bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eustatic and climatic controls on the development of the Wahiba Sand Sea, Sultanate of Oman
Authors: Radies Dirk , Preusser Frank , Matter Albert , Mange Maria
Published: November 2004

Aeolian sand sea accumulations can serve as valuable archives of climate change in continental environments. The Wahiba Sand Sea is situated at the northern margin of the area presently affected by Indian Summer Monsoon Circulation and it records environmental changes associated with this major climatic boundary over the last 160 000 years. The internal stratigraphy and evolution of the sand sea is investigated using a combination of outcrop, borehole, seismic and luminescence data. Proximity to the Indian Ocean means that the sand sea succession shows the influence of sea level changes on the sedimentary architecture and composition of the dune deposits. During the last two glacial periods, low global sea level was associated with a high input of bioclastic grains, reflecting the significance of subaerially exposed shelf areas as one of the main sources of aeolian sediment. The onset of aeolian sediment transport and deposition was related to the breakdown of stabilizing vegetation during arid periods that equate with sea level lowstands. The preservation of aeolian sediments by the formation of supersurfaces and associated palaeosoils took place during times of increased wetness and elevated groundwater tables. This interplay of constructive and destructive periods greatly influenced the sedimentary architecture. Oscillations of wet and dry periods between 160 000 and 130 000 years and 120 000–105 000 years ago are attributed to the evolution of a wet aeolian system. Younger periods of aeolian deposition around and after the last glacial maximum were characterized by dry aeolian conditions. No soil horizons developed during these times.
Ecology and non‐chemical control of Rumex crispus and R. obtusifolius (Polygonaceae): a review
Authors: Zaller J G
Published: November 2004

Rumex crispus and R. obtusifolius are among the most important perennial weeds in agriculture throughout the world. This literature survey revealed that the majority of studies on Rumex ecology, which were conducted under field conditions are of a descriptive nature, while experimental studies mainly report data derived under laboratory or greenhouse conditions. Areas on Rumex ecology which deserve more research include: historical development of Rumex infestations, field studies on seed and root ecology, population ecology, Rumex longevity, and impacts of global climate change on the performance of these species. Although biological, mechanical and cultural control methods were often effective in controlling Rumex populations, they were rarely successful enough to eradicate the weeds. As both species are considered to be indicators of agricultural mismanagement, there is a definite need for well‐replicated, full‐factorial, long‐term field experiments to assess the role of management factors most often stated to be responsible for Rumex infestation and distribution (e.g. high soil N and K levels, slurry and farmyard manure application, sward disturbance, cutting frequency, grazing management, ploughing, soil compaction). It is recommended that future research on non‐chemical Rumex control should focus more on the efficacy of combined applications of biological, mechanical and cultural control methods.
Receptor kinases with leucine‐rich repeats are enriched in Triton X‐100 insoluble plasma membrane microdomains from plants
Authors: Shahollari Bationa , Peskan‐Berghöfer Tatjana , Oelmüller Ralf
Published: November 2004

In mammals, signalling components at the cell surface are clustered in Triton X‐100 insoluble plasma membrane microdomains. We isolated plasma membrane microdomains from Arabidopsis and mustard cotyledons and determined their protein composition by mass spectrometry. Although the protein composition of the plant vesicles differ from the composition of the animal vesicles, they are also enriched in signalling components. We identified at least seven receptor kinases with leucine‐rich repeats, 10 other kinases, the β subunit of heterotrimeric G‐proteins and five small GTP‐binding proteins. Thus, specific signalling components are highly enriched in plant plasma membrane microdomains while others are excluded.
Contribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to the adaptations exhibited by the deciduous shrub Anthyllis cytisoides L. under water deficit
Authors: Goicoechea Nieves , Merino Silvia , Sánchez‐Díaz Manuel
Published: November 2004

Anthyllis cytisoides L. is highly colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and behaves as a drought‐avoider species in the field. Our objectives were: (1) to study the response of A. cytisoides when exposed to moderate (acclimation) or severe (peak) drought and subsequent rewatering under nursery conditions; and (2) to verify if AMF improved the adaptation of A. cytisoides to stress. The soil compactness in drought‐acclimated treatments increased four times compared with that of well‐watered controls, which could reinforce the effects of water deficit on plant physiology. Photosynthetic rates decreased by around 50% and 70% and leaf conductance decreased by 40% and 50% in drought‐acclimated non‐mycorrhizal and mycorrhizal plants, respectively. Peak drought limited plant growth, accelerated leaf senescence and induced the conversion of starch into soluble sugars in the leaves of stressed plants. The accumulation of sugars could contribute to a decrease in water potential in order to achieve the required tension to let water move from soil to shoot. Mycorrhizal plants showed a two‐fold higher chlorotic leaf biomass than non‐mycorrhizal plants under severe drought. Moreover, mycorrhizal A. cytisoides showed enhanced epicuticular waxes on the surfaces of the remaining green leaves. Increased leaf senescence, together with wax deposition, could reduce whole plant transpiration, thus allowing mycorrhizal plants to maintain a higher leaf relative water content (50%) than non‐mycorrhizal plants (35%). After drought recovery, leaf abscission in stressed mycorrhizal plants was 10 times greater than that in non‐mycorrhizal plants. The results suggest that AMF conferred greater responsiveness of A. cytisoides to drought. Enhanced wax deposition and leaf senescence could be an ecological adaptation to cope with severe water deficit.
Expression of genes for alcohol dehydrogenase and pyruvate decarboxylase in petals of cut carnation flowers in response to hypoxia and anoxia
Authors: Owen Carolyn A. , Spano Thodhoraq , Hajjar Shady E. , Tunaru Virginia , Harytunyan Shagane , Filali Lamia , Kalaitzis Panagiotis
Published: November 2004

Two full‐length cDNAs encoding alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH, EC 1.1.1.1) and pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC, EC 4.1.1.1), named Dcadh1 and Dcpdc1, respectively, were cloned from the petals of cut carnation flowers exposed to hypoxia (1.5% O2). Dcadh1 and Dcpdc1 transcripts were accumulated in large amounts in the petals of carnation flowers 2 and 3 h after the exposure of the flowers to hypoxia and anoxia, respectively. The accumulation of the transcripts was accompanied by subsequent increases in the ADH and PDC activities in the petals. The rapid and massive induction of Dcadh1 and Dcpdc1 expression and their enzymatic activities make these genes useful molecular markers for the early events of hypoxic adaptation in cut carnation flowers. The long‐term objective of this research is to induce a hypoxia‐like response in cut carnation flowers maintained under normoxic conditions in order to extend their vase life. Cut carnation flowers represent a good model system to study the molecular triggering of the hypoxic response.
Association of Piriformospora indica with Arabidopsis thaliana roots represents a novel system to study beneficial plant–microbe interactions and involves early plant protein modifications in the endoplasmic reticulum and at the plasma membrane
Authors: Peškan‐Berghöfer Tatjana , Shahollari Bationa , Giong Pham Huong , Hehl Solveig , Markert Christine , Blanke Verena , Kost Gerhard , Varma Ajit , Oelmüller Ralf
Published: November 2004

Piriformospora indica, an endophytic fungus of the Sebacinaceae family, colonizes the roots of a wide variety of plant species and promotes their growth, in a manner similar to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The results of the present study demonstrate that the fungus interacts also with the non‐mycorrhizal host Arabidopsis thaliana and promotes its growth. The interaction is detectable by the appearance of a strong autofluorescence in the roots, followed by the colonization of root cells by fungal hyphae and the generation of chlamydospores. Promotion of root growth was detectable even before noticeable root colonization. Membrane‐associated proteins from control roots and roots after cultivation with P. indica were separated by two‐dimensional gel‐electrophoresis and identified by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry. Differences were found in the expression of glucosidase II, beta‐glucosidase PYK10, two glutathione‐S‐transferases and several so‐far uncharacterized proteins. Based on conserved domains present in the latter proteins their possible roles in plant–microbe interaction are predicted. Taken together, the present results suggest that the interaction of Arabidopsis thaliana with P. indica is a powerful model system to study beneficial plant–microbe interaction at the molecular level. Furthermore, the successful accommodation of the fungus in the root cells is preceded by protein modifications in the endoplasmatic reticulum as well as at the plasma membrane of the host.
Methyl jasmonate down‐regulates endogenous cytokinin levels in cotyledons of Cucurbita pepo (zucchini) seedlings
Authors: Ananieva Kalina , Malbeck Jiři , Kamínek Miroslav , Van Staden Johannes
Published: November 2004

Endogenous cytokinins (CK) were measured in Cucurbita pepo L. (zucchini) cotyledons after spraying 7‐day‐old seedlings with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) to examine whether the senescence‐promoting action of MeJA is associated with changes in metabolic regulation of CK levels. MeJA promoted senescence as estimated by the loss of chlorophyll and injury to chloroplast ultrastructure. This was already detected one day after treatment. The contents of physiologically active CKs determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (CK bases: trans‐zeatin, dihydrozeatin and isopentenyladenine and their ribosides), especially trans‐zeatin and its riboside declined considerably. CK nucleotides and physiologically inactive CK 7‐ and 9‐glucosides were also markedly decreased whereas the content of storage CK O‐glucosides as well as cis‐isomers of zeatin declined only slightly. Chlorophyll content and the normal chloroplast structure recovered 5 days after the MeJa treatment. The process of photosynthetic apparatus recovery correlated with an increased concentration of physiologically active CKs, especially Z. In contrast, the content of CK nucleotides and storage CK O‐glucosides decreased further. We suggest that the ability of MeJA to promote some aspects of senescence in intact zucchini cotyledons is at least partially due to down‐regulation of endogenous CK levels and their interconversion between active and inactive forms.
Oxidative stress induced by long‐term plum pox virus infection in peach (Prunus persica)
Authors: Hernández José Antonio , Rubio Manuel , Olmos Enrique , Ros‐Barceló Alfonso , Martínez‐Gómez Pedro
Published: November 2004

In this study, the effect of long‐term plum pox virus (PPV) infection on the response of certain antioxidant enzymes at the subcellular level was studied in peach plants (Prunus persica (L.) Batch) (cv. GF305), which are characterized by great susceptibility to the virus. In infected plants, a decrease in the efficiency of excitation energy capture by PSII (Fv′/Fm′) was observed, which was accompanied by a decrease in non‐photochemical quenching (NPQ). p‐Hydroxy‐mercury benzoic acid (pHMB)‐insensitive ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity (class III peroxidase) was detected in both chloroplast and soluble fractions. In soluble fractions from inoculated peaches, a significant increase in pHMB‐sensitive APX activity and a significant decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were observed. These changes were correlated with the observations in isolated chloroplasts, where an increase in both pHMB‐sensitive and pHMB‐insensitive APX activities was observed, whereas significant decreases in SOD, monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities were produced. According to these results, as a consequence of PPV infection, an oxidative stress, indicated by an increase in lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation, was produced in peach leaves, which was monitored by the diaminobenzidine (DAB) peroxidase‐coupled H2O2 probe. PPV infection produced an alteration in chloroplast ultrastructure, giving rise to dilated thylakoid membranes. PPV‐infected peach leaves showed a decreased amount of starch in chloroplasts from palisade parenchyma, as well as an increase in the number and size of plastoglobuli, in relation to control plants. The results suggest that long‐term PPV infection produces an oxidative stress, and that an antioxidative metabolism imbalance may be related to the progress of PPV infection and symptoms in peach plants.
Evaluation of a malarial antibody assay for use in the screening of blood and tissue products for clinical use
Authors: Kitchen A. D. , Lowe P. H. J , Lalloo K. , Chiodini P. L.
Published: November 2004

Background and Objectives  A new recombinant Plasmodium antigen enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the detection of malarial antibodies was evaluated for the screening of ‘malaria‐risk’ blood and tissue donations.

Materials and Methods  A total of 13 269 donor and patient samples were tested by both the EIA and the standard diagnostic antibody immunofluorescence test (IFAT).

Results  A total of 114/138 (82·6%) samples from patients with P. falciparum and 11/13 (84·6%) samples from patients with P. vivax tested positive. A total of 714/13 053 (5·47%) samples from donors identified as ‘malaria risk’, owing to residency or travel, were reactive in the EIA.

Conclusions  The assay is more sensitive than a previously implemented malarial antibody EIA (73% in acute P. falciparum and 56% in acute P. vivax infections). The sensitivity of this new EIA is comparable to that of the IFAT, and the specificity is sufficient to screen ‘malaria‐risk’ donors.
Effects of extended storage of whole blood before leucocyte depletion on coagulation factors in plasma
Authors: Kretzschmar E. , Kruse F. , Greiss O. , Paunovic D. , Kallweit T. , Trobisch H.
Published: November 2004

Background and Objectives  The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of leucocyte‐depleted plasma produced from leucocyte‐depleted whole blood, stored for different periods of times before filtration through polyurethane filters.

Materials and Methods  Whole blood was collected, from 48 voluntary donors, into quadruple blood bag sets with integrated whole‐blood filters, and stored at room temperature for 1, 2, 6, or 18 h before filtration. Five samples were taken: one directly from the donor; one immediately after collection; one before and one after filtration; and one from plasma units before freezing. All samples were analysed for the following parameters: prothrombin time; activated partial thromboplastin time; prothrombin fragments F1+2; fibrinogen; factors VIII, XI and XII; von Willebrand factor antigen; ristocetin cofactor activity; collagen‐binding capacity; multimers; and complement C3a‐desArg.

Results  Different whole‐blood storage times before filtration did not have a significant effect on the stability of coagulation factors. The activity of all investigated coagulation factors in plasma was generally above 90 U/dl, even after 18 h of storage of whole blood before filtration. von Willebrand factor multimeric distribution remained stable throughout the process. However, activation of complement did occur during storage.

Conclusions  Leucodepleted plasma originating from leucodepleted whole blood maintains a satisfactory level of coagulation factors, even after the storage of whole blood for 18 h at room temperature before filtration.
GABAC RECEPTOR ION CHANNELS
Authors: Chebib M
Published: November 2004

1. The present review gives an overview of studies conducted on GABAC receptors over the past 10 years since the author started at the University of Sydney. It concentrates on the structure–activity relationship profiles of the receptor and how these studies were used to: (i) develop selective GABAC receptor ligands; and (ii) understand the impact of amino acid changes on GABAC receptor pharmacology and function.

2. Structure–activity relationship studies involving variations of both ligands and their receptor targets are vital to the discovery of drugs that interact selectively with particular native and mutant receptor subtypes. Such agents may be useful for treating anxiety, depression, epilepsyand memory related disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease.
EFFECTS OF VITAMIN E ON THE CINNAMALDEHYDE‐INDUCED APOPTOTIC MECHANISM IN HUMAN PLC/PRF/5 CELLS
Authors: Wu Shu‐Jing , Ng Lean‐Teik , Lin Chun‐Ching
Published: November 2004

1. Cinnamaldehyde has been shown to be effective in inducing cell apoptosis in a number of human cancer cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of vitamin E on the apoptotic signalling mechanism induced by cinnamaldehyde in human hepatoma PLC/PRF/5 cells.

2. Using the XTT assay, cinnamaldehyde exhibited a powerful antiproliferative effect on PLC/PRF/5 cells. Apoptosis was elicited when cells were treated with 1 µmol/L cinnamaldehyde, as characterized by the appearance of phosphatidylserine on the outer surface of the plasma membrane.

3. The apoptotic effect induced by cinnamaldehyde could be further supported by the release of cytochrome c, Smac/Diablo and Omi/HtrA2 from mitochondria to the cytosol and activation of caspase 3. Cinnamaldehyde also upregulated the expression of pro‐apoptotic protein (Bax) and down‐regulated the levels of anti‐apoptotic proteins, such as Bcl‐2 and the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family (X‐linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein (cIAP)‐1 and cIAP‐2).

4. Cinnamaldehyde induces the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells. Following the pre‐incubation of PLC/PRF/5 cells with anti‐oxidants, it was found that 100 µmol/L vitamin E significantly diminished the effect of cinnamaldehyde‐induced apoptosis, whereas a lesser effect was seen with on 100 µmol/L N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine. Vitamin E effectively blocked the release of cytochrome c, Smac/Diablo and Omi/HtrA2 from mitochondria to the cytosol in cells treated with cinnamaldehyde. Vitamin E also markedly suppressed caspase 3 activation. The expression of apoptotic inhibitors (XIAP, cIAP‐1, cIAP‐2) and anti‐apoptotic (Bcl‐2) and pro‐apoptotic (Bax) proteins was affected by vitamin E pretreatment.

5. Taken together, the results suggest that cinnamaldehyde triggers apoptosis possibly through the mitochondrial pathway. Pretreatment with vitamin E markedly prevented cinnamaldehyde‐mediated apoptosis, which was associated with the modulation of XIAP, cIAP‐1, cIAP‐2, Bcl‐2 and Bax protein activity.
INVENTORIES AND FIXED INVESTMENT
Authors: BO HONG
Published: November 2004

We model fixed investment incorporating the inventory decision of the firm. Using Dutch listed nonfinancial firms during 1985–2000, we find that the inventory stock is negatively associated with fixed investment. The results suggest that the inventory stock may be used by the firm as a buffer in response to unexpectedly high demand. In addition, the firm may hold the inventory stock as a contingency substitute for the financial source of fixed investment.
FOREIGN CAPITAL AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
Authors: PAUL SATYA , TRUONG CONG N.
Published: November 2004

This paper examines the economic implications of institutional arrangements by which foreign investors are required to reinvest a certain percentage of their capital within the host country. Our analysis shows that foreign capital inflow can produce long‐lasting economic benefits to the host country only when the foreign capital reinvestment rate is sufficiently greater than the host country's saving rate. In this case, the economy evolves into a unique steady state equilibrium, which is also asymptotically stable. The paper also presents several comparative static results regarding the responses of steady state capital‐labour ratio and the proportion of foreign capital in total capital to changes in the population growth rate, the rate of capital depreciation, the host country's saving rate and the foreign capital reinvestment rate.
LEARNING, EXTERNALITIES, AND THE SALE OF INVENTIONS TO FIRMS WITH CORRELATED VALUATIONS
Authors: KING JOHN T.
Published: November 2004

I examine how an inventor's ability to learn affects the bargaining outcome when she attempts to sell a discovery to one of two oligopolistically competitive firms with correlated and private valuations. It is shown that learning gives the inventor an incentive to lower her proposed price to the first firm approached since being rejected would cause her to be pessimistic when dealing with the second firm. At the same time, however, the inventor would like to raise her proposed price since this pessimism is weaker if she is rejected upon making a high proposal. Another incentive to raise the proposal comes from the fact that learning increases the first firm's willingness to pay for the invention. Computational results suggest that the first effect dominates and thus the inventor lowers her proposal in the first round. When dealing with the second firm, it is shown that learning results in a lower equilibrium proposal and contracting with more types. Moreover, it is shown that the cost of lowering the proposed price outweighs the benefit of contracting with more types so that learning in general reduces the continuation value associated with contracting in the second round.
THE BUILT‐IN FLEXIBILITY OF INCOME AND CONSUMPTION TAXES IN NEW ZEALAND
Authors: CREEDY JOHN , GEMMELL NORMAN
Published: November 2004

This paper provides estimates of individual and aggregate revenue elasticities of income and consumption taxes in New Zealand, based on the 2001 tax structure and expenditure patterns. Using analytical expressions for revenue elasticities at the individual and aggregate levels, together with a simulated income distribution, values for New Zealand were obtained. Results using equi‐proportional income changes suggest that the aggregate income and consumption tax revenue elasticities are both fairly constant as mean income increases, at around 1.3 and 0.95 respectively. This latter estimate assumes that increases in disposable income are accompanied by approximately proportional increases in total expenditure. If there is a tendency for the savings proportion to increase as disposable income increases, a somewhat lower total consumption tax revenue elasticity, of around 0.9, is obtained for 2001 income levels. However, non‐equiproportional income changes are more realistic. Allowing for regression towards the geometric mean income reduces these elasticities, giving an elasticity for income and consumption taxes combined that is only slightly above unity. Examination of the tax‐share weighted expenditure elasticities for various goods also revealed that, despite the adoption of a broad based GST at a uniform rate in New Zealand, the persistence of various excises has an important effect on the overall consumption tax revenue elasticity, especially for individuals at relatively low income levels.
UNLIMITED SUPPLIES OF LABOR1
Authors: TIGNOR ROBERT
Published: November 2004

This paper examines the background to the birth and reception of W. ArthurLewis's 1954Manchester Schoolpaper on ‘Economic Development with Unlimited Supplies of Labour’. It considers the development of Lewis's thinking leading up to the paper, weighing the diverse influences from economic history and economic thought. It then discusses the reception of Lewis's paper in the context of the diverse standpoints representing economic thinking on development at the time, and their impact on Lewis's subsequent refinement of his model.
DUALISM IN THE LABOR MARKET: A PERSPECTIVE ON THE LEWIS MODEL AFTER HALF A CENTURY
Authors: FIELDS GARY S.
Published: November 2004

This paper asks how the Lewis model might be viewed from the perspective of economic science half a century later. Many of the core propositions remain intact, some might be amplified and a small number might be revised.
Cognitive modeling of key interpretation in melody perception1
Authors: YOSHINO IWAO , ABE JUN‐ICHI
Published: November 2004

Abstract:  We constructed a computational model that predicted a plausible key and the degree of tonality for any given melody sequence (pitch sequence), through a step‐wise or incremental series of computations. In an experiment, 13 musically trained participants listened to 30 Bach fugue subjects and random tone sequences and were asked to identify plausible keys and rate the tonality of the keys. The incremental predictions of our computational model were compared to the behavior of the human participants, as well as to predictions derived from models developed by Krumhansl (1990) and Longuet‐Higgins and Steedman (1971). Our computational model provided the best‐fitting cognitive model of the process of participants’ tonal organization in melody perception.
Exosomes: A Bubble Ride for Prions?
Authors: Février Benoît , Vilette Didier , Laude Hubert , Raposo Graça
Published: November 2004

In certain cell types, endosomal multivesicular bodies may fuse with the cell surface in an exocytic manner. During this process, the small 50–90‐nm‐diameter vesicles contained in their lumen are released into the extracellular environment. The released vesicles are called exosomes. Exosome secretion can be used by cells to eject molecules targeted to intraluminal vesicles of multivesicular bodies, but particular cell types exploit exosomes as intercellular communication devices for transfer of proteins and lipids between cells. The molecular composition of exosomes is determined by sorting events within endosomes that occur concomitantly with the generation of intraluminal vesicles. As other raft‐associated components, the glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐linked prion protein transits through multivesicular bodies. Recent findings in non‐neuronal cell models indicate prion protein association with secreted exosomes. Thus, exosomes could constitute vehicles for transmission of the infectious prion protein, bypassing cell–cell contact in the dissemination of prions.
Relation between access to tobacco and adolescent smoking
Authors: Dent C , Biglan A
Published: November 2004

Objective:To examine the relation between rates of sales of tobacco to minors and youth smoking prevalence.

Design:Repeated annual cross sectional surveys.

Setting:Seventy five communities in Oregon.

Participants:A random sample of students in grades 8 and 11 (ages 13 and 17 years) and retail outlets in each participating community.

Main outcome measures:Thirty day and daily smoking prevalence.

Results:The rate of illegal merchant sales in the communities was related to the smoking rate for 11th graders in those communities, but not for 8th graders. For every 10% increase in illegal sales rates there was an estimated 0.8% increase in 11th grade 30 day smoking prevalence and a 0.4% increase in daily smoking. Communities with lower illegal merchant sales rates had expanded use of social sources and reduced use of commercial sources by 11th graders, with the opposite pattern seen in 8th graders.

Conclusions:There appears to be a relatively small positive linear relation between the community rate of sales to minors and 11th grade youth smoking prevalence in those communities. Youth adjust their tobacco sources depending on the level of commercial availability.
“Care and feeding”: the Asian environmental tobacco smoke consultants programme
Authors: Assunta M , Fields N , Knight J , Chapman S
Published: November 2004

Study objective:To review the tobacco industry’s Asian environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) consultants programme, focusing on three key nations: China, Hong Kong, and Malaysia.

Methods:Systematic keyword and opportunistic website searches of formerly private internal industry documents.

Main results:The release of the 1986 US Surgeon General’s report on second hand smoke provoked tobacco companies to prepare for a major threat to their industry. Asian programme activities included conducting national/international symposiums, consultant “road shows” and extensive lobbying and media activities. The industry exploited confounding factors said to be unique to Asian societies such as diet, culture and urban pollution to downplay the health risks of ETS. The industry consultants were said to be “…prepared to do the kinds of things they were recruited to do”.

Conclusions:The programme was successful in blurring the science on ETS and keeping the controversy alive both nationally and internationally. For the duration of the project, it also successfully dissuaded national policy makers from instituting comprehensive bans on smoking in public places.
Corporate social responsibility and the tobacco industry: hope or hype?
Authors: Hirschhorn N
Published: November 2004

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) emerged from a realisation among transnational corporations of the need to account for and redress their adverse impact on society: specifically, on human rights, labour practices, and the environment. Two transnational tobacco companies have recently adopted CSR: Philip Morris, and British American Tobacco. This report explains the origins and theory behind CSR; examines internal company documents from Philip Morris showing the company’s deliberations on the matter, and the company’s perspective on its own behaviour; and reflects on whether marketing tobacco is antithetical to social responsibility.
Tobacco attributable deaths in South Africa
Authors: Sitas F , Urban M , Bradshaw D , Kielkowski D , Bah S , Peto R
Published: November 2004

Background:In mid 1998, a question “Was the deceased a smoker five years ago?” was introduced on the newly revised South African death notification form.

Design:A total of 16 230 new death notification forms from 1998 have been coded, and comparison of the prevalence of smoking among those who died of different causes was used to estimate, by case–control comparisons, tobacco attributed mortality in South Africa. Cases comprised deaths from causes known (from other studies) to be causally associated with smoking, and controls comprised deaths from medical conditions expected to be unrelated to smoking. Those who died from external causes, and from diseases strongly related to alcohol consumption, were excluded.

Subjects:Reports were available from 5340 deceased adults (age 25+), whose smoking status was given by a family member.

Results:Significantly increased risks were found for deaths from tuberculosis (odds ratio (OR) 1.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23 to 2.11), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.9 to 3.4), lung cancer (OR 4.8, 95% CI 2.9 to 8.0), other upper aerodigestive cancer (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.9 to 4.9) and ischaemic heart disease (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.3).

Conclusion:If smokers had the same death rate as non-smokers, 58% of lung cancer deaths, 37% of COPD deaths, 20% of tuberculosis deaths, and 23% of vascular deaths would have been avoided. About 8% of all adult deaths in South Africa (more than 20 000 deaths a year) were caused by smoking.
Tobacco smoking using a waterpipe: a re-emerging strain in a global epidemic
Authors: Maziak W , Ward K D , Afifi Soweid R A , Eissenberg T
Published: November 2004

Context:The global tobacco epidemic may kill 10 million people annually in the next 20–30 years, with 70% of these deaths occurring in developing countries. Current research, treatment, and policy efforts focus on cigarettes, while many people in developing regions (Asia, Indian subcontinent, Eastern Mediterranean) smoke tobacco using waterpipes. Waterpipes are increasing in popularity, and more must be learned about them so that we can understand their effects on public health, curtail their spread, and help their users quit.

Objective:To conduct a comprehensive review regarding global waterpipe use, in order to identify current knowledge, guide scientific research, and promote public policy.

Data sources:AMedlinesearch using as keywords “waterpipe”, “narghile”, “arghile”, “shisha”, “hookah”, “goza”, “hubble bubble” and variant spellings (for example, “hooka”; “hukka”) was conducted. Resources compiled recently by members of GLOBALink were used.

Study selection:Every identified published study related to waterpipe use was included.

Data synthesis:Research regarding waterpipe epidemiology and health effects is limited; no published studies address treatment efforts. Waterpipe use is increasing globally, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, where perceptions regarding health effects and traditional values may facilitate use among women and children. Waterpipe smoke contains harmful constituents and there is preliminary evidence linking waterpipe smoking to a variety of life threatening conditions, including pulmonary disease, coronary heart disease, and pregnancy related complications.

Conclusions:More scientific documentation and careful analysis is required before the spread of waterpipe use and its health effects can be understood, and empirically guided treatment and public policy strategies can be implemented.
The wealth effects of smoking
Authors: Zagorsky J L
Published: November 2004

Objective:To investigate the impact of smoking on the wealth of US young baby boomers.

Methodology:The research analyses self reported responses of both smoking habits and wealth holdings from a nationally representative sample of US individuals born between 1957 to 1964 (n  =  8908). Data are from four waves (1984, 1992, 1994, 1998) of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 cohort, a random survey of individuals conducted by the US Department of Labor using a stratified multistage area sample design.

Results:Regression results show lower net worth is associated with smoking, after holding constant a variety of demographic factors. Respondents who were ever heavy smokers are associated with a reduction in net worth of over $8300 while light smokers are $2000 poorer compared to non-smokers. Beyond this reduction, each adult year of smoking is associated with a decrease in net worth of $410 or almost 4%.

Conclusions:While a causal relation cannot be proven, smokers appear to pay for tobacco expenditures out of income that is saved by non-smokers. Hence, reductions in smoking will boost wealth, especially among the poor.
“The world’s most hostile environment”: how the tobacco industry circumvented Singapore’s advertising ban: Table 1
Authors: Assunta M , Chapman S
Published: November 2004

Objective:To review how tobacco transnational companies conducted their business in the hostile environment of Singapore, attempting to counter some of the government’s tobacco control measures; to compare the Malaysian and the Singaporean governments’ stance on tobacco control and the direct bearing of this on the way the tobacco companies conduct their business.

Methods:Systematic keyword and opportunistic website searches of formerly private internal industry documents.

Results:The comprehensive prohibition on advertising did not prevent the companies from advertising cigarettes to Singaporeans. Both British American Tobacco and Philip Morris used Malaysian television to advertise into Singapore. To launch a new brand of cigarettes, Alpine, Philip Morris used a non-tobacco product, the Alpine wine cooler. Other creative strategies such as innovative packaging and display units at retailers were explored to overcome the restrictions. Philip Morris experimented with developing a prototype cigarette using aroma and sweetened tipping paper to target the young and health conscious. The industry sought to weaken the strong pack warnings. The industry distributed anti-smoking posters for youth to retailers but privately salivated over their market potential.
Breaking and re-entering: British American Tobacco in China 1979–2000
Authors: Lee K , Gilmore A B , Collin J
Published: November 2004

Objectives:To analyse the strategy used by British American Tobacco (BAT) to re-enter the Chinese market from 1979 to 2000 after historically dominating the market before the 1950s.

Design:Analysis of tobacco industry document files to date available only on-site at the Guildford Depository operated by BAT. An additional search of recent documents related to BAT, placed in the Minnesota Depository, was also carried out.

Results:BAT has been committed to regaining its historically dominant position in China since the country reopened to foreign companies in 1979. Initially, BAT remained cautious relative to competitors in seeking joint ventures, finding market access hindered by bureaucratic complexity, restrictions on foreign investment and imports quotas, and later an advertising ban. Instead, the documents suggest BAT strongly relied on illegal imports to expand market presence of State Express 555 and other key brands. It was only when risks to contraband sales increased that the company made greater efforts to establish a legal presence in the country. Attempts to stress the long history of BAT in China and a proclaimed commitment to corporate social responsibility have been used to facilitate later negotiations.

Conclusion:China has remained relatively closed to transnational tobacco companies (TTCs) during its transition to a market economy, maintaining a firm grip over foreign investment and imports. Nonetheless, BAT has circumvented such restrictions through illegal imports and exploitation of inconsistencies in the local enforcement of advertising bans. Governments need to understand and address the full range of market entry tactics by TTCs in order to ensure effective tobacco control.
Competing with kreteks: transnational tobacco companies, globalisation, and Indonesia
Authors: Lawrence S , Collin J
Published: November 2004

Objective:To examine the strategies employed by transnational tobacco companies (TTCs) to compete more effectively compete with the dominant kretek manufacturers in Indonesia, and to consider implications of their failure.

Methods:Systematic analysis of corporate documents obtained from British American Tobacco’s (BAT’s) Guildford depository and from industry and tobacco control websites document collections.

Results:The limited progress of the TTCs in Indonesia is best explained by the distinctive political economy of its tobacco industry. Though effective when collaborating on regulatory issues of mutual interest, TTCs have been less able than kretek manufacturers to exercise political influence where their interests conflict. Global strategies of TTCs have undergone significant local adaptation in attempting to compete in this distinctive environment. While maintaining uniformity in core brand attributes, TTCs have sought to reconcile international imagery with local norms, particularly to appeal to women. BAT unsuccessfully attempted to develop clove based products that imitated the appeal of kreteks, withdrawn following concerns about exposing the company to charges of operating double standards.

Conclusions:The documents presented highlight the complexity of the global tobacco industry. Tobacco control efforts need to address more effectively the ongoing impact of kreteks while recognising the distinctive threats posed by TTCs.
FUNCTIONAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS VIEWED AS GRAMMARS
Authors: WILMES THOMAS
Published: November 2004

Functional production systems, which have been represented so far as a unification of functional and logic programming, are reviewed as a highly compact grammar concept, generalizing two-level, definite clause, macro, and attribute grammars.
ON THE COMPLEXITY OF COMPUTING OPTIMAL SOLUTIONS
Authors: CHEN ZHI-ZHONG , TODA SEINOSUKE
Published: November 2004

We study the computational complexity of computing optimal solutions (the solutions themselves, not just their cost) for NP optimization problems where the costs of feasible solutions are bounded above by a polynomial in the length of their instances (we simply denote by NPOP such an NP optimization problem). It is of particular interest to find a computational structure (or equivalently, a complexity class) which. captures that complexity, if we consider the problems of computing optimal solutions for NPOP’s as a class of functions giving those optimal solutions. In this paper, we will observe that [Formula: see text] the class of functions computable in polynomial-time with one free evaluation of unbounded parallel queries to NP oracle sets, captures that complexity. We first show that for any NPOP Π, there exists a polynomial-time bounded randomized algorithm which, given an instance of Π, uses one free evaluation of parallel queries to an NP oracle set and outputs some optimal solution of the instance with very high probability. We then show that for several natural NPOP’s, any function giving those optimal solutions is at least as computationally hard as all functions in [Formula: see text]. To show the hardness results, we introduce a property of NPOP’s, called paddability, and we show a general result that if Π is a paddable NPOP and its associated decision problem is NP-hard, then all functions in [Formula: see text] are computable in polynomial-time with one free evaluation of an arbitrary function giving optimal solutions for instances of Π. The hardness results are applications of this general result. Among the NPOP’s, we include MAXIMUM CLIQUE, MINIMUM COLORING, LONGEST PATH, LONGEST CYCLE, 0–1 TRAVELING SALESPERSON, and 0–1 INTEGER PROGRAMMING.
FROM PETRI NETS TO LINEAR LOGIC THROUGH CATEGORIES: A SURVEY
Authors: MARTÍ -OLIET NARCISO , MESEGUER JOSÉ
Published: November 2004

Linear logic has been introduced by Girard as a logic of actions that seems well suited for concurrent computation. This paper surveys recent work on the applications of linear logic to concurrency, with special emphasis on Petri nets and on the use of categorical models. In particular, we present a synthesis of our previous work on the systematic correspondence between Petri nets, linear logic theories, and linear categories, and explain its relationships to work by many other authors. Throughout, we discuss the computational interpretation of the linear logic connectives and illustrate the ideas with examples.

Categories play an important role in this survey. On the one hand, from a computational perspective, they are interpreted as concurrent systems whose objects are states, and whose morphisms are transitions; on the other hand, when a model-theoretic perspective is adopted, they provide a very flexible conceptual framework within which the relationships among quite different models already proposed for linear logic can be better understood; this framework also suggests the study of new models and an axiomatic treatment of classes of models. Our categorical semantics for linear logic is based on dualizing objects and permits a very simple presentation of ideas requiring a more complicated treatment in the language of *-autonomous categories.
CONCURRENT AUTOMATA AND DOMAINS
Authors: DROSTE MANFRED
Published: November 2004

We introduce an operational model of concurrent systems, called automata with concurrency relations. These are labeled transition systems [Formula: see text] in which the event set is endowed with a collection of symmetric binary relations which describe when two events at a particular state of [Formula: see text] commute. This model generalizes the recent concept of Stark’s trace automata. A permutation equivalence for computation sequences of [Formula: see text] arises canonically, and we obtain a natural domain [Formula: see text] comprising the induced equivalence classes. We give a complete order-theoretic characterization of all such partial orders [Formula: see text] which turn out to be particular finitary domains. The arising domains [Formula: see text] are particularly pleasant Scott-domains, if [Formula: see text] is assumed to be concurrent, i.e. if the concurrency relations of [Formula: see text] depend (in a natural way) locally on each other, but not necessarily globally. We show that both event domains and dI-domains arise, up to isomorphism, as domains [Formula: see text] with well-behaved such concurrent automata [Formula: see text]. We introduce a subautomaton relationship for concurrent automata and show that, given two concurrency domains (D, ≤), (D′, ≤), there exists a nice stable embedding-projection pair from D to D′ iff D, D′ can be generated by concurrent automata [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] is a subautomaton of [Formula: see text]. Finally, we introduce the concept of locally finite concurrent automata as a limit of finite concurrent automata and show that there exists a universal homogeneous locally finite concurrent automaton, which is unique up to isomorphism.
A BACKPROPAGATION ALGORITHM FOR A NETWORK OF NEURONS WITH THRESHOLD CONTROLLED SYNAPSES
Authors: Hartstein A.
Published: November 2004

Neurons with threshold controlled synapses are easier to implement in VLSI technology than the more commonly studied multiplicative-type synapses. In this paper I derive a backpropagation algorithm which is suitable for networks using this type of neuron. The decision surface obtained from this type of network is composed out of elementary hyperoctahedra centered on each point in decision space. Simulations of a simple two-layer feedforward network are used to show that a network with one hidden layer can learn the logical AND, OR, and XOR functions, and in addition solve the eight-bit parity problem and the four-bit problem.
NEURAL NETS FOR DUAL SUBSPACE PATTERN RECOGNITION METHOD
Authors: Xu Lei , Krzyzak Adam , Oja Erkki
Published: November 2004

A new modification of the subspace pattern recognition method, called the dual subspace pattern recognition (DSPR) method, is proposed, and neural network models combining both constrained Hebbian and anti-Hebbian learning rules are developed for implementing the DSPR method. An experimental comparison is made by using our model and a three-layer forward net with backpropagation learning. The results illustrate that our model can outperform the backpropagation model in suitable applications.
BACKPROPAGATION LEARNING FOR MULTILAYER FEED-FORWARD NEURAL NETWORKS USING THE CONJUGATE GRADIENT METHOD
Authors: Johansson E.M. , Dowla F.U. , Goodman D.M.
Published: November 2004

In many applications, the number of interconnects or weights in a neural network is so large that the learning time for the conventional backpropagation algorithm can become excessively long. Numerical optimization theory offers a rich and robust set of techniques which can be applied to neural networks to improve learning rates. In particular, the conjugate gradient method is easily adapted to the backpropagation learning problem. This paper describes the conjugate gradient method, its application to the backpropagation learning problem and presents results of numerical tests which compare conventional backpropagation, steepest descent and the conjugate gradient methods. For the parity problem, we find that the conjugate gradient method is an order of magnitude faster than conventional backpropagation with momentum.