bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Buddleja officinalis inhibits high glucose‐induced matrix metalloproteinase activity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells
Authors: Lee Yun Jung , Kang Dae Gill , Kim Jin Sook , Lee Ho Sub 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThe aim of the present investigation was to investigate whether an aqueous extract of Buddleja officinalis (ABO), a traditional Korean herbal medicine, suppresses the endothelial extracellular matrix degradation under high glucose condition. The incubation with high concentration of glucose (25 mM) increased significantly matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2/‐9 expressions and activities in primary cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Pretreatment with ABO decreased high glucose‐induced increase of MMP‐2/‐9 activities in a dose‐dependent manner. Real time qRT‐PCR revealed that high glucose‐induced MMP‐2/‐9 mRNA expression levels were attenuated by pretreatment with ABO. High glucose‐induced MCP‐1 and IL‐8 mRNA expression levels also decreased by ABO. ABO decreased high glucose‐induced hydrogen peroxide production, oxidative stress marker. These results provide new insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms for anti‐inflammatory properties of ABO in vascular diseases associated with diabetes mellitus. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Echinacea purpureaand P‐glycoprotein drug transport in Caco‐2 cells
Authors: Hansen Torstein Schrøder , Nilsen Odd Georg 
Published: August 2008

AbstractEchinacea is widely used as a medical herbal product, but its interaction potential with the drug efflux transporter P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) has not yet been evaluated. The interaction potential ofEchinacea purpureatowards P‐gp mediated drug transport was studied in human intestinal Caco‐2 cells. Digoxin (30 nm) was used as a substrate and verapamil as a control inhibitor. Ethanol, 0.8%, needed for herbal extraction and compatibility with the commercial products, inhibited the net digoxin flux by 18%.E. purpureainfluenced to a higher degree the B–A transport of digoxin than the A–B transport. A minor increase in net digoxin flux was observed at low concentrations ofE. purpurea, an effect anticipated to be allosteric in nature. At higher concentrations, from 0.4 to 6.36 mg dry weight/mL, a statistically significant linear dose‐related decrease was observed in the net digoxin flux, indicating a dose dependentE. purpureainhibition of P‐gp. BothVmaxandKmof the net digoxin flux, calculated to 23.7 nmol/cm2/h and 385 µm, respectively, decreased in the presence ofE. purpureain an uncompetitive fashion. Although the effects ofEchinacea purpureaon systemic P‐gp mediated drug transport are probably limited, an influence on drug bioavailability can not be excluded. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Advances in simulating atmospheric variability with the ECMWF model: From synoptic to decadal time‐scales
Authors: Bechtold Peter , Köhler Martin , Jung Thomas , Doblas‐Reyes Francisco , Leutbecher Martin , Rodwell Mark J. , Vitart Frederic , Balsamo Gianpaolo 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAdvances in simulating atmospheric variability with the ECMWF model are presented that stem from revisions of the convection and diffusion parametrizations. The revisions concern in particular the introduction of a variable convective adjustment time‐scale, a convective entrainment rate proportional to the environmental relative humidity, as well as free tropospheric diffusion coefficients for heat and momentum based on Monin–Obukhov functional dependencies.The forecasting system is evaluated against analyses and observations using high‐resolution medium‐range deterministic and ensemble forecasts, monthly and seasonal integrations, and decadal integrations with coupled atmosphere‐ocean models. The results show a significantly higher and more realistic level of model activity in terms of the amplitude of tropical and extratropical mesoscale, synoptic and planetary perturbations. Importantly, with the higher variability and reduced bias not only the probabilistic scores are improved, but also the midlatitude deterministic scores in the short and medium ranges. Furthermore, for the first time the model is able to represent a realistic spectrum of convectively coupled equatorial Kelvin and Rossby waves, and maintains a realistic amplitude of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) during monthly forecasts. However, the propagation speed of the MJO is slower than observed. The higher tropical tropospheric wave activity also results in better stratospheric temperatures and winds through the deposition of momentum.The partitioning between convective and resolved precipitation is unaffected by the model changes with roughly 62% of the total global precipitation being of the convective type. Finally, the changes in convection and diffusion parametrizations resulted in a larger spread of the ensemble forecasts, which allowed the amplitude of the initial perturbations in the ensemble prediction system to decrease by 30%. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Average run length when monitoring capability indices using EWMA
Authors: Castagliola P. , Vännman K. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractIn order to monitor unstable but capable processes Castagliola and Vännman have recently suggested a procedure based on an EWMA approach, called EWMA capability chart, for monitoring Vännman's Cp(u,v)‐family of capability indices and showed how their proposed approach efficiently monitors capable processes by detecting a decrease or increase in the capability level. The goal of this paper is to investigate the efficiency of this capability chart in terms of ARL. The procedure used for computing this ARL is presented and simple guidelines for obtaining approximations to the optimal EWMA parameters are proposed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A sequential constant‐stress accelerated life testing scheme and its Bayesian inference
Authors: Liu Xiao , Tang Loon‐Ching 
Published: August 2008

AbstractIn the analysis of accelerated life testing (ALT) data, some stress‐life model is typically used to relate results obtained at stressed conditions to those at use condition. For example, the Arrhenius model has been widely used for accelerated testing involving high temperature. Motivated by the fact that some prior knowledge of particular model parameters is usually available, this paper proposes a sequential constant‐stress ALT scheme and its Bayesian inference. Under this scheme, test at the highest stress is firstly conducted to quickly generate failures. Then, using the proposed Bayesian inference method, information obtained at the highest stress is used to construct prior distributions for data analysis at lower stress levels. In this paper, two frameworks of the Bayesian inference method are presented, namely, the all‐at‐one prior distribution construction and the full sequential prior distribution construction. Assuming Weibull failure times, we (1) derive the closed‐form expression for estimating the smallest extreme value location parameter at each stress level, (2) compare the performance of the proposed Bayesian inference with that of MLE by simulations, and (3) assess the risk of including empirical engineering knowledge into ALT data analysis under the proposed framework. Step‐by‐step illustrations of both frameworks are presented using a real‐life ALT data set. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A3M: an agent architecture for automated manufacturing
Authors: Di Stefano Antonella , Santoro Corrado 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThis paper proposes a software architecture based onmobile agentsfor distributed process control applications. A set of agents is employed to handle, in a single manufacturing cell, automatic assignment of control tasks to controllers, monitoring of cell functionalities and dynamic cell reconfiguration. The agents operate in a two‐layered structure: at the highest level, theplanning agentsanalyse the inputs of the system designer and automatically create thefield agents, which operate at the lowest level and embed the control tasks to be executed. Field agents, which are mobile, are able to reach autonomously the controllers of the cell, in order to perform the control activity there. Exploiting the mobility enables a field agent to change its running device when the variation of the design parameters or a system fault requires a new task distribution. Aload‐balancingalgorithm is introduced, with the objective of assigning each field agent to a controller of the manufacturing cell in order to fairly distribute the computation load. The algorithm uses abranch‐and‐boundtechnique to explore all possible solutions and applies two heuristics to throw away non‐feasible solutions and select the best branch to analyse. The algorithm is designed to run on‐line in order to allow a fast task redistribution when a fault condition occurs in the process control environment. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatal detection of trisomy 21 by second‐trimester ultrasound examination and maternal age in a non‐selected population of 49 314 births in Norway
Authors: Offerdal K. , Blaas H.‐G. K. , Eik‐Nes S. H. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractObjectivesTo assess the contribution of the second‐trimester routine ultrasound examination and maternal age (≥ 38 years) to the prenatal detection of trisomy 21 in a large non‐selected population in which no other screening methods were carried out.MethodsA prospective follow‐up study was carried out in a non‐selected Norwegian population from 1987 to 2004, including a total of 49 314 births. Data from all cases of trisomy 21, detected prenatally by karyotyping following amniocentesis performed for abnormal ultrasound findings or because of maternal age ≥ 38 years, or postnatally after delivery, were registered. The study period was divided into three 6‐year periods.ResultsEighty‐eight cases of trisomy 21 were registered. The prenatal detection rate was 43% (38/88). No significant change in the detection rate was observed over the 18 years. Fourteen percent (12/88) of cases were detected as a result of advanced maternal age and 30% (26/88) by prenatal ultrasound examination. Of all women with a trisomy 21 fetus, 72% (63/88) were under 38 years of age. The percentage of women ≥ 38 years opting for karyotyping during the three time periods decreased significantly from 51% to 50% and 36%, respectively. The termination rate of trisomy 21 fetuses was 84%, with no significant change over time.ConclusionsOur data can be considered as a reference standard for population screening for trisomy 21 based solely on maternal age and second‐trimester ultrasound imaging. The prenatal detection rate of trisomy 21 cases was poor and remained unchanged throughout the 18‐year study period. If improvement in detection rates is desired, additional programs are necessary. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Beschichtung von metallischen Membranen mittels Pulsed Laser Deposition
Authors: Lackner J.M. , Mukherji D. , Waldhauser W. , Wanderka N. , Kardjilov N. , Näth O. , Jäger S. , Schmitz F. , Rösler J. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractDer Funktionalisierung von meso‐ und nanoporösen Werkstoffen durch Beschichtungen kommt zunehmend größere Bedeutung zu. So kann z.B. deren Porenoberfläche hinsichtlich der Biokompatibilität oder dem katalytischen Verhalten modifiziert werden. Derzeit sind dafür vor allem CVD‐Verfahren im Einsatz. Die vorliegende Arbeit zeigt jedoch am Beispiel der Pulslaserbeschichtung (PLD)‐‐ einem PVD‐Verfahren —, dass nanoporöse Membranen auf Ni3Al‐Basis und Porendimensionen von etwa 200 nm mit hoher Schichtdicken‐Homogenität und Schichthaftung von diamantähnlichen Kohlenstoffschichten bei geringen Membrandicken beschichtet werden können.
Beschichtungen für Zahnräder
Authors: Petrik Marko , Wittdorf Ralf , Thomsen Helge , Kaestner Peter , Kropp Jan Peter 
Published: August 2008

AbstractUm das Ziel zu erreichen, Stahlzahnräder hinsichtlich Tragfähigkeit und Verschleiß zu optimieren, wurden in diesem Vorhaben Beschichtungen erprobt. Im Rahmen von Vorarbeiten wurden verschiedene Schichtsysteme numerisch mit der Software ELASTICA® auf ihre Eignung geprüft. Dabei wurden die Eigenschaften der Schichtsysteme abhängig vom Werkstoff, seiner Oberflächenbehandlung sowie den Radien relevanter Wälzpartner bestimmt. Unterschieden wurden makroskopische Wälzkontakte zwischen den Zahnflanken sowie mikroskopische Kontakte mit Oberflächenrauheit sowie Abriebpartikeln. Die vier am besten geeigneten Schichtsysteme wurden zunächst auf vereinfachte Rollkörper aufgetragen und unter verschiedenen Bedingungen geprüft. Dadurch wurden zwei Schichtsysteme ermittelt, die besondere Eignung für die Beschichtung der Zahnräder zeigen: a:C‐H mit CrN‐Stützschicht sowie a:C‐H mit CrN‐Stützschicht und vorhergehender Plasmanitrierung (Duplex‐Prozess). Um die Schichten auf den Zahnflanken gegen Eingriffsstöße zu schützen, wurde deren evolventisches Profil mit einer Kopfrücknahme versehen. Als Zahnradwerkstoffe wurden 16MnCr5, 42CrMo4 sowie der Sonderstahl ETG®88 eingesetzt. Als Schmiermittel kamen zwei Arten von Fließfetten zum Einsatz. Zudem wurde der Trockenlauf untersucht. Die Zahnräder wurden bei drei verschiedenen Drehzahlen geprüft. Geprüft wurden die Zahnräder auf einem eigens dafür konstruierten Prüfstand. Die Prüfung verlief in sogenannten Kraftstufen. Jede Stufe steht für eine feste Anzahl von Wälzkontakten, d. h. Umdrehungen der Zahnräder, sowie für ein bestimmtes Drehmoment, das eine Hertz'sche Pressung auf den Zahnflanken hervorruft. Mit steigender Stufenzahl wird das Drehmoment erhöht. Das Schadenskriterium ist der Beginn des Fressens des Grundwerkstoffs als Indikator, dass das jeweilige Schichtsystem seine Schutzwirkung eingebüßt hat. Die Versuchsergebnisse zeigten, dass insbesondere bei den Stählen 16MnCr5 und 42CrMo4 das Schichtsystem a:C‐H mit CrN‐Stützschicht und vorhergehender Plasmanitrierung zu nennenswerten Steigerungen der Flankentragfähigkeit und des Verschleißschutzes führt. Diese Steigerung wurde sowohl bei fettgeschmierten als auch bei trockenlaufenden Zahnrädern beobachtet. Die Ergebnisse für den Sonderstahl ETG®88 fielen weniger gut aus.Durch die beschriebenen Beschichtungen konnte ein Trockenlauf ermöglicht werden, der ohne Beschichtung nicht denkbar gewesen wäre. Die Ergebnisse reichen aber noch nicht ganz an die Ergebnisse der unbeschichteten Zahnräder bei Verwendung additivierten Fettes bei Minimalmengenschmierung heran. Gründe dafür sind in einer unzureichenden Nitrierhärtetiefe zu sehen. Für die gewählten Stähle wurden deshalb die Nitrierparameter hinsichtlich der Nitrierhärtetiefe angepasst. Nach der Auswertung der Versuche mit optimal nitrierten Zahnrädern ist es dann möglich, Empfehlungen für die Plasmanitrierung, die notwendige Beschichtung sowie die Auswahl des Fettes zu geben.
Regulatory processes and population cyclicity in laboratory populations of Anagasta Kühniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Phycitidae) II. Parasitism, predation, competition and protective cover
Authors: White E. G. , Huffaker C. B. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryThe population dynamics of Anagasta kühniella has been studied in standardized conditions in replicated ecosystems in which the variables have been increased one at a time. Additional to the variables reported earlier (WHITE and HUFFAKER, 1969), the present ecosystems included larval and pupal parasitism by Venturia canescens, both in the presence and absence of the egg‐predator Blattisocius tarsalis, and also in the presence and absence of two levels of protective cover for the host. In the presence of V. canescens, parasitism was generally of major importance as a regulating instrument in determining host population densities and it characteristically produced cycling and discrete host generations that arose from a parasite‐induced discontinuity in the age‐structure of the host populations. When the predatory mite and/or protective cover was also present, modifying interactions arose but these were not sufficient to dispel completely the discontinuous age‐structure and the cycling induced by the parasite. The actual degree of protective cover was particularly important insofar as it modified the levels and patterns of parasitism and permitted competition for food among host larvae to assume greater importance in the collective regulating process.Three forms of population cyclicity are described and discussed: a four‐generation cyclicity which was the basic pattern of cycling and occurred both in the presence and absence of protective cover; an eight‐generation cyclicity that arose from disturbed four‐generation cycling in the presence of a minimal level of host protection; and a nine‐generation cyclicity in which extensive protection compounded the collective nature of density‐dependent regulation.
Biology of hyphantria cunea drury (lepidoptera : Arctiidae) in Japan. IX. population dynamics
Authors: Itô Yosiaki , Shibazaki Atsuhiro , Iwahashi Osamu 
Published: August 2008

SummaryFluctuations in population density of Hyphantria cunea in Japan are characterized by a gradation‐like pattern. Analysis of the life table data taken from two stations during eight successive generations showed that (1) mortality during egg and early larval stages was density‐independent, (2) mortality during later larval stages was inversely density‐dependent, and (3) mortality during prepupal and pupal stages was density‐independent. Thus the overall mortality process from egg to adults eclosion was inversely density‐dependent. The inverse density‐dependence in mortality process during later larval instars was mainly attributed to the ‘escape’ (VOÛTE, 1946) of H. cunea populations from the predation pressure of polyphagous predators such as birds and Politses wasps. This inverse density‐dependence was considered to be a cause of gradation‐like fluctuation. Field collection of egg‐masses showed that the mean number of eggs per egg‐mass, which was believed to be a good representation of mean fecundity, varied from 425 to 1050 during 4 years. Density‐dependent reduction in the mean number of eggs per egg‐mass was demonstrated, and this reduction was a factor regulating the population density. Assuming fixed sex ratio and survival rate of adults, a preliminary population model was constructed. The number of eggs laid in the survey station could be predicted well by the model based on the number of eggs laid in the previous generation, in 9 out of 13 cases. An attempt to apply a model of the same type to mimic the fluctuation of abundance (peak number of larval colonies per tree) on road‐side trees suggested another density‐dependent process, that is, insecticide application by man. Discussion was also presented on the causes responsible for the turn of population trend from decreasing to increasing in the 1st generation of 1968.
Arthroscopy surgery versus shock wave therapy for chronic calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder
Authors: Rebuzzi Enrico , Coletti Nicolò , Schiavetti Stefano , Giusto Fernando 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackgroundThere are several treatment modalities for calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder. If the pain becomes chronic after several months of conservative treatment, open or arthroscopic removal is usually recommended. Recently, extracorporeal shock wave therapy has shown encouraging results in treating calcific deposits.Materials and methodsWe report a retrospective study to compare the outcome after arthroscopic extirpation (group I, 22 cases) with the effect of low extracorporeal shock wave therapy (group II, 24 cases) in patients with a chronic homogeneous calcific deposit in the supraspinatus tendon. Patients included in the study had undergone unsuccessful conservative therapy in the previous six months with no evidence of subacromial impingement of the rotator cuff independent of the calcium deposit or rupture of the rotator cuff detected by sonography or magnetic resonance imaging. AP and LL radiographies were performed for all of the patients at least one week before the treatment and 24 months after the treatment. To keep the possibility of spontaneous resorption low, the deposit had to be sharply outlined and densely structured on the radiograph (types I and II in the Gärtner classification). In group II, the patients underwent an average of three treatment sessions of extracorporeal shock waves therapy with 1,500 impulses/session of 0.10-0.13 mJ/mm2.ResultsPreoperative symptoms (P = 0.09), sex (P = 0.17), operated (P = 0.11) and dominant (P = 0.33) limbs, and age (P = 0.99) of the two groups did not show a significative difference between groups. According to the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) rating system, the mean score in group I improved from 9.36 (±5.2) to 30.3 (±7.62) points after 24 months, with 81.81% reporting good or excellent results (P < 0.001). In group II the mean score after 24 months rose from 12.38 (±6.5) to 28.13 (±9.34) points, with 70.83% reporting good or excellent results (P < 0.001). Radiologically, after two years of follow up, there was no calcific deposit in 86.35% (P < 0.001) of the patients of group I and in 58.33 % (P < 0.001) of the patients of group II. According to the UCLA scores, there was no significant difference between the groups at two years of follow-up (P = 0.38).ConclusionsWe conclude that shock wave therapy is equivalent to arthroscopy, and so shock wave therapy should be preferred because of its noninvasiveness.
The Impact of Social Roles on the Experience of Men in BRCA1/2 Families: Implications for Counseling
Authors: Daly Mary B. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractRecent advances in genetics have identified several genes associated with inherited susceptibility to breast and ovarian cancer and have led to the commercial availability of mutation analyses. Although the majority of cancers associated with BRCA1/2 mutations are seen in women, men with BRCA1/2 mutations are at increased risk for male breast cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer and melanoma. Limited data available on the response of men in BRCA1/2 families suggest that the majority do not pursue genetic counseling, thus they may forgo the opportunity to improve health practices and to pass on valuable cancer risk information to offspring. The patterns of relationships of men within the family and society can pose challenges to their recognition of genetic health threats and the need for preventive interventions. Genetic counselors are in a position to inform at‐risk males of their genetic risk, and to help them explore their personal health options.
Adsorption Isotherms for Bleaching Soybean Oil with Activated Attapulgite
Authors: Liu Yuanfa , Huang Jianhua , Wang Xingguo 
Published: August 2008

AbstractActivated attapulgite was characterized and used as bleaching clay (adsorbent) for soybean oil. Adsorption isotherms for bleaching soybean oil were determined to investigate the applicability of the Langmuir and Freundlich equations and to elucidate the adsorption characteristics of oil on activated attapulgite. The Freundlich model was found to provide a better fit with the experimental data than the Langmuir model. The larger Freundlich constant, KF at higher temperature indicated more effective adsorption. The heat evolved for oil bleaching increased as the levels of activated attapulgite increased from 0.5 to 3%, due to the increase in adsorptive sites with increasing attapulgite levels as well as multilayer adsorption driven by van der Waals’ forces at smaller amounts of adsorbents. There are enough adsorptive sites with 3% attapulgite to adsorb the pigments associated with soybean oil bleaching. The amount of attapulgite has no effect on ΔHa when it is >3%, and ΔHa is about 32 kJ/mol.