bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synchronization of variable-order fractional financial system via active control method
Authors: Xu Yufeng , He Zhimin 
Published: July 2013

AbstractIn this paper, we study the chaotic dynamics of a Variable-Order Fractional Financial System (VOFFS). The Variable-Order Fractional Derivative (VOFD) is defined in Caputo type. A necessary condition for occurrence of chaos in VOFFS is obtained. Numerical experiments on the dynamics of the VOFFS with various conditions are given. Based on them, it is shown that the VOFFS has complex dynamical behavior, and the occurrence of chaos depends on the choice of order function. Furthermore, the chaos synchronization of the VOFFS is studied via active control method. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the active control method is effective and simple for synchronizing the VOFFSs with commensurate or incommensurate order functions.
Urban heat island in Bloemfontein during winter
Authors: Snyman Pieter , Steyn A. Stephen 
Published: July 2013

Urban heat islands (UHIs) are characterised by warmer urban air temperatures compared to rural air temperatures, and the intensity is equal to the difference between the two. Air temperatures are measured at various sites across the city of Bloemfontein and then analysed to determine the UHI characteristics. The UHI is found to have a horseshoe shape and reaches a maximum intensity of 8.2 °C at 22:00. The UHI is largely affected by the local topography.
Circulating Angiogenic Modulatory Factors Predict Survival and Functional Class in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Malhotra Rajeev , Paskin‐Flerlage Samuel , Zamanian Roham T. , Zimmerman Patrick , Schmidt Jonathan W. , Deng Donna Y. , Southwood Mark , Spencer Robert , Lai Carol S. , Parker William , Channick Richard N. , Morrell Nicholas W. , Elliott C. Gregory , Yu Paul B. 
Published: July 2013

The diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is frequently delayed. We hypothesized that circulating angiogenic modulatory protein levels might correspond with vascular remodeling activity and serve as sensitive biomarkers of PAH. Levels of soluble endoglin (sEng), soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐1 (sVEGFR1), N‐terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP), C‐reactive protein (CRP), and other biomarkers were measured in peripheral blood from 97 PAH patients, 16 first‐degree relatives of idiopathic or heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension (HPAH) patients, and 56 controls, and correlated with disease, functional class, hemodynamic parameters, exercise capacity, and transplant‐free survival. Endoglin expression was analyzed in lung tissues of six individuals with idiopathic or HPAH and four individuals without PAH. Levels of sEng, sVEGFR1, CRP, and NT‐proBNP were elevated in Group I PAH of diverse etiologies, with sEng performing better than NT‐proBNP in detecting PAH (receiver operator characteristic‐area‐under‐the curve [ROC‐AUC] of 0.82 ± 0.03 vs. 0.71 ± 0.05, P = 0.016). While sEng, sVEGFR1, and NT‐proBNP correlated with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, sEng levels were more sensitive than NT‐proBNP in detecting NYHA Class I‐II disease (ROC‐AUC of 0.88 ± 0.05 vs. 0.67 ± 0.08, P = 0.028). sEng, sVEGFR1, CRP, and NT‐proBNP predicted transplant‐free survival by univariate Cox regression. After adjusting for NT‐proBNP levels, each of the other three markers predicted transplant‐free survival. In multivariate analysis, sEng and CRP were independent predictors of survival. Endoglin expression was markedly enhanced in the microvascular endothelium and endovascular lesions of PAH versus control lung tissues. Circulating angiogenic proteins sEng and sVEGFR1 are sensitive markers of prognosis and function in Group I PAH, including mildly symptomatic disease, and may provide unique noninvasive data reflecting underlying remodeling activity.
Increased Pulmonary Artery Diameter on Chest Computed Tomography Can Predict Borderline Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Lange Tobias J. , Bornia Christian , Stiefel Jaroslava , Stroszczynski Christian , Arzt Michael , Pfeifer Michael , Hamer Okka W. 
Published: July 2013

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) often leads to dilatation of the pulmonary artery (PA), which can be measured on chest computed tomography (CT). While the predictive capability of PA dilatation is useful to distinguish PH (mean PA pressure ≥25 mmHg) from normal (mean PA pressure ≤ 20 mmHg), CT characteristics of borderline PH (mean PA pressure 21–24 mmHg) have not been described. We aimed to investigate whether patients with borderline PH already show PA dilatation and to assess the diagnostic accuracy of PA dilatation for borderline PH diagnosis. Between April 2003 and September 2008, consecutive symptomatic patients with a mean PA pressure below 25 mmHg on right heart catheterization who had a chest CT available were retrospectively included. PA diameters from chest CT were correlated with hemodynamic measurements and analyzed with respect to their accuracy of predicting borderline PH. Main PA diameters were significantly larger in 26 patients with borderline PH compared with 52 patients without PH (3.16 ± 0.53 vs. 2.78 ± 0.43 cm, P = 0.001). The main PA diameter on CT correlated with mean PA pressure (r = 0.496, P< 0.001) and pulmonary vascular resistance (r = 0.445, P< 0.001), and predicted borderline PH with sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values of 77%, 62%, 84%, and 50%, respectively, using a cutoff ≥2.9 cm. This first systematic investigation of CT parameters in symptomatic patients with mean PA pressures less than 25 mmHg could show that, even in patients with borderline PH, significant PA dilatation can be present, which was related to PA pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance. This can be useful for identification of patients with borderline PH for further study and to prompt further diagnostic work‐up of possible underlying diseases.
Preclinical Pulmonary Capillary Endothelial Dysfunction is Present in Brain Dead Subjects
Authors: Glynos Constantinos , Athanasiou Chariclea , Kotanidou Anastasia , Korovesi Ioanna , Kaziani Katerina , Livaditi Olga , Dimopoulou Ioanna , Maniatis Nikolaos A. , Tsangaris Iraklis , Roussos Charis , Armaganidis Apostolos , Orfanos Stylianos E. 
Published: July 2013

Pulmonary endothelium is a major metabolic organ affecting pulmonary and systemic vascular homeostasis. Brain death (BD)‐induced physiologic and metabolic derangements in donors' lungs, in the absence of overt lung pathology, may cause pulmonary dysfunction and compromise post‐transplant graft function. To explore the impact of BD on pulmonary endothelium, we estimated pulmonary capillary endothelium‐bound (PCEB)‐angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity, a direct and quantifiable index of pulmonary endothelial function, in eight brain‐dead patients and ten brain‐injured mechanically ventilated controls. No subject suffered from acute lung injury or any other overt lung pathology. Applying indicator‐dilution type techniques, we measured single‐pass transpulmonary percent metabolism (%M) and hydrolysis (v) of the synthetic, biologically inactive, and highly specific for ACE substrate 3H‐benzoyl‐Phe‐Ala‐Pro, under first order reaction conditions, and calculated lung functional capillary surface area (FCSA). Substrate %M (35 ± 6.8%) and v (0.49 ± 0.13) in BD patients were decreased as compared to controls (55.9 ± 4.9, P = 0.033 and 0.9 ± 0.15, P = 0.033, respectively), denoting decreased pulmonary endothelial enzyme activity at the capillary level; FCSA, a reflection of endothelial enzyme activity per vascular bed, was also decreased (BD patients: 1,563 ± 562 mL/min vs 4,235 ± 559 in controls; P = 0.003). We conclude that BD is associated with subtle pulmonary endothelial injury, expressed by decreased PCEB‐ACE activity. The applied indicator‐dilution type technique provides direct and quantifiable indices of pulmonary endothelial function at the bedside that may reveal the existence of preclinical lung pathology in potential lung donors.
Reproducibility of Intracardiac and Transpulmonary Biomarkers in the Evaluation of Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Monahan Ken , Scott Theresa A. , Su Yan Ru , Lenneman Carrie G. , Zhao David X. , Robbins Ivan M. , Hemnes Anna R. 
Published: July 2013

Intracardiac and transpulmonary levels of natriuretic peptides (NPs) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) provide insight into the pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension (PH) secondary to left‐heart failure but have not been evaluated in established or suspected pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Demonstrating adequate reproducibility of these markers is an important precursor to further study. We hypothesized that the reproducibility of intracardiac and transpulmonary NPs and cGMP is similar to the reproducibility of these markers sampled from the peripheral venous circulation. In outpatients undergoing right‐heart catheterization for PH, blood samples were obtained from a peripheral venous site, superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, coronary sinus, pulmonary artery, and pulmonary capillary wedge position. At each site, a repeat sample was collected approximately 60 seconds after the initial measurement. Reproducibility was assessed using the slope of the regression line between initial and follow‐up levels. We enrolled 10 patients: Six had PAH, two had pulmonary venous hypertension, and two had normal pulmonary pressure. At all sites, the slopes of the regression lines for BNP were close to identity. BNP was generally more reproducible than NT‐pro‐BNP. For the NPs and cGMP, reproducibility at intracardiac and transpulmonary sites was similar to the peripheral venous site. Reproducibility of NPs was not influenced by PH severity, access site, or time between measurements. The two patients with the highest transpulmonary pressure gradients had high transpulmonary BNP uptake, but their transpulmonary cGMP gradients were negative. In patients evaluated for PH, reproducibility of NPs and cGMP at intracardiac and transpulmonary sites is high and is comparable to that of peripheral venous measurements.
Assessment of hand mobility in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using a computer measurement station
Authors: Drużbicki Mariusz , Zwolińska Jolanta , Przysada Grzegorz , Maj Monika 
Published: July 2013

<b>Wstęp:</b> Celem pracy była ocena sprawności ruchowej ręki (siły chwytu, objętości chwytu) u chorych z reumatoidalnym zapaleniem stawów (RZS) z wykorzystaniem obiektywnych metod pomiaru oraz ocena związku pomiędzy sprawnością ruchową ręki a stopniem niepełnosprawności badanych chorych. Dokonano też oceny wpływu aktywności procesu chorobowego, czasu trwania sztywności porannej i nasilenia dolegliwości bólowych na stan funkcjonalny ręki.<br />
<b>Materiał i metody</b>: Badaniami objęto 56 chorych z rozpoznanym RZS leczonych na oddziale reumatologii. Oceniano aktywność procesu chorobowego wg wskaźnika DAS28 (Disease Activity Score), stopień niepełnosprawności wg kwestionariusza HAQ (Health Assessment <br />
Questionnaire), nasilenie dolegliwości bólowych wg skali VAS oraz czas trwania sztywności porannej. Siłę ręki, objętość chwytu ręki oceniono za pomocą oryginalnego komputerowego stanowiska pomiarowego. <br />
<b>Wyniki:</b> Wykazano istotnie wyższą wartość objętości chwytu i większą siłę chwytu ręki prawej w grupie kontrolnej w porównaniu z grupą badaną (p = 0,000). Stwierdzono też, że poziom nasilenia dolegliwości bólowych miał istotny statystycznie wpływ na sprawność ruchową badanej ręki (r = –57; p = 0,001). Nie wykazano istotnej zależności pomiędzy poziomem aktywności choroby mierzonej wskaźnikiem DAS28 a poziomem sprawności (siły chwytów) badanych rąk (r = –0,11). Stwierdzono natomiast istotną zależność pomiędzy poziomem funkcjonalnej niesprawności badanych chorych ocenianej wg kwestionariusza HAQ a parametrami sprawności rąk (r = –0,44). <br />
<b>Wnioski</b>: W okresie zaostrzenia objawów RZS sprawność ruchowa ręki zależy przede wszystkim od nasilenia dolegliwości bólowych. Na poziom tej sprawności nie wpływa wiek badanych, czas trwania sztywno­ści porannej oraz stopień zaawansowania procesu chorobowego. Sprawność ręki (siła i objętość chwytu) istotnie determinuje poziom niepełnosprawności chorych na RZS.
Effect of Cardiovascular Training on Fitness and Perceived Disease Activity in People With Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: Niedermann Karin , Sidelnikov Eduard , Muggli Claudia , Dagfinrud Hanne , Hermann Matthias , Tamborrini Giorgio , Ciurea Adrian , Bischoff‐Ferrari Heike 
Published: July 2013

ObjectiveSeveral studies suggest that patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 12‐week, individually monitored, with moderate heart rate level intensity cardiovascular training on cardiovascular fitness and perceived disease activity in AS patients.MethodsPatients diagnosed with AS according to the modified New York criteria were randomized to either cardiovascular training or attention control. The training group performed 3 cardiovascular training units per week. All participants attended 1 weekly usual care flexibility training session. Attention control contained regular discussion groups on coping strategies. Adherence was self‐monitored. Assessments were performed at baseline and after the intervention period of 3 months. Physical fitness was the primary end point, measured in watts using a submaximal bicycle test following the physical work capacity 75% protocol. All analyses controlled for sex, age, body mass index, baseline fitness and physical activity levels, and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI).ResultsOf 106 AS patients enrolled, 40% were women and the mean ± SD age was 49 ± 12 years. A total of 74.6% of the training group reported exercising at least 3 times a week. At the 3‐month followup, the fitness level in the training group was significantly higher than in the control group (mean ± SE 90.32W ± 4.52W versus 109.84W ± 4.72W; P = 0.001), independent of other covariates. The mean BASDAI total score was 0.31 points lower (P = 0.31) in the training group, reaching significance for the peripheral pain subscore (1.19; P = 0.01) but not for back pain or fatigue.ConclusionCardiovascular training, in addition to flexibility exercise, increased fitness in AS patients and reduced their peripheral pain.
Fabrication of Polysulfone/ZnO Membrane: Influence of ZnO Nanoparticles on Membrane Characteristics
Authors: Alhoshan Mansour , Alam Javed , Dass Lawrence Arockiasamy , Al‐Homaidi Nasser 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTA mixed matrix membrane consisting of a polysulfone and nano‐ZnO particles has been fabricated by a combination of solution dispersion blending and phase‐inversion method. The study is focused on the influence of ZnO on membrane morphology, surface roughness, and hydrophilicity, which were investigated through the methods of scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and contact angle meter, respectively. In addition, the changes in membrane characteristics with the addition nano‐ZnO particles were examined by pure water flux, water content and porosity, and salts rejection including NaCl and MgSO4. From the results, it was revealed that nano‐ZnO particles constructed a membrane having more hydrophilic, smooth, and tightly packed surface, which offered a high flux and an effective permeability barrier. Moreover, it was observed that nano‐ZnO particles produced spongy a membrane with uniform and well‐interconnecting pores. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Technol 2013, 32, 21369; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/adv.21369
Solvent inducing aggregates of perylene tetracarboxylic diimide in polymer backbone
Authors: Kong Fan , Tang Buwei , Zhang Xueqin , Lin Baoping , Qiu Teng 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTWe have investigated the optical properties of a synthesized polymer containing perylene tetracarboxylic diimide (PDI) in different solvents. The structured absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the PDI in the polymer are sensitive to the solvents. The excited states with the PL peaks at 530 and 570 nm have the same PL excitation bands and life times, but the PL excitation band of the 625 nm excited states with long life time is different from the others. The PL bands with the peaks at 530 and 570 nm originate from the separated PDIs, whereas the 625 nm emission band is connected with the π–π stacked aggregates of the PDI in the polymer. The polymer chains become coiled to be favor of forming the π–π stacked aggregates of the PDI in weak polar solvent. The experimental results indicate that more π–π stacked aggregates are formed in tetrahydrofuran/ethanol blend solvents due to the collapsed polymer chains, but the PL intensity of the aggregates is precipitately decreased with the increase in the content of ethanol due to concentration quenching. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 4113–4118, 2013
Preparation and adsorption properties of diethylenetriamine‐modified chitosan beads for acid dyes
Authors: Yan Yikai , Xiang Bo , Li Yijiu , Jia Qian 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTThis work has demonstrated that the novel chitosan derivative, synthesized by phase transition and grafting diethylenetriamine, has a great potential for the adsorption of acid dyes from aqueous solutions. Four acid dyes with different molecular sizes and structures were used to investigate the adsorption performance of diethylenetriamine‐modified chitosan beads (CTSN‐beads). Results indicated that the adsorption of dyes on CTSN‐beads was largely dependent on the pH value and controlled by the electrostatic attraction. In addition, the adsorption rate (AO10 > AO7 > AR18 > AG25) and adsorption capacities (AO7 > AR18 > AO10 > AG25) were directly related to the molecular size of the dye and the amount of the sulfonate groups on the dye molecules. The equilibrium and kinetic data fitted well with the Langmuir–Freundlich and pseudo‐second‐order model. Furthermore, thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption processes occurred spontaneously and higher temperature made the adsorption easier. The reuse tests indicated that the CTSN‐beads can be recovered for multiple uses. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 4090–4098, 2013
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Bis‐Imidazolidineiminothiones: A Comparative Study
Authors: El‐Sharief Marwa A. M. Sh. , Moussa Ziad , El‐Sharief Ahmed M. Sh. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractA series of 15 novel symmetrical and non‐symmetrical bis‐imidazolidineiminothiones (6a–g, 7a–e, 8a,b, and 9) with various substituents at N‐(1) (p‐tolyl, p‐methoxyphenyl, p‐ethoxyphenyl, p‐chlorophenyl, p‐bromophenyl, p‐iodophenyl, and 3,5‐dichlorophenyl) and different linkers between the N‐(3) atoms [4,4′‐oxybis(4,1‐phenylene), 2,2′‐dimethoxybiphenyl, and (1,3,3‐trimethylcyclohexyl)methyl)] were prepared in 65–75% yields from substituted N‐arylcyanothioformanilides and various bis‐isocyanates. Screening for cytotoxicity against the HEPG2, HEP2, MCF7, and HCT116 tumor cell lines gave IC50 values ranging from 6.3 to 84.6 µM, where compounds 6b,d,e,g and 7a were markedly active against a least one cell line, underlining the matching effect of properly positioned substituents on N‐(1) and the appropriate N‐(3)‐N‐(3) linker. Likewise, all heterocyles were tested against microbial organisms (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Sarcina lutea, Bacillus pumilus, and Micrococcus luteus) and fungal strains (Candida albicans and Penicilium chrysogenum). Most compounds showed significant antibacterial and antifungal activities, reaching in certain cases the same level of antimicrobial activity as the standard antibacterial agent erythromycin and the antifungal agent metronidazole. The antimicrobial activity was further supported by quantitative assessment of susceptibilities of a selection of the preceding microorganisms using minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration techniques. Finally, the antiviral properties of all compounds were investigated against the viral strains HAV, HSV1, and CoxB4, where 6c,d,f and 7a,c,e were markedly active against one or two viral strains, reducing the virus plaque count of various viral strains by 66 to 88%. Structure activity relationship studies revealed several matching pairs of aromatic substituents on N‐(1) and the N‐(3)‐N‐(3) linkers, which could serve to optimize structural features for high activity to eventually render such compounds clinically useful drug agents.
Reviewing models of land availability and dynamics for biofuel crops in the United States and the European Union
Authors: Li Ruopu , di Virgilio Nicola , Guan Qingfeng , Feng Song , Richter Goetz M. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe biofuel‐related land use in the USA and the EU has significantly expanded during the last decade; models have been used to estimate land availability and demand in these regions. This paper provides an overview of different land‐use modeling practices applicable to first‐ and second‐generation biofuels. We review the importance of different land categories for biofuels, modeling approaches (top‐down/bottom‐up) and their integration, data availability for calibration and validation, model scale, and uncertainty. Possible future changes of biofuel land use and research gaps and limitations are synthesized. Key issues are the lack of data for independent validation and the need for better integration of dynamic bottom‐up models into the top‐down policy analysis. More research is needed to deal with the large‐scale introduction of second‐generation biofuel crops required. The paper culminates in describing how models can help to meet the challenge of supplying more fuel from lignocellulosic crops (LCC) in ways that reduce indirect land‐use change (iLUC) and how such transition could be implemented in policy and practice. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Comparative metabolic profiling revealed limitations in xylose‐fermenting yeast during co‐fermentation of glucose and xylose in the presence of inhibitors
Authors: Wang Xin , Jin Mingjie , Balan Venkatesh , Jones A. Daniel , Li Xia , Li Bing‐Zhi , Dale Bruce E. , Yuan Ying‐Jin 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTDuring lignocellulosic ethanol fermentation, yeasts are exposed to various lignocellulose‐derived inhibitors, which disrupt the efficiency of hexose and pentose co‐fermentation. To understand the metabolic response of fermentation microbes to these inhibitors, a comparative metabolomic investigation was performed on a xylose‐fermenting Saccharomyces cerevisiae 424A (LNH‐ST) and its parental strain 4124 with and without three typical inhibitors (furfural, acetic acid, and phenol). Three traits were uncovered according to fermentation results. First, the growth of strain 424A (LNH‐ST) was more sensitive to inhibitors than strain 4124. Through metabolomic analysis, the variance of trehalose, cadaverine, glutamate and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) suggested that strain 424A (LNH‐ST) had a lower capability to buffer redox changes caused by inhibitors. Second, lower ethanol yield in glucose and xylose co‐fermentation than glucose fermentation was observed in strain 424A (LNH‐ST), which was considered to be correlated with the generation of xylitol, as well as the reduced levels of lysine, glutamate, glycine and isoleucine in strain 424A (LNH‐ST). Accumulation of glycerol, galactinol and mannitol was also observed in strain 424A (LNH‐ST) during xylose fermentation. Third, xylose utilization of strain 424A (LNH‐ST) was more significantly disturbed by inhibitors than glucose utilization. Through the analysis of fermentation and metabolomic results, it was suggested that xylose catabolism and energy supply, rather than xylose uptake, were the limiting steps in xylose utilization in the presence of inhibitors. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2014;111: 152–164. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.