bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diurnal glucose exposure profiles of patients treated with lixisenatide before breakfast or the main meal of the day: An analysis using continuous glucose monitoring
Authors: Bergenstal Richard M. , Strock Ellie , Mazze Roger , Powers Margaret A. , Monk Arlene M. , Richter Sara , Souhami Elisabeth , Ahrén Bo
Published: December 2016

Background

In the parent study of this analysis, patients with type 2 diabetes received lixisenatide before breakfast or the main meal of the day. This substudy was designed to examine the effect of lixisenatide administered before breakfast or the main meal of the day on continuously assessed 24‐hour patient glucose profiles.

Methods

A subset of patients from the parent study underwent 2 14‐day periods of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) at the start and end of the 24‐week study. Ambulatory glucose profile analysis was used to measure changes over time in detailed aspects of the glucose profiles. The breakfast group consumed a standardized meal during both CGM periods to determine change in 4‐hour glycemic response.

Results

Data were available for 69 patients in the substudy, 40 from the original breakfast group and 29 from the main meal group. Between baseline and end of study, mean (standard deviation) total glucose exposure decreased from 4198.1 (652.3) to 3681.2 (699.6) mg/dL*24 h in the breakfast group (P < .0001) and from 4127.9 (876.8) to 3880.9 (1165.0) mg/dL*24 h in the main meal group (P = .0224). For patients included in the substudy, HbA1c decreased by approximately 0.6% in both groups. Mean (standard deviation) 4‐hour total glucose exposure fell by 168.9 (158.4) mg/dL*4 h (P < .0001) from baseline.

Conclusions

This analysis demonstrates that lixisenatide has beneficial effects on components of the 24‐hour glucose profile, which endure beyond the meal at which it is administered. Continuous glucose monitoring analysis detects changes not captured using HbA1c alone.
Axons get ahead: Insights into axon guidance and congenital cranial dysinnervation disorders
Authors: Chilton John K. , Guthrie Sarah
Published: December 2016

Cranial nerves innervate head muscles in a well‐characterized and highly conserved pattern. Identification of genes responsible for human congenital disorders of these nerves, combined with the analysis of their role in axonal development in animal models, has advanced understanding of how neuromuscular connectivity is established. Here, we focus on the ocular motor system, as an instructive example of the success of this approach in unravelling the aetiology of human strabismus. The discovery that ocular motility disorders can arise from mutations in transcription factors, including HoxA1, HoxB1, MafB, Phox2A, and Sall4, has revealed gene regulatory networks that pattern the brainstem and/or govern the differentiation of cranial motor neurons. Mutations in genes involved in axon growth and guidance disrupt specific stages of the extension and pathfinding of ocular motor nerves, and have been implicated in human strabismus. These genes encompass varied classes of molecule, from receptor complexes to dynamic effectors to cytoskeletal components, including Robo3/Rig1, Alpha2‐chimaerin, Kif21A, TUBB2, and TUBB3. A current challenge is to understand the protein regulatory networks that link the cell surface to the cytoskeleton and to dissect the co‐ordinated signalling cascades and motile responses that underpin axonal navigation. Here we review recent insights derived from basic and clinical science approaches, to show how, by capitalising on the strengths of each, a more complete picture of the aetiology of human congenital cranial dysinnervation disorders can be achieved. This elucidation of these principles illustrates the success of clinical genetic studies working in tandem with molecular and cellular models to enhance our understanding of human disease. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 77: 861–875, 2017
A delay in vascularization induces abnormal astrocyte proliferation and migration in the mouse retina
Authors: Morita Akane , Ushikubo Hiroko , Mori Asami , Arima Shiho , Sakamoto Kenji , Nagamitsu Tohru , Ishii Kunio , Nakahara Tsutomu
Published: December 2016

Background: Astrocytes migrate into the retina through the optic nerve head by means of the axons of retinal ganglion cells, and spread radially toward the peripheral retina. Endothelial cells migrate along the astrocyte cellular network to form the retinal surface vasculature. Here, we examined the effects of a delay in retinal vascularization on the migration and proliferation status of astrocytes in mice. Results: A dose‐dependent delay in retinal vascularization was observed in mice that had been treated with KRN633 (1–10 mg/kg), a VEGF receptor inhibitor, on the day of birth and on the following day. Delayed vascularization resulted in a delay in the astrocyte network formation, and an increase in astrocyte number in the optic nerve head and the vascular front. The increase in the number of astrocytes may be attributed to increased proliferation and delayed migration. These abnormalities in astrocyte behavior correlated with the degree of delay in retinal vascularization. The vascularization delay also led to retinal hypoxia, which subsequently stimulated VEGF leading to an increase in vascular density. Conclusions: These findings suggest that a delay in normal vascularization leads to abnormal astrocyte behavior, which results in the formation of abnormal astrocyte and endothelial cell networks in the mouse retina. Developmental Dynamics 246:186–200, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rhodium‐Catalyzed Oxidative Coupling Reaction of Isocyanides with Alcohols or Amines and Molecular Oxygen as Oxygen Source: Synthesis of Carbamates and Ureas
Authors: Bu Xiu‐Bin , Wang Zhuo , Wang Yuan‐Hong , Jiang Tao , Zhang Lu , Zhao Yu‐Long
Published: December 2016

The first Rh‐catalyzed aerobic oxidative coupling reaction of isocyanides with alcohols or amines has been developed. The reaction takes place under very mild conditions, by using air as the terminal oxidant and oxygen‐atom source. It provides a simple, efficient, and general method for the construction of N‐arylcarbamates and ureas in an atom‐economic manner. Moreover, the new mechanism, involving α‐diazocarbonyl compounds as carbene precursors and a RhI/RhIII catalytic cycle with oxygen, might open up new avenues in rhodium chemistry.
Electrochemical Detection of Thioether‐Based Fluorosurfactants in Aqueous Film‐Forming Foam (AFFF)
Authors: Fanga Cheng , Megharaj Mallavarapu , Naidu Ravi
Published: December 2016

Using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and impedance (IMP), we report a simple approach to detect new fluorosurfactant ingredient formulated in aqueous film‐forming foam (AFFF), specifically the thioether‐based one. First, we employ ion chromatography (IC) to identify all possible elements with the help of chemical oxidation and infrared spectrum (IR) to identify all possible functional groups. We thus propose a possible thioether‐based molecular structure of fluorosurfactant formulated in AFFF. By studying the self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) formed on gold (Au) surface via thio‐Au bond, we establish a relationship between the SAM density and the amount of the thioether‐based fluorosurfactant for the AFFF detection. Solid phase extraction (SPE) and nanoporous Au electrode are employed to enhance the sensitivity. Consequently, a detection limit of 10 ppb (v/v) has been achieved for AFFF‐spiked tap water sample.
EFHC1 mutation in Indian juvenile myoclonic epilepsy patient
Authors: Thounaojam Romita , Langbang Leader , Itisham Kavish , Sobhani Roohollah , Srivastava Shivani , Ramanujam Bhargavi , Verma Ramesh , Tripathi Manjari , Aguan Kripamoy
Published: December 2016

Objective

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is the most common form of idiopathic generalized epilepsies (IGEs) and is genetically heterogeneous. Mutations in EFHC1 cause JME. Because about 2 million people in India are affected by JME alone, we investigated the prevalence of mutations in the EFHC1 gene in the Indian population with JME. We studied 63 patients with JME and 80 healthy controls.

Methods

Clinical identification of JME was evaluated using established criteria. Following clinical evaluation of the patients and confirming presence of JME, blood samples were collected from each patient and healthy individual. Subsequently, genomic DNA was extracted from the blood samples. Eleven exons of the EFHC1 gene were individually amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for each DNA sample. The PCR products were then purified and sequenced commercially. The identified DNA variants were sequenced at least twice in both the forward and reverse directions and compared with the Exome Aggregation Consortium (ExAC) database.

Results

We found five heterozygous and one homozygous variant. We found three novel coding variants 661C→T, 779 G →A, and 730 C→T, which lead to R221C, R260Q, and R244STOP amino acid substitutions, respectively. The coding variant 475 C→T, resulting in the amino acid substitution R159W, reported earlier as polymorphism, was also identified in both patient and control populations.

Significance

Detection of these three novel variants, excluding R159W, which is considered polymorphism, expands the range of possible mutations in the EFHC1 gene. The novel variants that we are reporting herein have not been mentioned before as occurring in JME patients of other ethnic population. Therefore, these novel coding variants may be confined to the Indian JME population. Further studies on the mutational spectrum of EFHC1 in a larger number of Indian JME patients concurrent with their mode of inheritance and underlying functional assays should establish whether EFHC1 could be a panethnic gene for JME.
Expression of the human isoform of glutamate dehydrogenase, hGDH2, augments TCA cycle capacity and oxidative metabolism of glutamate during glucose deprivation in astrocytes
Authors: Nissen Jakob D. , Lykke Kasper , Bryk Jaroslaw , Stridh Malin H. , Zaganas Ioannis , Skytt Dorte M. , Schousboe Arne , Bak Lasse K. , Enard Wolfgang , Pääbo Svante , Waagepetersen Helle S.
Published: December 2016

A key enzyme in brain glutamate homeostasis is glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) which links carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism mediating glutamate degradation to CO2 and expanding tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle capacity with intermediates, i.e. anaplerosis. Humans express two GDH isoforms, GDH1 and 2, whereas most other mammals express only GDH1. hGDH1 is widely expressed in human brain while hGDH2 is confined to astrocytes. The two isoforms display different enzymatic properties and the nature of these supports that hGDH2 expression in astrocytes potentially increases glutamate oxidation and supports the TCA cycle during energy‐demanding processes such as high intensity glutamatergic signaling. However, little is known about how expression of hGDH2 affects the handling of glutamate and TCA cycle metabolism in astrocytes. Therefore, we cultured astrocytes from cerebral cortical tissue of hGDH2‐expressing transgenic mice. We measured glutamate uptake and metabolism using [3H]glutamate, while the effect on metabolic pathways of glutamate and glucose was evaluated by use of 13C and 14C substrates and analysis by mass spectrometry and determination of radioactively labeled metabolites including CO2, respectively. We conclude that hGDH2 expression increases capacity for uptake and oxidative metabolism of glutamate, particularly during increased workload and aglycemia. Additionally, hGDH2 expression increased utilization of branched‐chain amino acids (BCAA) during aglycemia and caused a general decrease in oxidative glucose metabolism. We speculate, that expression of hGDH2 allows astrocytes to spare glucose and utilize BCAAs during substrate shortages. These findings support the proposed role of hGDH2 in astrocytes as an important fail‐safe during situations of intense glutamatergic activity. GLIA 2017;65:474–488
Birth weight discordance, DNA methylation, and cortical morphology of adolescent monozygotic twins
Authors: Casey Kevin F. , Levesque Melissa L. , Szyf Moshe , Ismaylova Elmira , Verner Marie‐Pier , Suderman Matthew , Vitaro Frank , Brendgen Mara , Dionne Ginette , Boivin Michel , Tremblay Richard E. , Booij Linda
Published: December 2016

Background

Several studies have shown that the in utero environment, which can be indexed by birth weight (BW), is associated with cortical morphology in adolescence and adulthood. Work in monozygotic (MZ) twins suggests that this association is driven by non‐shared environmental factors. This correlation could be the result of in utero impacts on DNA methylation. The aim of the present study with MZ twins is to replicate the association between discordance in BW and brain morphology and test whether discordance in DNA methylation mediates this relationship.

Methods

One hundred and four adolescent MZ twins (52 pairs, of which 42% were male pairs) who have been followed regularly since birth underwent T1 weighted structural MRI, and epigenome‐wide assessment of DNA methylation from saliva at age 15.

Results

Co‐twins had very similar measures of DNA methylation and cortical morphology. Higher BW members of a twin pair had increased total cortical surface area, and decreased cortical thickness compared to their lower BW sibling. BW Discordance was positively associated with both cortical surface area and cortical volume discordance. Genes involved in neurodevelopment were tentatively identified as mediators of both the BW ‐ cortical volume, and BW‐ cortical surface area relationships.

Conclusions

The association between BW and cortical morphology in adolescence appears to be attributable to in utero environmental effects, and DNA methylation may play a role in mediating this relationship. Hum Brain Mapp 38:2037–2050, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Self‐assembly of triorganotin(IV) moiety with 1,2,4,5‐benzenetetracarboxylic acid: Syntheses, characterizations, and influence of solvent on the molecular structure (II)
Authors: Xiao Xiao , Sui Chunhong , Han Liqin , Liu Jianhua , Feng Bo
Published: December 2016

A new organotin carboxylate based on 1,2,4,5‐benzenetetracarboxylic acid (H4btec): [(Ph3Sn)4(btec)] (complex 4) was synthesized through the reaction of triphenyltin hydroxide with H4btec and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV‐visible, 1H, 13C, 119Sn NMR spectroscopy. Single crystal X‐ray study shows 4 is a centrosymmetric tetranuclear triphenyltin carboxylate. Ligand H4btec coordinates with tin atoms in monodentate mode. The molecules of 4 build 1D chain structure via intermolecular hydrogen bonds, and construct 2D architecture through π···π interactions. The preliminary antitumor activity of the complex was also studied.
Impairments in spatial representations and rhythmic coordination of place cells in the 3xTg mouse model of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Mably Alexandra J. , Gereke Brian J. , Jones Dylan T. , Colgin Laura Lee
Published: December 2016

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an irreversible and highly progressive neurodegenerative disease. Clinically, patients with AD display impairments in episodic and spatial memory. However, the underlying neuronal dysfunctions that result in these impairments remain poorly understood. The hippocampus is crucial for spatial and episodic memory, and thus we tested the hypothesis that abnormal neuronal representations of space in the hippocampus contribute to memory deficits in AD. To test this hypothesis, we recorded spikes from place cells in hippocampal subfield CA1, together with corresponding rhythmic activity in local field potentials, in the 3xTg AD mouse model. We observed disturbances in place cell firing patterns, many of which were consistent with place cell disturbances reported in other rodent models of AD. We found place cell representations of space to be unstable in 3xTg mice compared to control mice. Furthermore, coordination of place cell firing by hippocampal rhythms was disrupted in 3xTg mice. Specifically, a smaller proportion of place cells from 3xTg mice were significantly phase‐locked to theta and slow gamma rhythms, and the theta and slow gamma phases at which spikes occurred were also altered. Remarkably, these disturbances were observed at an age before detectable Aβ pathology had developed. Consistencies between these findings in 3xTg mice and previous findings from other AD models suggest that disturbances in place cell firing and hippocampal rhythms are related to AD rather than reflecting peculiarities inherent to a particular transgenic model. Thus, disturbed rhythmic organization of place cell activity may contribute to unstable spatial representations, and related spatial memory deficits, in AD. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The dynamics of memory consolidation of landmarks
Authors: van Ekert Janneke , Wegman Joost , Jansen Clemens , Takashima Atsuko , Janzen Gabriele
Published: December 2016

Navigating through space is fundamental to human nature and requires the ability to retrieve relevant information from the remote past. With the passage of time, some memories become generic, capturing only a sense of familiarity. Yet, others maintain precision, even when acquired decades ago. Understanding the dynamics of memory consolidation is a major challenge to neuroscientists. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we systematically examined the effects of time and spatial context on the neural representation of landmark recognition memory. An equal number of male and female subjects (males N = 10, total N = 20) watched a route through a large‐scale virtual environment. Landmarks occurred at navigationally relevant and irrelevant locations along the route. Recognition memory for landmarks was tested directly following encoding, 24 h later and 30 days later. Surprisingly, changes over time in the neural representation of navigationally relevant landmarks differed between males and females. In males, relevant landmarks selectively engaged the parahippocampal gyrus (PHG) regardless of the age of the memory. In females, the response to relevant landmarks gradually diminished with time in the PHG but strengthened progressively in the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). Based on what is known about the functioning of the PHG and IFG, the findings of this study suggest that males maintain access to the initially formed spatial representation of landmarks whereas females become strongly dependent on a verbal representation of landmarks with time. Our findings yield a clear objective for future studies. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Parahippocampal and retrosplenial connections of rat posterior parietal cortex
Authors: Olsen Grethe M. , Ohara Shinya , Iijima Toshio , Witter Menno P.
Published: December 2016

The posterior parietal cortex has been implicated in spatial functions, including navigation. The hippocampal and parahippocampal region and the retrosplenial cortex are crucially involved in navigational processes and connections between the parahippocampal/retrosplenial domain and the posterior parietal cortex have been described. However, an integrated account of the organization of these connections is lacking. Here, we investigated parahippocampal connections of each posterior parietal subdivision and the neighboring secondary visual cortex using conventional retrograde and anterograde tracers as well as transsynaptic retrograde tracing with a modified rabies virus. The results show that posterior parietal as well as secondary visual cortex entertain overall sparse connections with the parahippocampal region but not with the hippocampal formation. The medial and lateral dorsal subdivisions of posterior parietal cortex receive sparse input from deep layers of all parahippocampal areas. Conversely, all posterior parietal subdivisions project moderately to dorsal presubiculum, whereas rostral perirhinal cortex, postrhinal cortex, caudal entorhinal cortex and parasubiculum all receive sparse posterior parietal input. This indicated that the presubiculum might be a major liaison between parietal and parahippocampal domains. In view of the close association of the presubiculum with the retrosplenial cortex, we included the latter in our analysis. Our data indicate that posterior parietal cortex is moderately connected with the retrosplenial cortex, particularly with rostral area 30. The relative sparseness of the connectivity with the parahippocampal and retrosplenial domains suggests that posterior parietal cortex is only a modest actor in forming spatial representations underlying navigation and spatial memory in parahippocampal and retrosplenial cortex. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Relation of early tumor shrinkage (ETS) observed in first‐line treatment to efficacy parameters of subsequent treatment in FIRE‐3 (AIOKRK0306)
Authors: Modest Dominik P. , Stintzing Sebastian , Fischer von Weikersthal Ludwig , Decker Thomas , Kiani Alexander , Vehling‐Kaiser Ursula , Al‐Batran Salah‐Eddin , Heintges Tobias , Lerchenmüller Christian , Kahl Christoph , Seipelt Gernot , Kullmann Frank , Scheithauer Werner , Kirchner Thomas , Jung Andreas , Stauch Martina , von Einem Jobst Christian , Moehler Markus , Held Swantje , Heinemann Volker ,   FIRE‐3 study investigators
Published: December 2016

We explored the association of early tumor shrinkage (ETS) and non‐ETS with efficacy of first‐line and consecutive second‐line treatment in patients with KRAS wild‐type metastatic colorectal cancer treated in FIRE‐3. Assessment of tumor shrinkage was based on the sum of longest diameters of target lesions, evaluated after 6 weeks of treatment. Shrinkage was classified as ETS (shrinkage by ≥ 20%), mETS (shrinkage by 0 to <20%), mPD (minor progression >0 to <20%) and PD (progression ≥20%). Overall survival (OS) was 33.2 (95% CI 28.0–38.4) months in ETS patients, while non‐ETS was associated with less favorable outcome (mETS 24.0 (95% CI 21.2–26.9) months, mPD 19.0 (95% CI 13.0–25.0) months, PD 12.8 (95% CI 11.1–14.5) months). Differences in PFS of first‐line therapy were less pronounced. ETS subgroups defined in first‐line therapy also correlated with efficacy of second‐line therapy. Progression‐free survival in second‐line (PFS2nd) was 6.5 months (5.8–7.2) for ETS, and was 5.6 (95% CI 4.7–6.5) months for mETS, 4.9 (95% CI 3.7–6.1) months for mPD and 3.3 (95% CI 2.3–4.3) months for PD. PFS of first‐line and PFS2nd showed a linear correlation (Bravais–Pearson coefficient: 0.16, p = 0.006). While ETS is associated with the most favorable outcome, non‐ETS represents a heterogeneous subgroup with distinct characteristics of less favorable initial tumor response to treatment. This is the first analysis to demonstrate that early tumor response observed during first‐line FOLFIRI‐based therapy may also relate to efficacy of second‐line treatment. Early response parameters may serve as stratification factors in trials recruiting pretreated patients.
α‐Synuclein Oligomers: A Study in Diversity
Authors: van Diggelen Femke , Tepper Armand W. J. W. , Apetri Mihaela M. , Otzen Daniel E.
Published: December 2016

A critical step in Parkinson's disease (PD) is the formation of toxic α‐synuclein oligomers (αSOs). In vitro αSOs are formed by self‐assembly of α‐synuclein at high concentrations, or by the addition of, for example, dopamine, lipids, ethanol, or metal ions. These αSOs are structurally distinct from the unfolded monomer and aggregated β‐sheet fibrils. Nevertheless, the literature reports a wide variety of αSO shapes, sizes, and proposed toxic mechanisms. This heterogeneous character makes it difficult to form a unifying picture. Here, we present an overview of the different αSO species made in vitro, providing a tool for better comparison of different protocols and the ensuing αSOs, and emphasizing the striking versatility in the appearance and properties of these critical species. We also summarize what is known of the biological activities of different αSOs. Despite a large and increasing level of insight into αSO effects in vitro, we still lack strong insight into the structures and sizes of αSO species formed in vivo. Once this is established, it may be possible to generate more uniform protocols that could stimulate further efforts to develop viable PD biomarker assays and therapies.
In vivostudy on the biocompatibility of chitosan–hydroxyapatite film depending on degree of deacetylation
Authors: Jeong Ki‐Jae , Song Younseong , Shin Hye‐Ri , Kim Ji Eun , Kim Jeonghyo , Sun Fangfang , Hwang Dae‐Youn , Lee Jaebeom
Published: December 2016

Chitosan, produced from chitin, is one of the polymers with promising applications in various fields. However, despite diverse research studies conducted on its biocompatibility, its uses are still limited. The main reason is the degree of deacetylation (DOD), which represents the proportion of deacetylated units in the polymer and is directly correlated with its biocompatibility property. In this article, thein vivobiocompatibility of three chitosan–hydroxyapatite composite films composed of chitosan with different DOD values was investigated by traditional biological protocols and novel optical spectroscopic analyses. The DOD of the chitosan obtained from three different manufacturers was estimated and calculated by Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The chitosan with the higher DOD induced a higher incidence of inflammation in skin cells. The amino group density, biodegradability, and crystallinity of chitosan are the three possible factors that need to be considered when determining the biocompatibility of the films forin vivoapplication, as they led to complicated biological results, resulting in either better or worse inflammation even when using chitosan products with the same DOD. This basic study on the relationship between the DOD and inflammation is valuable for the development of further chitosan‐based researches. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1637–1645, 2017.
Antiepileptic drugs: Impacts on human serum paraoxonase‐1
Authors: Beydemir Şükrü , Demir Yeliz
Published: December 2016

Serum paraoxonase (PON1) is a key enzyme related to high‐density lipoprotein (HDL)‐cholesterol particle. It can prevent the oxidation of low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) and HDL. The present article focuses on the in vitro inhibition role of some antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) such as valproic acid, gabapentin, primidone, phenytoin, and levetiracetam on human paraoxonase (hPON1). Therefore, PON1 was purified from human serum with a specific activity of 3976.36 EU/mg and 13.96% yield by using simple chromatographic methods. The AEDs were tested at various concentrations, which showed reduced in vitro hPON1 activity. IC50 values for gabapentin, valproic acid, primidone, phenytoin, and levetiracetam were found to be 0.35, 0.67, 0.87, 6.3, and 53.3 mM, respectively. Ki constants were 0.261 ± 0.027, 0.338 ± 0.313, 0.410 ± 0.184, 10.3 ± 0.001, and 43.01 ± 0.003 mM, respectively. Gabapentin exhibited effective inhibitory activity as compared with the other drugs. The inhibition mechanisms of all compounds were noncompetitive.
The Internal Audit Function: A Prerequisite for Good Governance
Authors: Raiborn Cecily , Butler Janet B. , Martin, Kasey , Pizzini Mina
Published: December 2016

In 2013, the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (NASDAQ) establish and maintain an internal audit (IA) function. Comment letters received on the proposal were overwhelmingly negative. The top three reasons against the proposal were cost of implementation, time commitments required of organizational employees, and redundancy of IA to a firm's external audit process. This article delineates differences between internal and external audit responsibilities, identifies the benefits of internal auditing, highlights the role that internal auditors play in corporate governance and risk management, demonstrates how IA assurance and consulting activities add organizational value, and discusses cost‐effective options for implementing an IA function. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
New Reporting Requirements for Multinational Corporations
Authors: Strobel Caroline D.
Published: December 2016

This column has covered the study commissioned by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to look at changes that needed to be made in transfer pricing to better determine the taxable income that multinational businesses should be required to report in each country in which they do business. This column reported the recommendations (base erosion and profit shifting [BEPS]) that were made after the study was completed. The OECD adopted the recommendations that were made and the United States is now working to bring U.S. reporting requirements into alignment with new OECD recommendations. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
One‐Pot Synthesis of Fused [1,6]Naphthyridine Derivatives via Three‐Component Reaction
Authors: Magesh Selva Kumar Adhiyaman Kottai Munusamy , Dhivya Paul , Rajendran Subramanian Parameswaran
Published: December 2016

A simple, convenient, and eco‐friendly synthetic protocol has been developed via a one‐pot three‐component reaction between 2‐chloroquinoline‐4‐amines, different substituted aromatic aldehydes, and malononitrile using ethanol as reaction medium. Employing this protocol, a series of 5‐chloro‐4‐phenyl benzo[f][1,6] naphthyridine‐2‐amino‐3‐carbonitrile derivatives were synthesized in an environmentally friendly approach under operational simplicity, short time reactions, easy work‐up procedure, and comparatively high yields. This chemistry provides a convenient and promising synthetic strategy for the construction of the napthyridine skeleton. All synthesized compounds were identified on the basis of their spectral data.
A Comparative QSRR Study on Enantioseparation of Ethanol Ester Enantiomers in HPLC Using Multivariate Image Analysis, Quantum Mechanical and Structural Descriptors
Authors: Barfeii Hamideh , Garkani‐Nejad Zahra
Published: December 2016

Quantitative structure–retention relationship study was carried out for predicting the retention times of twenty‐six 1‐(2‐naphtyl)‐1 ethanol ester enantiomers in high‐pressure liquid chromatography by using original molecular, quantum mechanical, and multivariate image analysis (MIA) descriptors. Multiple linear regressions, partial least squares (PLS), and partial component regression (PCR) models combined with genetic algorithm (GA) were constructed as variable selection methods by using molecular descriptors to investigate the potential relationship between the selected descriptors and the retention times of the enantiomers. The molecular descriptors were generated from the molecular structure of enantiomers and calculated by the DRAGON software. Besides 504 DRAGON descriptors, additional 38 quantum mechanical descriptors were obtained using density functional theory/B3LYP/6‐31G method. Then, the results of the obtained models were compared with MIA descriptors that are pixels of two‐dimensional (2D) chemical structures. MIA descriptors were analyzed by correlation ranking‐PCR and PLS methods. The predictive ability of the models was evaluated using cross‐validation and an external test set. The results showed that GA is a good method for variable selection using structural descriptors combined with the PLS model. Since MIA descriptors are 2D pixels of the chemical structures, they can differentiate between the (R) and (S) isomers of enantiomers better than the quantum mechanical and structural descriptors. Comparison between the different models indicated that the GA‐PLS and MIA‐PLS models were the best methods.
Raman scattering and alternative current conduction mechanism of the high‐temperature phase transition in [(C4H9)4N]3Bi2Cl9
Authors: Trigui W. , Oueslati A. , Hlel F. , Bulou A.
Published: December 2016

The tri‐tetrabutylammonium nonachlorobibismuthate(III) was found to crystallize in the monoclinic P21/n space group. Two reversible order–disorder phase transitions are observed at 434/430 K and 477/473 K by differential scanning calorimetry technique. The evolution of Raman wavenumber versus temperature shows a remarkable shifting of the bands associated to alkyl chains, suggesting that the phase transition is governed by the reorientational motion of the organic part [(C4H9)4N]+. The analysis of Nyquist plots has revealed the contribution of two electrical active regions corresponding to the bulk mechanism and the distribution of grain boundaries. The AC conductivity is analyzed by different processes: the non‐overlapping small polaron tunneling model proposed as a closely good model for region I and the correlated barrier hopping attributed to the conduction mechanism for region II. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gully Head Retreat in the Sub‐Humid Ethiopian Highlands: The Ene‐Chilala Catchment
Authors: Addisie Meseret B. , Ayele Getaneh K. , Gessess Azalu A. , Tilahun Seifu A. , Zegeye Assefa D. , Moges Mikael M. , Schmitter Petra , Langendoen Eddy J. , Steenhuis Tammo S.
Published: December 2016

In the northern highlands of Ethiopia, gully erosion is severe. Despite many efforts to implement gully prevention measures, controlling gully erosion remains a challenge. The objective is to better understand the regional gully erosion processes and to prevent gully head retreat. The study was conducted in the Ene‐Chilala catchment in the sub‐humid headwaters of the Birr River located southwest of Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. Twelve gully heads were monitored during the 2014 and 2015 rainy monsoon phase. We measured gully head morphology and retreat length, soil shear strength, ground water table levels, and catchment physical characteristics. Two active gully head cuts were treated in 2014 and an additional three head cuts in 2015 by regrading their slope to 45° and covering them with stone riprap. These treatments halted the gully head advance. The untreated gullies were actively eroding due to groundwater at shallow depths. The largest head retreat was 22.5 m, of which about half occurred in August of the first year when the surrounding soil was fully saturated. Lowering both the water table and protecting the gully heads can play a key role in reducing gully expansion and soil loss due to gully erosion in the Ethiopian highlands. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sedimentary environment evolution and biogenic silica records over 33,000 years in the Liaohe delta, China
Authors: Liu Jin , Ye Siyuan , Allen Laws Edward , Xue Chunting , Yuan Hongming , Ding Xigui , Zhao Guangming , Yang Shixiong , He Lei , Wang Jin , Pei Shaofeng , Wang Yongbiao , Lu Qingyuan
Published: December 2016

The burial efficiency of biogenic silica (BSi) in deltaic sediments is associated both with the nutrient balance in estuarine ecosystems and with the carbon cycle and climate change. To explore these relationships, foraminifera data, physical and chemical parameters, and ages determined by accelerator mass spectrometry 14C and optically stimulated luminescence from a core drilled at the southwestern edge of the Lower Liaohe Plain in May 2012 were presented. The sedimentary environments since 33,000 cal yr BP were divided into four depositional units, namely, a fluvial deposit (U1), lacustrine deposit (U2), marine‐related deposit (U3), and upper delta plain deposit (U4). Environmentally mediated differences in apparent mass accumulation rates (AMARs) of BSi and organic carbon (Corg) were significant. The BSi‐AMAR in the later parts of U1 and U2 occurred mainly in the Pleistocene and averaged 11.34 ± 0.22 and 16.69 ± 0.91 g m−2 yr−1, which is lower than the analogues for U3 (23.59 ± 2.89–41.74 ± 6.37 g m−2 yr−1) and U4 (37.25 ± 9.96 g m−2 yr−1) that occurred during the Holocene. The BSi record responded more coherently and was more sensitive than Corg to Northern Hemisphere paleoclimatic variations on a long timescale and to abrupt/periodic winter monsoon winds or warming forcings on a short timescale. There was a negative correlation between the concentration of bioavailable Fe2O3 and the ratio of BSi/Corg, the implication being that Fe availability may have modulated silicic acid uptake on a very short timescale and in turn impacted the dynamics of carbon burial.
Approximated structured pseudospectra
Authors: Noschese Silvia , Reichel Lothar
Published: December 2016

Pseudospectra and structured pseudospectra are important tools for the analysis of matrices. Their computation, however, can be very demanding for all but small matrices. A new approach to compute approximations of pseudospectra and structured pseudospectra, based on determining the spectra of many suitably chosen rank‐one or projected rank‐one perturbations of the given matrix is proposed. The choice of rank‐one or projected rank‐one perturbations is inspired by Wilkinson's analysis of eigenvalue sensitivity. Numerical examples illustrate that the proposed approach gives much better insight into the pseudospectra and structured pseudospectra than random or structured random rank‐one perturbations with lower computational burden. The latter approach is presently commonly used for the determination of structured pseudospectra.
Sense of control and adolescents’ aggression: The role of aggressive cues
Authors: Guo Xucheng , Egan Vincent , Zhang Jianxin
Published: December 2016

The misperception of aggressive cues is considered a risk factor for inducing adolescent aggression. Poor coping with life stress is also considered a major influence on aggression. The current study examined the relationship between subjective sense of control and adolescent aggression, considering influences upon the perception of these aggressive cues. In Study 1, 60 participants took part in a 2 (sense of control: high sense of control vs. low sense of control) × 2 (aggressive cue: aggressive vs. neutral) between‐subjects contextual experiment. The result found that a lower sense of control led to an increase in adolescents’ aggression; only in the low‐sense‐of‐control condition did exposure to aggressive cues boost aggression. In Study 2, the catalytic effect of aggressive cues was further explored by an experiment in which 40 adolescents were randomly assigned to a low‐ or high‐sense‐of‐control condition to test the importance of aggressive cues. The results suggest that adolescents in the low‐sense‐of‐control condition show a higher salience for aggressive cues.
The relationship between risk factors and medication adherence among breast cancer survivors: What explanatory role might depression play?
Authors: Markovitz Louis C. , Drysdale Nicholas J. , Bettencourt B. Ann
Published: December 2016

Objective

Despite the efficacy of clinical treatments (eg, adjuvant hormonal therapy) for breast cancer survivors (BCS), nonadherence rates remain high, increasing the risk of recurrence and mortality. The current study tested a theoretical model of medical nonadherence that proposes depression to be the most proximal predictor of medical nonadherence among BCS.

Methods

Breast cancer survivors were recruited from radiation clinics in Missouri. Survey data were collected 12 months after the end of primary treatment. The sample size included 133 BCS.

Results

Findings show substantial support for the model, demonstrating that depression mediated the relation between physical symptoms, cognitive symptoms, social support, and adherence to medication. This finding was replicated with a measure of mood disturbance.

Conclusions

These findings support the prediction that medication nonadherence among BCS multiply determined process and have compelling implications for healthcare providers and interventions designed to increase medication adherence among BCS.
Role of Indigenous Eco‐Friendly Technologies and Microfinance for Forest‐Living Communities’ Livelihoods: Case Study of Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: Teki Surayya
Published: December 2016

Eco‐friendly technologies (EFTs) and microfinance provide impetus for securing the livelihoods of forest‐living communities. Use of EFTs arrests the degradation of forests in addition to enhancing people's livelihoods. Forest‐living people adopt unsustainable harvesting methods due to a lack of access to and unawareness of EFTs. Sustainable harvesting of forest produce by employing EFTs reduced harm to the forest by 40–50%. Microfinance accessibility is essential for the adoption of EFT at community level for value addition to Non‐Wood Forest Products (NWFPs), which enhanced livelihoods by 200–300%. The main objective of this paper is to investigate how EFT and microfinance provide impetus to the value addition by NWFPs and the securing of the livelihoods of forest‐living communities. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Indefinite block ciphering based on variable and great length key
Authors: Davahli Azam , Babamir Seyed Morteza
Published: December 2016

Failure of deterministic encryption algorithms against various attacks mostly occurs due to the use of fixed and deterministic methods for encrypting, decrypting, and key production. Because the key production in these algorithms is performed functionally and deterministically, there is a relation between the keys and their length that makes the differential analysis of the keys possible. Moreover, the fixed length and values of the keys make these algorithms unsafe against exhaustive key searches. In this study, a block cipher algorithm called indefinite block ciphering based on variable and great length key which belongs to probabilistic (nondeterministic) family is presented. In this algorithm, the key depends on the plain text and is produced indecisively by a random number and the connectivity of the different parameters. On the other hand, the plain text is divided into blocks with size of random number. The proposed algorithm was evaluated, and the results were compared with those of the deterministic and other nondeterministic algorithms. This comparison was indicative of the high performance and security of the new algorithm with respect to the other approaches. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two‐Dimensional Metal–Organic Framework Nanosheets
Authors: Zhao Meiting , Lu Qipeng , Ma Qinglang , Zhang Hua
Published: December 2016

Two‐dimensional (2D) metal–organic framework (MOF) nanosheets are attracting increasing research interest due to their unique properties originating from their ultrathin thickness and large surface area with highly accessible active sites. Here, the aim is to provide recent advances in the synthesis of 2D MOF nanosheets by using the top‐down and bottom‐up methods, including sonication exfoliation, interfacial synthesis, three‐layer synthesis, and surfactant‐assisted synthesis methods. In addition, the recent progress in 2D‐MOF‐nanosheet‐based nanocomposites is also introduced. The synthesis of 2D MOF nanosheets should lead to new kinds of functional nanomaterials for a wide range of applications.
What is (or should be) scientific evidence use in k‐12 classrooms?
Authors: McNeill Katherine L. , Berland Leema
Published: December 2016

Research and reform efforts frequently identify evidence as an essential component of science classroom instruction to actively engage students in science practices. Despite this agreement on the primacy of evidence, there is a lack of consensus around what counts as “evidence” in k‐12 classrooms (e.g., ages 5–18): scholarship and standards in science education define evidence in a variety of ways including empirical data, analogy, personal experience, and scientific theories. We argue that this disagreement results in a wide range of classroom activities around evidence, including ones that recapitulate traditional science instruction focused on final form science and teachers as disseminators of information. In this paper, we develop design heuristics to inform the design of classroom learning environments that productively use scientific evidence for student sensemaking about the natural world by (i) selecting from the range of information a subset to use as scientific evidence; and (ii) designing classroom activities that support students collaboratively making sense of the natural world. In particular, we argue for three design heuristics that could potentially shift science classroom activities away from traditional “problems of practice” to align more closely with the vision of science as a set of practices including: phenomena‐based, transformable, and used dialogically. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 54:672–689, 2017
Metadiscourse and Identity Construction in Teaching Philosophy Statements: A Critical Case Study of Two MATESOL Students
Authors: Supasiraprapa Sarut , De costa Peter I.
Published: December 2016

Drawing on Hyland's (2005) metadiscourse framework, the researchers investigated how two English as a second or foreign language instructors constructed their identity in a teaching philosophy statement written for a master's in TESOL (MATESOL) course. Analyses revealed that both instructors employed almost all metadiscourse resources in the model to construct the identity of a competent graduate student and that of a knowledgeable and reflective teacher. In addition, their identity construction reinforced the writing conventions associated with the imagined community (Norton, 2013) of graduate student teachers while also affording them the opportunity to exercise some degree of teacher agency. Findings offer insights into how linguistic resources can be mobilized to construct a strong and unique teaching philosophy statement.
Attitude Reports, Cognitive Products, and Attitudinal Objects
Authors: Moltmann Friederike ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: December 2016

In a range of recent and not so recent work (Moltmann 2003a, 2003b, 2004, 2013, 2014, 2016b, 2016d), I have developed a novel semantics of attitude reports on which the notion of an attitudinal object or cognitive product takes center stage, that is, entities such as thoughts claims and decisions. The purpose of this note is to give a brief summary of this account against the background of the standard semantics of attitude reports and to show that the various sorts of criticism that Felappi (2014) recently advanced against it are mistaken.
Methanolic bark extract of Acacia catechu ameliorates benzo(a)pyrene induced lung toxicity by abrogation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in mice
Authors: Shahid Ayaz , Ali Rashid , Ali Nemat , Kazim Hasan Syed , Barnwal Preeti , Mohammad Afzal Shekh , Vafa Abul , Sultana Sarwat
Published: December 2016

Benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P] is a well‐known carcinogen present in the environment. In this study, we evaluated the protective potential of methanolic bark extract of Acacia catechu Willd. (MEBA) against the lung toxicity induced by B(a)P in Swiss albino mice. To determine the protective efficacy of MEBA, it was orally administered to the mice at two doses (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) once daily for 7 days. Mice were also exposed (orally) to B(a)P at a dose of 125 mg/kg body weight on 7th day. Administration of B(a)P increased the activities of toxicity markers such as LDH, LPO, and XO with a subsequent decrease in the activities of tissue anti‐oxidant armory (CAT, SOD, GST, GPx, GR, QR, and GSH). It also caused activation of the apoptotic and inflammatory pathway by upregulation of TNF‐α, NF‐kB, COX‐2, p53, bax, caspase‐3, and downregulating Bcl‐2. Pretreatment with MEBA at two different doses (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) significantly ameliorates B(a)P‐induced increased toxicity markers and activities of detoxifying enzymes along with the levels of glutathione content. It also significantly attenuated expression of apoptotic and inflammatory markers in the lungs. Histological results further confirmed the protective role of MEBA against B(a)P‐induced lung toxicity. The results indicate that MEBA may be beneficial in ameliorating the B(a)P‐induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the lungs of mice. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 1566–1577, 2017.