bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of point defects in ZnO thin films by optical deep level transient spectroscopy
Authors: Ellguth Martin , Schmidt Matthias , Pickenhain Rainer , Wenckstern Holger V. , Grundmann Marius 
Published: August 2010

AbstractWe have applied a special variant of optical DLTS to deep levels found in ZnO thin films. The optical emission rates of charge carriers from deep levels into a band have been measured over a range of photon energies from 0.7 to 3.0 eV and photoionization cross‐section spectra calculated from this data. Two of the defects – among these the well‐known E3 – showed no optical emission in the investigated range of photon energies. The experimental photo cross‐section spectra of two optically active defects were compared and discussed using a model [Chantre, Vincent, and Bois, Phys. Rev. B 23(10), 5335 (1981)] that yields information about the band structure and defect properties. DLTS signal simulations were compared to the experimental data for the case that E4 has two states within the bandgap. These simulations revealed that a two‐state model where both states independently allow electron emission is in accordance with the experimental data. The thermal DLTS peak of E4 was observed to be broadened and has been simulated under the assumption of a distribution of the carrier capture cross‐section. The agreement between the simulation and the measured DLTS peak possibly explains why one of the photo‐cross section spectra appears more broadened than can be simulated by the model cited above.
Practical issues and lessons learned from multi‐regional clinical trials via case examples: a Japanese perspective
Authors: Ando Yuki , Hamasaki Toshimitsu 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe multi‐regional clinical trials (MRCTs) being administered in different regions of the world now play a major role in providing evidence for the efficacy and safety of new drugs amidst the simultaneous global development and worldwide registration of such drugs, in support of the expeditious availability of medical products to patients. However, such trials present considerable challenges as far as quality, design, implementation, analysis, and interpretation are concerned. In this article, we share our observations and lessons learned from the design, implementation, analysis, and interpretation of some MRCTs with case examples. Current Japanese regulatory guidance on MRCTs is introduced along with some suggestions for design, implementation, and interpretation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fructus ligustri lucidi extracts induce human glioma cell death through regulation of Akt/mTOR pathway In Vitro and reduce glioma tumor growth in U87MG xenograft mouse model
Authors: Jeong Ji Cheon , Kim Jin Won , Kwon Chae Hwa , Kim Thae Hyun , Kim Yong Keun 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe present study was undertaken to examine the effect of Fructus ligustri lucidi (FLL) extracts on glioma cell growth and to determine the underlying mechanism by which FLL extracts exert anticancer properties in human U87MG glioma cells. The FLL extracts resulted in cell death in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. Western blot analysis showed that treatment with FLL extracts caused down‐regulation of the phosphatidylinositol‐3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. Overexpression of Akt prevented the cell death induced by the FLL extracts. The FLL extracts caused a decrease in the expression of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and the FLL extract‐induced cell death was increased by the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin. The FLL extracts decreased the expression of survivin. Oral administration of FLL extracts in subcutaneous U87MG xenograft models reduced the glioma tumor volume. These findings indicate that the FLL extracts resulted in glioma cell death through regulation of the Akt/mTOR/survivin pathway in vitro and inhibited glioma tumor growth in vivo. These data suggest that the FLL extracts may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for malignant human gliomas. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protective effects of dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans from Schisandra chinensis against beta‐amyloid and homocysteine neurotoxicity in PC12 cells
Authors: Song Ju‐Xian , Lin Xiang , Wong Ricky Ngok‐Shun , Sze Stephen Cho‐Wing , Tong Yao , Shaw Pang‐Chui , Zhang Yan‐Bo 
Published: August 2010

AbstractAggregated beta‐amyloid (Aβ) and elevated plasma levels of homocysteine have been implicated as critical factors in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. The neuroprotective effects and possible mechanism of four structurally similar dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans (namely schisandrin, schisantherin A, schisandrin B and schisandrin C) isolated from the fruit of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. (Schisandraceae) against Aβ25‐35 and homocysteine toxicity in PC12 cells was studied. Exposure of PC12 cells to 0.5 µm Aβ25‐35 caused significant cell death, increased the number of apoptotic cells, elevated reactive oxygen species, increased the levels of the pro‐apoptotic protein Bax and caspase‐3 activation. All these effects induced by Aβ25‐35 were markedly reversed by schisandrin B and schisandrin C pretreatment, while schisandrin and schisantherin A had no obvious effects. Meanwhile, schisandrin B and schisandrin C reversed homocysteine‐induced cytotoxicity. The results indicated that schisandrin B and schisandrin C protected PC12 cells against Aβ toxicity by attenuating ROS production and modulating the apoptotic signal pathway through Bax and caspase‐3. Further structure–activity analysis of Schisandra lignans and evaluations of their neuroprotective effects using AD animal models are warranted. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anxiolytic‐like effects of standardized extract of Justicia pectoralis (SEJP) in mice: Involvement of GABA/benzodiazepine in receptor
Authors: Venâncio E. T. , Rocha N. F. M. , Rios E. R. V. , Feitosa M. L. , Linhares M. I. , Melo F. H. C. , Matias M. S. , Fonseca F. N. , Sousa F. C. F. , Leal L. K. A. M. , Fonteles M. M. F. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractJusticia pectoralis (Acanthaceae) is used as an antiinflammatory, antimicrobial and bronchodilator, and its extract exerts an anxiolytic‐like effect profile in animal models. This work presents the behavioral effects of an aqueous standardized extract of Justicia pectoralis (SEJP) in animal models, such as the elevated plus maze (EPM), light/dark, open field, rota rod and pentobarbital sleep time. The extract was administered intragastrically to male mice at single doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, while diazepam 1 or 2 mg/kg was used as a standard drug and flumazenil 2.5 mg/kg was used to evaluate the participation of benzodiazepinic receptors. The results showed that, similar to diazepam (1 mg/kg), SEJP significantly modified all the observed parameters in the EPM test, without altering the general motor activity in the open field, rota rod and pentobarbital sleep time tests. Flumazenil reversed not only the diazepam effect but also the SEJP effect. In the same way, all doses of SEJP increased the time of permanence in the light box in the light/dark test. The results showed that SEJP presented an anxiolytic‐like effect, disproving sedative effects. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inhibition of TNF‐α‐mediated endothelial cell–monocyte cell adhesion and adhesion molecules expression by the resveratrol derivative, trans‐3,5,4′‐trimethoxystilbene
Authors: Deng Yan‐Hui , Alex Deepa , Huang He‐Qing , Wang Nan , Yu Nan , Wang Yi‐Tao , Leung George P. H. , Lee Simon Ming‐Yuen 
Published: August 2010

AbstractResveratrol (RSV) has been shown to have anti‐inflammatory activity and to have a protective role against atherosclerosis. Here it is shown, for the first time, that its derivative trans‐3,5,4′‐trimethoxystilbene (TMS) may be a more potent anti‐inflammatory agent than resveratrol. A comparative analysis of the inhibitory activities of related stilbenes, resveratrol, TMS and polydatin (PD), on monocyte adhesion to TNF‐α‐activated endothelial cells showed TMS to be the most effective, with PD being the least effective. RSV and its analogues inhibited, albeit differentially, the protein and mRNA expression levels of inducible cell adhesion molecules, ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1, in cultured endothelial cells. The mechanism of the inhibitory effects of these stilbenes on endothelial cell–monocyte cell adhesion can be attributed mainly to inhibition of NF‐κB pathway activation. The results demonstrate that all three investigated stilbene compounds, especially TMS, exhibit a potent inhibitory effect on inflammation‐induced cell–cell adhesion, expression of adhesion molecules and activation of the NF‐κB pathway. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cancer‐preventive activities of secondary metabolites from leaves of the bilberry Vaccinium smallii A. Gray
Authors: Mechikova G. Ya. , Kuzmich A. S. , Ponomarenko L. P. , Kalinovsky A. I. , Stepanova T. A. , Fedorov S. N. , Stonik V. A. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractTen secondary metabolites including flavonoids (1–8), caffeic (9) and chlorogenic (10) acids were structurally identified from the extract of Sakhalin bilberry Vaccinium smallii leaves and studied in vitro as potential cancer‐preventive agents. The results showed that compounds 1–10 inhibited EGF‐induced neoplastic transformation of mouse JB6 Cl 41 P+ cells in soft agar with an inhibition concentration (INCC50) of 20–80 µm. Moreover, all these natural products were non‐toxic against JB6 Cl 41 P+ cells up to a concentration of 200 µm. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of oral dosage form and storage period on the antioxidant properties of four species used in traditional herbal medicine
Authors: Guimarães Rafaela , Barreira João C. M. , Barros Lillian , Carvalho Ana Maria , Ferreira Isabel C. F. R. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractHerbal infusions and decoctions in water are some of the most commonly consumed beverages in the world. Although water is not a good solvent for many of the active components in herbs, liquid preparations are rich in several bioactive compounds. Most of them have powerful antioxidant activity and have been related to medicinal herbs' properties. Herein, decoctions and infusions in water of lemon‐verbena (Aloysia citrodora) aerial parts and leaves, fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) and spearmint (Mentha spicata) aerial parts with different periods of storage (0, 30, 60 and 120 days), were prepared. The effects of the method of preparation and storage period on their antioxidant properties were analysed. For all the analysed species, infusions gave better results than the corresponding decoctions. Spearmint infusions showed the highest antioxidant properties, at all the storage periods, probably due to the highest levels and synergy between phenolics, flavonoids and ascorbic acid found in this sample. Linear discriminant analysis confirmed that the length of storage period has a significant influence on the antioxidant activity and antioxidant content. Flavonoids and reducing sugars proved to be the parameters that most highly contributed to cluster individual groups according to different periods of storage. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evidence of glycemia‐lowering effect by aCynara scolymusL. extract in normal and obese rats
Authors: Fantini Noemi , Colombo Giancarlo , Giori Andrea , Riva Antonella , Morazzoni Paolo , Bombardelli Ezio , Carai Mauro A. M. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractSeveral recent preliminary clinical studies have suggested that artichoke (Cynara scolymusL.,Asteraceaefamily) preparations may be capable of lowering post‐prandial glycemia. The present study was designed to test this hypothesis in laboratory rats. To this aim, non‐selected Wistar and genetically obese Zucker rats were treated acutely with a purified extract ofCynara scolymusflowering heads (500–1500 mg/kg by gavage) immediately prior to 1 h access to a fixed amount of food. Glycemia was recorded 60, 120 and 360 min after food presentation. Treatment withCynara scolymusflowering head extract resulted in a significant decrease of post‐prandial glycemia in both rat strains. The lack of any fiber content in thisCynara scolymusflowering head extract excludes the involvement of dietary fibers in glycemia reduction. The results obtained constitute the first evidence of a hypoglycemic effect of an artichoke preparation in laboratory rodents and confirm previous observations made in humans. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of yokukansan and donepezil on learning disturbance and aggressiveness induced by intracerebroventricular injection of amyloid β protein in mice
Authors: Sekiguchi Kyoji , Imamura Sachiko , Yamaguchi Takuji , Tabuchi Masahiro , Kanno Hitomi , Terawaki Kiyoshi , Kase Yoshio , Ikarashi Yasushi 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe effects of yokukansan and donepezil on learning disturbance and aggressiveness were examined in amyloid β protein (Aβ)‐injected mice. Intellicage tests showed that both yokukansan and donepezil ameliorated Aβ‐induced learning disturbance, but the ameliorating effect of donepezil was not enhanced by concomitant administration of yokukansan. On the other hand, a social interaction test showed that Aβ‐induced aggressiveness was ameliorated by yokukansan, but not by donepezil. Co‐administration of both drugs also ameliorated aggressiveness, as did yokukansan alone.In vitrobinding assays revealed that yokukansan did not bind to choline receptors or transporters.In vitroenzyme assays revealed that yokukansan did not affect choline acetyltransferase activity or inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity, as did donepezil. These results suggest that yokukansan might ameliorate aggressiveness without interfering with the pharmacological efficacy (antidementia effect) of donepezil and also that concomitant administration of yokukansan might be useful for amelioration of aggressiveness, which was not lessened by donepezil. The difference in the efficacies of both drugs may be due to a difference in their pharmacological mechanisms. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of absorption kinetics of oxygen scavenger sachets using response surface methodology
Authors: Braga Lilian R. , Sarantópoulos Claire I.G.L. , Peres Leila , Braga Jez W.B. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe performance of oxygen scavengers can be influenced by several conditions, such as temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH), which are considered to be the two major factors. Therefore, the development of new scavengers requires the study of their performance, with these conditions varied. In this paper, the response surface methodology (RSM) was used to study the performance of a newly developed oxygen scavenger sachet and to model the influences of T and RH and their interaction on the absorption capacity and rate constant of the developed sachet. Commercial oxygen scavenger sachets were used for comparison purposes. The oxygen absorption capacity and rate constant were evaluated with a 22 factorial design with a central point. The results showed that each absorber sachet presented a different behaviour and there were significant interactions between T and RH; so, the RSM was the most appropriate for these studies. The developed sachet presented a better performance compared with the commercial ones at 23°C and 53% RH, which represents the condition for commercialization at room temperature of foods of intermediary water activity, while in the extreme conditions (100% RH and 37°C) all sachets present a similar absorption capacity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Potential environmental gains from reducing food losses through development of new packaging – a life‐cycle model
Authors: Wikström Fredrik , Williams Helén 
Published: August 2010

AbstractFood losses are seldom included in life cycle analyses of the food packaging system, nor are they included in the debate on sustainable packaging. The development of packaging that decreases food losses does, however, provide an opportunity to reduce the overall environmental impact. In this paper, we present a model that calculates the environmental impact of the food packaging system as a function of food losses. The model can be used to analyse the potential environmental gains from developing packaging that reduce food losses. The model includes food production and processing, transports, packaging, retailer and consumer issues and waste handling. The results show that it can be environmentally motivated to increase the environmental impact of packaging, if necessary, when new packaging design helps to reduce food losses. However, the waste handling systems of food and packaging are important to consider if packaging are developed in order to reduce the environmental impact of the food‐packaging system. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesizing nonstationary, non‐Gaussian random vibrations
Authors: Rouillard V. , Sek M. A. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThis paper presents a novel technique by which non‐Gaussian vibrations are synthesized by generating a sequence of random Gaussian processes of varying root mean square (rms) levels and durations. The technique makes use of previous research by the authors which shows that non‐Gaussian vibrations can be decomposed into a sequence of Gaussian processes. Synthesis is achieved by first computing a modulation function which is produced from the rms and the segment length distribution functions, both of which were developed in previous research. This is achieved by first generating a sequence of uniformly distributed random numbers scaled to the range of segment length, which itself is a function of the desired total duration of the synthesized process. In order to transform a uniformly distributed random variable into any arbitrary non‐uniform distribution, the cumulative distribution function is established and used as a transfer function applied to the uniformly distributed random variable. This modulation function is applied to a Gaussian random signal itself generated by a standard laboratory random vibration controller (RVC) by means of a purposed‐designed variable gain amplifier system. In order to counteract the feedback function of the RVC, a second variable gain amplifier is introduced into the system in order to attenuate the feedback signal in inverse proportion to the gain applied to the command signal. This result is a nonstationary, non‐Gaussian random signal that statistically conforms to the desired PSD as well as the RMS distribution function. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular dynamics simulation on diffusion of 13 kinds of small molecules in polyethylene terephthalate
Authors: Wang Zhi‐Wei , Wang Ping‐Li , Hu Chang‐Ying 
Published: August 2010

AbstractUnderstanding the diffusion of migrants in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and calculating the diffusion coefficients are very important for migration research. In this study, the diffusion coefficients of 13 kinds of small molecules with molecular weights ranging from 32 to 339 g/mol in amorphous PET are calculated based on molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. By comparison of diffusion coefficients simulated by MD simulation techniques, predicted by the Piringer model and by experiments, the accuracy of the Piringer model and MD simulation techniques for the estimation of diffusion coefficients of migrants in PET is evaluated. The MD simulation shows that Dsimu is very close to Dexp, within one order of magnitude of the experimental diffusion coefficients except for a few samples. The possible reasons for the differences among Dsimu, Dpred and Dexp are analysed from the molecular weight and temperature. The results show that the Piringer‐model‐predicted values at high temperatures overestimate significantly higher than that at lower temperatures. The activation energy is calculated by the Arrhenius equation, which shows the relationship between diffusion coefficient and temperature. It is shown that the MD simulation yields acceptable activation energy. The study suggests that MD simulation may be a useful approach to calculate the diffusion coefficients of small molecules in PET. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transport vibration laboratory simulation: On the necessity of multiaxis testing
Authors: Bernad Carlos , Laspalas Alberto , González David , Núñez Jose Luis , Buil Francisco 
Published: August 2010

AbstractNowadays, the packaging industry, like many other sectors, is coping with new demands resulting from financial and environmental constraints. The importance of accurate laboratory simulation of transport vibration as a tool for packaging optimization is therefore increasing, as is highlighted by the International Safe Transit Association testing procedures (ISTA series). In this context, many studies can be found in the literature focusing on the special nature of transport vibrations, analysing the most suitable power spectral density profiles related to route and vehicle characteristics and the best statistical description for acceleration in order to achieve realistic simulation in the laboratory. Most of these works deal only with vertical vibrations because of the of the high energy content such vibrations represent, and only a limited number also analyse longitudinal and transversal acceleration spectra. This paper describes a non‐comprehensive set of measurements in real transport situations with the purpose of providing an initial description of the six‐degrees‐of‐freedom vibration produced inside a truck trailer. In addition, the importance of non‐vertical random excitation is investigated in the laboratory by means of a multiaxis shaker table used to study the difference in the dynamic response of corrugated containers in stacked shipping units. The results show that the amount of energy neglected using only vertical testing procedures can be significant, and that the packaging bending modes are not excited as they would be in a real transport situation. This demonstrates the necessity of multiaxis testing. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new stable boundary‐layer mixing scheme and its impact on the simulated East Asian summer monsoon
Authors: Hong Song‐You 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThis paper investigates the impact of stable boundary‐layer (SBL) mixing in a vertical diffusion package on the simulated climatology in a regional model. In contrast to previous studies, we focus on the sensitivity of the simulated climatology to the representation of SBL processes in the modelled atmosphere, paying particular attention to precipitation and associated large‐scale patterns. The new SBL scheme, based on the bulk Richardson number between the surface layer and the top of the boundary layer and implemented in the Yonsei University (YSU) boundary‐layer scheme, was evaluated against the local scheme in which the mixing coefficient is a function of the local Richardson number at a given model level.A statistical evaluation of a series of short‐range forecast confirms that the boundary‐layer structure is closer to the radiosonde observation when the new SBL scheme is used. In a regional climate framework, the results with the new SBL scheme in July 2006 demonstrate that modulating the subcloud structure with enhanced vertical mixing improves the simulated monsoon climatology by displacing the monsoonal precipitation southwards. Together with the local effects of the enhanced SBL mixing that warms and dries the boundary layer, the dynamical feedbacks accompanying strengthened moisture convergence results in enhanced precipitation towards what was observed. A ten‐member ensemble of three‐month June–July–August simulations for 1999–2008 shows that the revised SBL scheme improves the temperature and moisture profiles in the lower troposphere as well as the precipitation climatology. The interannual variation of seasonal precipitation is more realistic over both land and oceans. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society