bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficient and targeted delivery of siRNA in vivo
Authors: Shim Min Suk , Kwon Young Jik
Published: October 2010

RNA interference (RNAi) has been regarded as a revolutionary tool for manipulating target biological processes as well as an emerging and promising therapeutic strategy. In contrast to the tangible and obvious effectiveness of RNAi in vitro, silencing target gene expression in vivo using small interfering RNA (siRNA) has been a very challenging task due to multiscale barriers, including rapid excretion, low stability in blood serum, nonspecific accumulation in tissues, poor cellular uptake and inefficient intracellular release. This minireview introduces major challenges in achieving efficient siRNA delivery in vivo and discusses recent advances in overcoming them using chemically modified siRNA, viral siRNA vectors and nonviral siRNA carriers. Enhanced specificity and efficiency of RNAi in vivo via selective accumulations in desired tissues, specific binding to target cells and facilitated intracellular trafficking are also commonly attempted utilizing targeting moieties, cell‐penetrating peptides, fusogenic peptides and stimuli‐responsive polymers. Overall, the crucial roles of the interdisciplinary approaches to optimizing RNAi in vivo, by efficiently and specifically delivering siRNA to target tissues and cells, are highlighted.
Staying on message: design principles for controlling nonspecific responses to siRNA
Authors: Samuel‐Abraham Shirley , Leonard Joshua N.
Published: October 2010

Short interfering RNAs (siRNA) are routinely used in the laboratory to induce targeted gene silencing by RNA interference, and increasingly, this technology is being translated to the clinic. However, there are multiple mechanisms by which siRNA may be recognized by receptors of the innate immune system, including both endosomal Toll‐like receptors and cytoplasmic receptors. Signaling through these receptors may induce multiple nonspecific effects, including general reductions in gene expression and the production of type I interferons and inflammatory cytokines, which can lead to systemic inflammation in vivo. The pattern of immune activation varies depending upon the types of cells and receptors that are stimulated by a particular siRNA. Although we are still discovering the mechanisms by which these recognition events occur, our current understanding provides useful guidelines for avoiding immune activation. In this minireview, we present a design‐based approach for developing siRNA‐based experiments and therapies that evade innate immune recognition and control nonspecific effects. We describe strategies and trade‐offs related to siRNA design considerations including the choice of siRNA target sequence, chemical modifications to the RNA backbone and the influence of the delivery method on immune activation. Finally, we provide suggestions for conducting appropriate controls for siRNA experiments, because some commonly employed strategies do not adequately account for known nonspecific effects and can lead to misinterpretation of the data. By incorporating these principles into siRNA design, it is generally possible to control nonspecific effects, and doing so will help to best utilize this powerful technology for both basic science and therapeutics.
Novel peptide inhibiting both TEM‐1 β‐lactamase and penicillin‐binding proteins
Authors: Phichith Denis , Bun Sylvie , Padiolleau‐Lefevre Severine , Guellier Adeline , Banh Soun , Galleni Moreno , Frere Jean‐Marie , Thomas Daniel , Friboulet Alain , Avalle Berangere
Published: October 2010

9G4H9, a catalytic antibody displaying β‐lactamase‐like activity, has been developed by the anti‐idiotypic approach using β‐lactamase as the first antigen. Thus 9G4H9 represents the ‘internal image‘ of β‐lactamase. We selected a cyclic peptide anchored to a bacteriophage M13 library using 9G4H9 as the target. Pep90 is a cyclic heptapeptide enclosed between two cysteine residues. We showed that Pep90 could inhibit both TEM‐1 β‐lactamase (Ki = 333 μm) and several penicillin‐binding proteins (IC50 values ranging from 6–62 μm). We determined that the tryptophan residue of Pep90 is of crucial importance for its inhibitory activity. Using Pep90 as a scaffold, we generated a new class of peptidomimetics that retained inhibitory activity towards TEM‐1 β‐lactamase.
Compton rockets and the minimum power of relativistic jets
Authors: Ghisellini G. , Tavecchio F.
Published: October 2010

The power of a relativistic jet depends on the number of leptons and protons carried by the jet itself. We have reason to believe that powerful γ-ray flat spectrum radio sources emit most of their radiation where radiative cooling is severe. This helps us to find the minimum number of emitting leptons needed to explain the radiation we see. The number of protons is more uncertain. If there is one proton per electron, they dominate the jet power, but they could be unimportant if the emission is due to electron–positron pairs. In this case, the total jet power could be much smaller. However, if the γ-ray flux is due to inverse Compton scattering with seed photons produced outside the jet, the radiation is anisotropic also in the comoving frame, making the jet recoil. This Compton rocket effect is strong for light, electron–positron jets, and negligible for heavy, proton-dominated jets. No significant deceleration, required by fast superluminal motion, requires a minimum number of protons per lepton, and thus a minimum jet power. We apply these ideas to the blazar 3C 454.3 to establish a robust lower limit to its total jet power: if the viewing angle θv≈ 1/Γ, the jet power is larger than the accretion luminosity Ld for any bulk Lorentz factor Γ. For θv= 0°, instead, the minimum jet power can be smaller than Ld for Γ < 25. No more than ∼10 pairs per proton are allowed.
Fading of the X-ray flux from the black hole in the NGC 4472 globular cluster RZ 2109
Authors: Maccarone Thomas J. , Kundu Arunav , Zepf Stephen E. , Rhode Katherine L.
Published: October 2010

We present the results of new X-ray observations of XMMU 122939.7+075333, the black hole (BH) in the globular cluster RZ 2109 in the Virgo cluster galaxy NGC 4472. A combination of non-detections and marginal detections in several recent Swift and Chandra observations show that the source has varied by at least a factor of 20 in the past 6 yr, and that the variations seem not just to be ‘flickering’. This variation could be explained with changes in the absorption column intrinsic to the source no larger than those which were previously seen near the peak of the 1989 outburst of the Galactic BH X-ray binary V404 Cyg. The large amplitude variations are also a natural expectation from a hierarchical triple system with Kozai cycles – the mechanism recently proposed to produce BH–white dwarf (WD) binaries in globular clusters. On the other hand, variation by such a large factor on time-scales of years, rather than centuries, is very difficult to reconcile with the scenario in which the X-ray emission from XMMU 122939.7+075333 is due to fallback of material from a tidally destroyed or detonated WD.
Charge transfer inefficiency in the Hubble Space Telescope since Servicing Mission 4
Authors: Massey Richard
Published: October 2010

We update a physically motivated model of radiation damage in the Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys/Wide Field Channel, using data up to mid-2010. We find that charge transfer inefficiency increased dramatically before shuttle Servicing Mission 4, with ∼1.3 charge traps now present per pixel. During detector readout, charge traps spuriously drag electrons behind all astronomical sources, degrading image quality in a way that affects object photometry, astrometry and morphology. Our detector readout model is robust to changes in operating temperature and background level, and can be used to iteratively remove the trailing by pushing electrons back to where they belong. The result is data taken in mid-2010 that recovers the quality of imaging obtained within the first six months of orbital operations.
QSAR Studies on Aminothiazole Derivatives as Aurora A Kinase Inhibitors
Authors: Qin Jin , Xi Lili , Du Juan , Liu Huanxiang , Yao Xiaojun
Published: October 2010

Quantitative structure–activity relationship studies on 54 aminothiazole derivatives as Aurora A kinase inhibitors were performed to explore the important factors affecting their biologic activity. For 2D‐quantitative structure–activity relationship study, genetic algorithm combined with multiple linear regression was used to select significant molecular descriptors. The MLR model gave squared correlation coefficient of 0.828 and squared cross‐validated correlation coefficient of 0.771 for the training set compounds. Comparative molecular field analysis and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis were used to develop 3D‐quantitative structure–activity relationship models. The comparative molecular field analysis model gave cross‐validated correlation coefficient q 2 of 0.695 and non‐cross‐validated correlation coefficient r 2 of 0.977. For comparative molecular similarity indices analysis model, the corresponding q 2 and r 2 were 0.698 and 0.960, respectively. The proposed 3D‐quantitative structure–activity relationship models were validated by the test set compounds not used in the modeling process, with values of 0.788 for comparative molecular field analysis and 0.798 for comparative molecular similarity indices analysis. The 3D contour maps suggested that further modification of the aniline group of compound 22 considering electrostatic, hydrophobic and hydrogen bond properties would influence the inhibitory activity. The results from quantitative structure–activity relationship models would be very useful to understand the structure–activity relationship of these inhibitors and to guide the further structural modification of new potential inhibitors.
An Alternative Purification Method for Human Serum Paraoxonase 1 and its Interactions with Sulfonamides
Authors: Ekinci Deniz , Şentürk Murat , Beydemir Şükrü , İrfan Küfrevioğlu Ömar , Supuran Claudiu T.
Published: October 2010

Paraoxonase 1 (PON1), a high‐density lipoprotein (HDL)‐associated esterase, is known to mediate antioxidant and antiatherogenic properties. Purification of PON1 has been challenging for a long time. Here, we report a novel purification technique for this enzyme, which allowed us to obtain human serum paraoxonase 1 (hPON1) using straightforward chromatographic methods, such as Diethylaminoethyl‐Sephadex anion exchange chromatography and Sepharose 4B–4‐phenylazo‐2‐naphthaleneamine hydrophobic interaction chromatography. We purified the enzyme 302‐fold with a final specific activity of 4775 U/mg and a yield of 32%. Furthermore, we examined the in vitro effects of some sulfonamide derivatives, such as sulfacetamide, homosulfanilamide (mafenide), sulfosalazine, furosemide, acetazolamide, and 1,3,4‐thiadiazole‐2‐sulfonamide on the enzyme activity to better understand the inhibitory properties of the molecules. The six sulfonamides dose‐dependently decreased the activity of hPON1 with inhibition constants in the millimolar – micromolar range. This study provides an efficient method, which may be useful for other enzymes such as those related to acetylcholinesterase. It also demonstrates the off‐target activity of sulfonamides.
Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship of Organosulphur Compounds as Soybean 15‐Lipoxygenase Inhibitors Using CoMFA and CoMSIA
Authors: Caballero Julio , Fernández Michael , Coll Deysma
Published: October 2010

Three‐dimensional quantitative structure–activity relationship studies were carried out on a series of 28 organosulphur compounds as 15‐lipoxygenase inhibitors using comparative molecular field analysis and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis. Quantitative information on structure–activity relationships is provided for further rational development and direction of selective synthesis. All models were carried out over a training set including 22 compounds. The best comparative molecular field analysis model only included steric field and had a good Q2 = 0.789. Comparative molecular similarity indices analysis overcame the comparative molecular field analysis results: the best comparative molecular similarity indices analysis model also only included steric field and had a Q2 = 0.894. In addition, this model predicted adequately the compounds contained in the test set. Furthermore, plots of steric comparative molecular similarity indices analysis field allowed conclusions to be drawn for the choice of suitable inhibitors. In this sense, our model should prove useful in future 15‐lipoxygenase inhibitor design studies.
A chemostratigraphic method to determine the end of impact‐related sedimentation at marine‐target impact craters (Chesapeake Bay, Lockne, Tvären)
Authors: ORMÖ Jens , HILL Andrew C. , SELF‐TRAIL Jean M.
Published: October 2010

Abstract– To better understand the impact cratering process and its environmental consequences at the local to global scale, it is important to know when in the geological record of an impact crater the impact‐related processes cease. In many instances, this occurs with the end of early crater modification, leaving an obvious sedimentological boundary between impactites and secular sediments. However, in marine‐target craters the transition from early crater collapse (i.e., water resurge) to postimpact sedimentation can appear gradual. With the a priori assumption that the reworked target materials of the resurge deposits have a different chemical composition to the secular sediments we use chemostratigraphy (δ13Ccarb, %Corg, major elements) of sediments from the Chesapeake Bay, Lockne, and Tvären craters, to define this boundary. We show that the end of impact‐related sedimentation in these cases is fairly rapid, and does not necessarily coincide with a visual boundary (e.g., grain size shift). Therefore, in some cases, the boundary is more precisely determined by chemostratigraphy, especially carbonate carbon isotope variations, rather than by visual inspection. It is also shown how chemostratigraphy can confirm the age of marine‐target craters that were previously determined by biostratigraphy; by comparing postimpact carbon isotope trends with established regional trends.
Application of a novel combination of near-infrared spectroscopy and a humidity-controlled 96-well plate to the characterization of the polymorphism of imidafenacin
Authors: Uchida Hiroshi , Yoshinaga Tokuji , Mori Hirotoshi , Otsuka Makoto
Published: October 2010

Objectives

This study aimed to apply a currently available chemometric near-infrared spectroscopy technique to the characterization of the polymorphic properties of drug candidates. The technique requires only small quantities of samples and is therefore applicable to drugs in the early stages of development.

Methods

The combination of near-infrared spectroscopy and a patented 96-well plate divided into 32 individual, humidity-controlled, three-well compartments was used in the characterization of a hygroscopic drug, imidafenacin, which has two polymorphs and one pseudo-polymorph. Characterization was also conducted with powder X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis. The results were compared with those from routinely used conventional analyses.

Key findings

Both the microanalysis and conventional analysis successfully characterised the substance (transformation and relative stability among the two polymorphs and a pseudo-polymorph) depending on the storage conditions. Near-infrared spectroscopic analyses utilizing a humidity-controlled 96-well plate required only small amounts of the sample for characterization under the various conditions of relative humidity.

Conclusions

Near-infrared microanalysis can be applied to polymorphic studies of small quantities of a drug candidate. The results also suggest that the method will predict the behaviors of a hygroscopic candidate in solid pharmaceutical preparations at the early stages of drug development.
Effect of telmisartan on the expression of cardiac adiponectin and its receptor 1 in type 2 diabetic rats
Authors: Guo Zhixin , Zheng Caihong , Qin Zhihong , Wei Ping
Published: October 2010

Objectives

This study investigated the effect of telmisartan on the expression of cardiac adiponectin and its receptor 1 in type 2 diabetic rats.

Methods

Thirty-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control (C, n = 10) and diabetic (n = 26) groups. Type 2 diabetes was induced by high-fat and high-sugar diet and intraperitoneal injection of a low dose of streptozotocin (STZ). After induction of diabetes, diabetic rats were again randomly divided into diabetic (D, n = 10) and diabetic treated (DT, n = 10) groups. Telmisartan (5 mg/kg/day) was administrated to diabetic treated rats by gavage for 12 weeks. Twelve weeks later, the heart function was investigated. Plasma and myocardial adiponectin levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The cardiac mRNA expression of adiponectin receptor 1 (adipiR1) was assayed by reverse transcript–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The cardiac protein expression of adipiR1, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-α, phospho-AMPK-α (Thr172) and glucose transporter 4(GLUT4) was determined by Western blotting.

Key findings

The ratio of heart weight to body weight was significantly increased in diabetic rats compared with control. The decreased levels of plasma and myocardial adiponectin and the decreased protein and mRNA expression of myocardial adipoR1 led to the decreased myocardial phosphorylation of AMPK-α (Thr172) and the decreased protein expression of myocardial GLUT4 in diabetic rats. Consequently, the heart function was decreased in diabetic rats. Telmisartan treatment significantly attenuated the increased ratio of heart weight to body weight in diabetic rats. The levels of plasma and myocardial adiponectin and the expression of myocardial adipoR1 in diabetic rats were upregulated by telmisartan. Subsequently, the levels of myocardial phospho-AMPK-α (Thr172) and the expression of myocardial GLUT4 in diabetic rats were increased by telmisartan. Consequently, the heart function was improved in diabetic rats treated with telmisartan.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the levels of myocardial adiponectin and its receptor 1 are decreased in type 2 diabetic rats. Telmisartan treatment up-regulates the levels of myocardial adiponectin and its receptor 1, resulting in the increase in myocardial phospho-AMPK-α (Thr172) and GLUT4 expression, which may contribute to the improvement of heart function and the decrease in cardiac hypertrophy in diabetic rats.
The quality of commercially available nutraceutical supplements and food sources
Authors: Lockwood G Brian
Published: October 2010

Objectives

Nutraceuticals are components of dietary origin, with claimed beneficial therapeutic activities. The quality of nutraceuticals is paramount for efficacy and safety, and it includes quality of raw materials, different available chemical forms, complex products, lack of substitution of inappropriate materials, and the absence of contaminants. The aim of this review is to investigate the extent of substandard formulated and raw material nutraceuticals, and to highlight any consequent health concern.

Key findings

Reports of the quality of raw materials have revealed wide variations, often as a result of lack of clear regulatory definitions with respect to size of polymeric entities and also presence of glycosidic and salt forms. Published evaluations of over 70 formulations of 25 different nutraceuticals revealed variable quality; no nutraceutical showed consistent high quality, but a number revealed consistent low quality, thereby making the case for closer regulation of manufacturers. Whole food sources have also been shown to be widely variable in constituent levels. The effect of different formulations requires consideration, as the different types have been shown to have marked effects on bioavailability.

The poor quality of commercially available nutraceuticals has been highlighted. In addition, incidences of side effects and drug interactions are increasing, as consumption of nutraceuticals rises. Pharmacists and health practitioners need to be aware of the scientific literature to advise accordingly.
In-vitro permeability screening of melt extrudate formulations containing poorly water-soluble drug compounds using the phospholipid vesicle-based barrier
Authors: Kanzer Johanna , Tho Ingunn , Flaten Gøril Eide , Mägerlein Markus , Hölig Peter , Fricker Gert , Brandl Martin
Published: October 2010

Objectives

The phospholipid vesicle-based barrier has recently been introduced as an in-vitro permeation model mimicking gastro-epithelial barriers in terms of passive diffusion of drugs. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the phospholipid vesicle-based barrier was suitable for permeability screening of complex formulations such as solid dispersions.

Methods

Solid dispersions containing the poorly water-soluble drugs HIV-PI 1 (log P = 6.2, molar mass = 628.80 g/mol) and HIV-PI 2 (log P = 5.3, molar mass = 720.95 g/mol), a hydrophilic polymer and different surfactants were tested with respect to their influence on integrity of the barrier in terms of electrical resistance and permeability for calcein. Furthermore, utilisation of a more biologically relevant medium, Hank's balanced salt solution supplemented with Mg2+- and Ca2+-ions (HBSS (Mg2+, Ca2+)), has been tested.

Key findings

Except for the polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil-containing solid dispersion, no influence on the phospholipid vesicle-based barrier could be observed from the tested samples. Presence of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in the solid dispersions led to the same results as the corresponding placebo results. First experiments analysing the passive diffusion of both APIs in HBSS (Mg2+, Ca2+), evaluated as suitable transport medium, have shown promising results regarding the suitability of the phospholipid vesicle-based barrier for investigation of solid dispersions.

Conclusions

The study indicated that the phospholipid vesicle-based barrier was compatible with selected melt extrudate formulations. The model seemed capable to reveal different transport routes in comparison with Caco-2 cell permeability tests.
Factors affecting crystallization of hydrates
Authors: Tian Fang , Qu Haiyan , Zimmermann Anne , Munk Tommy , Jørgensen Anna C , Rantanen Jukka
Published: October 2010

Objectives

To provide a comprehensive understanding of the competing thermodynamic and kinetic factors governing the crystallization of various hydrate systems. The ultimate goal is to utilize this understanding to improve the control over the unit operations involving hydrate formation, as well as to optimize the bioavailability of a given drug product.

Key findings

The thermodynamic and kinetic factors that govern hydrate crystallization are introduced and the current status of the endeavour to gain a mechanistic understanding of the phenomena that occur during the crystallization of different hydrate systems is discussed. The importance of hydrate investigation in the pharmaceutical field is exemplified by examining two specific hydrate systems: the polymorphic hydrate system and hydrates of pharmaceutical salts.

This review identifies the factors that are of critical importance in the investigation of anhydrate/hydrate systems. This knowledge can be used to control the phase transformation during pharmaceutical processing and storage, as well as in building a desired functionality for the final formulation.
Microwave induced solubility enhancement of poorly water soluble atorvastatin calcium
Authors: Maurya Durgaprasad , Belgamwar Veena , Tekade Avinash
Published: October 2010

Objectives

The objective of the present investigation was to enhance the solubility and dissolution rate of atorvastatin calcium (ATR) by a solid dispersion technique using poly(ethylene glycol) 6000 (PEG 6000).

Methods

Microwave energy was used to prepare an enhanced release dosage form of the poorly water soluble drug ATR with PEG 6000 as a hydrophilic carrier. After the microwave treatment, the drug and hydrophilic polymer get fused together to form a solid dispersion. An in-vivo study was performed to determine the lipid-lowering efficacy (cholesterol, high density lipoprotein and triglyceride) of the solid dispersions using a Triton-induced hypercholesterolemia model in rats.

Key findings

An increase in the solubility of ATR was observed with increasing concentration of PEG 6000. The optimized ratio for preparation of solid dispersions of ATR with PEG 6000 was 1 : 12 w/w by conventional fusion and the microwave induced fusion method. Differential scanning calorimetry and powder X-ray diffraction studies of the solid dispersions confirmed the conversion of some crystalline ATR into the amorphous form. Scanning electron microscopy images also showed conversion of some crystalline ATR into the amorphous form. The in-vitro study showed that solid dispersions increased the solubility and dissolution rate of ATR, and thus may improve its bioavailability compared with plain ATR. The solid dispersion formulation prepared by the microwave induced fusion method significantly (P < 0.05) reduced serum lipid levels in phases I and II (18 h and 24 h) of the Triton test compared with plain ATR.

Conclusions

The microwave induced fusion method could be considered as a simple, efficient method to prepare solid dispersions of ATR with significant enhancement of the in-vitro dissolution rate as well as in-vivo activity.
Peripartum cardiomyopathy: current understanding, comprehensive management review and new developments
Authors: Pyatt Jason R , Dubey Gopal
Published: October 2010

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare and potentially fatal disease which presents with symptoms of heart failure primarily due to left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction in the last month of pregnancy and up to 5–6 months after delivery. PPCM is still regarded as a disease of unknown aetiology, although recent evidence suggests a role for a 16 kDa prolactin derivative produced by proteolytic cleavage of prolactin secondary to unbalanced oxidative stress present during late pregnancy and early puerperium. The medical management of PPCM is similar to other forms of non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy, but with the management tailored to choose safe drugs in pregnancy and lactation to minimise maternal and fetal morbidity. There is an increased risk of venous thromboembolism, and anticoagulation is recommended. About 30–50% of the patients recover without complications, with their baseline LV systolic function at rest returning to normal. The risk of recurrence of PPCM is high, especially if the LV systolic function has not fully recovered. However, for those women who have normal LV systolic function as demonstrated on echocardiography and dobutamine stress test, the risk of severe cardiomyopathy including death is relatively low in a subsequent pregnancy.
Spectrum of hypokalaemic periodic paralysis in a tertiary care centre in India
Authors: Maurya Pradeep Kumar , Kalita Jayantee , Misra Usha Kant
Published: October 2010

Background

Acute flaccid paralysis is a common neurological emergency with diverse causes and variable outcome. There is a paucity of reports documenting the spectrum of hypokalaemic paralysis in neurological practice.

Objective

To report the clinical features, aetiology, and outcome of patients with hypokalaemic paralysis in a tertiary care teaching hospital in India.

Methods

Consecutive patients with acute flaccid paralysis with hypokalaemia from 2008 to 2010 were included in the study. Patients with Guillain–Barré syndrome, porphyria, polio and non-polio enterovirus infection and myositis were excluded. Detailed clinical examination, urinalysis, renal function tests, arterial blood gas analysis, thyroid hormones, and electrocardiogram were carried out. Patients received intravenous or oral potassium supplementation and their underlying causes were treated.

Results

Thirty patients aged 17–52 years, including three females, were included. Secondary causes of hypokalaemic paralysis were present in 13 patients and included thyrotoxic paralysis in five and renal tubular acidosis (RTA) and Gitelman syndrome in four each. All the patients had quadriparesis and 10 had severe weakness (MRC grade <2). Tendon reflexes were reduced in eight and brisk in four patients. Respiratory paralysis was present in six patients and one needed artificial ventilation. Fifteen patients had severe hypokalaemia (<2 mmol/l), four had acidosis, and six had alkalosis. The secondary group had more severe hypokalaemia and needed longer time to recover.

Conclusion

43.3% of patients with hypokalaemic paralysis had a secondary cause for their condition. Patients with severe hypokalaemia with acidosis or alkalosis should be investigated for secondary causes as their management differ.
TIGHT-BINDING BAND STRUCTURE AND SPIN-ORBIT SPLITTING FOR BULK InP
Authors: WANG W. , ZHANG M. H. , LI H. , CHENG J.
Published: October 2010

The band structure of InP is excellently produced using sp3d5s* tight-binding model. The spin-orbit splitting in the whole Brillouin zone derived from the InP Γ-valley of the lowest electronic subband, heavy hole, light hole and split-off hole is calculated. Considering the hot electron effect, the cases of L and X-valleys for the lowest electronic subband are also discussed. We then further present the electron spin-orbit coupling coefficient around the corresponding valley bottom. Our results should provide a promising direction for future research on spintronics.
PROPERTIES OF GaN-DOPED ZnO THIN FILMS PREPARED BY PULSED LASER DEPOSITION
Authors: ELANCHEZHIYAN J. , LEE D. W. , LEE W. J. , SHIN B. C.
Published: October 2010

p-type conduction in ZnO thin films has been realized by doping with GaN . Undoped and GaN -doped ZnO thin films were prepared by the pulsed laser deposition technique. All the grown films have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Hall effect measurements in order to study their structural, morphological and electrical properties, respectively. The presence of dopants in the films has been confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). XRD results reveal that the wurtzite structure deviates for the films with higher concentrations of GaN . Hall measurements show that the 5 and 10 at.% GaN -doped ZnO films have p-type conduction.
ON PULLBACK ATTRACTORS IN $H^1_0$ FOR NONAUTONOMOUS REACTION–DIFFUSION EQUATIONS
Authors: ŁUKASZEWICZ G.
Published: October 2010

Using a recent method based on the concept of the Kuratowski measure of noncompactness of a bounded set together with some new estimates of solutions, we prove the existence of a unique minimal pullback attractor for the evolutionary process associated with a nonautonomous nonlinear reaction–diffusion system in [Formula: see text] in which the right-hand side satisfies only a certain integrability condition. In particular, we generalize a result obtained recently in [Li & Zhong, 2007] where at most an exponential growth of the right-hand side has been assumed for times going to both plus and minus infinity.
ATTRACTORS FOR PARAMETRIC DELAY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS AND THEIR CONTINUOUS BEHAVIOR
Authors: MARÍN-RUBIO PEDRO
Published: October 2010

The problem of the continuity of global attractors under minimal assumptions for a general class of parameterized delay differential equations is considered. The theory of equi-attraction developed by Li and Kloeden in [2004a] is adapted to this framework, so it is proved that the continuity of the attractors with respect to the parameter is equivalent to this equi-attraction property.
COMPARISON BETWEEN TRAJECTORY AND GLOBAL ATTRACTORS FOR EVOLUTION SYSTEMS WITHOUT UNIQUENESS OF SOLUTIONS
Authors: KAPUSTYAN O. V. , VALERO J.
Published: October 2010

In this paper we make a thorough comparison between the theory of global attractors for multivalued semiflows and the theory of trajectory attractors, two methods which are useful for studying the asymptotic behavior of solution for equations without uniqueness of the Cauchy problem. We show that under some conditions the formula A = U(0) takes place for the global attractor A of a multivalued semiflow and the trajectory attractor U of the associated translation semigroup. We apply these results to reaction–diffusion equations and hyperbolic equations, obtaining also new theorems concerning the existence of related trajectory attractors.
RELATIVISTIC PARTICLES ALONG NULL CURVES IN 3D LORENTZIAN SPACE FORMS
Authors: GIMÉNEZ ÁNGEL
Published: October 2010

We study relativistic particles modeled by actions whose Lagrangians are arbitrary functions on the curvature of null paths in (2 + 1)-dimensions backgrounds with constant curvature. We obtain first integrals of the Euler–Lagrange equation by using geometrical methods involving the search for Killing vector fields along critical curves of the action. In the case in which Lagrangian density depends quadratically on Cartan curvature, it is shown that the mechanical system is governed by a stationary Korteweg–De Vries system. Motion equations are completely integrated by quadratures in terms of elliptic and hyperelliptic functions.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL SYSTEM OF GLOBALLY MODIFIED NAVIER–STOKES EQUATIONS WITH DELAY
Authors: CARABALLO TOMÁS , REAL JOSÉ , MÁRQUEZ ANTONIO M.
Published: October 2010

We prove the existence and uniqueness of strong solutions of a three-dimensional system of globally modified Navier–Stokes equations with delay in the locally Lipschitz case. The asymptotic behavior of solutions, and the existence of pullback attractor are also analyzed.
STABILITY FOR NEMATIC LIQUID CRYSTALS WITH STRETCHING TERMS
Authors: CLIMENT-EZQUERRA B. , GUILLÉN-GONZÁLEZ F. , RODRÍGUEZ-BELLIDO M. A.
Published: October 2010

We study a nematic crystal model that appeared in [Liu et al., 2007], modeling stretching effects depending on the different shapes of the microscopic molecules of the material, under periodic boundary conditions. The aim of the present article is two-fold: to extend the results given in [Sun & Liu, 2009], to a model with more complete stretching terms and to obtain some stability and asymptotic stability properties for this model.
THE DEALTERNATING NUMBER AND THE ALTERNATION NUMBER OF A CLOSED 3-BRAID
Authors: ABE TETSUYA , KISHIMOTO KENGO
Published: October 2010

We give an upper bound for the dealternating number of a closed 3-braid. As applications, we determine the dealternating numbers, the alternation numbers and the Turaev genera of some closed positive 3-braids. We also show that there exist infinitely many positive knots with any dealternating number (or any alternation number) and any braid index.
ON QUOTIENTS OF QUANDLES
Authors: BUNCH E. , LOFGREN P. , RAPP A. , YETTER D. N.
Published: October 2010

This paper summarizes substantive new results derived by a student team (the first three authors) under the direction of the fourth author at the 2008 session of the KSU REU "Brainstorming and Barnstorming". The main results show that the construction of the inner automorphism group of a quandle gives rise to a functor from the category of quandles and surjective quandle homomorphisms to the category of groups, characterize quotient maps of quandles which do not change the group of inner automorphims, and characterize those normal subgroups of the inner automorphism group which arise as kernels of homomorphisms induced by quandle surjections.
A Series of Encounters: The Information Behaviour of Participants in a Subject-Based Electronic Discussion List
Authors: Irvine-Smith Sally
Published: October 2010

Most information research devoted to on-line discussion forums involves content analysis of postings, and is thereby skewed to those participants who actively post. The research reported in this paper aims to uncover the information behaviour of people who participate more passively in these discussions — those who never post or do so infrequently. Data was accordingly collected via qualitative interviews with 18 participants of a subject-based e-mail list — the actKM Forum's discussion list, an on-line forum devoted to knowledge management. The research finds that members participate in the actKM list for a general informational purpose which can be summed up as 'keeping abreast of current trends,' specifically by allowing insight into the thoughts and opinions of others. Members engage with subjects in which they have a prior interest — getting confirmation, affirmation or reinforcement of their own thinking and opinions is a significant reason for participation in the list. Burnett's proposition that people participate in on-line forums as 'promising information neighbourhoods' is borne out. However, his contention that hostile behaviours are non-informational is not supported by the current research. The research suggests that Burnett's typology needs to be broadened to include two categories of hostile behaviour — informational and non-informational — such as there are with collaborative behaviours. The assumptions of information behaviour as problem-solving implicit in Dervin's Sense-Making model are found to be problematic. Instead, the study finds that Erdelez's model of Information Encountering is a more useful categorisation of the information behaviour exhibited by list participants.
Resistance and Motivation to Share Sustainable Development Knowledge by Web 2.0
Authors: Li Rita Yi Man , Pak Don Henry Ah
Published: October 2010

The concept of sustainable development — development which meets the needs of the present generation without depriving the needs of the future generation — has been in the lips of many political leaders, educators, NGOs and green groups. Living in the age of knowledge explosion, we want to receive the most updated information and knowledge. The Web 2.0 revolution provides the best solution to all those hungry knowledge seekers. This paper sheds light on the major resistance and motivations on sustainable knowledge sharing.
A Hermeneutic Study of Pattern Mining as a Knowledge Creation Process: Exploring Multimedia Design Practices
Authors: Linden Tanya , Cybulski Jacob
Published: October 2010

In this paper, we discuss a special case of knowledge creation via pattern mining that was studied using a hermeneutic approach. The reported study explores the nature of knowledge creation by domain practitioners who do not communicate directly. The focus of this paper extends the traditional view of a knowledge creation process beyond organisational boundaries. The proposed knowledge creation framework explains the facilitated process of knowledge creation by its qualification, combination, socialisation, externalisation, internalisation and introspection, thus allowing the transformation of individual experience and knowledge into formalised shareable domain knowledge.
Evaluating Intellectual Assets in University Libraries: A Multi-Site Case Study from Thailand
Authors: Corrall Sheila , Sriborisutsakul Somsak
Published: October 2010

Intellectual assets are strategic resources that libraries can use to add value to services, but their intangible attributes make them hard to evaluate. An exploratory case study used document analysis, interviews and a questionnaire to develop and test indicators of intellectual assets and related performance measures at three university libraries in Thailand. The study demonstrated the feasibility of applying an intellectual capital perspective and a scorecard process model to design a workable system for evaluating library intangibles, particularly where libraries have a pre-existing interest in knowledge management and a culture of assessment.
GENERATIONAL DEMATERIALISATION OF ENERGY IN THE WORLD ECONOMY: EVALUATION APPROACH FOR SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT POLICY
Authors: ZIOLKOWSKA JADWIGA , ZIOLKOWSKI BOZYDAR
Published: October 2010

Several methods and ecological indicators are used in environmental economics to analyse the process of sustainable use of natural resources. These approaches are helpful in measuring and assessing the intensity (efficiency) of products' use and their impact on the environment. However, they do not sufficiently reflect the dynamics and improvements in the achieved outcomes as compared to the population (generation) growth. Moreover, they do not allow always analysing product changes on the world level. Referring to this existing gap, we conceptualise a new approach — product generational dematerialisation (PGD) indicator, measuring product efficiency and population changes in relative values, and use it for investigating the dematerialisation for the world energy sector in the last 35 years. The indicator can be used as a new methodical tool to support and evaluate sustainable management policies on the enterprise, regional, national, and international level as well as for different resources, goods, and services.
ASSESSING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GAPS BETWEEN THE STATE AND LOCAL JURISDICTIONS
Authors: TANG ZHENGHONG
Published: October 2010

State mandates and guidelines significantly influence local land use planning; however few studies have been conducted to empirically detect the gaps in sustainable environmental planning between the state and local jurisdictions. This paper analyses the California Governor's Environmental Goals and Policy Report (EGPR) and 116 local comprehensive land use plans to develop a set of measurable indicators to detect gaps in local planning efforts to incorporate state goals and policies. Descriptive results indicate that the local jurisdictions reached approximately half of the state's sustainable environmental planning goals. The major gaps existed in some region-wide, global-wide, long-term, cumulative, and strategically critical environmental elements. Regression results further highlight the major factors that significantly influenced local jurisdictions' environmental planning abilities. Six policy recommendations are provided to reduce these gaps.
INTERNET SECURITY APPLICATIONS OF GRÖBNER-SHIRSHOV BASES
Authors: Kelarev Andrei , Yearwood John , Watters Paul
Published: October 2010

This article is motivated by internet security applications of multiple classifiers designed for the detection of malware. Following a standard approach in data mining, Dazeley et al. (Asian-European J. Math. 2 (2009)(1) 41–56) used Gröbner-Shirshov bases to define a family of multiple classifiers and develop an algorithm optimizing their properties.The present article complements and strengthens these results. We consider a broader construction of classifiers and develop a new and more general algorithm for the optimization of their essential properties.
THE NORMAL INDEX OF SUBGROUPS IN FINITE GROUPS
Authors: Yin Xia , Li Xianhua
Published: October 2010

In this paper, we shall generalize the concept of the normal index and obtain the characterizations for a finite group to be solvable, p-solvable, p-nilpotent and supersolvable.
SOME HIGH ORDER ITERATIVE METHODS FOR NONLINEAR EQUATIONS BASED ON THE MODIFIED HOMOTOPY PERTURBATION METHODS
Authors: Chen Bilian , Xie Yajun , Ma Changfeng
Published: October 2010

In this paper, we present some efficient iterative methods for solving nonlinear equation (systems of nonlinear equations, respectively) by using modified homotopy perturbation methods. We also discuss the convergence criteria of the present methods. Some numerical examples are given to illustrate the performance and efficiency of the proposed methods.
ON M-C-INJECTIVE AND SELF-C-INJECTIVE MODULES
Authors: Chaturvedi A. K. , Pandeya B. M. , Tripathi A. M. , Mishra O. P.
Published: October 2010

Let M1 and M2 be two R-modules. Then M2 is called M1-c-injective if every homomorphism α from K to M2, where K is a closed submodule of M1, can be extended to a homomorphism β from M1 to M2. An R-module M is called self-c-injective if M is M-c-injective. For a projective module M, it has been proved that the factor module of an M -c-injective module is M -c-injective if and only if every closed submodule of M is projective. A characterization of self-c-injective modules in terms endomorphism ring of an R-module satisfying the CM-property is given.
The SSX Family of Cancer‐Testis Antigens as Target Proteins for Tumor Therapy
Authors: Smith Heath A. , McNeel Douglas G.
Published: October 2010

Cancer‐testis antigens (CTAs) represent an expanding class of tumor‐associated proteins defined on the basis of their tissue‐restricted expression to testis or ovary germline cells and frequent ectopic expression in tumor tissue. The expression of CTA in MHC class I‐deficient germline cells makes these proteins particularly attractive as immunotherapeutic targets because they serve as essentially tumor‐specific antigens for MHC class I‐restricted CD8+ T cells. Moreover, because CTAs are expressed in many types of cancer, any therapeutic developed to target these antigens might have efficacy for multiple cancer types. Of particular interest among CTAs is the synovial sarcoma X chromosome breakpoint (SSX) family of proteins, which includes ten highly homologous family members. Expression of SSX proteins in tumor tissues has been associated with advanced stages of disease and worse patient prognosis. Additionally, both humoral and cell‐mediated immune responses to SSX proteins have been demonstrated in patients with tumors of varying histological origin, which indicates that natural immune responses can be spontaneously generated to these antigens in cancer patients. The current review will describe the history and identification of this family of proteins, as well as what is known of their function, expression in normal and malignant tissues, and immunogenicity.
A Probabilistic Protocol for Multihop Routing in VANETs
Authors: Fukuyama Junichiro
Published: October 2010

Vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) allow communications over sequences of vehicles with radio devices. There are many possible applications over a VANET such as traffic jam warning, collision warning, parking lot reservations, camera
picture feed , and so forth. There have been quite a few results in the area seeking for a fast and reliable communication protocol due to
their potential. VANETs, however, are pointed out as difficult for numerical optimizations due to frequent changes in their
topologies. As a result, heuristic methods such as GPSR have been mainly used for routing packets over multihop communications.
In this paper, we present an algorithm to precompute the probability that communication is possible between specified
source and destination in a VANET, under certain mathematical assumption. The proposed new protocol for multihop communication
refers to a lookup table containing the precomputed data to decide a good packet forwarder quickly.
We create a simulation testbed that seems challenging for all the existing multihop routing protocols for VANETs, in which we
test ours. We see much improved performances over GPSR after the algorithm is refined for some practical issues.
Water Evaporation and Conformational Changes from Partially Solvated Ubiquitin
Authors: Thirumuruganandham Saravana Prakash , Urbassek Herbert M.
Published: October 2010

Using molecular dynamics simulation, we study the evaporation of water molecules off partially solvated ubiquitin. The evaporation and cooling rates are determined for a molecule at the initial temperature of 300 K. The cooling rate is found to be around 3 K/ns, and decreases with water temperature in the course of the evaporation. The conformation changes are monitored by studying a variety of intermediate partially solvated ubiquitin structures. We find that ubiquitin shrinks with decreasing hydration shell and exposes more of its hydrophilic surface area to the surrounding.