On Elkan's theorems: Clarifying their meaning via simple proofs

This article deals with the claims that “a standard version of fuzzy logic collapses mathematically to two‐valued logic” made by Charles Elkan in two papers [Proc 11th National Conf on AI, Menlo Park, CA: AAAI Press, 1993, pp 698–703; IEEE Expert 1994;9:3–8]. Although Elkan's effort to trivialize fuzzy logic has been questioned by numerous authors, our aim is to examine in detail his formal arguments and make some new observations. We present alternative, considerably simpler proofs of Elkan's theorems and use these proofs to argue that Elkan's claims are unwarranted. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Int Syst 22: 203–207, 2007.     

Genome-Wide DNA Methylation in Policemen Working in Cities Differing by Major Sources of Air Pollution

DNA methylation is the most studied epigenetic mechanism that regulates gene expression, and it can serve as a useful biomarker of prior environmental exposure and future health outcomes. This study focused on DNA methylation profiles in a human cohort, comprising 125 nonsmoking city policemen (sampled twice), living and working in three localities (Prague, Ostrava and Ceske Budejovice) of the Czech Republic, who spent the majority of their working time outdoors. The main characterization of the localities, differing by major sources of air pollution, was defined by the stationary air pollution monitoring of PM2.5, B[a]P and NO₂. DNA methylation was analyzed by a genome-wide microarray method. No season-specific DNA methylation pattern was discovered; however, we identified 13,643 differentially methylated CpG loci (DML) for a comparison between the Prague and Ostrava groups. The most significant DML was cg10123377 (log₂FC = −1.92, p = 8.30 × 10⁻⁴) and loci annotated to RPTOR (total 20 CpG loci). We also found two hypomethylated loci annotated to the DNA repair gene XRCC5. Groups of DML annotated to the same gene were linked to diabetes mellitus (KCNQ1), respiratory diseases (PTPRN2), the dopaminergic system of the brain and neurodegenerative diseases (NR4A2). The most significant possibly affected pathway was Axon guidance, with 86 potentially deregulated genes near DML. The cluster of gene sets that could be affected by DNA methylation in the Ostrava groups mainly includes the neuronal functions and biological processes of cell junctions and adhesion assembly. The study demonstrates that the differences in the type of air pollution between localities can affect a unique change in DNA methylation profiles across the human genome.     

Encapsulation of textile dyes and textile auxiliary agents into liposome systems and their use for polyamide dyeing

The aim of this study was verification of the effect on the dyeing process of using microencapsulated forms of textile dyes and a textile auxiliary agent. Anionic dyes and ammonium sulphate were microencapsulated into the liposomic systems. Prepared liposomes were used for the dyeing of polyamide knitted goods. The ability of these microencapsulated forms to improve the uniformity of polyamide knitted goods dyeing was confirmed. This finding could be applied to the dyeing of polyamide substrates on an industrial scale, especially as the described process of microencapsulation is straightforward and could be performed in an industrial environment.     

On the capability of fuzzy set theory to represent concepts

The aim of this paper is to examine the conclusions drawn by Osherson and Smith ["On the adequacy of prototype theory as a theory of concepts", Cognition 9 (1981), pp. 35-58] concerning the inadequacy of the apparatus of fuzzy set theory to represent concepts. Since Osherson and Smith derive their conclusions from specific examples, we show for each of these examples that the respective conclusion they arrive at is not warranted. That is, we demonstrate that fuzzy set theory is sufficiently expressive to represent the various strong intuitions and experimental evidence regarding the relation between simple and combined concepts that are described by Osherson and Smith. To pursue our arguments, we introduce a few relevant notions of fuzzy set theory.     

The Impact of Indoles Activating the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor on Androgen Receptor Activity in the 22Rv1 Prostate Cancer Cell Line

The activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) by xenobiotic compounds was demonstrated to result in the degradation of the androgen receptor (AR). Since prostate cancer is often dependent on AR, it has become a significant therapeutic target. As a result of the emerging concept of bacterial mimicry, we tested whether compounds with indole scaffolds capable of AhR activation have the potential to restrict AR activity in prostate cancer cells. Altogether, 22 indolic compounds were tested, and all of them activated AhR. However, only eight decreased DHT-induced AR luciferase activity. All indoles, which met the AhR-activating and AR-suppressing criteria, decreased the expression of DHT-inducible AR target genes, specifically KLK3 and FKBP5 mRNAs. The reduced AR binding to the KLK3 promoter was confirmed by a chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. In addition, some indoles significantly decreased AR protein and mRNA level. By using CRISPR/Cas9 AhR knockout technology, no relationship between AhR and AR, measured as target gene expression, was observed. In conclusion, some indoles that activate AhR possess AR-inhibiting activity, which seems to be related to the downregulation of AR expression rather than to AR degradation alone. Moreover, there does not seem to be a clear relationship that would connect AhR activation with AR activity suppression in 22Rv1 cells.     

Photodoping and Fast Charge Extraction in Ionic Carbon Nitride Photoanodes

Ionic carbon nitrides based on poly(heptazine imides) (PHI) represent a vigorously studied class of materials with possible applications in photocatalysis and energy storage. Herein, for the first time, the photogenerated charge dynamics in highly stable and binder-free PHI photoanodes using in operando transient photocurrents and spectroelectrochemical photoinduced absorption measurements is studied. It is discovered that light-induced accumulation of long-lived trapped electrons within the PHI film leads to effective photodoping of the PHI film, resulting in a significant improvement of photocurrent response due to more efficient electron transport. While photodoping is previously reported for various semiconductors, it has not been shown before for carbon nitride materials. Furthermore, it is found that the extraction kinetics of untrapped electrons are remarkably fast in these PHI photoanodes, with electron extraction times (ms) comparable to those measured for commonly employed metal oxide semiconductors. These results shed light on the excellent performance of PHI photoanodes in alcohol photoreforming, including very negative photocurrent onset, outstanding fill factor, and the possibility to operate under zero-bias conditions. More generally, the here reported photodoping effect and fast electron extraction in PHI photoanodes establish a strong rationale for the use of PHI films in various applications, such as bias-free photoelectrochemistry or photobatteries.     

Self-ordered TiO2 quantum dot array prepared via anodic oxidation

The template-based methods belong to low-cost and rapid preparation techniques for various nanostructures like nanowires, nanotubes, and nanodots or even quantum dots [QDs]. The nanostructured surfaces with QDs are very promising in the application as a sensor array, also called ''fluorescence array detector.'' In particular, this new sensing approach is suitable for the detection of various biomolecules (DNA, proteins) in vitro (in clinical diagnostics) as well as for in vivo imaging.The paper deals with the fabrication of TiO₂ planar nanostructures (QDs) by the process of titanium anodic oxidation through an alumina nanoporous template on a silicon substrate. Scanning electron microscopy observation showed that the average diameter of TiO₂ QDs is less than 10 nm. Raman spectroscopic characterization of self-organized titania QDs confirmed the presence of an anatase phase after annealing at 400°C in vacuum. Such heat-treated TiO₂ QDs revealed a broad emission peak in the visible range (characterized by fluorescence spectroscopy).