bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Status in Patients with Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Barassi Alessandra , Colpi Giovanni M. , Piediferro Guido , Dogliotti Giada , Melzi D’Eril Gian Vico , Corsi Massimiliano M.
Published: April 2009

Introduction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is increasingly recognized as a public health problem. The interaction between nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species is one of the important mechanisms implicated in the pathophysiological process of ED. Plasma contains various antioxidant components to prevent free-radical injury.

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine and compare the oxidative and antioxidant status of peripheral venous blood in patients with ED of arteriogenic and non-arteriogenic origin.

Methods

Oxidative stress and antioxidant status were assessed in 40 patients with ED and 20 healthy controls.

Main Outcome Measures

Plasma reactive oxygen metabolite (ROM) concentrations were measured as an indicator of oxidative stress, and plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) to indicate antioxidant defense.

Results

Plasma ROM concentrations were higher (349.75 ± 53.35 standard deviation [SD] U.Carr vs. 285.43 ± 25.58 U.Carr, P < 0.001) and plasma TAS lower (0.54 ± 0.16 SD mmol/L vs. 0.94 ± 0.28 SD mmol/L, P < 0.0001) in patients with arteriogenic ED in comparison to those in patients with non-arteriogenic ED. Plasma ROM and TAS in controls were not significantly different from those in non-arteriogenic ED.

Conclusions

This observation may be useful to better understand and distinguish arteriogenic from non-arteriogenic ED using laboratory tests. In addition, our findings provide important support for an antioxidant therapy to try to correct oxidative stress in arteriogenic ED patients.
The P300 Event-Related Potential Technique for Libido Assessment in Women with Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder
Authors: Vardi Yoram , Sprecher Elliot , Gruenwald Ilan , Yarnitsky David , Gartman Irena , Granovsky Yelena
Published: April 2009

Introduction

There is a need for an objective technique to assess the degree of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). Recently, we described such a methodology (event-related potential technique [ERP]) based on recording of p300 electroencephalography (EEG) waves elicited by auditory stimuli during synchronous exposure to erotic films.

Aims

To compare sexual interest of sexually healthy women to females with sexual dysfunction (FSD) using ERP, and to explore whether FSD women with and without HSDD would respond differently to two different types of erotic stimuli—films containing (I) or not containing (NI) sexual intercourse scenes.

Methods

Twenty-two women with FSD, of which nine had HSDD only, and 30 sexually healthy women were assessed by the Female Sexual Functioning Index. ERP methodology was performed applying erotic NI or I films.

Main Outcome Measures

Significant differences in percent of auditory p300 amplitude reduction (PR) in response to erotic stimuli within and between all three groups for each film type.

Results

PRs to each film type were similar in sexually healthy women (60.6% ± 40.3 (NI) and 51.7% ± 32.3 [I]), while in women with FSD, reduction was greater when viewing the NI vs. I erotic films (71.4% ± 41.0 vs. 37.7% ± 45.7; P = 0.0099). This difference was mainly due to the greater PR of the subgroup with HSDD in response to NI vs. I films (77.7% ± 46.7 vs. 17.0% ± 50.3) than in the FSD women without HSDD group or the sexually healthy women (67.5% ± 38.7 vs. 50.4% ± 39.4 respectively), P = 0.0084. For comparisons, we used the mixed-model one-way analysis of variance.

Conclusions

Differences in neurophysiological response patterns between sexually healthy vs. sexually dysfunctional females may point to a specific inverse discrimination ability for sexually relevant information in the subgroup of women with HSDD. These findings suggest that the p300 ERP technique could be used as an objective quantitative tool for libido assessment in sexually dysfunctional women.
Improved Erectile Function After Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in a Patient with Heart Failure—A Case Report
Authors: Domanski Damian , Rosanio Salvatore , Schwarz Ernst R.
Published: April 2009

Introduction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is very common among heart failure patients and has a very dramatic, negative impact on patients’ quality of life. Both ED and heart failure have several risk factors in common; however, little data exist on the correlation between the heart failure-targeted interventions and improvement of ED.

Aim

To report a case of improved sexual function after cardiac resynchronization.

Methods

We report the case of a 63-year-old man with ischemic cardiomyopathy and long-standing ED, who experienced significant improvement of his sexual function following biventricular pacing device implantation. Notably, earlier interventions attempting to improve his ED, namely, heart failure medication adjustments and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, have failed.

Results

Following cardiac resynchronization therapy, patient’s erectile function improved without any other ED-specific treatment.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of improved sexual function in a patient with heart failure and ED following cardiac resynchronization therapy. Although the exact mechanisms remain unknown, we believe that cardiac resynchronization improves ED through improved cardiac and endothelial function.
Estrogens Regulate Humans and Rabbit Epididymal Contractility Through the RhoA/Rho-kinase Pathway
Authors: Fibbi Benedetta , Filippi Sandra , Morelli Annamaria , Vignozzi Linda , Silvestrini Enrico , Chavalmane Aravinda , De Vita Giulia , Marini Mirca , Gacci Mauro , Manieri Chiara , Vannelli Gabriella Barbara , Maggi Mario
Published: April 2009

Introduction

We have previously demonstrated that oxytocin (OT) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) peripherally regulate epididymal motility in an estrogen-dependent way. Because RhoA/Rho-kinase (ROCK) pathway is a contractile effector downstream to both OT and ET-1 receptors, we hypothesized an estrogenic modulation of OT- and ET-1-induced contraction through the up-regulation of RhoA/ROCK signaling.

Aim

To evaluate the effect of changing endocrine milieu on RhoA/ROCK pathway in the epididymis.

Methods

We induced a pharmacological hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in rabbits and replaced hypogonadal animals with different sex steroids (testosterone, T, or estradiol valerate, [E2v]). Effects of estrogen deprivation were also evaluated in rabbits chronically treated with the P450-aromatase inhibitor letrozole. An “in vitro” model of human epididymal smooth muscle cells was established and stimulated with sex hormones (72 hours). Protein and mRNA expression and functional activity of RhoA/ROCK signaling were studied by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, western blot analysis, cell migration and by “in vitro” contractility studies using the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632.

Main Outcome Measures

Effects of sex steroids on expression and functional activation of RhoA/ROCK signaling in rabbit epididymis and human epididymal smooth muscle cells.

Results

The relaxant effect of Y-27632 on ET-1-pre-contracted epididymal strips was significantly reduced in hypogonadal rabbits, as well as in letrozole-treated animals. T supplementation normalized T plasma levels, but not Y-27632 epididymal strip sensitivity. E2v not only completely restored Y-27632 responsiveness but even amplified it, indicating an estrogenic up-regulation of RhoA/ROCK pathway. Accordingly, ROCK1 protein and gene expressions were strongly induced by E2v but not by T. The estrogen-induced up-regulation of RhoA/ROCK signaling was confirmed in human epididymal smooth muscle cells.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that estrogens regulate epididymal motility by increasing RhoA/ROCK signaling, and therefore calcium sensitivity, which tunes up responsiveness to contractile factors.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Female Prostate Pathology
Authors: Wimpissinger Florian , Tscherney Robert , Stackl Walter
Published: April 2009

Introduction

The female prostate (paraurethral glands) is a well-known, yet poorly understood, anatomic structure. Imaging studies of the female prostate, its physiology, and pathologies are still highly controversial.

Aim

To study the anatomy of the female prostate with contemporary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques and correlate these findings to clinical features.

Main Outcome Measures

Female prostate pathologic anatomy on MRI.

Methods

Women with clinical signs of function (or dysfunction) of paraurethral glands have been examined with 1.5 or 3 Tesla MRI and urethroscopy.

Results

Seven women aged 17 to 62 years (median 40 years) have been prospectively included into the study. Clinically, one of the seven women reported ejaculation at orgasm, whereas three women presented with occasional secretions independent of sexual stimulation. In two women, paraurethral glands have been randomly found on MRI that has been performed in the diagnostic workup of other diseases. One woman presented with swelling of the external urethral meatus at puberty. In this woman, a paraurethral gland has been found, besides the erectile tissue at the external meatus. Two women reported lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) with mainly urethral symptoms (recurrent infections in one and paraurethral stones in the other). On MRI, paraurethral glands could be visualized in six of the seven patients. There was no relation between glandular volume and ejaculation status. In cases where glands or related pathologies could be found on physical examination, there was a clear correlation with MRI anatomy.

Conclusions

MRI has the potential to become the standard imaging modality for female prostate pathology. Exact visualization of this highly variable structure is possible by tailored MRI protocols. This tool can aid in understanding an individual woman’s symptoms related to paraurethral glands with an impact on her sexual life.
Development from Within? The Potential for Geographical Indications in the Global South
Authors: Bowen Sarah
Published: April 2009

In debates in the World Trade Organization over the protection of geographical indications (GIs), the European Union (EU) has framed its position in terms of the potential for GIs to protect local cultures, offer a quality guarantee to consumers, and provide opportunities for value‐added agriculture. A key tenet of the EU's argument is that GI schemes can be successfully implemented in developing countries as well as Europe. However, my analysis of the case of tequila shows that GIs in developing countries face unique challenges. Tequila is the oldest GI outside of Europe, and is often cited as an example of a successful GI in a developing country. Despite obvious successes in terms of its market share, however, the GI for tequila has largely failed to benefit the local population and environment. My examination of the tequila case illustrates how, throughout the history of the evolving GI legislation for tequila, influential actors have manipulated production standards in ways that contradict the theoretical concept of a GI and negatively affect the overall quality of tequila. I situate this case within the larger framework of international legislation on GIs, arguing that higher standards and a more context‐specific approach are necessary.
Patenting Pharmaceutical Inventions on Second Medical Uses in Brazil
Authors: Mitsuuchi Kunisawa Viviane Yumy
Published: April 2009

The current Brazilian industrial property law (Law 9279 of 14 May 1996) allows patents for pharmaceuticals, along with the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights provisions. Since 1999, after an amendment in the legislation, two governmental authorities—the Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Industrial (INPI) and the Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA)—have been concomitantly acting in the patent‐granting procedures for pharmaceuticals. The INPI is the office usually responsible for the examination and granting of patents, and the ANVISA is the agency primarily responsible for the granting of marketing approval of drugs. In a peculiar situation, the two institutions have been responsible for the granting or denial of applications and have very often been divergent in their positions. The patentability of pharmaceutical inventions claiming second medical use is an example. The purpose of this work is to analyze the current situation of the Brazilian patent‐granting system in the pharmaceutical field, with a special focus on the patentability of inventions claiming second medical use. It debates the two governmental positions and questions whether the existing conflicts are harmful to the system.
Beyond Recombinant Technology: Synthetic Biology and Patentable Subject Matter
Authors: Palombi Luigi
Published: April 2009

Even though it is not yet clear as a matter of law that isolated biological materials are indeed patentable subject matter, patents over such materials continue to be granted throughout the world. Recently, Craig Venter, the man who wanted to patent the human genome, made history again. This time he has built a synthetic bacterium from the ground up—in a laboratory. The bacterium, Mycoplasma genitalium, is a naturally occurring thing. It is the smallest known bacterium consisting of 582,970 nucleotides. Venter's version of this bacterium is identical, except that he made it. Does this make it an invention? Indeed, Venter has in mind to use this synthetic bacterium, and other synthetic biological materials, as plasmids within which to insert genetic material that is foreign to that organism. The idea is to use these plasmids to manufacture other biological materials. It is a repeat of Cohen and Boyer's idea, which they also patented, but this time the plasmid itself will be a human construct. Is the patent system ready for Venter and his “invention”?
Copyright Protection for Computer Programs in South Africa: Aspects of Sui Generis Categorization
Authors: Tong Lee‐Ann
Published: April 2009

This article considers the protection of computer software in South Africa. It deals specifically with copyright of computer programs as provided for in the Copyright Act 98 of 1978 which makes provision for the categorization of computer programs as a sui generis category of works distinct from literary works. It explores the level of copyright protection under this regime with reference to aspects like the subsistence of copyright, authorship, ownership, duration, moral rights and infringement. It also considers the effect of the sui generis categorization on compliance with the Agreement on Trade‐Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights and the anomalies that arise in the protection of preparatory work and computer programs. The focus is primarily on South African law.
Can Product‐by‐Process Patent Claims Provide Protection for Modernized Chinese Herbal Medicine?
Authors: Hsiao Jerry I.‐H.
Published: April 2009

The rising importance of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) in alleviating human suffering has created a potential niche for East Asian countries in the profitable global pharmaceutical market. However, modern CHM that involves modern biomedical technologies presents new issues regarding the proper degree and methods of protection that apply to these products or inventions. Pharmaceutical industries most commonly seek patent protection, which offers different types of protections for different types of inventions. This article explores whether product‐by‐process patent claims provide proper protection to CHM product inventions and the likely implications of such an approach. It concludes that product‐by‐process patent claims may offer proper protection for CHM product inventions at the current status quo but might be an inadequate approach when the industry matures in the future.
The Australian Experimental Use Exemption: A Current Overview
Authors: Monotti Ann L.
Published: April 2009

Australian patent law contains no express exemption from infringement for any experimental use of patented inventions. A variety of international and local events became catalysts for two extensive reviews in Australia of the existence of and need for some form of exemption from infringement for experimental and research use of patented inventions. One was conducted as part of a larger investigation by the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC): Genes and Ingenuity: Gene Patenting and Human Health. The second was a specific investigation into patents and experimental use by the Advisory Council on Intellectual Property (ACIP). Its final report Patents and Experimental Use was published in 2005. Both reports recommended that the Commonwealth government should amend the Patents Act 1990 to establish an exemption (ALRC) or exception (ACIP) from patent infringement for certain acts involving experimental use of patents. However, while the former Howard liberal government chose to accept the ACIP recommendation in 2007, the new Rudd labour government has not introduced any amendment to date. This article provides a brief overview of the recommendations of those reviews and evaluates the current position in Australia in both the light of the reviews and of subsequent international developments.
A novel hemoglobin variant beta135(H13) Ala > Asp identified in an asymptomatic Korean family by direct sequencing: suggesting a new insight into Hb Beckman mutation
Authors: KIM S. Y. , KIM G. Y. J. , JO S. A. , LEE E. H. , CHO E. H. , HWANG S. H. , LEE E. Y.
Published: April 2009

This article describes the clinical observation of a novel hemoglobin (Hb) variant found during the course of routine blood testing on a 61‐year‐old subject. The Hb variant was observed during HbA1c testing by ion‐exchange high‐performance liquid chromatography. Alkaline electrophoresis and DNA sequencing confirmed the presence of a new Hb variant, HBB:c.407C > A (p.Ala136Asp). This mutation has been reported to induce Hb Beckman variant in the Globin Gene Server. However, it was different from the only experimental report for Hb Beckman by Rahbar, Lee & Asmeron (p.Ala136Glu; Hb Beckman alpha2 beta2 135(H13) ala‐to‐glu: a new unstable variant and reduced oxygen affinity. Blood 78, 204a). And our case was asymptomatic with normal lab findings, while Rahbar et al.’s case showed the clinical manifestations of chronic anemia. This would be a report for a novel Hb variant suggesting new insight of Hb Beckman variant. This would be a report of a novel Hb variant suggesting new insights into Hb Beckman variant.
Developing microbe–plant interactions for applications in plant‐growth promotion and disease control, production of useful compounds, remediation and carbon sequestration
Authors: Wu Cindy H. , Bernard Stéphanie M. , Andersen Gary L. , Chen Wilfred
Published: April 2009

Interactions between plants and microbes are an integral part of our terrestrial ecosystem. Microbe–plant interactions are being applied in many areas. In this review, we present recent reports of applications in the areas of plant‐growth promotion, biocontrol, bioactive compound and biomaterial production, remediation and carbon sequestration. Challenges, limitations and future outlook for each field are discussed.
Isolation and evaluation of 18 microsatellite markers in Siniperca chuatsi (Basilewsky)
Authors: KUANG GANGQIAO , LU SHUANGQING , ZHENG SHUMING , WU QING
Published: April 2009

Eighteen novel microsatellite markers were isolated in the Chinese perch Siniperca chuatsi (Basilewsky) using the FIASCO method, from (AC/TG)n, (AG/TC)n, (AT/TA)n, (GATA/CTAT)n and (GATT/CTAA)n repeat genomic libraries. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to eight in a sample of 30 individuals from a wild population. Observed heterozygosity was between 0.100 and 0.737. Seven loci showed significant deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, null alleles were suggested at nine loci but no linkage disequilibrium between loci was detected. These loci could be useful in the population genetic study of S. chuatsi.
Incidence of redetachment 6 months after scleral buckling surgery
Authors: Goezinne Fleur , La Heij Ellen C. , Berendschot Tos T. J. M. , Kessels Alfons G. H. , Liem Albert T. A. , Diederen Roselie M. H. , Hendrikse Fred
Published: April 2009

Purpose:  The preoperative and intraoperative clinical variables associated with redetachment and/or a poor visual outcome following scleral buckling (SB) surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) have mainly been studied after a short follow‐up. This study aimed to analyse long‐term effects by following patients for at least 6 months.

Methods:  In a retrospective survey we evaluated the data of 436 eyes that underwent SB surgery. Postoperative data were collected at 3‐month intervals.

Results:  After a mean follow‐up period of 51 months, anatomic reattachment was achieved in 76% after one SB procedure, with a final reattachment rate of 97% after additional vitreoretinal procedures. In total, 104 eyes developed redetachment during follow‐up. After more than 6 and 12 months of follow‐up, 32 eyes (7%) and 20 eyes (5%), respectively, developed redetachment. Multivariate regression analysis showed that recurrent redetachment and more than 7 days of visual field loss were significant predictors for a poor postoperative visual outcome at 12 months. A cumulative size of the tear of more than three disc diameters was a significant predictor of recurrent RRD.

Conclusion:  Conventional SB surgery is a reliable procedure in a selected group of eyes with primary RRD. However, in eyes with a retinal tear with a cumulative size of more than three disc diameters, a primary vitrectomy should be considered. Taking into account that 7% of eyes developed redetachment after 6 months, a longer follow‐up period seems necessary to evaluate the anatomical and visual outcomes after SB surgery.
Mitomycin‐C‐augmented deep sclerectomy in patients with primary open‐angle glaucoma and exfoliation glaucoma: a 1‐year prospective study
Authors: Ollikainen Minna , Puustjärvi Tuomo , Rekonen Petri , Uusitalo Hannu , Teräsvirta Markku
Published: April 2009

Purpose:  To investigate the efficacy and safety of mitomycin C (MMC)‐augmented deep sclerectomy with implant (DSCI) in patients with primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG) and exfoliation glaucoma (ExG).

Methods:  A total of 68 eyes of 68 patients with POAG and ExG were enrolled consecutively to undergo DSCI with MMC (0.4 mg/ml for 2 min). The intraocular pressure (IOP), number of antiglaucoma medications, neodymium:yttrium‐aluminum‐garnet (Nd:YAG) laser goniopunctures and complications were compared postoperatively. Surgery was considered as a complete success when IOP was < 18 mmHg without antiglaucoma medication.

Results:  Preoperatively, the mean IOPs were 23.1 ± 5.8 and 25.4 ± 8.3 mmHg, and 13.8 ± 6.1 and 11.2 ± 5.6 mmHg in the POAG and ExG groups, respectively, at 12 months. 77.4% and 75.7% of surgeries were a complete success in the POAG and ExG groups, respectively [not significant (NS)]. Five patients (16.1%) in the POAG group but none in the ExG group (0%) were receiving antiglaucoma medication at 12 months (NS). Nd:YAG laser goniopuncture was performed in 29.0% of eyes in the POAG group and in 55.6% of eyes in the ExG group (p = 0.047). Postoperatively, choroidal detachment occurred in 16.1% of eyes in the POAG group and in 10.8% of eyes in the ExG group (NS). We encountered no serious complications related to MMC use.

Conclusion:  DS with MMC augmentation appears to be equally effective in ExG and POAG patients in lowering IOP to target levels, at least in the short term, with few immediate postoperative complications.
Effective and Robust Vibration Control Using Series Multiple Tuned-Mass Dampers
Authors: Zuo Lei
Published: April 2009

Various types of tuned-mass dampers (TMDs), or dynamic vibration absorbers, have been proposed in literature, including the classic TMD, (parallel) multiple TMDs, multidegree-of-freedom (DOF) TMD, and three-element TMD. In this paper we study the characteristics and optimization of a new type of TMD system, in which multiple absorbers are connected to the primary system in series. Decentralized H2 and H∞ control methods are adopted to optimize the parameters of spring stiffness and damping coefficients for random and harmonic vibration. It is found that series multiple TMDs are more effective and robust than all the other types of TMDs of the same mass ratio. The series two TMDs of total mass ratio of 5% can appear to have 31–66% more mass than the classical TMD, and it can perform better than the optimal parallel ten TMDs of the same total mass ratio. The series TMDs are also less sensitive to the parameter variance of the primary system than other TMD(s). Unlike in the parallel multiple TMDs where at the optimum the absorber mass is almost equally distributed, in the optimal series TMDs the mass of the first absorber is generally much larger than the second one. Similar to the 2DOF TMD, the optimal series two TMDs also have zero damping in one of its two connections, and further increased effectiveness can be obtained if a negative dashpot is allowed. The optimal performance and parameters of series two TMDs are obtained and presented in a form of ready-to-use design charts.
Application of Modal Identification Methods to Spatial Structure Using Field Measurement Data
Authors: Liu Wei , Gao Wei-cheng , Sun Yi
Published: April 2009

Modal identification with output-only measurements plays a key role in vibration-based damage detection, model updating, and structural health monitoring in civil engineering. This paper addresses the application of modal identification method to a triangle steel tube truss natatorium using the field measurement data. To obtain dynamic characteristics of the spatial structure, four different output-only system identification methods are employed. They are natural excitation technique–eigensystem realization algorithm, data-driven stochastic subspace identification method, frequency-domain decomposition/frequency-spatial domain decomposition method, and half spectra/rational fractional orthogonal polynomial method. First an analytical modal analysis was performed on the three-dimensional finite element model according to the factual layout design to obtain the calculated frequencies and mode shapes. Then the whole procedure of the field vibration tests on the natatorium was presented. Finally, practical issues and efficiency of the four output-only modal identification techniques are investigated, and compared with the results from a finite element model. The system identification results demonstrate that both methods can provide reliable information on dynamic characteristics of the spatial structure. The frequency-domain methods, however, can quickly identify the modal parameters, but the leakage error introduced by power-spectral density estimation is existent due to the limited length of data. And the time-domain methods can avoid the leakage error, but the computational modes and the computational cost are the main two drawbacks in application. The conclusion is that several system identification methods should be consulted to ensure the accuracy of the estimated modal parameters.
Nonlinear Oscillation of a Rotor-AMB System With Time Varying Stiffness and Multi-External Excitations
Authors: Kamel M. , Bauomy H. S.
Published: April 2009

The rotor-active magnetic bearing system subjected to a periodically time-varying stiffness having quadratic and cubic nonlinearities is studied and solved. The multiple time scale technique is applied to solve the nonlinear differential equations governing the system up to the second order approximation. All possible resonance cases are deduced at this approximation and some of them are confirmed by applying the Rung–Kutta method. The main attention is focused on the stability of the steady-state solution near the simultaneous principal resonance and the effects of different parameters on the steady-state response. A comparison is made with the available published work.
A Study on the Sound Quality Evaluation Model of Mechanical Air-Cleaners
Authors: Ih Jeong-Guon , Jang Su-Won , Jeong Cheol-Ho , Jeung Youn-Young
Published: April 2009

In operating the air-cleaner for a long time, people in a quiet enclosed space expect low sound at low operational levels for a routine cleaning of air. However, in the condition of high operational levels of the cleaner, a powerful yet nonannoying sound is desired, which is connected to a feeling of an immediate cleaning of pollutants. In this context, it is important to evaluate and design the air-cleaner noise to satisfy such contradictory expectations from the customers. In this study, a model for evaluating the sound quality of air-cleaners of mechanical type was developed based on objective and subjective analyses. Sound signals from various air-cleaners were recorded and they were edited by increasing or decreasing the loudness at three wide specific-loudness bands: 20–400 Hz (0–3.8 barks), 400–1250 Hz (3.8–10 barks), and 1.25–12.5 kHz bands (10–22.8 barks). Subjective tests using the edited sounds were conducted by the semantic differential method (SDM) and the method of successive intervals (MSI). SDM tests for seven adjective pairs were conducted to find the relation between subjective feeling and frequency bands. Two major feelings, performance and annoyance, were factored out from the principal component analysis. We found that the performance feeling was related to both low and high frequency bands, whereas the annoyance feeling was related to high frequency bands. MSI tests using the seven scales were conducted to derive the sound quality index to express the severity of each perceptive descriptor. Annoyance and performance indices of air-cleaners were modeled from the subjective responses of the juries and the measured sound quality metrics: loudness, sharpness, roughness, and fluctuation strength. The multiple regression method was employed to generate sound quality evaluation models. Using the developed indices, sound quality of the measured data was evaluated and compared with the subjective data. The difference between predicted and tested scores was less than 0.5 points.
Optimal Vibration Suppression of Timoshenko Beam With Tuned-Mass-Damper Using Finite Element Method
Authors: Yang Fan , Sedaghati Ramin , Esmailzadeh Ebrahim
Published: April 2009

In this study, the structural vibration analysis and design of a Timoshenko beam with the attached tuned-mass-damper (TMD) under the harmonic and random excitations are presented using the finite element technique. A design optimization methodology has been developed in which the derived finite element formulation of a Timoshenko beam with the attached TMD has been combined with the sequential quadratic programming optimization algorithm to find the optimal design variables of TMD in order to suppress the vibration effectively. The validity of the developed optimal TMD system design strategy has been verified through illustrative examples, in which the structural response comparisons and the sensitivity analysis of the design parameters have been presented. The results were compared with those available in literatures and very close agreement was achieved.
Mitigating Vibration Along an Arbitrarily Supported Elastic Structure Using Multiple Two-Degree-of-Freedom Oscillators
Authors: Cha Philip D. , Chan Michael
Published: April 2009

Simple spring-mass systems are often deployed as vibration absorbers to quench excess vibration in structural systems. In this paper, multiple two-degree-of-freedom oscillators that translate and rotate are used to mitigate vibration by imposing points of zero displacement, or nodes, along any arbitrarily supported elastic structure during harmonic excitations. Nodes can often be enforced along an elastic structure by attaching suitably chosen two-degree-of-freedom oscillators. In application, however, the actual selection of the oscillator parameters also depends on the tolerable translational and rotational vibration amplitudes of the attached oscillators, because if these vibration amplitudes are large, then theoretically feasible solutions would not be practical to implement. In this paper, an efficient approach is developed that can be used to tune the oscillator parameters that are required to induce nodes, while satisfying the tolerable vibration amplitudes of the oscillators. Instead of solving for the oscillator parameters directly, the restoring forces exerted by the springs are computed instead. The proposed approach is simple to apply, efficient to solve, and more importantly, allows one to easily impose the tolerable translational and rotational vibration amplitudes of the two-degree-of-freedom oscillators. A design guide for choosing the required oscillator parameters is outlined, and numerical experiments are performed to validate the proposed scheme of imposing nodes along a structure at multiple locations during harmonic excitations.
An Efficient Galerkin BEM to Compute High Acoustic Eigenfrequencies
Authors: Durán Mario , Nédélec Jean-Claude , Ossandón Sebastián
Published: April 2009

An efficient numerical method, using integral equations, is developed to calculate precisely the acoustic eigenfrequencies and their associated eigenvectors, located in a given high frequency interval. It is currently known that the real symmetric matrices are well adapted to numerical treatment. However, we show that this is not the case when using integral representations to determine with high accuracy the spectrum of elliptic, and other related operators. Functions are evaluated only in the boundary of the domain, so very fine discretizations may be chosen to obtain high eigenfrequencies. We discuss the stability and convergence of the proposed method. Finally we show some examples.
Parallel-Plate Conductive Electrodes for the Fabrication of Larger 2D Colloidal Photonic Crystals
Authors: Asmatulu R. , Kim S. , Papadimitrakopoulos F. , Marcus H.
Published: April 2009

A new dielectrophoretic force-induced parallel-plate assembly technique was used to achieve close-packed 2D large colloidal photonic crystals on gold electrodes (∼200 nm thick). The electrodes were patterned on a glass substrate using a conventional UV lithography technique. The experimental tests conducted with 5.3 μm carboxyl functionalized polystyrene particles at various ac and dc voltages, frequencies, and particle concentrations showed that larger size (0.25×3 mm2) colloidal photonic crystals were fabricated on the ground electrode rather than on the working electrode. To date, this is the largest colloidal photonic crystal fabricated using this method. The reason behind this phenomenon can be attributed to the electro-osmotic flow in the colloidal system and dipole-dipole attractions between the colloidal particles.
Cavitating Turbulent Flow Simulation in a Francis Turbine Based on Mixture Model
Authors: Liu Shuhong , Zhang Liang , Nishi Michihiro , Wu Yulin
Published: April 2009

As a numerical method to study the cavitation performance of a Francis turbine, the mixture model for the cavity/liquid two-phase flow is adopted in the cavitating turbulent flow analysis together with the re-normalization group (RNG) k-ε turbulence model in the present paper. The direct coupling numerical technique is used to solve the governing equations of the mixture model for the two-phase flow. Unsteady cavitating flow simulation around a hydrofoil of ALE15 is conducted as preliminary evaluation. Then, the cavitating flow in a Francis turbine is treated from the steady flow simulation since the feasibility of the cavitation model to the performance prediction of the turbine is the present major concern. Comparisons of the computational results with the model test data, i.e., the cavitation characteristics of hydraulic efficiency and the overload vortex rope at the draft tube inlet being reproduced reasonably, indicate that the present method has sufficient potential to simulate the cavitating flow in hydraulic turbines. Further, the unsteady cavitating flow simulation through the Francis turbine is conducted as well to study the pressure fluctuation characters caused by the vortex rope in the draft tube at partial load operation.
Experimental Investigation of Flow Field Structure in Mixing Tee
Authors: Hosseini Seyed Mohammad , Yuki Kazuhisa , Hashizume Hidetoshi
Published: April 2009

T-junction is one of the familiar components in the cooling system of power plants with enormous capability of high-cycle thermal fatigue. This research investigates the structure and mixing mechanism of turbulent flow in a T-junction area with a 90 deg bend upstream. According to the wide distribution of turbulent jets in the T-junction, a re-attached jet was selected previously as the best representative condition with the highest velocity fluctuation and the most complex structure. For considering the mixing mechanism of re-attached jet, T-junction is subdivided into few lateral and longitudinal sections, and each section is visualized separately by particle image velocimetry technique. Corresponding to the experimental data, the branch flow acts as a finite turbulent jet, develops the alternative type of eddies, and causes the high velocity fluctuation near the main pipe wall. Three regions are mainly subject to maximum velocity fluctuation: the region close to the jet boundaries (fluctuation mostly is caused by Kelvin–Helmholtz instability), the region above the jet and along the main flow (fluctuation mostly is caused by Karman vortex), and the re-attached area (fluctuation mostly is caused by changing the pressure gradient in the wake area above the jet). Finally, the re-attached area (near the downstream of wake area above the jet) is introduced as a region with strongest possibility to high-cycle thermal fatigue with most effective velocity fluctuation on the main pipe wall above the branch nozzle.
Comparison of Turbulence Modeling Strategies for Indoor Flows
Authors: Abdilghanie Ammar M. , Collins Lance R. , Caughey David A.
Published: April 2009

Turbulence modeling techniques are compared for the simulation of low speed indoor air flow in a simple room. The effect of inlet turbulence intensity on the flow field is investigated using the constant coefficient large eddy simulation (LES) model with uniform mean inlet conditions at several levels of inlet turbulence intensities. The results show significant differences between the simulations with laminar inflow conditions and those in which turbulence was introduced at the inlet. For simulations with turbulent inlet conditions, it is noticed that the jet transitions to a state of fully developed turbulence wherein the dynamics of the flow become nearly insensitive to any further increase in the level of inlet turbulence. For laminar flow conditions, it is seen that the jet slowly spreads and mixes with the quiescent room air. As a result, the jet reaches a fully developed turbulent state further away from the inlet relative to the simulations with inlet turbulence. The effect of using experimental inlet profiles is also investigated. It is seen that, close to the inlet, the flow is sensitive to the inflow details, whereas further away from the inlet, these effects become less pronounced. The results from the constant coefficient and the dynamic LES models are compared. The most noticeable differences in the flow occur at the locations where the subgrid-scale’s contribution to the turbulent kinetic energy is highest. Finally, the results from the dynamic LES and the k-ϵ models are compared. It is found that there are significant differences between the two models for the zero inlet turbulence limit where the flow is most probably transitional in nature and turbulence has not yet reached a fully developed state. It is seen that in the laminar inflow case the k-ϵ model predicts a fully turbulent jet very close to the inlet and thus fails to capture the slow development of the jet found in LES. Accordingly, the k-ϵ model results are nearly insensitive to the level of inlet turbulence especially far from the origin of the flow. It is also seen that for cases with nonzero inlet turbulence level, the k-ϵ model predicts the general features of the mean flow reasonably well; however, the k-ϵ model overpredicts the jet spreading rate and the turbulent kinetic energy close to the inlet. Furthermore, the k-ϵ model under predicts the turbulence level near the corner of the ceiling as it fails to capture the complicated mean velocity and turbulent kinetic energy, most likely because of the highly intermittent flow pattern found there in LES.
Homeostatic Sleep Pressure and Responses to Sustained Attention in the Suprachiasmatic Area
Authors: Schmidt Christina , Collette Fabienne , Leclercq Yves , Sterpenich Virginie , Vandewalle Gilles , Berthomier Pierre , Berthomier Christian , Phillips Christophe , Tinguely Gilberte , Darsaud Annabelle , Gais Steffen , Schabus Manuel , Desseilles Martin , Dang-Vu Thien Thanh , Salmon Eric , Balteau Evelyne , Degueldre Christian , Luxen André , Maquet Pierre , Cajochen Christian , Peigneux Philippe
Published: April 2009

After prolonged wakefulness, people who are “night owls” do better at mental tests than those who are “early birds.”
Catalytic Core of a Membrane-Associated Eukaryotic Polyphosphate Polymerase
Authors: Hothorn Michael , Neumann Heinz , Lenherr Esther D. , Wehner Mark , Rybin Vladimir , Hassa Paul O. , Uttenweiler Andreas , Reinhardt Monique , Schmidt Andrea , Seiler Jeanette , Ladurner Andreas G. , Herrmann Christian , Scheffzek Klaus , Mayer Andreas
Published: April 2009

A yeast membrane protein complex contains a domain that generates linear phosphate polymers from adenosine triphosphate.
Greatly Increased Toughness of Infiltrated Spider Silk
Authors: Lee Seung-Mo , Pippel Eckhard , Gösele Ulrich , Dresbach Christian , Qin Yong , Chandran C. Vinod , Bräuniger Thomas , Hause Gerd , Knez Mato
Published: April 2009

Infiltration of spider silk with impurities enhances the mechanical performance.
14
CH
4
Measurements in Greenland Ice: Investigating Last Glacial Termination CH
4
Sources
Authors: Petrenko Vasilii V. , Smith Andrew M. , Brook Edward J. , Lowe Dave , Riedel Katja , Brailsford Gordon , Hua Quan , Schaefer Hinrich , Reeh Niels , Weiss Ray F. , Etheridge David , Severinghaus Jeffrey P.
Published: April 2009

Radiocarbon measurements show that wetlands were responsible for the rapid increase of atmospheric methane concentration during the last deglaciation.
Revealing the History of Sheep Domestication Using Retrovirus Integrations
Authors: Chessa Bernardo , Pereira Filipe , Arnaud Frederick , Amorim Antonio , Goyache Félix , Mainland Ingrid , Kao Rowland R. , Pemberton Josephine M. , Beraldi Dario , Stear Michael J. , Alberti Alberto , Pittau Marco , Iannuzzi Leopoldo , Banabazi Mohammad H. , Kazwala Rudovick R. , Zhang Ya-ping , Arranz Juan J. , Ali Bahy A. , Wang Zhiliang , Uzun Metehan , Dione Michel M. , Olsaker Ingrid , Holm Lars-Erik , Saarma Urmas , Ahmad Sohail , Marzanov Nurbiy , Eythorsdottir Emma , Holland Martin J. , Ajmone-Marsan Paolo , Bruford Michael W. , Kantanen Juha , Spencer Thomas E. , Palmarini Massimo
Published: April 2009

Sheep retroviruses can be used to map the selective preferences of early farmers and trace livestock movements across Europe.
Shifting Gear, Quickly
Authors: Nisbet E. G. , Chappellaz J.
Published: April 2009

Methane bursts during a past warming transition may provide a guide to future Arctic climate change.
Coat Color Variation at the Beginning of Horse Domestication
Authors: Ludwig Arne , Pruvost Melanie , Reissmann Monika , Benecke Norbert , Brockmann Gudrun A. , Castaños Pedro , Cieslak Michael , Lippold Sebastian , Llorente Laura , Malaspinas Anna-Sapfo , Slatkin Montgomery , Hofreiter Michael
Published: April 2009

As part of the domestication process, humans appear to have selectively bred color variants of horses.
Did Humans Learn From Hobbits?
Authors: Culotta Elizabeth
Published: April 2009

A detailed new analysis of stone tools unearthed from the cave of the roughly 1-meter-tall ancient human found in Indonesia sheds light on the "hobbit's" technological capabilities and raises a new mystery: Why did the modern humans who arrived later make tools the same way hobbits did?
Brilliant Moves to Tackle Global Threats
Authors: Miller Greg
Published: April 2009

A new nonprofit foundation started by Jeffrey Skoll, the billionaire founding president of eBay, has lured physician and epidemiologist Larry Brilliant away from Google.org, the Internet company's philanthropic arm.
Water Droplets Grow Faster Than Expected
Authors: Cho Adrian
Published: April 2009

At the German Physical Society meeting, researchers showed that, paradoxically, whereas water droplets in a crowd grow steadily with time, an isolated droplet grows faster as it gets bigger: Its volume increases in proportion to time raised to the 3/2 power.
Comparison of Two Rapid Diagnostic Assays for Detection of Immunoglobulin M Antibodies to Dengue Virus
Authors: Wu Shuenn-Jue L. , Paxton Helene , Hanson Barbara , Kung Cheryl G. , Chen Timothy B. , Rossi Cindy , Vaughn David W. , Murphy Gerald S. , Hayes Curtis G.
Published: April 2009

Two easy-to-use commercial diagnostic assays, a dipstick enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Integrated Diagnostics, Baltimore, Md.) and an immunochromatographic card assay (PanBio, Brisbane, Australia) were evaluated for detection of immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody to dengue virus with an in-house IgM antibody capture microplate ELISA as a reference assay. The dipstick ELISA was based on the indirect-ELISA format using dengue 2 virus as the only antigen and enzyme-labeled goat anti-human IgM antibody as the detector. The total assay time was 75 min. The immunochromatographic card assay was based on the antibody capture format and separately measured both anti-dengue virus IgM and IgG in the same test. Colloidal-gold-labeled anti-dengue virus monoclonal antibody bound with dengue virus 1 to 4 antigen cocktail was the detector, and anti-human IgM and IgG were the capture antibodies. The total assay time was <10 min. Sera from 164 individuals classified as either anti-dengue virus IgM positive (94) or anti-dengue virus IgM negative (70) in the reference microplate ELISA with a dengue virus 1 to 4 antigen cocktail were tested in the two commercial assays. The dipstick ELISA missed 7 of 94 positive samples, for a sensitivity of 92.6%, while the immunochromatographic card assay missed two positive samples, for a sensitivity of 97.9%. Of the 70 negative samples, four were false positive by the dipstick ELISA and two were false positive in the immunochromatographic card assay, resulting in specificities of 94.3 and 97.1%, respectively. Both commercial assays provide sensitive and specific detection of anti-dengue virus IgM antibody and could prove useful in settings where the microplate ELISA is impractical.
Evaluation of the Quantiplex Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 RNA 3.0 Assay in a Tertiary-Care Center
Authors: Gale Howard
Published: April 2009

The Quantiplex human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA 3.0 Assay (bDNA) (Bayer Diagnostics, Walpole, Mass.) produced linear and reproducible (intra-assay and interassay) results over its quantification range of 50 to 500,000 copies/ml of plasma with 96% specificity. A threefold or 0.5-log
10
change or greater was clinically significant for serial patient samples.
Development of Positive Selectable Markers for the Fungal Pathogen
Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Hua Jun , Meyer Justin D. , Lodge Jennifer K.
Published: April 2009

Cryptococcus neoformans
is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes meningitis in ∼10% of patients with AIDS. New selectable markers which confer resistance to G418 or phleomycin when transformed into
C. neoformans
were made. A hygromycin-selectable marker was modified to allow selection with a single copy of the marker.