bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecularly Imprinted Nanospheres by Nonaqueous Emulsion Polymerization
Authors: Dvorakova Gita , Haschick Robert , Chiad Khalid , Klapper Markus , Müllen Klaus , Biffis Andrea
Published: October 2010

The preparation of nanosized, molecularly imprinted polymer particles by nonaqueous emulsion polymerization is presented. Monodisperse cross‐linked polymer nanospheres with a diameter of around 100 nm were synthesized using a standard monomer mixture of methacrylic acid and ethylene dimethacrylate, containing (±)‐propranolol as a template. The rebinding efficiency of the resulting particles was determined by batch rebinding tests and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). The results indicate that the proposed imprinting process under nonaqueous conditions lead to particles with an enhanced capacity of template rebinding compared to both nonimprinted ones and to particles obtained by more conventional emulsion polymerization in water.

magnified image
Long‐term stability of effects of subthalamic stimulation in Parkinson's disease: Indian Experience
Authors: Kishore Asha , Rao Ravimohan , Krishnan Syam , Panikar Dilip , Sarma Gangadhara , Sivasanakaran Mathuranath Pavagada , Sarma Sankara
Published: October 2010

Reports of long‐term effects of subthalamic (STN) stimulation for Parkinson's disease (PD) are few, mostly open‐label evaluations and from Western centers. We used single‐blind and open‐label motor, cognitive and quality of life (QOL) evaluations to study the effects of bilateral STN stimulation in 45 patients over 5 years. Our patients showed a stable and substantial reduction in the cardinal signs of PD, motor fluctuations, and dyskinesias but less so for axial signs. The reduction in medications and the intensity of electrical stimulation needed also remained stable during follow up. Although the total QOL and its parkinsonism and social components showed sustained benefits till 5 years, the gains in emotional and systemic subsets were short lasting. Global scores for mood and cognition did not show significant worsening. Benefits of STN stimulation on the cardinal signs, motor complications, and QOL of advanced PD were substantial and sustained till 5 years. The initial benefits in axial motor signs and emotional and psychological aspects of QOL did not show similar stability. In general, the procedure had insignificant impact on cognition and mood. This is the first report of STN stimulation in Asian patients with PD. © Movement Disorder Society
Adult cases of congenital muscular torticollis successfully treated with botulinum toxin
Authors: Bouchard Manon , Chouinard Sylvain , Suchowersky, and Oksana
Published: October 2010

Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) is the most common cause of torticollis in childhood. This condition is usually recognized and successfully treated in infancy, but may persist in adulthood, particularly if not treated. In adult patients, CMT can be differentiated from idiopathic cervical dystonia by the frequent association with facial asymmetry, presence of a cord‐like sternocleiodmastoid muscle (SCM), absence of head tremor, lack of sensory trick, and head tilt since infancy. We describe 3 patients with persistent CMT, who were successfully treated with botulinum toxin injections with long lasting benefit. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society.
Prophylactic and therapeutic implications of toll‐like receptor ligands
Authors: Hedayat Mona , Takeda Kiyoshi , Rezaei Nima
Published: October 2010

The evolutionary conserved Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) are the first identified and best characterized pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) which discriminate self from nonself, providing an early and effective immune response against invading pathogens. The ever expanding knowledge of TLR signaling network make it one of the most promising therapeutic strategies to modulate the immune response in various human diseases. Immune modulating strategies based on TLR‐specific agonists elicit a potent immune response to adjuvant vaccine immunotherapy, cancers, allergic diseases, and chronic viral infections while minimizing the risk of uncontrolled provocation of systemic inflammatory response. Moreover, the contribution of TLR signaling in the pathogenesis of chronic noninfectious inflammatory and autoimmune diseases provides the rationale for the development and clinical implementation of TLR‐specific antagonists. At present, a few TLR‐specific agonists have been approved for both prophylactic and therapeutic applications, while the ongoing preclinical and clinical studies show promising results on various novel therapeutic molecules as an adjunctive to conventional pharmacotherapy or stand‐alone therapeutic strategy.  © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev
A meshless scaling iterative algorithm based on compactly supported radial basis functions for the numerical solution of Lane‐Emden‐Fowler equation
Authors: Shen Quan
Published: October 2010

In this article, we combine the compactly supported radial basis function (RBF) collocation method and the scaling iterative algorithm to compute and visualize the multiple solutions of the Lane‐Emden‐Fowler equation on a bounded domain Ω ⊂ R2 with a homogeneous Dirichlet boundary condition. This novel method has the advantage over traditional methods, which approximate the spatial derivatives using either the finite difference method (FDM), the finite element method (FEM), or the boundary element method (BEM), because it does not require a mesh over the domain. As a result, it needs less computational time than the globally supported RBF collocation method. When compared with the reference solutions in (Chen, Zhou, and Ni, Int J Bifurcation Chaos 10 (2000), 565–1612), our numerical results demonstrate the accuracy and ease of implementation of this method. It is therefore much more suitable for dealing with the complex domains than the FEM, the FDM, and the BEM. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 28: 554‐572, 2012
Analysis of segregated boundary‐domain integral equations for variable‐coefficient problems with cracks
Authors: Chkadua O. , Mikhailov S.E. , Natroshvili D.
Published: October 2010

Segregated direct boundary‐domain integral equation (BDIE) systems associated with mixed, Dirichlet and Neumann boundary value problems (BVPs) for a scalar “Laplace” PDE with variable coefficient are formulated and analyzed for domains with interior cuts (cracks). The main results established in the paper are the BDIE equivalence to the original BVPs and invertibility of the BDIE operators in the corresponding Sobolev spaces. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2010
The Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD) nationwide exenatide audit
Authors: Ryder REJ , Thong KY , Cull ML , Mills AP , Walton C , Winocour PH
Published: October 2010

In December 2008, to accelerate understanding of a new agent, the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD) launched a nationwide audit on the use of exenatide in clinical practice.

A password‐protected online questionnaire for collection of anonymised patient data was established and diabetes specialists in the UK were given persistent encouragement to submit data on their exenatide‐treated patients. Baseline and latest HbA1c, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure and lipids were compared and adverse events related to exenatide were quantified.

A total of 315 contributors from 126 centres submitted data on 6717 patients (54.9% male) – mean baseline age was 54.9 years, HbA1c 9.47% (80mmol/mol), weight 113.8kg, BMI 39.8kg/m2. Of these, 4551 and 4385 had dated baseline and latest HbA1c and weight respectively. Mean (±SE) HbA1c fell by 0.73±0.03% (p<0.001) and weight by 5.9±0.1kg (p<0.001) at a median (range) of 26.1(6.6–164.1) and 26.0(6.6–159.0) weeks respectively.

The following parameters also showed significant falls (p<0.001): BMI 2.2±0.1kg/m2, waist circumference 5.1±0.3cm, systolic blood pressure 3.6±0.6mmHg, total cholesterol 0.16±0.03mmol/L and HDL cholesterol 0.03±0.01mmol/L. Triglycerides decreased by 0.14±0.06mmol/L (p=0.009). The change in diastolic blood pressure was not statistically significant. In all, 23.7% of patients reported gastrointestinal side effects with 7.2% having to stop exenatide permanently. Hypoglycaemia rates were 3.3% before and 5.6% after exenatide use (p<0.001). After scrutiny, one case of pancreatitis and four cases of renal failure occurring in patients on exenatide had no obvious alternate cause. All other reported side effects had <1% incidence. The rate of exenatide discontinuation was 19.9% throughout the span of the audit, most commonly due to gastrointestinal side effects (36.1%) and lack of glycaemic or weight benefit (33.8%).

This large scale audit confirmed the effectiveness of exenatide in clinical use and highlighted rare associated adverse events. Importantly, we have successfully demonstrated a novel approach by a national specialist society to independently monitor the efficacy and safety of a new treatment. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons.
Fabrication of (Ga,Mn)As magnetic semiconductor quantum dots on Si substrates by droplet epitaxy
Authors: Wang S. L. , Meng K. K. , Chen L. , Xu P. F. , Meng H. J. , Lu J. , Zhao J. H.
Published: October 2010

(Ga,Mn)As magnetic semiconductor quantum dots were fabricated on Si(001) substrates by droplet epitaxy using molecular‐beam epitaxy. It is found that both the diameter and density of the (Ga,Mn)As quantum dots can be modulated by changing the amount of Ga deposited. The high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy image shows that the dots possess a zincblende structure. The presence of ferromagnetic ordering with a Mn content of 0.08 was observed, and the ferromagnetic transition temperature can be increased from approximately 50 K to 80 K by post‐growth annealing (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Molecular‐beam deposition of polycrystalline GaSbAs thin films at a low substrate temperature of 300 °C
Authors: Okuzako T. , Okamura K. , Matsui Y. , Nakaya K. , Kajikawa Y.
Published: October 2010

GaSbx As1‐x films with Sb compositions of x = 0.34‐0.86 were grown on glass substrates by molecular‐beam deposition. We show that GaSbAs can be deposited as p‐type single‐phase polycrystalline films even at a low substrate temperature of 300 °C. The hole mobility of the GaSbx As1‐x films with x = 0.80 was 20 cm2/Vs at room temperature. Analysis of the temperature dependence of hole mobility reveals that the high mobility is due to the low height of potential barriers at grain boundaries. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effect of geometry on the excitonic diamagnetic shift of nano‐rings
Authors: Thu L. M. , Chiu W. T. , Lin Ta‐Chun , Voskoboynikov O.
Published: October 2010

We simulate magneto‐excitons confined in asymmetrically wobbled three‐dimensional InAs/GaAs nano‐rings. The wobbling asymmetry reproduces realistic experimental geometry of the rings and generates an asymmetry in the side valleys of the three dimensional confinement potential. Using our mapping method and the exact diagonization approach we calculated the excitonic diamagnetic shift and found that even a small wobbling asymmetry can drastically change the diamagnetic shift coefficient. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Auger ionization in carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoribbons under laser irradiation
Authors: Onoda Nobuhito , Konabe Satoru , Yamamoto Takahiro , Watanabe Kazuyuki
Published: October 2010

We calculated the Auger ionization rate between excitons in semiconducting carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoribbons. Because of the enhanced Coulomb interaction, the exciton is ionized into free electron‐hole continuum by the exciton‐exciton scattering.

Our calculation shows that the Auger ionization time is small, picosecond order, compared with the other recombination processes, and it is useful to generate free electron‐hole carriers (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
First principles prediction of the third conformer of hydrogenated BN sheet
Authors: Bhattacharya A. , Bhattacharya S. , Majumder C. , Das G. P.
Published: October 2010

We report, using first principles density functional calculations, the relative stabilities, structural and electronic properties of various conformers of hydrogenated BN sheet (BHNH). The already known chair and boat BHNH conformers are structurally similar to those of graphane. We propose a third BHNH conformer called ‘stirrup’ which turns out to be the most stable one, as also verified by frequency analysis. In this conformer, the B–H and N–H bonds of a hexagon alternate in 3‐up and 3‐down fashion on either side of the sheet. We also explore that any other alternative hydrogenation of the BN sheet disrupts its periodic puckered geometry and turns out to be energetically less stable. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Photo‐capacitance spectroscopy investigation of deep‐level defects in AlGaN/GaN hetero‐structures with different current collapses
Authors: Nakano Yoshitaka , Irokawa Yoshihiro , Sumida Yasunobu , Yagi Shuichi , Kawai Hiroji
Published: October 2010

We have investigated electronic deep levels in two AlGaN/GaN hetero‐structures with different current collapses grown at 1150 and 1100 °C by a photo‐capacitance spectroscopy technique, using Schottky barrier diodes. Three specific deep levels located at ∼2.07, ∼2.80, and ∼3.23 eV below the conduction band were found to be significantly enhanced for severe current collapse, being in reasonable agreement with photoluminescence and capacitance–voltage characteristics. These levels probably originate in Ga vacancies and residual C impurities and are probably responsible for the current collapse phenomena of the AlGaN/GaN hetero‐structures. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electrosprayed Synthesis of Red‐Blood‐Cell‐Like Particles with Dual Modality for Magnetic Resonance and Fluorescence Imaging
Authors: Hayashi Koichiro , Ono Kenji , Suzuki Hiromi , Sawada Makoto , Moriya Makoto , Sakamoto Wataru , Yogo Toshinobu
Published: October 2010

Red blood cells (RBCs) are able to avoid filtration in the spleen to prolong their half‐time in the body because of their flexibility and unique shape, or a concave disk with diameter of some 10 μm. In addition, they can flow through capillary blood vessels, which are smaller than the diameter of RBCs, by morphing into a parachute‐like shape. In this study, flexible RBC‐like polymer particles are synthesized by electrospraying based on electrospinning. Furthermore, magnetite nanoparticles and fluorescent dye are encapsulated in the particles via in situ hydrolysis of an iron–organic compound in the presence of celluloses. The superparamagnetic behavior of the particles is confirmed by low‐temperature magnetic measurements. The particles exhibited not only a dark contrast in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but also effective fluorescence. The RBC‐like particles with flexibility are demonstrated to have a dual‐modality for MRI and fluorescence imaging.
The RNA capping machinery as an anti‐infective target
Authors: Issur Moheshwarnath , Picard‐Jean Frédéric , Bisaillon Martin
Published: October 2010

A number of different human pathogens code for their own enzymes involved in the synthesis of the RNA cap structure. Although the RNA cap structures originating from human and microbial enzymes are often identical, the subunit composition, structure and catalytic mechanisms of the microbial‐encoded enzymes involved in the synthesis of the RNA cap structure are often significantly different from those of host cells. As a consequence, these pathogenic cap‐forming enzymes are potential targets for antimicrobial drugs. During the past few years, experimental studies have started to demonstrate that inhibition of the RNA capping activity is a reasonable approach for the development of antimicrobial agents. The combination of structural, biochemical, and molecular modeling studies are starting to reveal novel molecules that can serve as starting blocks for the design of more potent and specific antimicrobial agents. Here, we examine various strategies that have been developed to inhibit microbial enzymes involved in the synthesis of the RNA cap structure, emphasizing the challenges remaining to design potent and selective drugs.WIREs RNA2011 2 184–192 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.43

This article is categorized under:

RNA Processing > Capping and 5' End Modifications
Critical Micelle Concentration and HLB of the Sodium Oleate–Hexadecyltrimethylammonium Bromide Mixed System
Authors: Miraglia Daniela B. , Rodríguez José L. , Minardi Rossana M. , Schulz Pablo C.
Published: October 2010

The critical micelle concentration of sodium oleate—hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide mixtures was determined as a function of the mixture composition and analyzed with Rubingh's theory, showing a strong nonideality. The hydrophile–lipophile balance (HLB) of the mixtures was also measured and the validity of the additivity rule for the HLB of surfactants mixtures was tested. Results were compared with the aggregation behavior of that mixture. Both the HLB and the critical micelle concentration dependencies on the mixture composition exhibit a negative deviation when compared with ideal behavior, which is explained on the basis of the interactions between components and surfactant partitioning between the bulk and the interface.
The Future of the West, ‘old’ and ‘new’
Authors: Prévéiakis Georges
Published: October 2010

If there is something stable about the notion of the ‘West’ is its constant changing under new circumstances. This is how the ‘West’ has managed to incorporate many diverse cultures under the promise of economic and social modernization. Today what came to be called the ‘West’ in the Cold War context (the US, Europe and Japan) faces the challenge of absorbing a volatile mix of countries and civilizations that ‘want in’ to prosperity and progress. The stake of the 21st century is whether this incorporation of new actors into the dynamic sphere of mutual competition and reinforcement of the West will be smooth. This process though already seems to put today's Western societies under severe stress.
The Shift to the East and Implications for the West
Authors: Sally Razeen
Published: October 2010

East Asian countries seem to be weathering the global economic crisis much better than the US and Europe. Western countries have been burdened by fiscal deficits and incoherent monetary policies. Asian triumphalism is unfounded, but the fact remains that Asia has a much more dynamic outlook. Especially China is rising again and driving the economic recovery of the rest of the region. But structural political and economic factors still impede China and other Asian countries from rising to the status of real global powers. The US remains the indispensable global leader. What really separates Asia from the West, and especially Europe, is a continental awakening, a striving for progress and advancement that contrasts with a new Eurosclerosis.
Predictors of changes in adolescents' consumption of fruits, vegetables and energy-dense snacks
Authors: Pearson Natalie , Ball Kylie , Crawford David
Published: October 2010

Understanding the predictors of developmental changes in adolescent eating behaviours is important for the design of nutrition interventions. The present study examined associations between individual, social and physical environmental factors and changes in adolescent eating behaviours over 2 years. Consumption of fruits, vegetables and energy-dense snacks was assessed using a Web-based survey completed by 1850 adolescents from years 7 and 9 of secondary schools in Victoria, Australia, at baseline and 2 years later. Perceived value of healthy eating, self-efficacy for healthy eating, social modelling and support, and home availability and accessibility of foods were assessed at baseline. Self-efficacy for increasing fruit consumption was positively associated with the change in fruit and vegetable consumption, while self-efficacy for decreasing junk food consumption was inversely associated with the change in energy-dense snack consumption. Home availability of energy-dense foods was inversely associated with the change in fruit consumption and positively associated with the change in energy-dense snack consumption, while home availability of fruits and vegetables was positively associated with the change in vegetable consumption. Perceived value of healthy eating and modelling of healthy eating by mothers were positively associated with the change in fruit consumption. Support of best friends for healthy eating was positively associated with the change in vegetable consumption. Self-efficacy and home availability of foods appear to be consistent predictors of change in fruit, vegetable and energy-dense snack consumption. Future study should assess the effectiveness of methods to increase self-efficacy for healthy eating and to improve home availability of healthy food options in programmes promoting healthy eating among adolescents.
Biological first principles for design competence
Authors: Dong Andy
Published: October 2010

This paper interprets the concept of biologically inspired design as understanding design based on the biological evidence. Borrowing its concept of design competence from Chomsky's definition of linguistic competence, the paper reviews biological evidence from fields including evolution, genetics, and animal behavior from the perspective of design research to propose that design competence is the product of an evolutionary history during which five key developments in cognitive evolution came together: conception unbounded by sensory perception, symbolic manipulation at a level of metarepresentation, theory of mind, curiosity, and mental time travel. These cognitive capabilities were derived from the biological evidence based upon the criteria that they are presumed to be unique to humans (Homo sapiens), they may be lost because of neurodegenerative diseases or they may fail to develop because of neurodevelopmental disorders, and they are not immediately present upon birth and develop as a child's brain matures. Based on these five capabilities, the paper concludes by discussing how computation may provide a useful way to understand the origins and evolution of design competence.
A content account of creative analogies in biologically inspired design
Authors: Vattam Swaroop S. , Helms Michael E. , Goel Ashok K.
Published: October 2010

The growing movement of biologically inspired design is driven in part by the need for sustainable development and in part by the recognition that nature could be a source of innovation. Biologically inspired design by definition entails cross-domain analogies from biological systems to problems in engineering and other design domains. However, the practice of biologically inspired design at present typically isad hoc, with little systemization of either biological knowledge for the purposes of engineering design or the processes of transferring knowledge of biological designs to engineering problems. In this paper we present an intricate episode of biologically inspired engineering design that unfolded over an extended period of time. We then analyze our observations in terms ofwhy,what,how, andwhenquestions of analogy. This analysis contributes toward a content theory of creative analogies in the context of biologically inspired design.
A methodology for supporting “transfer” in biomimetic design
Authors: Sartori Julian , Pal Ujjwal , Chakrabarti Amaresh
Published: October 2010

Biomimetics involves transfer from one or more biological examples to a technical system. This study addresses four questions. What are the essential steps in a biomimetic process? What is transferred? How can the transferred knowledge be structured in a way useful for biologists and engineers? Which guidelines can be given to support transfer in biomimetic design processes? In order to identify the essential steps involved in carrying out biomimetics, several procedures found in the literature were summarized, and four essential steps that are common across these procedures were identified. For identification of mechanisms for transfer, 20 biomimetic examples were collected and modeled according to a model of causality called the SAPPhIRE model. These examples were then analyzed for identifying the underlying similarity between each biological and corresponding analogue technical system. Based on the SAPPhIRE model, four levels of abstraction at which transfer takes place were identified. Taking into account similarity, the biomimetic examples were assigned to the appropriate levels of abstraction of transfer. Based on the essential steps and the levels of transfer, guidelines for supporting transfer in biomimetic design were proposed and evaluated using design experiments. The 20 biological and analogue technical systems that were analyzed were similar in the physical effects used and at the most abstract levels of description of their functionality, but they were the least similar at the lowest levels of abstraction: the parts involved. Transfer most often was carried out at the physical effect level of abstraction. Compared to a generic set of guidelines based on the literature, the proposed guidelines improved design performance by about 60%. Further, the SAPPhIRE model turned out to be a useful representation for modeling complex biological systems and their functionality. Databases of biological systems, which are structured using the SAPPhIRE model, have the potential to aid biomimetic concept generation.
A natural-language approach to biomimetic design
Authors: Shu L.H.
Published: October 2010

This paper summarizes various aspects of identifying and applying biological analogies in engineering design using a natural-language approach. To avoid the immense as well as potentially biased task of creating a biological database specifically for engineering design, the chosen approach searches biological knowledge in natural-language format, such as books and papers, for instances of keywords describing the engineering problem. Strategies developed to facilitate this search are identified, and how text descriptions of biological phenomena are used in problem solving is summarized. Several application case studies are reported to illustrate the approach. The value of the natural-language approach is demonstrated by its ability to identify relevant biological analogies that are not limited to those entered into a database specifically for engineering design.
Function-based, biologically inspired concept generation
Authors: Nagel Jacquelyn K.S. , Nagel Robert L. , Stone Robert B. , McAdams Daniel A.
Published: October 2010

The natural world provides numerous cases for inspiration in engineering design. Biological organisms, phenomena, and strategies, which we refer to as biological systems, provide a rich set of analogies. These systems provide insight into sustainable and adaptable design and offer engineers billions of years of valuable experience, which can be used to inspire engineering innovation. This research presents a general method for functionally representing biological systems through systematic design techniques, leading to the conceptualization of biologically inspired engineering designs. Functional representation and abstraction techniques are used to translate biological systems into an engineering context. The goal is to make the biological information accessible to engineering designers who possess varying levels of biological knowledge but have a common understanding of engineering design. Creative or novel engineering designs may then be discovered through connections made between biology and engineering. To assist with making connections between the two domains concept generation techniques that use biological information, engineering knowledge, and automatic concept generation software are employed. Two concept generation approaches are presented that use a biological model to discover corresponding engineering components that mimic the biological system and use a repository of engineering and biological information to discover which biological components inspire functional solutions to fulfill engineering requirements. Discussion includes general guidelines for modeling biological systems at varying levels of fidelity, advantages, limitations, and applications of this research. The modeling methodology and the first approach for concept generation are illustrated by a continuous example of lichen.
Dietary therapy: a new strategy for management of chronic pelvic pain
Authors: Sesti Francesco , Capozzolo Talia , Pietropolli Adalgisa , Collalti Marco , Bollea Maria Rosa , Piccione Emilio
Published: October 2010

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) can be identified as a chronic nociceptive, inflammatory and neuropathic pain characterised by spontaneous pain and an exaggerated response to painful and/or innocuous stimuli. This pain condition is extremely debilitating and usually difficult to treat. Currently, the main approaches to treatment include counselling supported by reassuring ultrasound scanning or psychotherapy, attempting to provide reassurance using laparoscopy to exclude serious pelvic pathology, hormonal therapy and neuroablative treatment to interrupt nerve pathways. Dietary supplementation has been suggested as a means to treat chronic medical illnesses that are poorly responsive to prescription drugs or in which therapeutic options are limited, costly or carry a high side-effect profile. A comprehensive search of the PubMed database was performed using the search terms ‘chronic pelvic pain’, ‘oxidative stress’, ‘antioxidants’ and ‘dietary therapy’. The systematic review focuses on both randomised and non-randomised controlled trials from 2005 onwards, in which CPP was the end point. Given the complexity and not well-understood aetiology of CPP, its treatment is often unsatisfactory and limited to partial symptom relief. Dietary therapy with antioxidants improves function of the immune system and in fighting free radical damage. Agents with antioxidant activity are able to improve CPP without undesired effects and any important metabolic changes associated with hormonal suppression therapy. In conclusion, dietary therapy with antioxidants could be considered as a new effective strategy in the long term for CPP, and may be better accepted by patients. Further randomised trials with larger series and long-term follow-up to confirm these observations are needed.
Transverse instability and perpendicular electric field in two‐dimensional electron phase‐space holes
Authors: Wu Mingyu , Lu Quanming , Huang Can , Wang Shui
Published: October 2010

A multidimensional electron phase‐space hole (electron hole) is considered to be unstable to the transverse instability. In this paper, we perform two‐dimensional (2D) particle‐in‐cell (PIC) simulations to study the evolution of electron holes at different plasma conditions; we find that the evolution is determined by combined actions between the transverse instability and the stabilization by the background magnetic field. In very weakly magnetized plasma (Ωe ≪ ωpe, where Ωe and ωpe are the electron gyrofrequency and plasma frequency, respectively), the transverse instability dominates the evolution of the electron holes. The parallel cut of the perpendicular electric field (E⊥) has bipolar structures, accompanied by the kinking of the electron holes. Such structures last for only tens of electron plasma periods. With the increase of the background magnetic field, the evolution of the electron holes becomes slower. The bipolar structures of the parallel cut of E⊥ in the electron holes can evolve into unipolar structures. In very strongly magnetized plasma (Ωe ≫ ωpe), the unipolar structures of the parallel cut of E⊥ can last for thousands of electron plasma periods. At the same time, the perpendicular electric field (E⊥) in the electron holes can also influence electron trajectories passing through the electron holes, which results in variations of charge density along the direction perpendicular to the background magnetic field outside of the electron holes. When the amplitude of the electron hole is sufficiently strong, streaked structures of E⊥ can be formed outside of the electron holes, which then emit electrostatic whistler waves because of the interactions between the streaked structures of E⊥ and vibrations of the kinked electron holes.
Shock compression of liquid silicates to 125 GPa: The anorthite‐diopside join
Authors: Asimow Paul D. , Ahrens Thomas J.
Published: October 2010

We determined the equation of state (EOS) of three silicate liquid compositions by shock compression of preheated samples up to 127 GPa. Diopside (Di; Ca2Mg2SiO6) at 1773 K, anorthite (An; CaAl2Si2O8) at 1923 K and the eutectic composition Di64An36 at 1673 K were previously studied by shock compression to 38 GPa. The new data extend the EOS of each composition nearly to the Earth's core‐mantle boundary. The previously reported anomaly at 25 GPa for Di64An36 eutectic was not reproduced; rather all data for this composition fit within error a straight line Hugoniot in particle velocity vs. shock velocity. Di also displays a linear Hugoniot consistent with ultrasonic data and a third‐order finite strain EOS. The full anorthite data set is complex; we examine a model with a transition between two structural states and a fourth‐order finite strain model excluding two points that may not display relaxed behavior. We also report an experiment on room‐temperature solid Di64An36 aggregate that clearly demonstrates increase upon compression of the Grüneisen parameter of this liquid, much as experiment and theory have shown for forsterite and enstatite liquids. We construct isentropes and isotherms from our Hugoniots using Mie‐Grüneisen thermal pressure and evaluate the model of ideal mixing of volumes. Volume may mix almost linearly at high temperature, but deviates strongly when calculated along an isotherm; it remains difficult to reach a firm conclusion. We compare the densities of liquids to lower mantle solids. Our results suggest that basaltic liquids rich in CaO and Al2O3 are notably denser than liquids in the MgO‐SiO2 binary and, subject to uncertainties in the behavior of FeO and in corrections for thermal pressure, such liquids may be the most likely candidates for achieving negative buoyancy in the lowermost mantle.
Structural evolution of preexisting oceanic crust through intraplate igneous activities in the Marcus‐Wake seamount chain
Authors: Kaneda Kentaro , Kodaira Shuichi , Nishizawa Azusa , Morishita Taisei , Takahashi Narumi
Published: October 2010

Multichannel seismic reflection studies and seismic refraction surveys with ocean bottom seismographs in the Marcus‐Wake seamount chain in the northwestern Pacific Ocean reveal P wave velocity structures of hot spot‐origin seamounts and adjacent oceanic crust. Inside the seamounts are central high‐velocity (>6.5 km/s) structures extending nearly to the top that may indicate intrusive cores. Thick sediment layers (up to 4 km) with P wave velocities of 4–5 km/s have accumulated on seafloor that predates seamount formation. Downward crustal thickening of up to 2 km was documented beneath a large seamount cluster, but thickening was not confirmed below a small seamount cluster. Volume ratios of an intrusive core to a seamount body are 15–20%, indicating that most of the supplied magma was consumed in forming the thick sedimentary and volcaniclastic layer constituting the seamount flanks. Underplating and downward crustal thickening may tend to occur when second or later intrusive cores are formed in a seamount. P wave velocities in the lowest crust and in the uppermost mantle below the seamount chain are 0.1–0.2 km/s higher and 0.3–0.5 km/s lower, respectively, than velocities below oceanic crust. We explain this difference as a result of sill‐like intrusion of magma into the lower crust and uppermost mantle. Reflected waves observed at offsets >200 km are from mantle reflectors at depths of 30–45 km and 55–70 km. The shallower reflectors may indicate structures formed by intraplate igneous activities, and the deeper reflectors may correspond to the lithosphere‐asthenosphere boundary.
On the triggering of Benguela Niños: Remote equatorial versus local influences
Authors: Richter Ingo , Behera Swadhin K. , Masumoto Yukio , Taguchi Bunmei , Komori Nobumasa , Yamagata Toshio
Published: October 2010

The relative importance of remote and local influences in the development of Benguela Niños is examined using observations and a coupled general circulation model capable of simulating interannual variability in the tropical Atlantic. While previous studies have emphasized the role of equatorially excited Kelvin waves, the present study finds that meridional wind anomalies along the southwest African coast contribute substantially. Both observations and model output indicate that sea‐surface temperatures along the southwest African coast respond rapidly to changes in meridional wind stress. These wind anomalies form part of a basin‐scale weakening of the subtropical anticyclone that extends to the equator. As the weakening begins three months before the peak of the event it might have some predictive potential. Results also indicate that the close correlation between Benguela and Atlantic Niños in observations might result from the large spatially coherent wind stress anomalies associated with the weakened anticyclone.
Global depletion of groundwater resources
Authors: Wada Yoshihide , van Beek Ludovicus P. H. , van Kempen Cheryl M. , Reckman Josef W. T. M. , Vasak Slavek , Bierkens Marc F. P.
Published: October 2010

In regions with frequent water stress and large aquifer systems groundwater is often used as an additional water source. If groundwater abstraction exceeds the natural groundwater recharge for extensive areas and long times, overexploitation or persistent groundwater depletion occurs. Here we provide a global overview of groundwater depletion (here defined as abstraction in excess of recharge) by assessing groundwater recharge with a global hydrological model and subtracting estimates of groundwater abstraction. Restricting our analysis to sub‐humid to arid areas we estimate the total global groundwater depletion to have increased from 126 (±32) km3a−1in 1960 to 283 (±40) km3a−1in 2000. The latter equals 39 (±10)% of the global yearly groundwater abstraction, 2 (±0.6)% of the global yearly groundwater recharge, 0.8 (±0.1)% of the global yearly continental runoff and 0.4 (±0.06)% of the global yearly evaporation, contributing a considerable amount of 0.8 (±0.1) mm a−1to current sea‐level rise.
VLF electromagnetic field structures in ionosphere disturbed by Sura RF heating facility
Authors: Rapoport V. O. , Frolov V. L. , Polyakov S. V. , Komrakov G. P. , Ryzhov N. A. , Markov G. A. , Belov A. S. , Parrot M. , Rauch J.‐L.
Published: October 2010

Observation of spatial VLF field structures in an artificially disturbed ionosphere is reported. The disturbed area with horizontal sizes ∼50 km in a quiet middle‐latitude ionosphere was produced by the powerful RF Sura heating facility (56°1′N, 46°1′E). Measurements were carried out onboard the DEMETER satellite while passing the disturbed area at height ∼700 km. Spectra broadening (Δf < ±1 kHz) and considerable (up to 30 dB) increase of signal intensity of VLF transmitters' signals were observed. The VLF field and electron density irregularities have similar spatial structure. The characteristics of the VLF field in disturbed by RF heating area are analyzed.
Surface wind variability and its implications for the Yucatan basin‐Caribbean Sea dynamics
Authors: Pérez‐Santos Iván , Schneider Wolfgang , Sobarzo Marcus , Montoya‐Sánchez Raúl , Valle‐Levinson Arnoldo , Garcés‐Vargas José
Published: October 2010

Sea surface wind data from the QuikSCAT satellite and two meteorological stations collected over 1 decade (1999–2008) were used to study the dominant time scales of the wind regime in the Yucatan basin. Wind data were used to quantify its implications on regional hydrodynamics by evaluating Ekman pumping and Ekman transport. The annual cycle of surface wind revealed different features than the Caribbean wind regime with a relative wind stress maximum observed in the Yucatan basin in June caused by the Caribbean low‐level jet. The strongest wind stress occurred during November presumably due to the collapse of the Atlantic warm pool. This feature provides new evidence of the importance of local atmosphere‐ocean coupling. Synoptic scale variability was detected during fall and winter, leaving spring and summer almost free from these activities. Empirical orthogonal functions revealed three dominant time scales of variability: an annual scale in mode 1 (46.3% of the total variance), a synoptic scale in mode 2 (27.7%), and a semiannual scale in mode 3 (6.4%). The third mode featured extreme pulses (six tropical storms and nine hurricanes). Ekman transport was found to contribute the most (93%) to total transport, whereas Ekman pumping contributed only 7%. However, upwelling induced by Ekman pumping persisted during some synoptic pulses, underscoring the importance of tropical storms and hurricanes. Offshore Ekman transport over the continental shelf north of the Yucatan Peninsula favored upwelling all year long. Onshore transport toward the coasts of southern Cuba and the eastern Yucatan Peninsula favored downwelling.
ACBD: Database for Ascidian Chemical Genomics
Authors: Hotta Kohji , Hira Yuichiro , Terai Jun , Nakamura Mitsuru , Tashiro Etsu , Imoto Masaya , Oka Kotaro
Published: October 2010

Chemical biology approach enables us to understand the complex biological systems,using small molecules such as a specific activator or inhibitor of protein, a hormone-likeinducer, or a neurotransmitter etc. When such approach is performed genome-widely, that research is especially called "chemical genomics". We are planning to make a new start of chemical genomics using one of chordate model animal, ascidian. As a first step, we constructed a database called ACBD (Ascidians Chemical Biology Database).First, we reviewed and annotated past articles which describe the uses of small chemicals in the field of ascidians biology. In ACBD, chemical information and effects on ascidian are manually extracted from more than 900 articles in PubMed database since 1964. ACBD is free and open to the public on the web. ACBD consists of two main parts. One part consists of information about already-used chemicals to ascidians. This part is based on the record of already-published articles. In this part, we realized that more than 351 kinds of chemicals were applied for ascidian and that more than 399 kinds of chemicals were isolated from120 kinds of tunicates.The other part consists of "not-yet-used chemicals" information. Although the total number of Ciona protein model (KH model, Satou et al., 2008) is said to be 24,025, only 199 kinds of KH models have ever targeted by chemical compounds. To know the number of potentially modifiable target proteins by currently available chemicals, we searched KH model against amino acid sequences of drug targets recorded in DrugBank (Wishart DS et al., 2008). As a result, we found that 1,862 KH Ciona models might be modifiable by using commercially available chemicals. Thus, we can say that 7.8% of Ciona models have a potential to be modified their functions by chemicals. These information in ACBD are useful for researchers interested in drug screening as well as chemical genomics. In near future, we are planning to integrate ACBD into FABA, CIPRO and ANISEED databases.
Epitopes in ChEBI - A Collaboration with the IEDB
Authors: Josephs Zara , Ennis Marcus , Turner Steve , Owen Gareth , Peters Bjoern , Vita Randi , Steinbeck Christoph
Published: October 2010

*ChEBI background:* Chemical Entities of Biological Interest (ChEBI) is a curated database of small chemical entities important in biosystems. As well as a description of entities, it provides a semantically rich knowledge base; and an internal hierarchy that organises the entities by their molecular structure types and potential rôles.*The ChEBI-IEDB collaboration:* The Immune Epitope and Analysis Resource (IEDB) is a project supported by contract from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Its goal is to make epitope-related data on infectious diseases and immune disorders freely available to researchers worldwide. In June 2009, ChEBI began working with the IEDB on a project aimed at incorporating into ChEBI, by manual curation, a pilot subset of immunologically important chemicals identified as immune epitopes.*The significance of the project:* Numerous reports attest to an increasing global prevalence of immune-related diseases, with a multiplicity of contributing factors. This situation underscores the need for cross-talk among the various scientific disciplines, and makes ChEBI involvement in this project particularly relevant.*Collaboration outcome:* That collaboration among curators working on different databases can be reciprocally beneficial has been amply demonstrated by the ChEBI-IEDB teamwork described: while the incorporated IEDB items have substantially enriched ChEBI, the latter’s multiplicity of synonyms, structure tree lay-out and expertise in describing non-peptidic epitopes have been equally useful to the IEDB in facilitating the search process.*Status quo and plans:* We continue to refine our task of assisting the identification, understanding and utilisation of biologically meaningful chemical entities by engaging in further joint projects.
Apply of Textmining Method to Study the Roles in Improving the Health by Lactoferrin, a Multi-Functional Milk Protein
Authors: Shimazaki Kei-ichi , Kushida Tatsuya , Yamauchi Koji , Takagi Toshihisa
Published: October 2010

Lactoferrin is a metal-binding glycoprotein found in milk, blood and other exocrine secretions. This is a multi-functional protein that exhibits many activities such as: anti-microbial, anti-viral, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-metastatic, cell growth-promoting, and anti-oxidant activities, as well as regulation of granulopoiesis and iron absorption, etc. To date, a number of academic reports concerning the biological activities of lactoferrin have been published and are easily accessible through public databases. In order to overcome the information overload associated with lactoferrin information, we have applied the text mining method to the accumulated lactoferrin literature. To this end, we used the information extraction system GENPAC (provided by Nalapro Technologies Inc., Tokyo), which uses natural language processing and text mining technology. Using GENPAC, text extraction was carried out on literature containing the term “lactoferrin” and any of keywords concerning health conditions or diseases from PubMed. Subsequently, network mappings of the information obtained were produced using Cytoscape. We will exhibit that such textmining method and information visualization analysis is useful in studying novel relationships among a multitude of lactoferrin functions and mechanisms to improve our health.