Wie viel Globalisierung verträgt die Welt?

Der Begriff der Globalisierung beherrscht seit Jahren die öffentliche Debatte. Für die einen geht die Öffnung der Märkte noch nicht weit genug, für die anderen führt die Globalisierung zur weiteren ungleichen Entwicklung der Nationalökonomien und vergrößert den Abstand zwischen den Industrie- und Entwicklungsländern. Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Hans-Werner Sinn zeigt in seinem Beitrag die ökonomischen Kräfte auf, die durch den Prozess der Globalisierung freigesetzt werden. Nach Meinung von Prof. Dr. Michael Rauscher, Universität Rostock, wird die Globalisierung ohne Frage weiter voranschreiten. Es bedarf aber nicht nur einer internationalen Koordination. Im Gegenteil: »Auch in einer sich globalisierenden Welt gibt es gute Argumente für das Subsidiaritätsprinzip: Probleme sollten auf der nied-rigstmöglichen Ebene geregelt und gelöst werden. Viele der Probleme, die im Zusammenhang mit der Globalisierung auftreten, können auf nationaler Ebene angegangen werden.« Auch für Prof. Dr. Karl Wohlmuth, Universität Bremen, ist die Gestaltung der Globalisierung die entscheidende Frage. Wichtig ist für ihn vor allen Dingen, »inwieweit eine Bereitschaft zur Anpassung der nationalen und internationalen Rahmenbedingungen an das Tempo der Globalisierung besteht«. Für Prof. Dr. Rainer Bartel, Universität Linz, muss die Globalisierung vor allem »effizient« und »nachhaltig« sein, »aber Wissenschaft und Politik dürften dazu noch nicht bereit sein«.Globalisierung, Entwicklung, Volkswirtschaft, Internationale wirtschaftspolitische Koordination, Subsidiaritätsprinzip

Simulierte Welten – die Zukunft im Rechner

Wie kommen die „Kachelmänner“ dieser Welt eigentlich zu ihren detaillierten Vorhersagen? Und warum liegen sie manchmal trotzdem so daneben? Was veranlasst Automobilhersteller, das Ende der Ära des Prototypen anzukündigen? Liegt die wiedergekehrte Ruhe im Mururoa-Atoll wirklich darin begründet, dass man im fernen Paris zur Einsicht gelangt ist? Und wer gibt der Voyager-Sonde ihren merkwürdig anmutenden Weg vor, der sie – obwohl schnurstracks unterwegs in Regionen, die nie ein Mensch zuvor gesehen hat – doch wieder an die Erde heranführt? Das Zauberwort heißt numerische Simulation. Auf leistungsfähigen Großrechnern – seien es klassische Supercomputer oder Cluster aus vernetzten PCs – nachgestellte oder vorausberechnete Phänomene und Prozesse aus Natur-, Ingenieur- oder Wirtschaftswissenschaften spielen in Forschung und Entwicklung eine immer wichtigere Rolle. Dies gilt für die eingangs genannten Beispiele ebenso wie für zahlreiche Anwendungen in der Astrophysik, Halbleiter- und Biotechnologie oder in der Systemdynamik sowie – ganz konkret und für alle T-Geplagten relevant – für Aktienkursprognosen

Veränderte weltwirtschaftliche Rahmenbedingungen für wirtschaftspolitisches Handeln in Bremen

Im Beitrag geht es um die Frage, ob die von der globalen Pandemie verursachten Veränderungen der weltwirtschaftlichen Rahmenbedingungen eine Veränderung der Bremer Wirtschaftspolitik erzwingen. Zur Beantwortung dieser Frage werden im ersten Teil des Beitrags die sich abzeichnenden weltwirtschaftlichen und geopolitischen Veränderungen skizziert. Mit tiefgreifenden technischen Veränderungen (wie der derzeitigen digitalen Globalisierung) gehen stets Prozesse des Aufholens und des Zurückfallens von Wirtschaftsräumen einher. Weltwirtschaftliche Gravitationszentren verschieben sich. In der Folge mehren sich Auseinandersetzungen um die technologische, wirtschaftliche, politische, militärische und kulturelle Überlegenheit. Dieser Beitrag widmet sich den krisenbedingten Veränderungen (1.) im wirtschaftlichen Wettbewerb zwischen den wichtigsten Weltwirtschaftsräumen, (2.) bei den bestehenden und jetzt beschleunigten globalen Technologie-, Innovations- und Investitionstrends, (3.) in der globalen Makroökonomie, (4.) auf den internationalen Finanzmärkten sowie (5.) bei den globalen ökonomischen Ungleichheiten. Einerseits wirkt die gegenwärtige Pandemie als Super-Akzelerator für bestehende Trends, andererseits zeigt die Krise wie in einem Brennglas Probleme und Defizite. Im zweiten Teil des Beitrags werden mögliche Auswirkungen der globalen Veränderungen auf Bremen diskutiert. Hier geht es exemplarisch um Herausforderungen für die bremische Innovationsstrategie und um Herausforderungen der bremischen Sozial- und Stadtentwicklungspolitik durch globale Migration. Im dritten Teil des Beitrags wird diskutiert, wie die Resilienz der bremischen Wirtschaft politisch gestärkt werden kann. Im Vordergrund stehen mehr strategische Planung, Verbesserungen des regionalen Innovationssystems und präventive Gesundheitspolitik

Caco-2 cell permeability of flavonoids and saponins from Gynostemma pentaphyllum : the immortal herb

Gynostemma pentaphyllum (the immortal herb) has been an important component of Chinese Traditional Medicine for millennia. Recent clinical studies have revealed that the plant exhibits numerous beneficial biological activities, making it of interest to the pharmaceutical industry. An extract of the herb contains over 200 individual secondary metabolites including flavonol glycosides and dammarane saponins. To focus attention on the compounds most likely to be responsible for the biological activities, this study predicts the potential oral bioavailability of nine dammarane saponins and five flavonol glycosides from G. pentaphyllum using the Caco-2 cell monolayer permeability model. Two flavonoids, 8 and 9, and four saponins, 10, 11, 12, and 14, exhibited high permeability across the monolayers. The results indicated that a higher degree of glycosylation-facilitated permeability, suggestive of active transport. This study demonstrates the utility of the Caco-2 permeability assay as a method of identifying possible bioavailable compounds from medicinal herbal extracts

Synergistic anti-inflammatory activity of ginger and turmeric extracts in inhibiting lipopolysaccharide and interferon-γ-induced proinflammatory mediators

This study aims to investigate the combined anti-inflammatory activity of ginger and turmeric extracts. By comparing the activities of individual and combined extracts in lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma-induced murine RAW 264.7 cells, we demonstrated that ginger-turmeric combination was optimal at a specific ratio (5:2, w/w) in inhibiting nitric oxide, tumour necrosis factor and interleukin 6 with synergistic interaction (combination index < 1). The synergistic inhibitory effect on TNF was confirmed in human monocyte THP-1 cells. Ginger-turmeric combination (5:2, w/w) also upregulated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 activity and heme oxygenase-1 protein expression. Additionally, 6-shogaol, 8-shogaol, 10-shogaol and curcumin were the leading compounds in reducing major proinflammatory mediators and cytokines, and a simplified compound combination of 6-s, 10-s and curcumin showed the greatest potency in reducing LPS-induced NO production. Our study provides scientific evidence in support of the combined use of ginger and turmeric to alleviate inflammatory processes

A combined phase I and II open label study on the effects of a seaweed extract nutrient complex on osteoarthritis

Background: Isolated fucoidans from brown marine algae have been shown to have a range of anti-inflammatory effects. Purpose: This present study tested a Maritech® extract formulation, containing a blend of extracts from three different species of brown algae, plus nutrients in an open label combined phase I and II pilot scale study to determine both acute safety and efficacy in osteoarthritis of the knee. Patients and methods: Participants (n = 12, five females [mean age, 62 ± 11.06 years] and seven males [mean age, 57.14 ± 9.20 years]) with a confirmed diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the knee were randomized to either 100 mg (n = 5) or 1000 mg (n = 7) of a Maritech® extract formulation per day. The formulation contained Maritech® seaweed extract containing Fucus vesiculosis (85% w/w), Macrocystis pyrifera (10% w/w) and Laminaria japonica (5% w/w) plus vitamin B6, zinc and manganese. Primary outcome was the average comprehensive arthritis test (COAT) score which is comprised of four sub-scales: pain, stiffness, difficulty with physical activity and overall symptom severity measured weekly. Safety measures included full blood count, serum lipids, liver function tests, urea, creatinine and electrolytes determined at baseline and week 12. All adverse events were recorded. Results: Eleven participants completed 12 weeks and one completed 10 weeks of the study. Using a multilevel linear model, the average COAT score was reduced by 18% for the 100 mg treatment and 52% for the 1000 mg dose at the end of the study. There was a clear dose response effect seen between the two treatments (P≤0.0005) on the average COAT score and each of the four COAT subscales (pain, stiffness, difficulty with physical activity and overall symptom severity) (P≤0.05). The preparation was well tolerated and the few adverse events were unlikely to be related to the study medication. There were no changes in blood parameters measured over the course of the study with the exception of an increase in serum albumin which was not clinically significant. Conclusion: The seaweed extract nutrient complex when taken orally over twelve weeks decreased the symptoms of osteoarthritis in a dose-dependent manner. It was demonstrated to be safe to use over the study period at the doses tested. The efficacy of the preparation now needs to be demonstrated in a phase III randomized controlled trial (RCT). Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register: ACTRN12607000229471

A combined Phase I and II open-label study on the immunomodulatory effects of seaweed extract nutrient complex

Background: Isolated fucoidans from brown marine algae have been shown to have a range of immune-modulating effects. This exploratory study aimed to determine whether a seaweed nutrient complex containing a blend of extracts from three different species of brown algae plus nutrients is safe to administer and has biological potential as an immune modulator. The study was undertaken as an open-label combined Phase I and II study. Methods: Participants (n = 10) were randomized to receive the study medication at either a 100 mg (n = 5) or 1000 mg (n = 5) dose over 4 weeks. The primary outcome measurement was in vivo changes in lymphocyte subsets. The secondary outcome measures were ex vivo changes in T-lymphocyte (CD4 and CD8) activation, phagocytosis of granulocytes and monocytes, T helper 1/T helper 2 cytokines, and serum oxygen radical absorbance capacity. Results: The preparation was found to be safe over the 4 weeks at both doses tested. There were no clinically relevant changes to blood measurements of hemopoietic, hepatic, or renal function. Immunomodulatory measurements showed no dose response between the two doses. The combined results from the two doses demonstrated a significant increase in cytotoxic T cell numbers and phagocytic capacity in monocytes, and a significant decrease in levels of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin 6. A separate analysis of the 100 mg dose (n = 5) alone showed a significant linear component over time (P \u3c 0.05) for phagocytosis by both granulocytes and monocytes. Conclusion: The seaweed nutrient complex was safe to use when taken orally over 4 weeks. The preparation was demonstrated to have potential as an immune modulator, and this bioactivity deserves further exploration

Rhodomyrtals A–D, four unusual phloroglucinol-sesquiterpene adducts from Rhodomyrtus psidioides

Four novel compounds, rhodomyrtals A–D (1–4), with two unprecendented carbon frameworks of phloroglucinol coupled eudesmane, together with the known compound eucalyptin A (5) have been isolated from the leaves of the Australian plant Rhodomyrtus psidioides. The structures of compounds 1–4 were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and ECD calculations. Some of the compounds showed good antibacterial activity against selected Gram-positive strains

Research and Education in Computational Science and Engineering

Over the past two decades the field of computational science and engineering (CSE) has penetrated both basic and applied research in academia, industry, and laboratories to advance discovery, optimize systems, support decision-makers, and educate the scientific and engineering workforce. Informed by centuries of theory and experiment, CSE performs computational experiments to answer questions that neither theory nor experiment alone is equipped to answer. CSE provides scientists and engineers of all persuasions with algorithmic inventions and software systems that transcend disciplines and scales. Carried on a wave of digital technology, CSE brings the power of parallelism to bear on troves of data. Mathematics-based advanced computing has become a prevalent means of discovery and innovation in essentially all areas of science, engineering, technology, and society; and the CSE community is at the core of this transformation. However, a combination of disruptive developments---including the architectural complexity of extreme-scale computing, the data revolution that engulfs the planet, and the specialization required to follow the applications to new frontiers---is redefining the scope and reach of the CSE endeavor. This report describes the rapid expansion of CSE and the challenges to sustaining its bold advances. The report also presents strategies and directions for CSE research and education for the next decade.Comment: Major revision, to appear in SIAM Revie

Synergistic inhibition of pro-inflammatory pathways by ginger and turmeric extracts in RAW 264.7 cells

Synergy plays a prominent role in herbal medicines to increase potency and widen the therapeutic windows. The mechanism of synergy in herbal medicines is often associated with multi-targeted behavior and complex signaling pathways which are challenging to elucidate. This study aims to investigate the synergistic mechanism of a combination (GT) of ginger (G) and turmeric (T) extracts by exploring the modulatory activity in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced inflammatory pathways and key molecular targets. A Bioplex ProTM mouse cytokine 23-plex assay was utilized to assess the broad anti-cytokine activity of GT in LPS and interferon (IFN)-gamma (both at 50 ng/mL)-activated RAW 264.7 cells. The inhibitory effects of individual and combined G and T on major proinflammatory mediators including nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin (IL)-6 were tested using Griess reagents and ELISA assays, respectively. Immunofluorescent staining and Western blot were used to investigate the modulatory effect of GT on key proteins in the LPS/TLR4 signaling transduction. The regulation of murine microRNA miR-155-5p was tested using real-time PCR. The IC50 value and combination index (CI) values were used to demonstrate potency and synergistic interaction, respectively. GT synergistically attenuated a range of pro-inflammatory mediators including inducible NO, major cytokines (TNF and IL-6) and secondary inflammatory cytokines (GM-CSF and MCP-1). GT significantly inhibited LPS-induced NF-kB p65 translocation, the activation of TLR4, TRAF6, and phosphorylation of JNK and c-JUN. Moreover, the suppressive effect of GT on each of the protein targets in this axis was stronger than that of the individual components. Real-time PCR analysis showed that GT suppressed miR-155-5p to a greater extent than G or T alone in LPS-stimulated cells. Our study demonstrates the synergistic mechanism of GT in downregulating LPS-induced proinflammatory pathways at the miRNA and protein levels. Our results establish a scientific basis for the combined application of G and T as an advanced therapeutic candidate in inflammatory diseases with broad and synergistic anti-inflammatory activity and multi-targeted mechanisms