their costimulatory activity for autologous remission T cells
Authors: Notter Michael , Willinger Tim , Erben Ulrike , Thiel Eckhard
Published: July 2002

Transfection of tumor cells with the gene encoding the costimulatory molecule B7-1 (CD80), the ligand for CD28 and cytotoxic T lymphocye antigen-4 on T cells, has been shown to result in potent T-cell–mediated antitumor immunity. As an alternative approach, this study analyzed the costimulatory capacity of a human B7-1 immunoglobulin G (IgG) fusion protein targeted to the cell membrane of human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blasts. Flow cytometric analysis revealed a low constitutive expression of B7-1 on human AML blasts (on average, 3.0 ± 4.3%; n = 50). In contrast, the expression of B7-2 (CD86) was highly heterogeneous and higher in AML blasts of French-American-British classification types M4 and M5 (P < .0001). The B7-1 IgG fusion protein used in this study efficiently costimulated the proliferation of resting and preactivated T cells when immobilized on plastic. After preincubation with B7-1 IgG, specific binding of the fusion protein to the high-affinity Fcγreceptor I (CD64) on leukemic cells was demonstrated and was found to increase the proliferation of both allogeneic and autologous T cells in costimulation experiments. Furthermore, targeting of B7-1 IgG to the tumor membrane resulted in increased proliferation of autologous remission T cells and had the potential to generate an enhanced redirected cytotoxic T-cell response against autologous AML blasts. In summary, the targeting of B7-1 IgG fusion protein described in this study represents a strategy alternative to gene therapy to restore the expression of the costimulatory molecule B7-1 on human AML blasts, thereby enhancing their immunogenicity for autologous T cells. This new approach may have implications for T-cell–mediated immunotherapy in AML.
CD13/APN is activated by angiogenic signals and is essential for capillary tube formation
Authors: Bhagwat Shripad V. , Lahdenranta Johanna , Giordano Ricardo , Arap Wadih , Pasqualini Renata , Shapiro Linda H.
Published: July 2002

In the hematopoietic compartment, the CD13/APN metalloprotease is one of the earliest markers of cells committed to the myeloid lineage where it is expressed exclusively on the surface of myeloid progenitors and their differentiated progeny. CD13/APN is also found in nonhematopoietic tissues, and its novel expression on the endothelial cells of angiogenic, but not normal, vasculature was recently described. Treatment of animals with CD13/APN inhibitors significantly impaired retinal neovascularization, chorioallantoic membrane angiogenesis, and xenograft tumor growth, indicating that CD13/APN plays an important functional role in vasculogenesis and identifying it as a critical regulator of angiogenesis. To investigate the mechanisms of CD13/APN induction in tumor vasculature, the regulation ofCD13/APN by factors contributing to angiogenic progression was studied. In this report, it is shown that endogenous CD13/APN levels in primary cells and cell lines are up-regulated in response to hypoxia, angiogenic growth factors, and signals regulating capillary tube formation during angiogenesis. Transcription of reporter plasmids containing CD13/APNproximal promoter sequences is significantly increased in response to the same angiogenic signals that regulate the expression of the endogenous gene and in human tumor xenografts, indicating that this fragment contains elements essential for the angiogenic induction ofCD13/APN expression. Finally, functional antagonists of CD13/APN interfere with tube formation but not proliferation of primary vascular endothelial cells, suggesting that CD13/APN functions in the control of endothelial cell morphogenesis. These studies clearly establish the CD13/APN metalloprotease as an important regulator of endothelial morphogenesis during angiogenesis.
Adenovirus-mediated expression of a mutant IκB kinase 2 inhibits the response of endothelial cells to inflammatory stimuli
Authors: Oitzinger Wolfgang , Hofer-Warbinek Renate , Schmid Johannes A. , Koshelnick Yuri , Binder Bernd R. , de Martin Rainer
Published: July 2002

In a variety of cell types, the transcription factor nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) functions as a mediator of stress and immune responses. In endothelial cells (ECs), it controls the expression of genes encoding, eg, cytokines, cell adhesion molecules, and procoagulatory proteins. This study investigates the effect of NF-κB suppression on several pathophysiologic functions of ECs, including inflammation, coagulation, and angiogenesis. A recombinant adenovirus was generated for expression of a dominant negative (dn) mutant of IκB kinase 2 (IKK2), a kinase that acts as an upstream activator of NF-κB. dnIKK2 inhibited NF-κB, resulting in strongly reduced nuclear translocation and DNA binding activity of the transcription factor and lack of expression of several proinflammatory markers, including E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, and interleukin-8. Concomitantly, inhibition of leukocyte binding to dnIKK2-expressing ECs could be demonstrated in a cell adhesion assay. Furthermore, expression of tissue factor as well as the ability to form capillary tubes in a matrigel assay was impaired in dnIKK2-expressing ECs. These data demonstrate that NF-κB is of central importance not only for the inflammatory response but also for a number of other EC functions. Therefore, this transcription factor as well as its upstream regulatory signaling molecules may represent favorable targets for therapeutic interference.
Assembly of a fibronectin matrix by adherent platelets stimulated by lysophosphatidic acid and other agonists
Authors: Olorundare Olufunke E. , Peyruchaud Olivier , Albrecht Ralph M. , Mosher Deane F.
Published: July 2002

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) are agonists of the endothelial differentiation gene (Edg) family of G-protein–coupled receptors. LPA and S1P are generated by platelet activation during blood coagulation. Both lipids induce assembly of exogenous fibronectin (FN) by fibroblasts. This study examined whether LPA and S1P stimulate binding and assembly of fluoresceinated FN (FITC-FN) by adherent platelets. LPA enhanced deposition of FITC-FN into linear arrays overlying platelet surfaces and on edges of platelets adherent to FN or vitronectin (VN). Deposition was greater when platelets were adherent to FN than to VN and was elicited by platelet agonists with the following order of potency: thrombin > LPA = ADP (adenosine diphosphate) > S1P. The linear pattern of FITC-FN deposition was different from the more diffuse pattern of Alexa-fibrinogen (Alexa-FGN) binding to adherent platelets. FITC-FN was deposited by adherent platelets that had dense arrays of cytoskeletal actin when stained with rhodamine-phalloidin. The 70-kd N-terminal fragment of FN or L8 monoclonal antibody to a self-association domain of FN abolished deposition of FITC-FN but had no effect on binding of Alexa-FGN. Conversely, integrilin did not attenuate deposition of FITC-FN but abolished binding of Alexa-FGN. RGDS (Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser) or antibodies to α5β1 or αIIbβ3 integrins caused a partial decrease in LPA-induced deposition of FITC-FN. Correlative electron microscopy with anti-FITC coupled to gold beads revealed linear arrays on platelet surfaces associated with less than 20-nm–diameter filaments. These observations demonstrate that LPA, thrombin, ADP, and S1P induce adherent platelets to bind and assemble FN and suggest that platelets may contribute to early deposition of FN matrix after vascular injury.
Reduced blood CD123+ (lymphoid) and CD11c+ (myeloid) dendritic cell numbers in primary HIV-1 infection
Authors: Pacanowski Jérôme , Kahi Sandrine , Baillet Marjorie , Lebon Pierre , Deveau Christiane , Goujard Cécile , Meyer Laurence , Oksenhendler Eric , Sinet Martine , Hosmalin Anne
Published: July 2002

Successful immunologic control of HIV infection is achieved only in rare individuals. Dendritic cells (DCs) are required for specific antigen presentation to naive T lymphocytes and for antiviral, type I interferon secretion. Two major blood DC populations are found: CD11c+ (myeloid) DCs, which secrete IL-12, and CD123+ (IL-3–receptor+) DCs (lymphoid), which secrete type I interferons in response to viral stimuli. The authors have previously found a decreased proportion of blood CD11c+ DCs in chronic HIV+ patients. In this study, 26 to 57 days after infection and before treatment, CD123+ and CD11c+ DC numbers were dramatically reduced in 13 HIV+ patients compared with 13 controls (P = .0002 and P = .001, respectively). After 6 to 12 months of highly active antiretroviral therapy, DC subpopulation average numbers remained low, but CD123+ DC numbers increased again in 5 of 13 patients. A strong correlation was found between this increase and CD4 T-cell count increase (P = .0009) and plasma viral load decrease (P = .009). Reduced DC numbers may participate in the functional impairment of HIV-specific CD4+ T cells and be responsible for the low type I interferon responsiveness already known in HIV infection. The restoration of DC numbers may be predictive of immune restoration and may be a goal for immunotherapy to enhance viral control in a larger proportion of patients.
Role of 4 platelet membrane glycoprotein polymorphisms on experimental arterial thrombus formation in men
Authors: Cadroy Yves , Sakariassen Kjell S. , Charlet Jean-Paul , Thalamas Claire , Boneu Bernard , Sie Pierre
Published: July 2002

This study investigates whether the polymorphisms of 3 important platelet receptors affected experimental thrombus formation in men. Forty healthy male volunteers randomly recruited were genotyped for the variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) of GPIbα, the −5T/C polymorphism in the Kozak sequence of GPIbα, the 807C/T polymorphism of GPIa, and the PlA1/PlA2polymorphism of GPIIb/IIIa. Platelet thrombus formation was induced ex vivo by exposing a collagen-coated coverslip in a parallel plate perfusion chamber to native blood for 4 minutes. The shear rates at the collagen surface were 650 and 2600 s−1. At 2600 s−1 platelet thrombus formation was significantly related only to the 807C/T polymorphism. In contrast, at 650 s−1thrombus formation was significantly altered only by the Kozak sequence polymorphism. The VNTR and the PlA1/PlA2polymorphisms did not influence thrombus formation. Thus, platelet thrombus formation is significantly influenced by genetic variations of the GPIbα and GPIa receptors. The effect of these polymorphisms was dependent on the blood flow rate.
The myth of the deficient communicator
Authors: Belz Julie A.
Published: July 2002

The basic argument of this paper is that multiple language use in learner output is not always and exclusively indicative of the deficient nature (V. Cook, 1999; Firth and Wagner, 1997; Kramsch, 1997, 1998) of the language learner with respect toan idealized monolingual second language (L2) linguistic norm. Multilingual written learner texts and learners’ explications of these texts are examined in detail. These data suggest that learners conceptualize themselves as multicompetent (V. Cook, 1991, 1992, 1999) speakers who regularly, playfully and creatively decouple conventionalized L2 form-meaning pairings in order to produce and use their own locally relevant L2 signs. Within mainstream Second Language Acquisition (SLA) research practices and correctness-oriented Foreign Language Teaching (FLT) methodologies, this departure from norm approximation may be interpreted to indicate the reduced (Harder, 1980) or deficient nature of the learner. Within a Vygotskian approach to the psychology of mind and language learning (e.g., Lantolf, 2000a; Lantolf and Appel, 1994; Vygotsky, 1978, 1986), however, the learner’s playful use of multiple linguistic codes may index resourceful, creative and pleasurable displays of multicompetence (V. Cook, 1991,1992).
Healthy Prenatal Dietary Pattern and Offspring Autism
Authors: Friel Catherine , Leyland Alastair H. , Anderson Jana J. , Havdahl Alexandra , Brantsæter Anne Lise , Dundas Ruth
Published: July 2024

Importance

Prenatal diet may be causally related to autism; however, findings are inconsistent, with a limited body of research based on small sample sizes and retrospective study designs.

Objective

To investigate the associations of prenatal dietary patterns with autism diagnosis and autism-associated traits in 2 large prospective cohorts, the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study (MoBa), and the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC).

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study used data from MoBa and ALSPAC birth cohort studies conducted across Norway and in the Southwest of England, respectively. Participants were people with singleton pregnancies with self-reported food frequency questionnaire responses. MoBa recruited between 2002 and 2008, and ALSPAC recruited between 1990 and 1992, and children were followed-up until age 8 years or older. Recruitment rates were 41% (95 200 of 277 702 eligible pregnancies) in MoBa and 72% (14 541 of 20 248 eligible pregnancies) in ALSPAC. Data analysis occurred February 1, 2022, to August 1, 2023.

Exposure

A healthy prenatal dietary pattern was derived using factor analysis and modeled as low, medium, and high adherence.

Main Outcomes and Measures

In MoBa, the offspring outcomes were autism diagnosis and elevated social communication questionnaire score at ages 3 years and 8 years, with further analysis of the social communication difficulties and restrictive and repetitive behaviors subdomains. In ALSPAC, offspring outcomes were elevated social communication difficulties checklist score at age 8 years. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated using generalized nonlinear models.

Results

MoBa included 84 548 pregnancies (mean [SD] age, 30.2 [4.6] years; 43 277 [51.2%] male offspring) and ALSPAC had 11 760 pregnancies (mean [SD] age, 27.9 [4.7] years; 6034 [51.3%] male offspring). In the final adjusted models, high adherence to a healthy dietary pattern, compared with low adherence, was associated with reduced odds of autism diagnosis (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.66-0.92) and social communication difficulties at age 3 years in MoBa (OR 0.76, 95% CI, 0.70-0.82) and age 8 years in ALSPAC (OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.55-0.98). There was no consistent evidence of association with the other outcomes.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of mother-child dyads, adherence to a healthy prenatal dietary pattern was associated with a lower odds of autism diagnosis and social communication difficulties but not restrictive and repetitive behaviors.
Development and Evaluation of a Retrieval-Augmented Large Language Model Framework for Ophthalmology
Authors: Luo Ming-Jie , Pang Jianyu , Bi Shaowei , Lai Yunxi , Zhao Jiaman , Shang Yuanrui , Cui Tingxin , Yang Yahan , Lin Zhenzhe , Zhao Lanqin , Wu Xiaohang , Lin Duoru , Chen Jingjing , Lin Haotian
Published: July 2024

Importance

Although augmenting large language models (LLMs) with knowledge bases may improve medical domain–specific performance, practical methods are needed for local implementation of LLMs that address privacy concerns and enhance accessibility for health care professionals.

Objective

To develop an accurate, cost-effective local implementation of an LLM to mitigate privacy concerns and support their practical deployment in health care settings.

Design, Setting, and Participants

ChatZOC (Sun Yat-Sen University Zhongshan Ophthalmology Center), a retrieval-augmented LLM framework, was developed by enhancing a baseline LLM with a comprehensive ophthalmic dataset and evaluation framework (CODE), which includes over 30 000 pieces of ophthalmic knowledge. This LLM was benchmarked against 10 representative LLMs, including GPT-4 and GPT-3.5 Turbo (OpenAI), across 300 clinical questions in ophthalmology. The evaluation, involving a panel of medical experts and biomedical researchers, focused on accuracy, utility, and safety. A double-masked approach was used to try to minimize bias assessment across all models. The study used a comprehensive knowledge base derived from ophthalmic clinical practice, without directly involving clinical patients.

Exposures

LLM response to clinical questions.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Accuracy, utility, and safety of LLMs in responding to clinical questions.

Results

The baseline model achieved a human ranking score of 0.48. The retrieval-augmented LLM had a score of 0.60, a difference of 0.12 (95% CI, 0.02-0.22; P = .02) from baseline and not different from GPT-4 with a score of 0.61 (difference = 0.01; 95% CI, −0.11 to 0.13; P = .89). For scientific consensus, the retrieval-augmented LLM was 84.0% compared with the baseline model of 46.5% (difference = 37.5%; 95% CI, 29.0%-46.0%; P < .001) and not different from GPT-4 with a value of 79.2% (difference = 4.8%; 95% CI, −0.3% to 10.0%; P = .06).

Conclusions and Relevance

Results of this quality improvement study suggest that the integration of high-quality knowledge bases improved the LLM’s performance in medical domains. This study highlights the transformative potential of augmented LLMs in clinical practice by providing reliable, safe, and practical clinical information. Further research is needed to explore the broader application of such frameworks in the real world.
Ecosystem functions and services in urban stormwater ponds: Co‐producing knowledge for better management
Authors: Marques Piatã , Illyes Edina , McCauley Shannon , Jackson Donald A. , Michalakos Diana , Ferzoco Ilia Maria C. , Timms Laura , Murray Rosalind L. , MacFarlane Zira S. , Duval Tim P. , Dolson Rebecca , Din Sajjad , Pebesma Dale , Kirkwood Andrea E. , Turner Nicole A. , Clayton Jon , Horton Kaitlyn , Boston Christine M. , Sapozhnikova Ekaterina , Cadotte Marc W. , Mandrak Nicholas E.
Published: July 2024

Urban stormwater management ponds (SWMPs) are widely employed for stormwater control, but knowledge about their contributions to urban ecosystem function and service delivery remains unclear. We organized a workshop that brought together researchers, managers and students to assess and discuss current information on SWMP ecosystem function and services, identify perceived knowledge gaps and prioritize research needs, to advance understanding and management of SWMPs in Ontario, Canada.

Workshop participants identified habitat provisioning and regulation of water quality and quantity as key ecosystem functions in SWMPs. They also recognized carbon sequestration, flood prevention, water purification, educational potential, human health promotion and community engagement as important ecosystem services provided by SWMPs.

Despite the availability of engineering information and practitioner knowledge, workshop participants suggested that information on the impacts of maintenance operations, biological condition, water quality, costs and benefits and impact on surrounding landscape are important gaps that hinder a modern approach to design and management of SWMPs for multiple co‐benefits.

Participants suggested current gaps can be tackled with a combination of continuous water‐quality monitoring, field, laboratory and mesocosm experiments. They also suggested that future SWMP studies take advantage of existing community and governmental databases using meta‐analyses to summarize knowledge and provide future directions.

Practical implication: By linking knowledge gaps to management needs, this practice insight provides a road map that can be used to advance management of SWMPs in Ontario and elsewhere.
Hole‐Carrier‐Dominant Transport in 2D Single‐Crystal Copper
Authors: Ok Jong Mok , Kang Kyungrok , Hyun Jounghoon , Lim Chan‐Young , Gim Seonggeon , Hwang Jinwoong , Denlinger Jonathan D. , Cheon Miyeon , Regmi Binod , Lee Ji‐Eun , Ryu Hyejin , Kim Su Jae , Lee Yousil , Kim Young‐Hoon , Kim Young‐Min , Kim Yeongkwan , Kim Seong‐Gon , Yang Heejun , Jeong Se‐Young
Published: July 2024

In 2D noble metals like copper, the carrier scattering at grain boundaries has obscured the intrinsic nature of electronic transport. However, it is demonstrated that the intrinsic nature of transport by hole carriers in 2D copper can be revealed by growing thin films without grain boundaries. As even a slight deviation from the twin boundary is perceived as grain boundaries by electrons, it is only through the thorough elimination of grain boundaries that the hidden hole‐like attribute of 2D single‐crystal copper can be unmasked. Two types of Fermi surfaces, a large hexagonal Fermi surface centered at the zone center and the triangular Fermi surface around the zone corner, tightly matching to the calculated Fermi surface topology, confirmed by angle‐resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) measurements and vivid nonlinear Hall effects of the 2D single‐crystal copper account for the presence of hole carriers experimentally. This breakthrough suggests the potential to manipulate the majority carrier polarity in metals by means of grain boundary engineering in a 2D geometry.
Tailor‐Made Gold Nanomaterials for Applications in Soft Bioelectronics and Optoelectronics
Authors: Zhang Yujie , Liu Yi , Lu Yuerui , Gong Shu , Haick Hossam , Cheng Wenlong , Wang Yan
Published: July 2024

In modern nanoscience and nanotechnology, gold nanomaterials are indispensable building blocks that have demonstrated a plethora of applications in catalysis, biology, bioelectronics, and optoelectronics. Gold nanomaterials possess many appealing material properties, such as facile control over their size/shape and surface functionality, intrinsic chemical inertness yet with high biocompatibility, adjustable localized surface plasmon resonances, tunable conductivity, wide electrochemical window, etc. Such material attributes have been recently utilized for designing and fabricating soft bioelectronics and optoelectronics. This motivates to give a comprehensive overview of this burgeoning field. The discussion of representative tailor‐made gold nanomaterials, including gold nanocrystals, ultrathin gold nanowires, vertically aligned gold nanowires, hard template‐assisted gold nanowires/gold nanotubes, bimetallic/trimetallic gold nanowires, gold nanomeshes, and gold nanosheets, is begun. This is followed by the description of various fabrication methodologies for state‐of‐the‐art applications such as strain sensors, pressure sensors, electrochemical sensors, electrophysiological devices, energy‐storage devices, energy‐harvesting devices, optoelectronics, and others. Finally, the remaining challenges and opportunities are discussed.
A Damaging COL6A3 Variant Alters the MIR31HG‐Regulated Response of Chondrocytes in Neocartilage Organoids to Hyperphysiologic Mechanical Loading
Authors: Bloks Niek GC , Harissa Zainab , Mazzini Giorgia , Adkar Shaunak S , Dicks Amanda R , Hajmousa Ghazaleh , Steward Nancy , Koning Roman I. , Mulder Aat , de Koning Berend B.R. , Kloppenburg Margreet , de Almeida Rodrigo Coutinho , Ramos Yolande FM , Guilak Farshid , Meulenbelt Ingrid
Published: July 2024

The pericellular matrix (PCM), with its hallmark proteins collagen type VI (COLVI) and fibronectin (FN), surrounds chondrocytes and is critical in transducing the biomechanical cues. To identify genetic variants that change protein function, exome sequencing is performed in a patient with symptomatic OA at multiple joint sites. A predicted damaging variant in COL6A3 is identified and introduced by CRISPR‐Cas9 genome engineering in two established human induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived in‐vitro neocartilage organoid models. The downstream effects of the COL6A3 variant on the chondrocyte phenotypic state are studied by a multi‐omics (mRNA and lncRNA) approach in interaction with hyper‐physiological mechanical loading conditions. The damaging variant in COL6A3 results in significantly lower binding between the PCM proteins COLVI and FN and provokes an osteoarthritic chondrocyte state. By subsequently exposing the neocartilage organoids to hyperphysiological mechanical stress, it is demonstrated that the COL6A3 variant in chondrocytes abolishes the characteristic inflammatory signaling response after mechanical loading with PTGS2, PECAM1, and ADAMTS5, as central genes. Finally, by integrating epigenetic regulation, the lncRNA MIR31HG is identified as key regulator of the characteristic inflammatory signaling response to mechanical loading.