Dynamic mechanical properties

of the WPCs appeared to be

Dynamic mechanical properties

of the WPCs appeared to be related to the crystallization behavior of the wood flour, which depends on the surface roughness. Although there were statistically significant differences in mechanical properties among the species, the differences were small, implying that wood flours from many species can be used successfully as raw materials for WPCs. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 112: 1378-1385, 2009″
“In this work, we study the development of browning at bread Surface during baking. Computer vision is applied to follow the progress of browning at surface, while the variations of temperature and water activity are obtained by numerical simulation of a mathematical model previously GW3965 validated. The formation of the bread crust is a complex process where temperature and water content change continuously click here during baking, making browning a non-isothermal process occurring in a non-ideal system. Minimum requirements for initiation of colour formation are temperature greater than 120 degrees C and water activity less than 0.6. We apply a non-isothermal

kinetics approach to model the browning development at bread surface during baking, where the variation of local temperature and water activity is taken into account. The methodology presented here is suitable for modelling and predicting browning during baking: model parameters can be estimated by using a non-ideal system closer to real processing conditions. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“In this work, the effects of nanoclay (1-4 wt %) and coupling agent (2 and 4 wt %) loading on the physical and mechanical properties of nanocomposites buy CT99021 are investigated. Composites based on polypropylene (PP), bagasse flour, and nanoclay (montmorillonite type) was made by melt Compounding and then compression molding. When 1-3 wt % nanoclay was added, the tensile properties increased significantly, but then decreased slightly as the nanoclay content increased to 4%.

The impact strength was 6% lower by the addition of 1 wt % nanoclay, it was decreased further when the nanoclay content increased from 1 to 4%). Finally, the water absorption of PP/bagasse composites was lowered with the increase in nanoclay content. Additionally, the coupling agent, 4 wt % MAPP, improved the mechanical and physical properties of the composites more than the 2 wt % MAPP. From these results, we can conclude that addition of nanoclay enables to achieve better physical and mechanical properties in conventional composites. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 112: 1386-1390, 2009″
“There is increasing interest in the development and use of polyphenolic-rich antioxidant extracts as functional ingredients. However, their bitterness, astringency and characteristic flavour Could limit their incorporation in foods and beverages.

METHODS:

Glutaraldehyde-treated pericardium from alpha-Ga

METHODS:

Glutaraldehyde-treated pericardium from alpha-Gal-positive and GT-KO pigs, with or without pre-labeling with human anti-Gal antibodies, were implanted in rats during I month.

RESULTS: In glutaraldehyde-fixed pericardium, calcification levels were significantly lower in GT-KO pig pericardium (132.8 17DMAG mw +/- 5.8 mu g/mg) as compared with alpha-Gal-positive pig pericardium (155.7 +/- 7.1 mu g/mg) (p < 0.015). In glutaraldehyde-fixed pig pericardium followed by a mix of formaldehyde, ethanol and Tween 80 (FET), the calcification levels were lower in GT-KO pig pericardium (0.35 +/- 0.1 mu g/mg) as compared with alpha-Gal-positive pig pericardium (4.6 +/- 4.2 mu g/mg). In glutaraldehyde-fixed pig pericardium + FET pre-incubated with human anti-Gal antibodies, calcification levels were significantly greater in mu-Gal-positive pig pericardium (43.8 +/- 8.5 mu g/mg) as

compared with GT-KO pig pericardium (5.7 +/- 2.9 mu g/mg) (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the role of alpha-Gal antigen and human alpha-Gal antibodies in the calcification process of valvular bioprostheses. It is suggested that GT-KO pig pericardium could be beneficial as a new source of material for heart valve bioprostheses. J Heart Lung Transplant 2010;29:538-543 (C) 2010 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. All rights reserved.”
“A strain sensor using a stress-magnetoresistance effect of a Ni-Fe/Mn-Ir exchange-coupled magnetic selleckchem film was fabricated and evaluated. The stress magnetoresistance is used in the inverse magnetostrictive effect and the magnetoresistance effect in the magnetic film since an external stress is changed into an electric resistance in it. A compressive stress was measured by the strain sensor with a Mn-Ir (10 nm)/Ni-Fe (50 nm)/Ru (1 nm) exchange-coupled film. The change in resistivity Delta rho/rho is proportional to the applied compressive stress sigma for sigma <= 50 MPa in the strain sensor. When increasing

Ni-Fe layer thickness in the strain sensor, CH5183284 a gauge factor increased. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3362902]“
“The three most commonly used methods for estimating mesophyll conductance (g(m)) are described. They are based on gas exchange measurements either (i) by themselves; (ii) in combination with chlorophyll fluorescence quenching analysis; or (iii) in combination with discrimination against (CO2)-C-13. To obtain reliable estimates of g(m), the highest possible accuracy of gas exchange is required, particularly when using small leaf chambers. While there may be problems in achieving a high accuracy with leaf chambers that clamp onto a leaf with gaskets, guidelines are provided for making necessary corrections that increase reliability.

Conclusions: This audit confirms the underprovision of radiothera

Conclusions: This audit confirms the underprovision of radiotherapy in England and shows that it is largely accounted for by low access rates of 37% rather than the 50% accepted in the literature. In consequence we estimate that 33 881 patients (13.9%) of the 243 748 patients diagnosed with cancer in England during 2006/2007 did not receive the radiotherapy we would have expected. Some of this gap in provision may be accounted for by differences in stage and performance status, which limit treatment options, for example in lung cancer. The NRAG model should be updated to take account of new data from this and other national audits, to ensure that it describes the stage and performance status of

English patients and is sensitive to the range of professional opinion about treatment options. This will be essential for long-term planning as cancer incidence increases over the next decade, but it does not weaken selleck the conclusion that there is a substantial current shortfall to be addressed immediately

to improve timely access to treatment and thus the outcomes of therapy. As more resource becomes available, it should find more be possible to consider changing dose fractionation to comply with evidence-based practice and national guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and other bodies without disadvantaging patients by increasing waiting times. Williams, M. V., Drinkwater, K. J. (2009). Clinical Oncology 21, 575-590 (C) 2009 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights Selleck CAL101 reserved.”
“Upconversion (UC) of subband-gap photons is a promising possibility to enhance solar cell efficiency by making also the subband-gap photons useful. For this application, we investigate the material system of trivalent erbium doped sodium yttrium fluoride (NaYF(4):20%Er(3+)), which shows efficient UC suitable for silicon solar cells. We determine the optical UC efficiency by calibrated photoluminescence measurements. Because these data are free from any influence of losses associated with

the application of the upconverter to the solar cell, the obtained values constitute the upper limit that can be achieved with an optimized device. Subsequently, we compare the results of the optical measurements with the results obtained by using solar cells as detectors on which the upconverter material is applied. We find an optical UC quantum efficiency of 5.1% at a monochromatic irradiance of 1880 W m(-2) (0.27 cm(2) W(-1)) at 1523 nm. The device of silicon solar cell and applied upconverter showed an external quantum efficiency of 0.34% at an irradiance of 1090 W m(-2) (0.03 cm(2) W(-1)) at 1522 nm. The differences are explained by the optical losses occurring in the upconverter solar cell device, which are dominated by the transmission of the solar cell and the incomplete absorption of the upconverting layer, and the nonlinear behavior of the upconverter. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi : 10.

The cubic structure spectra of the Cd1-xMnxS epilayers were only

The cubic structure spectra of the Cd1-xMnxS epilayers were only observed in the Mn composition range of 0.000 <= x <= 0.050 from the XRD spectra and the x-ray phi-scan curves. The lattice constants of the Cd1-xMnxS epilayers decreased linearly with increasing Mn composition and were consistent with Vegard’s law. The Cd1-xMnxS

epilayers from x-ray ACY-738 cell line reciprocal space mapping were found to be in a partially biaxial compressive strain state. In the cubic Cd1-xMnxS epilayers, only yellow emission PL peaks at around 2.0 eV without other peaks such as the appreciable near-edge emission peak and self-activated peak were observed. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3514550]“
“Objectives. Our aim was to study the clinical and radiologic findings of synovial chondromatosis (SC) affecting the temporomandibular Stem Cell Compound Library research buy joint (TMJ) and provide references for diagnosis and treatment.

Study design.

Twenty patients confirmed as SC histopathologically were included in the investigation. Nineteen cases were treated with arthrotomy and 1 case with arthroscopy. The clinical manifestations, radiographic findings, histopathologic features, surgical treatment, and differential diagnosis were combined to study this disease. The SC features of TMJ on magnetic resonance (MR) images were summarized on proton density-weighted (PD) and T2-weighted images.

Results. Synovial chondromatosis of TMJ occurred more often in women and on the right. Symptoms included preauricular pain, swelling, limitation of mouth opening, crepitations, and deviation on this website opening. The detection rate of calcified loose bodies was 30% on conventional radiographs and 53.3% on computerized tomography. Multiple small ring-like or tubular signals could be seen on PD and T2-weighted MR images. SC mainly affected the superior joint space; it could involve the inferior space when a perforated or deformed disc was present. SC could extend into intracranial fossa, infratemporal fossa,

and lateral pytergoid muscle.

Conclusions. The characteristic ring-like signals could be found on MR images of the patients with SC of TMJ. This lesion should be differentially diagnosed with TMJ disorders and preauricular masses. Considering its recurrence and the different behavior of SC in different patients, various treatment strategies should be considered. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2010; 109: 441-448)”
“Aneuploidy, as a result of numerical changes in chromosome number, was observed in tumours almost a century ago. The molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon and their impact on tumour development are still poorly understood. A series of recent observations provide direct linkages between the normal function of tumour suppressor proteins and the suppression of aneuploidy. The prospects that these findings offer for understanding the role of aneuploidy in cancer are discussed in this review.

Our electrotransfer system allowed the cancer cells we studied to

Our electrotransfer system allowed the cancer cells we studied to be transduced without loss of viability and may have applications for a variety of intracellular immuno-interventions.”
“A new resveratrol Galardin cost trimer derivative, named as gnetubrunol A (1), together with five known stilbene derivatives, shegansu B (2), resveratrol (3), isorhapontigenin (4), gnetifolin E (5), and isorhapontigenin-11-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (6) were isolated from the lianas of Gnetum brunonianum Griff.

Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis (UV, IR, MS, H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR, and 2D NMR). The anti-inflammatory activities of 1, 5, and 6 have also been assayed.”
“Due to the amount of nutrients available in the agroindustrial wastes, these can be converted into high added-value products by the action of microorganisms in solid-state bioprocesses. The aim of this work

was to evaluate the growth physiology and lipase production of the fungus Lichtheimia ramosa using the following Brazilian savannah fruit wastes as substrates: bocaiuva (Acrocomia aculeata), pequi (Caryocar brasiliense), guavira (Campomanesia pubescens), araticum (Annona Ganetespib in vivo crassiflora) and seriguela (Spondias purpurea). These residues were triturated, homogenized, adjusted to pH 5.0 and 60 % moisture, sterilized and packaged in plastic tray-type bioreactors before inoculation with 10 % (w/v) of L. ramosa pre-culture medium. The cultivations were conducted in a bacteriological incubator at 30 degrees C for

40 days. Samples were taken every 5 days and fungi and bacteria contents, proximate composition and lipase activity were evaluated. The maximum fungal counting was observed between 25 and 35 days. L. ramosa reached the stationary phase next to 40 days in all substrates. Mesophilic and psicrophilic aerobic bacteria were not detected. Protein enrichment was obtained for all media, being superior in seriguela residues (391.66 %), followed by pequi (160.04 %), araticum (143.31 %), guavira (102.42 %), and bocaiuva (67.88 %). Lipase production was observed in all cultivated media, except in pequi residues that showed decreasing lipase activity. The higher production was observed in guavira Selisistat mouse (1.12 U/g) followed by araticum (0.58 U/g), seriguela (0.41 U/g) and bocaiuva (0.21 U/g) waste substrates. It was concluded that the studied fruit wastes have been successfully utilized as substrates for protein enrichment and lipase production with L. ramosa.”
“Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 is a neurodegenerative polyglutamine disease characterized by ataxia and retinal degeneration. The longitudinal course is unknown, and relationships between repeat expansion, clinical manifestations, and neuropathology remain uncertain. We followed 16 affected individuals of a 61-member kindred over 27 years with electroretinograms, neurological examinations including the Brief Ataxia Rating Scale, neuroimaging in five, and autopsy in four cases.

Categorical data were analyzed by Pearson (2) and continuous data

Categorical data were analyzed by Pearson (2) and continuous data by Wilcoxon test. Intravenous tPA use 3 hours after onset increased from 4.0% to 7.0% in all AIS admissions and 42.6% to 77.0% in AIS patients arriving 2 hours and fully eligible for tPA (P<0.001). In univariate analysis, tPA use increased over time, especially in those aged >85 years,

nonwhite, and with milder strokes (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale 0-4). Door-to-image CFTRinh-172 time (median 24 versus 20 minutes) and door-to-tPA time (median 81 versus 72 minutes) also improved, with approximate to 65% of tPA-treated patients getting brain imaging 25 minutes after arrival. Multivariable analysis showed that ARS-1620 with each additional calendar year, the odds that an eligible patient would receive tPA increased by 1.37-fold, adjusting for other covariates.

Conclusions The frequency of IV tPA use among all AIS patients, regardless of contraindications, nearly doubled from 2003 to 2011. Treatment with tPA has expanded to include more patients with mild deficits, nonwhite race/ethnicity, and

oldest old age.”
“Objectives: The aims of this study were to explore how image compression affects density, fractal dimension, linear and angular measurements on digital panoramic images and assess inter and intra-observer repeatability of these measurements.

Study Design: Sixty-one digital panoramic images in TIFF format (Tagged Image File Format) were compressed to JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) images. Two observers measured gonial angle, antegonial angle, mandibular cortical width, coronal pulp width of maxillary and mandibular first molar, tooth length of maxillary and mandibular first molar on the left side of these images twice. Fractal dimension Selleckchem ERK inhibitor of the selected regions of interests were calculated and the density of each panoramic radiograph as a whole were also measured on TIFF and JPEG compressed images. Intra-observer

and inter-observer consistency was evaluated with Cronbach’s alpha. Paired samples t-test and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to evaluate the difference between the measurements of TIFF and JPEG compressed images.

Results: The repeatability of angular measurements had the highest Cronbach’s alpha value (0.997). There was statistically significant difference for both of the observers in mandibular cortical width (MCW) measurements (1st ob. p: 0.002; 2nd ob. p: 0.003), density (p<0.001) and fractal dimension (p<0.001) between TIFF and JPEG images. There was statistically significant difference for the first observer in antegonial angle (1st ob p<0.001) and maxillary molar coronal pulp width (1st ob. p<0.001) between JPEG and TIFF files.

Conclusions: The repeatability of angular measurements is better than linear measurements.

(J Am Vet Med Assoc 2009;235:551-557)”
“A

(J Am Vet Med Assoc 2009;235:551-557)”
“A Epigenetics inhibitor chemical investigation of the fruit juice of Flacourtia inermis furnished five caffeoylquinic acid derivatives: methyl chlorogenate (1), methyl 5-O-caffeoylquinate

(2), methyl 4-O-caffeoylquinate (3), n-butyl chlorogenate (4), n-butyl 5-O-caffeoylquinate (5) and a rare phenolic glucoside (rel)-6 alpha-benzoyloxy-1 alpha,2 alpha-dihydroxy-5-oxocyclohex-3-enecarboxylic acid 2-(6-O-benzoyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-5-hydroxybenzyl ester (6), together with quinic acid (7) and malic acid (8). Compounds 1, 2, 4 and 5 showed strong radical scavenging properties towards the 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical.”
“BackgroundThe Karmanos Cancer Center Bone Marrow Transplant (KCC BMT) Center updated the vaccination protocol for transplant patients based on joint guidelines recently published by European Bone Marrow Transplantation, Centers for Disease Control, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and the American Society for Bone Marrow Transplantation. The objectives for this study were to determine the impact of vaccination cards and telephone outreach on vaccine adherence and to determine the reasons for missed or delayed vaccinations.

MethodsRetrospective analysis

consisted of autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients at the KCC BMT Clinic who received vaccines based on the guidelines published in 2009. Adherence was calculated as percentage of vaccines missed over the vaccination period.

ResultsOverall, 37 AZD9291 manufacturer of 111 patients (33%) missed at least 1 vaccine set and 29 patients (26%) received 1 set later than recommended. Reasons for missed and delayed vaccines included neutropenia/thrombocytopenia, anticoagulation, active infection, and graft-versus-host complications.

ConclusionsCurrent guidelines recommend a complex vaccination schedule for the

HSCT recipients, which may lead to difficulties with adherence. Our study shows that missed and delayed vaccinations are common in both autologous and allogeneic HSCT recipients. Methods to improve adherence are needed.”
“Case buy Belnacasan Description-3 adult Quarter Horses were evaluated for acute, progressive neurologic signs 18 hours after oral administration of 1 dose of 1.87% ivermectin paste.

Clinical Findings-Clinical signs included depression, forelimb and hind limb ataxia, drooping of the superior and inferior lips, and muscle fasciculations. Bilateral mydriasis, decreased pupillary light reflexes, and absent menace reflexes were evident. Clinical signs progressed in severity for 36 hours after administration of the ivermectin.

Treatment and Outcome-All horses were treated supportively with IV administration of fluids and anti-inflammatory medications. Two horses survived with no apparent long-term sequelae. One horse was euthanized, and a high concentration of ivermectin was detected in its brain tissue at postmortem examination.

CONCLUSION: This approach was compared with the mathematical

CONCLUSION: This approach was compared with the mathematical BKM120 molecular weight calculation method and the emission spectrophotometry technique used for practical applications. The results showed this new approach had improved accuracy for determination of the particle number-concentration.

(C) 2010 Society of Chemical Industry”
“Background and objective: The coexistence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic heart failure (CHF) increases with age. The occurrence, prognosis and therapeutic implications of concurrent COPD in elderly patients with CHF were investigated.

Methods: One hundred and eighteen consecutive patients, >= 65 years old with >= 10 pack/years of

smoking and with a verified diagnosis of CHF in stable condition, were enrolled. They were followed for a mean of 1029 (range 758-1064) days. All patients had spirometry and the diagnosis and classification of COPD were made according to Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease guidelines.

Results: The mean occurrence of COPD was 30% (90% confidence interval: 24-37%). At baseline in patients with CHF and COPD, there was a shorter 6-min walk distance, lower arterial oxygen tension, glomerular filtration rate and higher N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (all P < 0.05). The prescription of CHF therapies, including beta-blockers, was similar in the two groups. After Selleck DAPT follow up, the presence of COPD in patients with CHF did not appear to influence survival.

Conclusions: COPD is relatively frequent in elderly patients

with CHF. COPD did not alter survival.”
“BACKGROUND: This work was carried out to investigate and analyze the interrelated dynamics of mass transport, membrane fouling and flux decline during nanofiltration of tartrazine. A combined application including pore diffusion transport model LOXO-101 solubility dmso and a material balance approach was used to model an experimental flux data obtained from different values of pH (3, 5, 7 and 10), feed-dye concentration (25, 100 and 400 mg L(-1)), and transmembrane pressure (1200, 1800 and 2400 kPa).

RESULTS: Almost 100% dye solution removal and a permeate flux of 135 L m(-2) h(-1) were obtained for 25 mg L(-1) and 1200 kPa at pH 10. At pH 10, lower membrane fouling was obtained due to the increase of electrostatic repulsion between anionic dye molecules and the more negatively charged membrane surface. Flux decline and membrane fouling increased together with transmembrane pressure and dye concentration.

The third passage cells were divided into negative

The third passage cells were divided into negative NU7441 nmr pressure treatment group and control group. The treatment group was induced by negative pressure intermittently (pressure: 50 kPa, 30 min/times, and twice daily). The control was cultured in conventional condition. The osteogenesis of BMSCs was examined by phase-contrast microscopy, the determination of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, and the immunohistochemistry of collagen type I. The mRNA expressions of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and osteoprotegerin ligand (OPGL) in BMSCs were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

BMSCs showed a typical appearance of osteoblast after 2 weeks of induction by intermittent negative pressure,

the activity of ALP increased significantly, and the expression of collagen type I was positive. In the treatment group, the mRNA expression of OPG increased significantly (P < see more 0.05) and the mRNA expression of OPGL decreased significantly (P < 0.05) after 2 weeks, compared with the control.

Intermittent negative

pressure could promote osteogenesis in human BMSCs in vitro.”
“Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) doped with a series of anionic polysaccharides such as carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium hyaluronate, xanthan gum, pectin, gellan gum were prepared by electropolymerization in aqueous solutions. Some other dopants of potassium nitrate, potassium sulfate, sodium poly(styrenesulfonate), and sodium polyacrylate were used in comparison with the anionic polysaccharides. The electrochemical properties and stability of the obtained PEDOT films were also investigated. It was found that

indium tin oxide (ITO) conductive glass could be used as the working electrode of the electropolymerization of EDOT and that the dopant had G418 a great influence on polymerization potential and overoxidation potential. These charged biomolecules of anionic polysaccharides were found to facilitate electropolymerization of EDOT instead of common doping anions as counterion. The electroactive PEDOT films doped with anionic polysaccharides showed stable electrochemical properties, good texture, and adhesion properties to the ITO conductive glass. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012″
“Although higher serum phosphate level is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in general population as well as chronic kidney disease patients, it has not been clarified whether higher phosphate can affect atherosclerotic plaque formation. In this study, we investigated the effect of prolonged-intake of different concentrations of phosphate on atherosclerosis formation using apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. Apolipoprotein E-deficient mice were fed with high fat diet including 0.6%, 1.2% or 1.8% phosphate. After 20-week treatment, atherosclerotic plaque formation in aorta in 1.8% phosphate diet group was unexpectedly less than that in the other groups.

This article will review new molecular targets for the treatment

This article will review new molecular targets for the treatment of CRC and discuss possible implications for clinical therapy. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd.”
“The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of IAA and ABA in the shoot-to-root regulation of the expression of the main Fe-stress physiological root responses in cucumber plants subjected to shoot Fe functional deficiency. Changes in the expression of the genes CsFRO1, CsIRT1, CsHA1 and CsHA2 (coding

for Fe(III)-chelate reductase (FCR), the Fe(II) transporter and H(+)-ATPase, respectively) and in the enzyme activity of FCR and the acidification capacity were measured. We studied first the ability of exogenous applications AC220 of IAA and ABA FDA approved Drug Library concentration to induce these Fe-stress root responses in plants grown in Fe-sufficient conditions. The results showed that IAA was able to activate these responses at the transcriptional and functional levels, whereas the results with ABA were less conclusive. Thereafter, we explored the role

of IAA in plants with or without shoot Fe functional deficiency in the presence of two types of IAA inhibitors, affecting either IAA polar transport (TIBA) or IAA functionality (PCIB). The results showed that IAA is involved in the regulation at the transcriptional and functional levels of both Fe root acquisition 7-Cl-O-Nec1 mw (FCR, Fe(II) transport) and rhizosphere acidification (H(+)-ATPase), although through different, and probably complementary, mechanisms. These results suggest that IAA is involved in the shoot-to-root regulation of the expression of Fe-stress physiological root responses. (C) 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.”
“The optical efficiency

of GaN-based multiple quantum well (MQW) and light emitting diode (LED) structures grown on Si(111) substrates by metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy was measured and compared with equivalent structures on sapphire. The crystalline quality of the LED structures was comprehensively characterized using x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and plan-view transmission electron microscopy. A room temperature photoluminescence (PL) internal quantum efficiency (IQE) as high as 58% has been achieved in an InGaN/GaN MQW on Si, emitting at 460 nm. This is the highest reported PL-IQE of a c-plane GaN-based MQW on Si, and the radiative efficiency of this sample compares well with similar structures grown on sapphire. Processed LED devices on Si also show good electroluminescence (EL) performance, including a forward bias voltage of similar to 3.5 V at 20 mA and a light output power of 1 mW at 45 mA from a 500 x 500 mu m(2) planar device without the use of any additional techniques to enhance the output coupling.