Bounded solutions for fuzzy differential and integral equations

We find sufficient conditions for the boundness of every solution of first-order fuzzy differential equations as well as certain fuzzy integral equations. Our results are based on several theorems concerning crisp differential and integral inequalities.     

Mass spectrometry detection of minor new meridianins from the antarctic colonial ascidians Aplidium falklandicum and Aplidium meridianum

Taking into account the broad biological activities found in the meridianin indole alkaloids isolated to date, we have re‐examined the organic extracts of an Antarctic collection of the tunicates Aplidium meridianum and A. falklandicum (Chordata: Ascidiacea) by HPLC in conjunction with a high‐resolution mass spectrometer (HPLC‐MS). A new set of analogs of meridianins A–G has been detected, and their structures are proposed on the basis of the molecular formulae identified by LC‐HRMS analysis using a C18 column with a gradient of water/acetonitrile and an LTQ‐FT‐MS Orbitrap detector. Remarkably, dimers derived from meridianin A and from meridianin B or E were also detected. Our findings provide further evidence of the broad variability within the meridianin‐like derivatives of this highly bioactive alkaloid family. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electrochemical speciation of dissolved Cu, Pb and Zn in an estuarine ecosystem (Ria de Vigo, NW Spain): comparison between data treatment methods

The total concentration and chemical speciation of Cu, Pb and Zn were determined by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) in the Ría de Vigo, an estuarine area located in NW Spain. Surface and bottom waters from 6 locations were collected in two seasons during 3 years. The total Pb was below 1 nM, and Cu and Zn concentrations, ranged from 3 to 44 nM and from 9 to 300 nM respectively. A gradient from sampling points located in the port of Vigo to external areas was observed. The speciation of the metals (ligand concentration and apparent complex formation constant K′) was calculated using several methods: The Langmuir and Scatchard linear fits for one and two ligands, the Lorenzo non-linear fit for one ligand and Langmuir non-linear fit for two ligands. The capability of the different methods to achieve reliable results have been discussed and Langmuir linear fit as well as Lorenzo non-linear fit are the most suitable. Cu presented the highest ligand concentrations, followed by Zn and Pb, while mean log K′ values fell in the range 5-9 (±0.6) for all metals and samples. The adjustment of the data treatment methods used to calculate the speciation parameters was found to vary depending on the extent of complexation and on whether one or two ligands needed to be considered.     

Prediction of work-related accidents according to working conditions using support vector machines

Support vector machines (SVMs), which are a kind of statistical learning methods, were applied in this research work to predict occupational accidents with success. In the first place, semi-parametric principal component analysis (SPPCA) was used in order to perform a dimensional reduction, but no satisfactory results were obtained. Next, a dimensional reduction was carried out using an innovative and intelligent computing regression algorithm known as multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) model with good results. The variables selected as important by the previous MARS model were taken as input variables for a SVM model. This SVM technique was able to classify, according to their working conditions, those workers that have suffered a work-related accident in the last 12 months and those that have not. SVM technique does not over-fit the experimental data and gives place to a better performance than back-propagation neural network models. Finally, the results and conclusions of this study are presented.     

Periodic Boundary Value Problems for a Class of Functional Differential Equations

In this paper we show that the method of upper and lower solutions coupled with the monotone iterative technique is valid to obtain constructive proofs of existence of solutions for nonlinear periodic boundary value problems of functional differential equations without assuming properties of monotonicity in the nonlinear part.     

Acoustic voice analysis in patients with essential tremor

To quantify several acoustic features of the voice in patients with essentialtremor (ET), 28 patients and 28 age- and sex-matched controls were studied. ET severity was assessed with the rating scale for tremor of Fahn, Tolosa, and Marín. The Computerized Speech Lab 4300 program (Kay Elemetrics) was used. Two-second samples of a sustained /a/ and a sentence were captured with a microphone and laryngograph equipment. Measures included fundamental frequency (F₀), frequency perturbation (fitter, Koike algorithm), intensity perturbation (shimmer, Horii algorithm), and harmonic-to-noise ratio (H/N, Yumoto algorithm) of the vowel /a/, and the frequency and intensity variability of the sentence, phonational range, and dynamic range at the natural frequency, maximum phonational time, and s/z ratio. All subjects underwent indirect laryngoscopy and/or laryngeal fibroscopy. When compared with controls, ET patients showed higher jitter, lower H/N ratio (the last one only with laryngographic signal), of the vowel /a/, lower frequency variability in the microphonc signal, lower intensity variability in the laryngographic signal of the sentence, and significantly lower dynamic range at natural frequency of phonation. ET patients reported higher frequency of the presence of high voice intensity, tremor, and struggle. Several acoustic parameters were influenced by the severity of the disease, including shimmer, jitter, H/N ratio, frequency variability of the sentence, and s/z ratio, although neither of the acoustic analysis values or the phonetometric measurements were affected by the presence of voice tremor or by a successful pharmacological treatment of ET.     

Conformational flexibility of a synthetic glycosylaminoglycan bound to a fibroblast growth factor. FGF-1 recognizes both the (1)C(4) and (2)S(O) conformations of a bioactive heparin-like hexasaccharide

The first direct NMR determination of the conformation of a conformationally flexible heparin-like hexasaccharide bound to a key receptor, FGF-1, is described. The determination has been based on the use of a 13C-labeled protein and a regular 12C sugar. FGF-1 recognizes several conformations of the iduronic moieties of the hexasaccharide. Therefore, this case is different than that described for the controversial recognition of heparin-like saccharides by AT-III, which seems to recognize just one conformation of the iduronic acid residues.     

A catching trapp for all antiproton seasons

We describe the origin, development, and status of the Los Alamos antiproton catching trap. Originally designed for the antiproton gravity experiment, it now is clear that this device can be a source of low-energy antiprotons for a wide range of physics, both on site, at CERN, and also off site.We hope that the exciting physics that is now possible with captured and cooled antiprotons reflects well on the spirit that H. Walther has shown in his work. Most of all, we wish to join in on the admiring congratulations to H. Walther on the occasion of his 60th birthday Ach ihr Götter große Götter In dem weite Himmel droben Gäbet Ihr uns auf der Erde festen Sinn und guten Muten,... - Menschengefühl, Goethe     

Computational characterization of a complete palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling process: the associative transmetalation in the Stille reaction

[reaction: see text] The species presumably involved in the associative ligand substitution mechanism for the Stille cross coupling of vinyl bromide and trimethylvinyl stannane with Pd(PMe(3))(2)/PMe(3) as catalysts in DMF (as ligand and solvent) have been structurally and energetically characterized. The cyclic four-coordinate transition state for the rate-determining transmetalation step explains the retention of configuration in the Stille coupling of chiral nonracemic alkyl stannanes.