bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Skibsreder Jacob Bendixen fra Stolliggård
Authors: Jespersen Mikkel Leth
Published: March 2019

Gennem et langt liv som kaptajn og skibsreder opbyggede Jacob Bendixen et af det danske monarkis største rederier. Han var blandt de første danske kaptajner, der sejlede på Rio de Janeiro i 1820’erne, hvorefter han gik i land på sin hjemegn og fik bygget det ene store skib efter det andet. Samtidige iagttagere beskriver ham som en sympatisk mand, der vandt folk for sig, hvor han kom frem i det ellers forholdsvis barske søfartsmiljø. Han var svoger til alle tiders største Aabenraa-matador, Jørgen Bruhn, som han livet igennem stod i et tæt forretningsmæssigt og personligt forhold til. I 1858 døde Jørgen Bruhn, og ved samme tid tog det kun Jacob Bendixen nogle få fejlslagne investeringer at sætte sit store rederi over styr med omfattende konsekvenser for hele familien til følge.
"Spadeslaget" i Haderslev den 8. december 1940
Authors: Hansen Hans Schultz
Published: March 2019

Den 8. december 1940 afholdt Danmarks National-Socialistiske Arbejder-Parti et offentligt møde på Højskolehjemmet i Haderslev. Forud for mødet gik DNSAP’s sønderjyske Sports-Afdeling i uniform og med spader i demonstrationsmarch gennem byens gader. Derved overtrådte SA forbuddet mod politisk uniformering. Politiet var for fåtalligt til at hindre marchen, men efter at have hentet forstærkning omringede politiet Højskolehjemmet. SA’erne lod sig ikke frivilligt arrestere og brugte deres spader mod politiet, der til gengæld satte ind med tåregas og brandsprøjter. Sammenstødet fik siden betegnelsen Spadeslaget. Hans Schultz Hansen redegør her for Spadeslagets forløb.
Side om side i det kommende Europa
Authors: Henriksen Jesper Thestrup
Published: March 2019

Fremstillingen af Vesttysklands optagelse i NATO har i Danmark ofte været knyttet til en løsning af mindretalsspørgsmålet i Sydslesvig som et dansk krav til tyskerne, inden man ville godkende deres NATO-medlemskab. Og fokus har ofte været rettet mod den danske regerings og andre danske politikeres indsats i den anledning. I denne artikel argumenteres for, at der var fælles danskvesttyske sikkerhedspolitiske interesser i et tæt forsvarssamarbejde mellem de to lande, der gjorde det oplagt at løse mindretalsproblemerne nord og syd for grænsen samtidig med Vesttysklands optagelse i NATO. Interesser, der navnlig blev varetaget af konservative danske og tyske parlamentarikere i forberedende samtaler forud for det afgørende NATO-topmøde i Paris.
En sønderjysk skolestrejke 1951
Authors: Nørr Erik
Published: March 2019

I dagene fra den 15.-19. september 1951 holdt forældrene næsten samtlige skolebørn hjemme fra undervisningen i Terkelsbøl Skole, da de ønskede at beholde en lærerinde, som havde været vikar på skolen i halvandet år. Tønder Amts Skoledirektion og Undervisningsministeriet ville derimod ikke ansætte lærerinden på grund af hendes forhold under krigen. Konflikten belyser både de særlige forhold i det nationalt blandede skoledistrikt, forholdet mellem lokale og regionale myndigheder og vanskelighederne i tidens sønderjyske skolevæsen med at skaffe lærere.
Om Sønderjyllands Folkeviser
Authors: Olrik Axel
Published: March 2019

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Nis Hanssen Bondesøn
Authors: Hanssen-Nørremølle H.P.
Published: March 2019

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The Future of mobile operators - New business models
Authors: Mihailovic Jovana
Published: March 2019

The aim of this paper is to show rising importance of business model innovation in telecommunication industry. Work gives an overview of telecommunication market, it presents the strategy mobile operators have and challenges they face to adopt to digital world. The main focus is on new business models operators can implement in order to innovate and stay competitive at the market. Cases when operators work in collaboration with startups were analysed and followed by examples from practice. The influence of digitalisation trend on Serbian telecommunication market and how mobile operators respond to it in comparison to other countries were investigated in more detail.
Liquidity profitability trade-off: Evidence from medium enterprises
Authors: Stevanovic Slavica , Minovic Jelena , Ljumovic Isidora
Published: March 2019

Research Question: This paper examines the impact of liquidity on the profitability of the Serbian polluting medium sized enterprises. Motivation: We study the impact of traditional liquidity indicators and indicators based on cash flow on the profitability. In domestic literature, a contribution in the field of financial stability analysis based on cash-flow is rare, consequently we use cash flow indicators as a liquidity measure. Focus of this paper is on the medium sized enterprises in Serbia being the major sources of environmental pollution. Medium-sized enterprises are the main drivers of economic growth. For improving environmental performance and applying technologies and processes that meet environmental requirements, it is necessary the liquidity and profitability improvement. The progress in the area of environmental protection is the relevant part of the accession process of Serbia to the EU. Idea: The idea of this paper was to empirically examine the liquidity profitability trade-off of selected enterprises. The research was conducted using return on assets as the dependent variable, and three liquidity ratios and three cash flow based indicators as independent variables. Data: The financial analysis is based on the sample of 48 polluting medium-sized enterprises for the period 2010-2015. The official financial statements were taken from the Serbian Business Registers Agency. The data are used on an annual basis. Tools: We tested the panel regression model of profitability with the total number of observations being 288. We estimated the unbalanced panel because our dataset had missing values. It is used the standard pooled OLS estimator. Before estimated panel regression model, we did stationarity and cointegration analysis of sample data. Findings: The results of our study show a significant impact of quick liquidity ratio, cash flow operating margin and cash flow investing margin on profitability measured by return on assets. However, there are no significant effects of current liquidity ratio, operating cash flow liquidity ratio and cash flow financing margin on profitability. The conclusions of our paper refer to the selected enterprises in the observed periods. Contribution: This paper contributes both to the literature concerning liquidity and profitability analysis, since we use cash flow indicators as a liquidity measure.
Evaluation of Planting Dates on Growth and Yield of Three Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp.] Genotypes in Northern Ghana
Authors: Alidu M. S.
Published: March 2019

Background: Time of planting has remarkable influence on both yield and yield components of crops and therefore identification of the appropriate planting time is essential for crop improvement.

Aims: To assess the effect of planting dates on growth and yield of three cowpea genotypes.

Study Design: The study was designed as 3×4 factorial experiments in a randomized complete block design.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried in the field over a three-month period at the Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, Tamale-Northern Ghana.

Methodology: The study was designed as 3×4 factorial experiments in split-plot in randomized complete block design. The genotypes were 3 genotypes with 4 planting dates. Treatment combinations were replicated three times.

Results: Analysis of variance indicated significant effects on percentage germination, plant height at flowering, plant height at maturity and at harvest, pods per plant, pod yield and seeds per pod. Padi- tuya performed better than the other two genotypes in terms of performance for grain yield for all the planting dates. However, there were no significant difference between the first planting and second planting date.

Conclusion: Padi-tuya was the most superior variety for grain yield. To achieve higher yields, cowpea should be planted between the middle of July and Early August. Early planting resulted in maturity coinciding with wet period resulting in reduction in quality of seeds. Late planting especially in late August resulted in poor yields.
Remediation of Arsenic in Water Using Unique Ashed Biomass Material
Authors: Dorris Kenneth L. , Shukla Shyam S. , Musaddaq Mohammad
Published: March 2019

The contamination of the world’s water supply due to various contaminants has caused the clean water supply to shrink around the globe. The problem is not only an issue with developing nations; in fact, many developed countries are facing the same turmoil. With the globalization, industrialization and weak enforcement of environmental regulations, waste water is discharged into clean water resources whereby contaminating the water. Out of the long list of contaminants many heavy metals find their way into the clean drinking water supply. The heavy metals arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) as well as many others are also discharged into water resources. There are numerous methods for removal of these heavy metals from water including filtration, chemical precipitation, ion exchange, adsorption, electro deposition as well as others but most are expensive and or not completely satisfactory. Arsenic and its compounds are often used as pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and various alloys and often find their way into the drinking water supply through various industrial sources. A cost-effective remediation of arsenic in water using readily available material is urgently needed. An ashed waste material consisting primarily of Azadirachta indica (Neem leaves) and Mangifera indica (Mango leaves) has been found effective in removing both arsenic (III) and (V) from water. The utilization of this ashed material achieves the concept of using waste material from one source, used by another and therefore benefiting both. The adsorbent is very effective at pH =7 and ion exchange appears to be the major adsorption mechanisms for binding the metal ions to the plant ash material. The material shows sufficient operation capacity to indicate the possibility of its use in remote rural areas as well as in an urban water treatment facility.
Association of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Gene Polymorphisms T-786c & 27bp (4b/4a) with Obesity in Egypt
Authors: Elbaz Rizk , Barakat Lamiaa A. A. , Nageb Ahmed , Sherif Mohamed
Published: March 2019

Background and Objective: Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphism (eNOS) is one of three isoforms that synthesize nitric oxide (NO), that participates in several biological processes have been associated with obesity.  This study was undertaken to determine if eNOS gene (T786C) and 27bp (4b/4a) were associated with susceptibility of obesity.

Materials and Methods: The study was carried out on 200 cases divided into 100 obese patient and 100 healthy as control. The mean age cases was (27.02 ± 10.90) they include 79 female and 21 males. All participants were subjected to an estimation of their body mass index (BMI), weight hip ratio (WHR), in addition to random blood sugar (RBS), total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and lactate dehydrogenase enzyme (LDH). DNA was amplified using PCR-SSP for detection of relation between polymorphism and endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene in two parts T786C and 27bp (4b/4a).

Results: All cases showed that there were significant difference between cases and controls regarding to their chemical lab’s analysis (TG, Cholesterol, LDL and HDL).All cases showed significant frequency of T786C TT, CC, TC vs. controls (p<0.001) these was considered risk factor for disease. On the other hand there no significant difference between 27bp aa, bb, and ab (p=0.618) vs. controls.

Conclusion: The polymorphism T786C not the 27bp in eNOS was associated with obesity.
Reliability Analysis of a Commodity-Supply Multi-State System Using the Map Method
Authors: Ali Rushdi Ali Muhammad , Alsayegh Abdulghani Bakur
Published: March 2019

A multi-state k-out-of-n: G system is a multi-state system whose multi-valued success is greater than or equal to a certain value j (lying between 1 (the lowest non-zero output level) and M (the highest output level)) whenever at least km components are in state m or above for all m such that 1 ≤ m ≤ j. This paper is devoted to the analysis of a commodity-supply system that serves as a standard gold example of a non-repairable multi-state k-out-of-n: G system with independent non-identical components. We express each instance of the multi-state system output as an explicit function of the multi-valued inputs of the system. The ultimate outcome of our analysis is a Multi-Valued Karnaugh Map (MVKM), which serves as a natural, unique, and complete representation of the multi-state system. To construct this MVKM, we use “binary” entities to relate each of the instances of the output to the multi-valued inputs. These binary entities are represented via an eight-variable Conventional Karnaugh Map (CKM) that is adapted to a map representing four variables that are four-valued each. Despite the relatively large size of the maps used, they are still very convenient, thanks to their regular structure. No attempt was made to draw loops on the maps or to seek minimal formulas. The maps just served as handy tools for combinatorial representation and for collectively implementing the operations of ANDing, ORing, and complementation. The MVKM obtained serves as a means for symbolic analysis yielding results that agree numerically with those obtained earlier. The map is a useful tool for visualizing many system properties, and is a valuable resource for computing a plethora of Importance Measures for the components of the system.
Cross-Sectional Study of Impact of Social Support on Depression among Type 2 Diabetics in a Secondary Health Care Facility in Southwest Nigeria
Authors: Ilori H. T. , Ajetunmobi O. A.
Published: March 2019

Aims: To assess the level of social support and determine the relationship between depression and social support among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).

Study Design: This study was a cross-sectional survey.

Place and duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Medical Out Patients (MOP) clinic of Jericho Specialist Hospital, Ibadan between 1st of August and 30th of September 2017.

Methodology: Systematic sampling technique was used to recruit 273 type 2DM patients who were 40 years and above, receiving care at the MOP clinic for at least 3months. Diabetes-related information was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Zung self-rating scale and multidimensional perceived social support scale were used to assess depression and social support respectively. Independent t-test was used to determine the relationship between depression and social support and the level of significance was set at p<.05.

Results: Half (50.5%) of the respondents were diagnosed in the past 5 years as having type 2 DM, 79.5% had hypertension as a co-morbidity and 51.6% had good glycaemic control. The prevalence of depression was 27.5%, mild and moderate depression were 26.4% and 1.1% respectively and none had severe depression. One hundred and two (37.4%),56.0% and 6.6% respondents had high, moderate and low social support respectively. The highest social support scores 5.9 + 1.7 was from family. Total perceived social support was higher among non-depressed diabetic respondents. There was a significant difference between the mean total support in the depressed and non-depressed group (4.88 ± 1.41 vs 4.50 ± 1.24, p = .03).

Conclusion: Type 2 DM patients who had high social support were less depressed, therefore, clinicians managing DM patients should explore the social support enjoyed by such patients to achieve good health outcome.
Path Analysis in Cowpea Reveals Protein Accumulation Dependency of Mineral Nutrients Accumulation
Authors: Lopes Costa Francisco Cleilson , Melo Marlenildo Ferreira , Oliveira Mano Ana Raquel de
Published: March 2019

This work aimed at evaluating the effects of the nutrients on the protein content of cowpea grains. The trial was carried out in completely randomized design, in the Instituto Federal do Ceará (Federal Institute of Ceará), Limoeiro do Norte, Ceará State, Brazil, between October and November 2018. Grains of 10 cowpea cultivars were evaluated about its mineral nutrient phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, chlorine, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, boron, sodium and protein contents. The seeds of the cultivars were obtained from the farmers market in three municipalities of the Ceará State, Brazil, in the crop year 2017. The components of variances within and between families were computed by analysis of variance, and the genetic variance and correlation were therefrom estimated. The statistical analyses of variance, Pearson’s correlation and Path analysis were carried out. The protein content broad sense heritability was 60.47%, and the other cowpea traits evaluated had high broad heritability values, ranging from 49.91% (sulfur content) to 99.69% (zinc content). No mineral nutrient content presented any genotype correlation with protein content, that is, no gene function is related to mineral nutrients and protein accumulation. Potassium (0.44), chlorine (0.38) and calcium (0.35) presented the higher path coefficients in protein of cowpea accumulation but are still weak indices (<0.50) to be indicated for screening. In screening cowpea cultivars for protein content, potassium and related traits are not the most important but present some degree of dependency with protein accumulation in the grains, resulting from path effects.
Arginine‐95 is important for recruiting superoxide to the active site of the FerB flavoenzyme of Paracoccus denitrificans
Authors: Sedláček Vojtěch , Kučera Igor
Published: March 2019

Ferric reductase B (FerB) is a flavin mononucleotide (FMN)‐containing NAD(P)H:acceptor oxidoreductase structurally close to the Gluconacetobacter hansenii chromate reductase (ChrR). The crystal structure of ChrR was previously determined with a chloride bound proximal to FMN in the vicinity of Arg101, and the authors suggested that the anionic electron acceptors, chromate and uranyl tricarbonate, bind similarly. Here, we identify the corresponding arginine residue in FerB (Arg95) as being important for the reaction of FerB with superoxide. Four mutants at position 95 were prepared and found kinetically to have impaired capacity for superoxide binding. Stopped‐flow data for the flavin cofactor showed that the oxidative step is rate limiting for catalytic turnover. The findings are consistent with a role for FerB as a superoxide scavenging contributor.
Atomic Layer Deposition of Al2O3 Directly on 2D Materials for High‐Performance Electronics
Authors: Li Na , Wei Zheng , Zhao Jing , Wang Qinqin , Shen Cheng , Wang Shuopei , Tang Jian , Yang Rong , Shi Dongxia , Zhang Guangyu
Published: March 2019

Due to the lack of surface dangling bonds of 2D materials such as graphene, hexagonal boron nitride, MoS2 etc., deposition of high‐κ dielectrics directly on such 2D materials by atomic layer deposition (ALD) is difficult and a nucleation layer is usually required. Here an ALD approach is developed to deposit high‐κ dielectric layer, e.g., Al2O3, directly on 2D materials without the aid of the nucleation layer or introducing structural damages. In this approach, an individual deposition cycle includes one incremental organometallic pulse and multiple H2O pulses to guarantee the uniform deposition of high‐quality high‐κ dielectric layers on graphene, MoS2, and other 2D materials directly. Large‐scale top‐gated MoS2 field‐effect transistors (FETs) with Al2O3 as dielectric layers exhibit excellent performances including high on/off ratio exceeding 108 and mobility up to 70 cm2 V−1 s−1. The high‐quality Al2O3 layer is also integrated into MoS2 based flexible FETs and inverters, and a significant voltage gain of 412 is obtained. This ALD approach also works for other materials like gold with inert surfaces, showing great promise for novel electronics.
Strategies for Air‐Stable and Tunable Monolayer MoS2‐Based Hybrid Photodetectors with High Performance by Regulating the Fully Inorganic Trihalide Perovskite Nanocrystals
Authors: Zhang Louwen , Shen Shaoli , Li Man , Li Luying , Zhang Jibin , Fan Lianwei , Cheng Feng , Li Chen , Zhu Meng , Kang Zhe , Su Jun , Zhai Tianyou , Gao Yihua
Published: March 2019

The past several years have seen the rapid development of fully inorganic trihalide perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) in the field of hybrid optoelectronic devices due to their outstanding photophysical properties and environmental stability. In this study, novel and easily implementable strategies are proposed to regulate the photoresponse performance of monolayer MoS2/PNC hybrid photodetectors (HPs) without the photogating effect. The optoelectronic properties of these HPs are tuned by regulating the characteristic factors of colloidal PNCs (solution concentration and surface ligand content), which are closely associated with the light‐trapping ability of the perovskite layer and charge transfer efficiency at the heterojunction interface. Moreover, oxygen adsorbates are found to exhibit a typical p‐type behavior and play a decisive role in the improvement of response rate of the HPs. In the air, the HPs present a high photoresponsivity of 6.40 × 105 mA W−1, an external quantum efficiency of 1.50 × 105%, and a specific detectivity of 3.38 × 1011 Jones when the gate voltage is zero. The HPs also exhibit excellent thermal stability and operation durability, largely due to the intrinsic stability of PNCs. The present work provides promising strategies for regulating/optimizing the performance of advanced functional devices with mixed‐dimensional heterojunctions.
Substrate‐Independent High‐Throughput Assay for the Quantification of Aldehydes
Authors: Ressmann Anna K. , Schwendenwein Daniel , Leonhartsberger Simon , Mihovilovic Marko D. , Bornscheuer Uwe T. , Winkler Margit , Rudroff Florian
Published: March 2019

The selective and direct reduction of carboxylic acids into the corresponding aldehydes by chemical methods is still a challenging task in synthesis. Several reductive and oxidative chemical methods are known to produce aldehydes, but most of them require expensive reagents, special reaction conditions, are two‐step procedures and often lack chemoselectivity. Nature provides an elegant tool, so called carboxylic acid reductases (CARs) for the direct reduction of carboxylic acids to aldehydes. Discovery as well as engineering of novel CAR enzymes necessitates a robust, product selective high‐throughput assay (HTA). We report a simple and fast HTA that allows the substrate‐independent and chemoselective quantification of aldehydes (irrespective of their chemical structure) and is sensitive to the nM range. The HTA was validated by NMR and GC analyses and in microbial cells by reexamination of the substrate scope of CAR from Nocardia iowensis (CARNi). The results were fully consistent with reported data.

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Machine Learning Augmented Discovery of Chalcogenide Double Perovskites for Photovoltaics
Authors: L. Agiorgousis Michael , Sun Yi‐Yang , Choe Duk‐Hyun , West Damien , Zhang Shengbai
Published: March 2019

Hybrid organic inorganic perovskite solar cells based on CH3NH3PbI3 have drastically increased in efficiency over the past several years and are competitive with decades‐old photovoltaic materials such as CdTe. Despite this impressive increase, significant issues still remain due to the intrinsic instability of CH3NH3PbI3 which degrades into carcinogenic PbI2. Recently, double halide perovskites which use a pair of 1+–3+ cations to replace Pb2+, such as Cs2InSbI6, and chalcogenide perovskites, such as BaZrS3, have been explored as potential replacements. In this work, double chalcogenide perovskites are explored to identify novel photovoltaic absorbers that can replace CH3NH3PbI3. Due to the large space of possible compounds, machine learning methods are used to classify materials as potential photovoltaic absorbers using data from the periodic table, eliminating wasteful computation. A random forest algorithm achieves a cross‐validation accuracy of 86.4% on the constructed data set. Over 450 possible replacements are identified via traditional and statistical methods with Ba2AlNbS6, Ba2GaNbS6, Ca2GaNbS6, Sr2InNbS6, and Ba2SnHfS6 as the most promising alternative when thermodynamic stability, kinetic stability, and optical absorption are considered.
Total Synthesis of (−)‐Salinosporamide A via a Late Stage C−H Insertion
Authors: Gholami Hadi , Kulshrestha Aman , Favor Olivia K. , Staples Richard J. , Borhan Babak
Published: March 2019

The synthesis of (−)‐salinosporamide A, a proteasome inhibitor, is described. The synthesis highlights the assembly of a densely decorated pyrrolidinone core via an aza‐Payne/hydroamination sequence. Central to the success of the synthesis is a late‐stage C−H insertion reaction to functionalize a sterically encumbered secondary carbon. The latter functionalization leads to an enabling transformation where most of the prototypical strategies failed.
Enhancing Activity and Reducing Cost for Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 by Supporting Palladium on Metal Carbides
Authors: Wang Jiajun , Kattel Shyam , Hawxhurst Christopher J. , Lee Ji Hoon , Tackett Brian M. , Chang Kuan , Rui Ning , Liu Chang‐Jun , Chen Jingguang G.
Published: March 2019

Electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) with renewable electricity is a potentially sustainable method to reduce CO2 emissions. Palladium supported on cost‐effective transition‐metal carbides (TMCs) are studied to reduce the Pd usage and tune the activity and selectivity of the CO2RR to produce synthesis gas, using a combined approach of studying thin films and practical powder catalysts, in situ characterization, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Notably, Pd/TaC exhibits higher CO2RR activity, stability and CO Faradaic efficiency than those of commercial Pd/C while significantly reducing the Pd loading. In situ measurements confirm the transformation of Pd into hydride (PdH) under the CO2RR environment. DFT calculations reveal that the TMC substrates modify the binding energies of key intermediates on supported PdH. This work suggests the prospect of using TMCs as low‐cost and stable substrates to support and modify Pd for enhanced CO2RR activity.
Synthesis of novel pyrazole‐based triazolidin‐3‐one derivatives by using ZnO/ZrO2 as a reusable catalyst under green conditions
Authors: Kerru Nagaraju , Bhaskaruni Sandeep V.H.S. , Gummidi Lalitha , Maddila Surya Narayana , Rana Surjyakanta , Singh Parvesh , Jonnalagadda Sreekantha B.
Published: March 2019

An efficient approach for the synthesis of 10 novel pyrazole‐based 1,2,4‐triazolidin‐3‐one derivatives catalyzed by ZnO‐loaded ZrO2 as heterogeneous catalyst with ethanol as solvent is described. The structure of the mixed metal oxide catalyst was characterized by various instrumental techniques (scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller). In smooth reactions, products were accomplished in excellent yields (90–94%) with short reaction times (≈ 45 min). ZnO/ZrO2 catalyst exhibited good recyclability. The catalyst is reused six times without any noticeable loss of activity. The major advantages of this method are operational simplicity, mild conditions, simple work‐up procedure and broad functional group tolerance.
Identification of Cysteine‐Rich Angiogenic Inducer 61 as a Potential Antifibrotic and Proangiogenic Mediator in Scleroderma
Authors: Tsou Pei‐Suen , Khanna Dinesh , Sawalha Amr H.
Published: March 2019

Objective

We previously identified CYR61 as a histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC‐5)–repressed gene in systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) endothelial cells (ECs). When overexpressed, cysteine‐rich angiogenic inducer 61 (CYR‐61) promoted angiogenesis in SSc ECs. This study was undertaken to examine the role of CYR‐61 in fibrosis and determine the mechanisms involved in CYR‐61–mediated angiogenesis in SSc.

Methods

Dermal ECs and fibroblasts were isolated from biopsy specimens from healthy subjects and patients with SSc. CYR‐61 level was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. CYR‐61 was overexpressed using a CYR61 vector or knocked down using small interfering RNA, and functional and mechanistic studies were then conducted in fibroblasts and ECs.

Results

Lower CYR61 messenger RNA levels were observed in dermal fibroblasts and ECs from SSc patients than in those from healthy controls. In SSc fibroblasts, overexpression of CYR‐61 led to significant reduction in the expression of profibrotic genes, including COL1A1 (P = 0.002) and ACTA2 (P = 0.04), and an increase in the expression of matrix‐degrading genes, including MMP1 (P = 0.002) and MMP3 (P =0.004), and proangiogenic VEGF (P = 0.03). The antifibrotic effect of CYR‐61 was further demonstrated by delay in wound healing, inhibition of gel contraction, inactivation of the transforming growth factor β pathway, and early superoxide production associated with senescence in SSc fibroblasts. In SSc ECs, overexpression of CYR‐61 led to increased production of vascular endothelial cell growth factor. The proangiogenic effects of CYR‐61 were mediated by signaling through αvβ3 receptors and downstream activation of AMP‐activated protein kinase, AKT, and the endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide pathway system.

Conclusion

CYR‐61, which is epigenetically regulated by HDAC‐5, is a potent antifibrotic and proangiogenic mediator in SSc. Therapeutic intervention to promote CYR‐61 activity or increase CYR‐61 levels might be of benefit in SSc.
Meta-analysis of long-term survival after elective endovascular or open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: Bulder R M A , Bastiaannet E , Hamming J F , Lindeman J H N
Published: March 2019

Background

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has become the preferred strategy for elective repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) for many patients. However, the superiority of the endovascular procedure has recently been challenged by reports of impaired long-term survival in patients who underwent EVAR. A systematic review of long-term survival following AAA repair was therefore undertaken.

Methods

A systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. Articles reporting short- and/or long-term mortality of EVAR and open surgical repair (OSR) of AAA were identified. Pooled overall survival estimates (hazard ratios (HRs) with corresponding 95 per cent c.i. for EVAR versus OSR) were calculated using a random-effects model. Possible confounding owing to age differences between patients receiving EVAR or OSR was addressed by estimating relative survival.

Results

Some 53 studies were identified. The 30-day mortality rate was lower for EVAR compared with OSR: 1·16 (95 per cent c.i. 0·92 to 1·39) versus 3·27 (2·71 to 3·83) per cent. Long-term survival rates were similar for EVAR versus OSR (HRs 1·01, 1·00 and 0·98 for 3, 5 and 10 years respectively; P = 0·721, P = 0·912 and P = 0·777). Correction of age inequality by means of relative survival analysis showed equal long-term survival: 0·94, 0·91 and 0·76 at 3, 5 and 10 years for EVAR, and 0·96, 0·91 and 0·76 respectively for OSR.

Conclusion

Long-term overall survival rates were similar for EVAR and OSR. Available data do not allow extension beyond the 10-year survival window or analysis of specific subgroups.
An empirical study of computer science majors’ intentions in Vietnamese higher education
Authors: Chen Tim , Chen J.C.‐Y.
Published: March 2019

The study aimed to explore Vietnamese computer science (CS) majors' intentions of entering computer science professions in the future and to examine the factors influencing the intentions applying the theory of planned behavior as the framework. There are questionnaire surveys of 725 Vietnamese CS majors and were analyzed using path analysis by SPSS Statistics 17.0.1. We found that the CS majors' intentions of entering CS professions were moderately strong. The CS majors’ intentions of entering CS professions were directly influenced by the endeavor towards the expectation, subjective norm, and perceived expectation control. In addition, CS majors’ intentions of entering CS professions were also indirectly influenced by expectation desire *outcome endeavor evaluation vis‐à‐vis the effect on endeavor, by normative desire *motivation to comply vis‐à‐vis the effect on subjective norm, and by control desire * perceived facilitation vis‐à‐vis the effect on perceived expectation control.
Cognitive complaints in cancer survivors and expectations for support: Results from a web–based survey
Authors: Lange Marie , Licaj Idlir , Clarisse Bénédicte , Humbert Xavier , Grellard Jean‐Michel , Tron Laure , Joly Florence
Published: March 2019

Background

Cognitive complaints are common in cancer survivors. We aimed to assess cognitive complaints in cancer survivors and the associated factors using a large web–based survey.

Methods

This online survey was proposed to cancer survivors. Participants completed several questions on cognitive complaints experience, expectations for support of cognitive difficulties, preexisting knowledge about chemotherapy–associated cognitive problems and demographic and medical variables. We used multivariable logistic regression models to estimate Odds Ratios and 95% confidence intervals to estimate associations.

Results

Among 1610 eligible participants (median age 52 [21‐84]), >85% (n = 1393) were breast cancer survivors. Median postcancer treatment time (excluding hormone therapy) was 2.83 years [0.8‐33]. Seventy five percent of the participants (n = 1214) reported cognitive complaints related to cancer treatments. Cognitive difficulties had an impact on work resumption for 76% of the participants (n = 754/982). Most cancer survivors would like to receive support (75%, n = 909) and especially cognitive training (72%, n = 658). Chemotherapy was strongly associated with cognitive complaints (multivariable OR = 3.67, 95% CI: 2.80‐4.82). Self–reported sleep difficulties (ORoften vs. never = 2.84, 95% CI: 1.80‐4.47), preexisting knowledge about chemotherapy–associated cognitive problems (ORNo vs. Yes = 1.69, 95% CI: 1‐29‐2.22) and age (OR21‐64 vs. ≥65 = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.23‐0.58) were also associated with cancer–related cognitive complaints.

Conclusions

According to this large web–based survey including mainly breast cancer survivors, cognitive complaints were reported by three quarters of participants, which reinforces that cognitive difficulties are a major issue in cancer survivors. Chemotherapy, self–reported sleep difficulties and preexisting knowledge about chemotherapy–associated cognitive problems were strongly associated with cancer–related cognitive complaints. Most cancer survivors wished to receive support and especially cognitive training.
Candidate genes involved in metastasis of colon cancer identified by integrated analysis
Authors: Zhou Yiming , Zang Yiwen , Yang Yi , Xiang Jianbin , Chen Zongyou
Published: March 2019

Colon cancer is one of the most malignant cancers worldwide. Nearly 20% of all colon cancer patients are diagnosed at stage IV (metastasis). However, further study of colon cancer is difficult due to a lack of understanding of its pathogenesis. In this study, we acquired high–throughput sequence data from TCGA datasets and performed integrated bioinformatic analysis including differential gene expression analysis, gene ontology and KEGG pathways analysis, protein–protein analysis, survival analysis, and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis in order to identify a panel of key candidate genes involved in the metastasis of colon cancer. We then constructed a prognostic signature based on the expression of REG1B, TGM6, NTF4, PNMA5, and HOXC13 which could provide significant prognostic value for colon cancer.
Autophagy induction by xanthoangelol exhibits anti‐metastatic activities in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Yang Xiuwei , Xie Jing , Liu Xiaoxiao , Li Zichao , Fang Kun , Zhang Luying , Han Mei , Zhang Zhuang , Gong Zhi , Lin Xuezhu , Shi Xianzhou , Gao Hui , Lu Kui
Published: March 2019

Xanthoangelol (XAG), a prenylated chalcone isolated from the Japanese herb Angelica keiskei Koidzumi, has been reported to exhibit antineoplastic properties. However, the specific anti‐tumor activity of XAG in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the relevant mechanisms are not known. Herein, we evaluated the effect of XAG against HCC in vitro and in vivo. Although XAG treatment did not significantly reduce the viability of the Hep3B and Huh7 cell lines, it suppressed cell migration, invasion, and EMT. This anti‐metastatic effect of XAG was due to induction of autophagy, because treatment with the autophagy inhibitor 3‐methyadenine (3‐MA) or knockdown of the pro‐autophagy Beclin‐1 effectively abrogated the XAG‐induced suppression of metastasis. Mechanistically, XAG induced autophagy via activation of the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway, and XAG treatment dramatically increased the expression of p‐AMPK while decreasing p‐mTOR expression. In addition, blocking AMPK/mTOR axis with compound C abrogated the autophagy‐mediated inhibition of metastasis. The murine model of HCC metastasis also showed that XAG effectively reduced the number of metastatic pulmonary nodules. Taken together, our results revealed that autophagy via the activation of AMPK/mTOR pathway is essential for the anti‐metastatic effect of XAG against HCC. These findings not only contribute to our understanding of the anti‐tumor activity of XAG but also provide a basis for its clinical application in HCC. Before this study, evidence of XAG on HCC was purely anecdotal; present study provides the first comprehensive assessments of XAG on HCC metastasis and investigates its underlying mechanism. Results suggest that XAG exerts anti‐metastatic properties against HCC through inducing autophagy which is mediated by the activation of AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. This research extends our knowledge about the antineoplastic properties of XAG and suggests that induction autophagy may represent future treatment strategies for metastatic HCC.
Kinetics and Equilibrium Modeling of Sterol Adsorption on Styrene‐Divinylbenzene Cation‐Exchange Resins
Authors: Yuangsawad Ratanaporn , Sinpichai Sarawut , Bhamarasuta Thanutchaporn , Ladadok Chinakrit , Panchanon Surakan , Na-Ranong Duangkamol
Published: March 2019

The potential of recovering phytosterols from fatty acid methyl esters by an adsorption‐desorption process is demonstrated using a strong‐acid ion‐exchange styrene‐divinylbenzene resin (SA‐R) as an adsorbent and ethanol as a desorbent. Since the operating cost of the overall process significantly depends on the efficiency of SA‐R in the adsorption step, the behavior of SA‐R in sterol adsorption is investigated in detail using a model solution of stigmasterol in n‐heptane. The results indicate that stigmasterol was associatively and exothermically adsorbed on SA‐R. Based on the experimental results, a simple pseudo‐second‐order model and a modified Langmuir isotherm with their parameters, which well predicted kinetics and adsorption capacity of SA‐R, are proposed.
Fabrication of Dual‐Modified Carbon Network Enabling Improved Electronic and Ionic Conductivities for Fast and Durable Li2TiSiO5 Anodes
Authors: Jin Liming , Gong Ruiqi , Zheng Junsheng , Zhang Cunman , Xia Yongyao , Zheng Jim P.
Published: March 2019

Li2TiSiO5 was recently proposed as a Ti‐based anode material for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), with the desirable characteristics of low discharge potential and relatively high specific capacity. However, the intrinsically poor electronic and ionic conductivities give rise to its sluggish electrochemical performance. In this work, Li2TiSiO5 modified with a dual‐carbon network (C@LTSO/CNT) is developed by performing a facile synthesis. The obtained dual‐carbon network coupled with small‐sized LTSO particles delivers enhanced electron conductivity frameworks, abundant active interfaces, and a notably higher inner porosity for multidirectional ion diffusion. Such a unique architecture leads to a high specific capacity as well as an ultrafast electrochemical process for LTSO through remarkable electronic and ionic transfer. C@LTSO/CNT electrodes with a low discharge plateau at 0.28 V achieve an extremely competitive specific capacity of over 430 mAh g−1 at 0.5 C, a superb high‐rate performance over 125 mAh g−1 up to 10 C, and a stable cycle lifespan of 1500 cycles without any degradation, displaying significant potential as an ideal anode candidate. Thus, a high‐performance LIB full cell is fabricated with a C@LTSO/CNT anode and a LiFePO4 cathode. This cell shows an energy density of 200 Wh kg−1 with greatly improved properties of high‐power density and pronounced cycling stability.
Extending substrate sensing capabilities of zinc tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine‐based stereodynamic probe
Authors: Scaramuzzo Francesca A. , Badetti Elena , Licini Giulia , Zonta Cristiano
Published: March 2019

Tripodal metal complexes have been widely used for catalysis and more recently also for molecular recognition applications. Their ability in recognition and signal amplification of chiral substrates is because of the setup of the ligand around the metal in a propeller shape. Within this subject, we have recently reported tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine‐ and triphenolamine‐based complexes for the determination of the enantiomeric excess of various substrates. Herein, we show the versatility of the zinc tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine‐based stereodynamic probe by performing a detailed study of the imine formation process, by the extension of the sensing capabilities to other chiral compounds. A principal component analysis study of the system together with TD‐DFT studies highlights the molecular origin of the observed chiroptical properties.
Profit‐aware coalition formation in fog computing providers: A game‐theoretic approach
Authors: Anglano Cosimo , Canonico Massimo , Castagno Paolo , Guazzone Marco , Sereno Matteo
Published: March 2019

We consider fog computing scenarios where data generated by a set of IoT applications need to be processed locally by a set of fog nodes, belonging to distinct Fog Infrastructure Providers (FIPs) sharing the same co‐location facility, with the aim of increasing their profits. This is a challenging goal as it requires reducing costs and meeting QoS targets despite time‐varying workloads. We argue that these FIPs may find it profitable to cooperate by mutually sharing their workload and resources, and we show (by using a game‐theoretical framework) that this is indeed the case when stable coalitions can be formed. Based on these results, in this paper, we present (1) a mathematical model for maximizing the profit obtained for allocating IoT applications to a group of FIPs, and (2) a coalition formation algorithm that allows each FIP to decide with whom to cooperate so as to increment its profits. The efficacy of the devised algorithm is assessed by means of an experimental evaluation taking into account different workload intensities. The results from these experiments show the capability of the proposed algorithm to form coalitions of FIPs that are profitable and stable in all the scenarios we take into consideration.
Theoretical ab Initio Study on Cooperativity Effects between Nitro π‐hole and Halogen Bonding Interactions
Authors: Galmés Bartomeu , Martínez Daniel , Infante‐Carrió Maria F. , Franconetti Antonio , Frontera Antonio
Published: March 2019

This article analyzes the interplay between nitro's π‐hole and halogen–bonding (XB) interactions in nitroarenes. Remarkable cooperativity effects are observed when π–hole and XB interactions coexist in the same complex. The nitroarene presents two π‐holes, one approximately over the N atom of the nitro group and the other over the aromatic ring, being the former more positive. The interplay between both interactions has been analyzed in terms of energetic and geometric features of the complexes, which are computed at the RI‐MP2/def2‐TZVPD level of theory. Molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surface calculations have been used to explore the variation of the MEP values at the π‐hole upon the formation of halogen bonding interactions between the nitroarene and CF3X (X=Cl, Br and I) molecules. In addition, the Bader's theory of atoms in molecules” (AIM) is used to characterize the interactions by means of the distribution of bond critical points and bond paths and to analyze their strengthening or weakening depending upon the variation of charge density at critical points. The aforementioned computational methods are adequate to examine how these interactions mutually influence each other. Natural bond orbital (NBO) and noncovalent interaction plot (NCIPlot) computational tools have been also used in some representative complexes to further analyze cooperativity effects. Finally, the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) is used to provide some experimental evidence.
Impact of land composition and configuration on the functional trait assembly of forest communities in southern Ontario
Authors: Miedema Liane J. , Capmourteres Virginia , Anand Madhur
Published: March 2019

The conversion of natural lands to agricultural and urban areas is the leading cause of biodiversity loss worldwide, and an understanding of functional trait assembly pattern can help to mitigate the ecological implications of this loss. We use plant functional traits—characteristics of the plant that determine how they react to and interact with the surrounding ecosystem—to assess the impacts of landscape composition and configuration on plant community assembly patterns in the multiple‐use Credit River watershed, Southern Ontario. We examine functional patterns in metacommunities to uncover how eight landscape variables (including both agricultural and urban uses) affect community assembly patterns and which traits explain these assembly patterns. We find that landscape variables result in significant trait‐divergence assembly patterns at two spatial scales (1 and 10 km), which means that these forest communities are more functionally diverse than would be expected by chance. Additionally, the optimal functional traits that maximize divergence in the community are dependent on landscape variables. We discuss three mechanisms—limiting similarity, niche availability, disturbance—that might be responsible for the trait divergence observed. First, we propose that limiting similarity could lead to trait divergence through niche differentiation and thus coexistence of more traits. Second, we argue that mosaic landscapes provide multiple and diverse habitats in which more species, likely with differing functional traits, can occur. Finally, we discuss how disturbances could prevent dominant species from competitively excluding others, thus favoring coexistence of functional traits.