bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Iron‐Catalyzed Reductive Amination of Aldehydes in Isopropyl Alcohol/Water Media as Hydrogen Sources
Authors: Petricci Elena , Santillo Niccolò , Castagnolo Daniele , Cini Elena , Taddei Maurizio
Published: April 2018

Reductive amination can be carried in i‐PrOH/H2O as hydrogen sources using commercially available iron carbonyl complexes. Within an aqueous alkaline environment, a hydridocarboferrate is formed and its reducing potential is exploited for hydrogenation of the imine (or iminium ion) obtained in situ from aldehydes or ketones, and primary or secondary amines in almost equimolar ratio. This completely sustainable and hydrogen‐free process proceeds at 100 °C using Fe3(CO)12 as catalyst precursor under convectional heating while Fe2(CO)9 gave better results when the reaction was carried out under MW dielectric heating. Both enolizable and non‐enolizable aldehydes may be successfully employed in reactions with aliphatic and aromatic amines.

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The role of cold cues at different life stages on germination and flowering phenology
Authors: Rubin Matthew J. , Friedman Jannice
Published: April 2018

Premise of the Study

The timing of major phenological transitions is critical to lifetime fitness, and life history theory predicts differences for annual and perennial plants. To correctly time these transitions, many plants rely on environmental cues such as exposure to extended periods of cold, which may occur at different stages throughout their lifetime.

Methods

We studied the role of cold at different life stages, by jointly exposing seed (stratification) and rosettes (vernalization) to cold. We used 23 populations of Mimulus guttatus, which vary from annuals to perennials, and investigated how cold at one or both stages affected germination, flowering, growth, and biomass.

Key Results

We found that stratification and vernalization interact to affect life cycle transitions, and that cold at either stage could synchronize flowering phenology. For perennials, either stratification or vernalization is necessary for maximum flowering. We also found that germination timing covaried with later traits. Moreover, plants from environments with dissimilar climates displayed different phenological responses to stratification or vernalization.

Conclusions

In general, cold is more important for seed germination in annuals and plants from environments with warm temperatures and variable precipitation. In contrast, cold is more important for flowering in perennials: it accelerates flowering in plants from lower precipitation environments, and it increases flowering proportion in plants from cooler, more stable precipitation environments. We discuss our findings in the context of the variable environments plants experience within a population and the variation encountered across the biogeographic native range of the species.
Toxicity of the spiny thick‐foot Pachypodium
Authors: Agrawal Anurag A. , Ali Aliya , Daisy Johnson M. , Hastings Amy P. , Burge Dylan , Weber Marjorie G.
Published: April 2018

Premise of the Study

Pachypodium (Apocynaceae) is a genus of iconic stem‐succulent and poisonous plants endemic to Madagascar and southern Africa. We tested hypotheses about the mode of action and macroevolution of toxicity in this group. We further hypothesized that while monarch butterflies are highly resistant to cardenolide toxins (a type of cardiac glycoside) from American Asclepias, they may be negatively affected by Pachypodium defenses, which evolved independently.

Methods

We grew 16 of 21 known Pachypodium spp. and quantified putative cardenolides by HPLC and also by inhibition of animal Na+/K+‐ATPase (the physiological target of cardiac glycosides) using an in vitro assay. Pachypodium extracts were tested against monarch caterpillars in a feeding bioassay. We also tested four Asclepias spp. and five Pachypodium spp. extracts, contrasting inhibition of the cardenolide‐sensitive porcine Na+/K+‐ATPase to the monarch's resistant form.

Key Results

We found evidence for low cardenolides by HPLC, but substantial toxicity when extracts were assayed on Na+/K+‐ATPases. Toxicity showed phylogenetic signal, and taller species showed greater toxicity (this was marginal after phylogenetic correction). Application of Pachypodium extracts to milkweed leaves reduced monarch growth, and this was predicted by inhibition of the sensitive Na+/K+‐ATPase in phylogenetic analyses. Asclepias extracts were 100‐fold less potent against the monarch compared to the porcine Na+/K+‐ATPase, but this difference was absent for Pachypodium extracts.

Conclusions

Pachypodium contains potent toxicity capable of inhibiting sensitive and cardenolide‐adapted Na+/K+‐ATPases. Given the monarch's sensitivity to Pachypodium, we suggest that these plants contain novel cardiac glycosides or other compounds that facilitate toxicity by binding to Na+/K+‐ATPases.
Computational and Experimental Evidence of Two Competing Thermal Electrocyclization Pathways for Vinylheptafulvene
Authors: Frandsen Benjamin N. , Skov Anders B. , Cacciarini Martina , Brøndsted Nielsen Mogens , Kjaergaard Henrik G.
Published: April 2018

The thermal electrocyclic ring‐closure reaction of vinylheptafulvene (VHF) to form dihydroazulene (DHA) is elucidated herein by using DFT and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Two different transition states were found computationally; one corresponds to a disrotatory pathway, which is allowed according to the Woodward–Hoffmann selection rules, whereas the other corresponds to a conrotatory pathway. The conrotatory pathway is found to be zwitterionic in the transition state, whereas the disrotatory transition state varies in zwitterionic character depending on solvent and substituents in the molecular framework. The conrotatory and disrotatory transition states are found to have similar energy and their relative stability varies with solvent polarity and functionalization at the C1 position. To support these findings, we chemically ring‐opened diastereomerically pure 1‐(benzothiazol‐2‐yl)‐DHA to give the VHF form, then subsequently thermally reconverted the VHF to DHA in a range of solvents with various polarities. We found that, depending on solvent polarity, different ratios of anti‐ and syn‐diastereoisomers of DHA were formed in a systematic manner, which supports the existence of two distinct thermal ring‐closure pathways for VHF.
Novel Channels of the Outer Membrane of Mitochondria: Recent Discoveries Change Our View
Authors: Checchetto Vanessa , Szabo Ildiko
Published: April 2018

Ion channels mediate ion flux across biological membranes and regulate important organellar and cellular tasks. A recent study revealed the presence of four new proteins, the MIM complex (composed by Mim1 and Mim2), Ayr1, OMC7, and OMC8, that are able to form ion‐conducting channels in the outer mitochondria membrane (OMM). These findings strongly indicate that the OMM is endowed with many solute‐specific channels, in addition to porins and known channels mediating protein import into mitochondria. These solute‐specific channels provide essential pathways for the controlled transport of ions and metabolites and may thus add a further layer of specificity to the regulation of mitochondrial function at the organelle‐cytosol and/or inter‐organellar interface. Future studies will be required to fully understand the way(s) of regulation of these new channels and to integrate them into signaling pathways within the cells.
Biodegradable bioadhesive nanoparticle incorporation of broad‐spectrum organic sunscreen agents
Authors: Suh Hee‐Won , Lewis Julia , Fong Linda , Ramseier Julie Ying , Carlson Kacie , Peng Zheng‐Hong , Yin Emily Sara , Saltzman W. Mark , Girardi Michael
Published: April 2018

Conventional emulsion‐based sunscreen formulations are limited by postapplication epicutaneous penetration that increases the risk of allergic dermatitis, cellular damage, and filter photodegradation upon ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure. Encapsulation of the UVB filter padimate O within bioadhesive biodegradable nanoparticles (BNPs) composed of poly(d,l‐lactic acid)‐hyperbranched polyglycerol was previously shown to enhance UVR protection while preventing skin absorption. Herein, we assess the capacity of BNP co‐incorporation of avobenzone and octocrylene to provide broad‐spectrum UVR protection. The ratio of UV filters within nanoparticles (NPs) was optimized for filter–filter stabilization upon UV irradiation and maximum drug loading. In vitro water‐resistance test showed significant particle retention at 85% over 3 hr. In a pilot clinical study, protection against UVR‐induced erythema of BNPs was found to be comparable to the FDA standard P2. Thus, sunscreen formulations utilizing BNP incorporation of a combination of organic filters may offer key safety and performance advantages.
In pursuit of a better tool bag
Authors: Skipworth Stan
Published: April 2018

Recently, I found myself in the uneasy position of trying to complete a home repair inspite of my being completely ill‐equipped to do the job. In addition to having no tools that were truly essential for the task, I also had no ladder capable of reaching the area, nor the experience to properly deal with the problem in a manner that would make a lasting difference.
Lead culture change for a safer campus
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: April 2018

When Rhonda L. Harris was recruited to lead the public safety division at Old Dominion University in Virginia in 2012, she was brought in to be a change agent to create a positive culture change.
Simplified hybrid algorithms for pressure wire interrogation exploiting advantages of a baseline and contrast Pd/Pa ratio indexes to predict stenosis significance: Insight from the SPARE multicenter prospective study
Authors: Cerrato E. , Tomassini F. , Salinas P. , Pavani M. , Conrotto F. , Echavarria‐Pinto M. , Macaya F. , Quadri G. , D'Ascenzo F. , Quirós Alicia , Varbella F. , Escaned J.
Published: April 2018

Background

Simplification of functional stenosis assessment with pressure guidewires may facilitate adoption of physiology‐guided revascularization. An important step in this regard is the avoidance of hyperemic agents, required for fractional flow reserve (FFR) calculation. We evaluate the merits of a hybrid algorithms that combines the translesional pressure ratio (Pd/Pa) obtained at rest, after contrast medium injection (cFFR) and after adenosine administration (FFR).

Methods and Results

Eighty‐six patients with 108 de novo intermediate coronary stenoses were included in this prospective, multicenter study. Using prespecified cut‐off values that correctly identified stenosis with a 95% of agreement (<0.89 and >0.96 for Pd/Pa; <0.84 and > 0.87 for cFFR) we tested the efficiency of three different multi‐step strategies combining the three indices to classify stenosis severity, using FFR‐only measurement as reference. All three different hybrid algorithms (Pd/Pa‐FFR; cFFR‐FFR; Pd/Pa‐cFFR‐FFR) have more than 95% of agreement with FFR. Yet, the novel Pd/Pa‐cFFR‐FFR hybrid strategy demonstrated the best performance, avoiding the need of adenosine and medium contrast in 90% and 48% of cases, respectively.

Conclusions

A hybrid Pd/Pa‐cFFR‐FFR decision‐making algorithm could be an alternative and valuable strategy to increase the adoption of a physiology‐guided PCI using conventional pressure guidewires and consoles.
Experiments and Simulations for Horizontal Pneumatic Transport of Dry Drill Cuttings
Authors: Malagalage Anjana , Ariyaratne W. K. Hiromi , Ratnayake Chandana , Melaaen Morten C.
Published: April 2018

Investigation of the possibility of using a pneumatic conveying technique for the transportation of dry drill cuttings is the main objective of this study. Both pilot‐scale experimental and simulation approaches were carried out for sand, which was used as a model material that mimics the properties of dry drill cuttings. Simulations based on the multiphase particle‐in‐cell method, which is a Eulerian‐Lagrangian model, were used to predict the pressure drop, and the predictions are in good agreement with the experimental results. Both approaches supported the possibility of using a pneumatic conveying technique for the transportation of dry drill cuttings under the tested conditions. The study provides the foundation for further analysis of the pneumatic conveyance of wet drill cuttings.
Development and Application of Asymmetric Organocatalytic Mukaiyama and Vinylogous Mukaiyama‐Type Reactions
Authors: Frías María , Cieślik Wioleta , Fraile Alberto , Rosado‐Abón Anielka , Garrido‐Castro Alberto F. , Yuste Francisco , Alemán José
Published: April 2018

Organocatalysis is a growing area that is benefiting from advances in many fields. Its implementation has begun in areas such as supramolecular chemistry, organic chemistry and natural product synthesis. While a considerable number of important publications in the field of organocatalytic Mukaiyama‐type additions have been reported, they are yet to be fully covered in a review. Therefore, we would like to highlight the applications of various kinds of organocatalysts in Mukaiyama‐type reactions, while also including the vinylogous Mukaiyama variation. Herein we describe and discuss the development and current state of the art of the organocatalytic Mukaiyama reaction, vinylogous Mukaiyama and related reactions.
Axonal neurofilaments exhibit frequent and complex folding behaviors
Authors: Fenn J. Daniel , Monsma Paula C. , Brown Anthony
Published: April 2018

Neurofilaments are flexible cytoskeletal polymers that are capable of folding and unfolding between their bouts of bidirectional movement along axons. Here we present a detailed characterization of this behavior in cultured neurons using kymograph analysis with approximately 30 ms temporal resolution. We analyzed 781 filaments ranging from 0.6‐42 µm in length. We observed complex behaviors including pinch folds, hairpin folds, orientation changes (flips), and occasional severing and annealing events. On average, the filaments spent approximately 40% of their time in some sort of folded configuration. A small proportion of filaments (4%) moved while folded, but most (96%) moved in an outstretched configuration. Collectively, our observations suggest that motors may interact with neurofilaments at multiple points along their length, but preferentially at their ends. In addition, the prevalence of neurofilament folding and the tendency of neurofilaments to straighten out when they move, suggest that an important function of the movement of these polymers in axons may be to maintain them in an outstretched and longitudinally co‐aligned configuration. Thus, neurofilament movement may function as much to organize these polymers as to move them, and this could explain why they spend so much time engaged in apparently unproductive bidirectional movement.
Opening Furan for Tailoring Properties of Bio‐based Poly(Furfuryl Alcohol) Thermoset
Authors: Falco Guillaume , Guigo Nathanael , Vincent Luc , Sbirrazzuoli Nicolas
Published: April 2018

This work shows how furan ring‐opening reactions were controlled by polymerization conditions to tune the cross‐link density in bio‐based poly(furfuryl alcohol) (PFA). The influence of water and isopropyl alcohol (IPA) on the polymerization of furfuryl alcohol, and particularly on furan ring‐opening, was investigated by means of13C NMR and FT–IR spectroscopy. Results indicated that formation of open structures were favored in the presence of solvents, thus leading to modification of the thermo‐mechanical properties compared to PFA cross‐linked without solvent. Dynamic mechanical analyses showed that when slightly more open structures were present in PFA it resulted in an important decrease of the cross‐link density. Despite lower glass‐transition temperature and lower elastic modulus for PFA polymerized with solvent, the thermal stability remains very high (>350 °C) even with more open structures in PFA.
Label‐free Electrochemical Aptasensor for Jurkat Cells Detection as a Potential Diagnostic Tool for Leukemia
Authors: Bábelová Lenka , Sohová Marianna Eliášová , Poturnayová Alexandra , Buríková Monika , Bizík Jozef , Hianik Tibor
Published: April 2018

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and thickness shear mode acoustic method (TSM) have been used for development of the aptamer‐based biosensor for detection leukemic Jurkat cells. Thiolated DNA aptamers specific to the cancer marker protein tyrosine kinase‐7 (PTK7) have been chemisorbed on a gold surface. Redox probe [Fe(CN)6]3−/4− has been used for monitoring changes in charge transfer resistance, Rct, in EIS experiments. Rct increased with increasing the concentration of Jurkat cells. TSM allowed label‐free detection based on decrease of resonant frequency following addition of the cells. We obtained high sensitivity of Jurkat cells determination with limit of detection (LOD) 105±10 and 463±50 cells/mL for electrochemical and acoustic sensor, respectively. Small non‐specific interactions have been observed for control U266 cells which can be particularly due to the interaction of the aptamers with lipid part of the biomembranes.
Biophysical measurement of red blood cells by laboratory on print circuit board chip
Authors: Zhao Ying , Zhang Wengeng
Published: April 2018

Microfluidic impedance pulse sensor has emerged as an easily handled and low‐cost platform in the electrical analysis of biological cells. In the conventional method, impedance sensor demanded expensive patterning metal electrodes on the substrate, which are directly in touch with electrolytes in order to measure the microfluidic channel impedance change. In this article, a cost‐effective microfluidic impedance sensor built upon a dielectric film coated printed circuit board is introduced. Impedance electrodes are protected by a dielectric film layer from electrochemical erosion between electrodes and electrolyte. Human red blood cells from adult and neonatal were utilized to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed device in the electroanalysis of biological cells.
Combined optimization of N‐terminal site‐specific PEGylation of recombinant hirudin using response surface methodology and kinetic analysis
Authors: Wang Xudong , Wang Shuchang , Pan Duotao , Qin Kairong , Yuan Hengli , Zhang Fengying , Sun Yundong , Xiu Zhilong
Published: April 2018

In this study, a combined optimization method was developed to optimize the N‐terminal site‐specific PEGylation of recombinant hirudin variant‐2 (HV2) with different molecular weight mPEG‐propionaldehyde (mPEG‐ALD), which is a multifactor‐influencing process. The HV2‐PEGylation with 5 kDa mPEG‐ALD was first chosen to screen significant factors and determine the locally optimized conditions for maximizing the yield of mono‐PEGylated product using combined statistical methods, including the Plackett–Burman design, steepest ascent path analysis, and central composition design for the response surface methodology (RSM). Under the locally optimized conditions, PEGylation kinetics of HV2 with 5, 10, and 20 kDa mPEG‐ALD were further investigated. The molar ratio of polyethylene glycol to HV2 and reaction time (the two most significant factors influencing the PEGylation efficiency) were globally optimized in a wide range using kinetic analysis. The data predicted by the combined optimization method using RSM and kinetic analysis were in good agreement with the corresponding experiment data. PEGylation site analysis revealed that almost 100% of the obtained mono‐PEGylated‐HV2 was modified at the N‐terminus of HV2. This study demonstrated that the developed method is a useful tool for the optimization of the N‐terminal site‐specific PEGylation process to obtain a homogeneous mono‐PEGylated protein with desirable yield.
Retain adult learners with structure, personalized approach
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: April 2018

What factors contribute to persistence in an online, noncredit, rolling‐admission program? J. David Tate explained what strategies work for the Certificate of Christian Foundation program at Baylor University's George W. Truett Theological Seminary at a session at the Online Learning Consortium Accelerate conference.
Den Weltenwandel gestalten
Authors: Strohschneider Peter
Published: April 2018

Digitalisierung und Digitalität verändern die Welt und verändern die Wissenschaften – mit unabsehbaren Erkenntnischancen, aber auch enormen Herausforderungen. Ihnen muss sich nicht zuletzt die wissenschaftsgeleitete Forschungsförderung stellen.
Blick in den viralen Baukasten
Authors: Willbold Dieter , Hoffmann Silke
Published: April 2018

Anhand der HIV‐Infektion wollen Strukturbiologen die Wechselbeziehungen zwischen dem krank machenden Virus und seinem Wirt besser verstehen. Ergeben sich daraus neue therapeutische Ansätze? In jedem Fall Einsichten in grundlegende Zellmechanismen.
Biochemical and biophysical studies of Helicobacter pylori arginine decarboxylase, an enzyme important for acid adaptation in host
Authors: Alam Mashkoor , Srivastava Abhishek , Dutta Ankita , Sau Apurba Kumar
Published: April 2018

Despite importance of arginine decarboxylase (ADC: EC 4.1.1.19) of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) 26695 pathogenic strain for acid adaptation in host, the enzyme has not yet been studied at a molecular level. Using combined approaches that include kinetic assays, site‐directed mutagenesis, circular dichroism, heat‐induced denaturation, analytical gel‐filtration, and homology modeling, we report here a detailed investigation of H. pylori ADC. The pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate (PLP)‐dependent enzyme exhibits higher catalytic activity in the presence of Mg2+ ions at pH ∼8.5. Unlike other bacterial ADCs, this homolog exists as a hexamer. The higher thermal stability (Tm ∼65.8 ± 0.2 °C) of the enzyme observed from the heat‐induced circular dichroism measurements indicates its secondary structural stabilization in the presence of PLP. The kinetic parameters Km and kcat of the enzyme are determined to be 3.4 ± 0.2 mM and 55.2 ± 1.0 min−1, respectively. We elucidate that Cys487, a conserved residue located at the active‐site, is involved in the catalysis, whose pKa value was estimated to be ∼7.2. The homology model of the protein show conserved α/β TIM barrel and β‐sandwich domains, which are characteristic features of fold III decarboxylases. A lower sequence identity (∼21%) of this enzyme compared with its human counterpart has enabled us to screen putative inhibitors of H. pylori ADC. We found that α‐difluoromethylarginine inhibits the activity of the H. pylori enzyme competitively with a Ki value ∼118 µM and thus it can serve as a basis to design inhibitors with higher efficacy against this ADC. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(7):658–669, 2018
Telehealth and in‐person training outcomes for novice discrete trial training therapists
Authors: Sump Layla A. , Richman David M. , Schaefer Anna Marie , Grubb Laura M. , Brewer Adam T.
Published: April 2018

The efficacy and efficiency of telehealth and in‐person training were compared while teaching seven undergraduate students to implement components of discrete trial training. A multiple‐baseline design across skills with elements of multiple probe and delayed multiple baseline combined with an alternating‐treatments design was used to evaluate the effects of behavioral skills training (BST) on (a) implementing a multiple stimulus without replacement preference assessment, (b) setting up an instructional context, (c) delivering antecedent prompts, and (d) delivering consequences for accurate and inaccurate responding. Two skills were trained via telehealth and two skills were trained in‐person using BST procedures with a mock student. All participants provided high acceptability ratings for both training procedures. Results also showed that telehealth training was as efficacious and efficient as in‐person training for all skills across all participants. Five of six participants showed high levels of maintenance of the newly acquired skills; these five also exhibited the skills during a novel instructional task.
Functional analysis screening for multiple topographies of problem behavior
Authors: Bell Marlesha C. , Fahmie Tara A.
Published: April 2018

The current study evaluated a screening procedure for multiple topographies of problem behavior in the context of an ongoing functional analysis. Experimenters analyzed the function of a topography of primary concern while collecting data on topographies of secondary concern. We used visual analysis to predict the function of secondary topographies and a subsequent functional analysis to test those predictions. Results showed that a general function was accurately predicted for five of six (83%) secondary topographies. A specific function was predicted and supported for a subset of these topographies. The experimenters discuss the implication of these results for clinicians who have limited time for functional assessment.
Biological effects of Ni(II) on monocytes and macrophages in normal and hyperglycemic environments
Authors: Chana Monica , Lewis Jill B. , Davis Ryan , Elam Yolanda , Hobbs David , Lockwood Petra E. , Wataha John C. , Messer Regina L.
Published: April 2018

Corrosion and release of nickel ions from biomedical alloys are well documented, but little is still known about the effects of released nickel ions on cellular function with recurrent inflammatory challenges. Evidence suggests Ni(II) ions amplify LPS‐induced secretion of several pro‐inflammatory cytokines from monocytes. Exacerbating the inflammatory response, hyperglycemic conditions also affect monocytic function. This study investigated how Ni(II) and hyperglycemic conditions, both singly and in combination, alter monocyte proliferation, mitochondrial activity, inflammatory responses, and differentiation. Results showed that Ni(II) did not affect proliferation, but decreased mitochondrial activity in monocytic‐cells and macrophages under normal conditions. However, hyperglycemic conditions negated the toxicity seen with Ni(II) exposure. Cytokine secretion in response to LPS was variable, with little effect on IL6 secretion, but significantly increased secretion of IL1β at intermediate Ni(II) concentrations. Hyperglycemic conditions did not alter these results significantly. Finally, exposure to eluants from nickel‐based commercial alloys caused enhanced IL1β secretion from PMA‐treated cells. These data suggest that corrosion products from nickel‐containing dental alloys increased Ni(II)‐induced changes in cytokine secretion by monocytes and macrophages. By better defining the effects of Ni(II) at these lower, biomedically relevant concentrations, we improve understanding of the biomedical alloy risk in the context of dental inflammation. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A:2433–2439, 2018.
Leveraging Employee Expense Data to Drive Sales Revenue: How the Integration of T&E and CRM Solutions Can Be Used to Improve Sales Team Efficiencies
Authors: Wheatcroft Tim
Published: April 2018

Travel and entertainment (T&E) is often the largest single controllable cost for businesses, and can reach 10% to 12% of all spend. New approaches for integrating and visualizing T&E spend versus revenue generated can allow organizations to deploy travel budgets more effectively, in order to drive increased revenues. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Daunting Role of the Audit Committee: 21 Actions to Take Before Serving or While Serving on an Audit Committee
Authors: Benson Sandy , Burton Eric James
Published: April 2018

Few responsibilities in corporate governance may look more daunting at this moment than that of service on the audit committee of a public company. But perhaps no form of governance service is more important or valuable (Lipton et al., 2008). © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Two‐Step Fraud Defense System: Prevention and Detection
Authors: Ann Riney Felicia
Published: April 2018

In today's local and global economy, similarities exist among companies in the types of fraud documented, lack of internal controls, and weak authorizing hierarchy that lead to the increase of fraudulent acts and the decrease of revenue. Since similarities exist, standard practices such as a combination of prevention and detection tools, will minimize the risks associated with fraud and make vulnerable organizational structures stronger and resistant to fraud tactics. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on Accounting for Deferred Income Taxes
Authors: Oxner Karen M. , Oxner Thomas H. , Phillips Ashley D.
Published: April 2018

The recently enacted Tax Cuts and Jobs Act lowers significantly the corporate tax rate, among other provisions. Accounting for deferred tax assets and liabilities requires that effects of a tax rate change on existing deferred tax assets and liabilities be brought into income in the period of enactment. This article provides an overview of tax accounting for financial reporting, as well as analysis of the existing net deferred tax position of the 30 Dow Jones Industrial Average companies for 2016. The impact of the reduced tax rate on both the balance sheet and income statement are estimated in the article. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The action of the etale fundamental group scheme on the connected component of the essentially finite one
Authors: Hai Phùng Hô , dos Santos João Pedro P.
Published: April 2018

We follow the pattern in [14, Section 4] to define an action of the etale fundamental group scheme on the local component of the essentially finite fundamental group scheme of Nori. We show that the associated representation is faithful when X is a curve of genus ⩾2.
Impact of relational benefits on trust in the Asian context: Alternative model testing with satisfaction as a mediator and relationship age as a moderator
Authors: Fatima Johra Kayeser , Mascio Rita Di , Johns Raechel
Published: April 2018

Although it is an established phenomenon in the literature that relational benefits have many positive outcomes, the comparative effect of each type of benefit on different types of trust when customer satisfaction is the mediator, in particular in the Asian context, remains unexplored in the services literature. Therefore, this study, using several alternative models, aims to identify the impacts of confidence benefit, social benefit, and specific treatment benefit on competence, contractual, and goodwill trust, along with an investigation of the mediation impact of customer satisfaction. The study also explores the moderation impact of relationship age on the relational benefits–customer satisfaction relationship. The study's findings from partial least squares‐based structural equation modeling analysis confirmed that ensuring confidence benefit produces a higher level of competence trust and contractual trust in comparison to that achieved by social benefit and special treatment benefit, whereas the latter two types of benefit are crucial for developing goodwill trust. Although customer satisfaction was found to be a significant mediator between relational benefits and the three dimensions of trust, the moderation effect of relationship age was not significant in any model. The study's managerial and theoretical implications are presented in the final section of the paper.
Clothes, condoms, and customer satisfaction: The effect of employee mere presence on customer satisfaction depends on the shopping situation
Authors: Otterbring Tobias , Lu Chaoren
Published: April 2018

Few studies have examined how customers respond to the mere presence of others in the shopping environment, and only one article (Söderlund, ) has investigated the unique impact that employee presence has on key customer outcomes. Söderlund () found that customers entering a store with an employee present (vs. absent) reported significantly higher levels of customer satisfaction, with their increased levels of pleasurable feelings mediating this effect. However, similar to the majority of theorizing on customer satisfaction, that article was restricted to data collected in a Western society. Given the rapid economic growth in many Asian regions, there is a need to examine the applicability of such Western‐based findings from an Asian perspective, and hence include participants from Eastern societies. Accordingly, the present research investigated whether Söderlund's () results could be replicated among Asian customers. The current work also sought to extend prior findings beyond pleasure and customer satisfaction while simultaneously documenting a boundary condition for the hitherto positive employee mere presence effects. To this end, two between‐subjects experiments with a total sample of 498 Chinese customers were conducted. Study 1, which involved a shopping situation in a clothing store, replicated Söderlund's () main results and further found that employee mere presence (vs. absence) had a significant positive impact on customers’ loyalty intentions. These results were reversed in Study 2, in which the shopping situation involved the purchase of an embarrassing product. Under such circumstances, employee presence (vs. absence) consistently produced negative effects on customers’ levels of pleasure, satisfaction, and loyalty intentions.
Efficient Charge Transport in Disordered Conjugated Polymer Microstructures
Authors: Noriega Rodrigo
Published: April 2018

A new class of conjugated polymers with high charge mobilities exhibits the apparently conflicting morphological features of increased order at the molecular scale while lacking long‐range order and crystallinity. To exploit their unique properties, mechanistic insights for charge transport events taking place from the molecular to the device scale must be uncovered. Thus, a central contributor to the continued progress in conjugated optoelectronic materials will be the development of advanced characterization tools, particularly those targeted to measuring the charge‐transfer processes in heterogeneous, anisotropic, and hierarchically structured materials. This feature article describes the morphological properties that make partially ordered polymers an intriguing materials system to explore connections between chemical identity, solid‐phase microstructure, and hierarchical charge transport. To this end, recent directions in materials development and new opportunities for characterization are discussed.
Recent Advances in Cyclodextrin‐Based Light‐Responsive Supramolecular Systems
Authors: Zhang Xiaojin , Ma Xin , Wang Kang , Lin Shijun , Zhu Shitai , Dai Yu , Xia Fan
Published: April 2018

Cyclodextrins (CDs), one of the host molecules in supramolecular chemistry, can host guest molecules to form inclusion complexes via non‐covalent and reversible host‐guest interactions. CD‐based light‐responsive supramolecular systems are typically constructed using CDs and guest molecules with light‐responsive moieties, including azobenzene, arylazopyrazole, o‐nitrobenzyl ester, pyrenylmethyl ester, coumarin, and anthracene. To date, numerous efforts have been reported on the topic of CD‐based light‐responsive supramolecular systems, but these have not yet been highlighted in a separated review. This review summarizes the efforts reported over the past ten years. The main text of this review is divided into five sections (vesicles, micelles, gels, capturers, and nanovalves) according to the formation of self‐assemblies. This feature article aims to afford a comprehensive understanding of the light‐responsive moieties used in the construction of CD‐based light‐responsive supramolecular systems and to provide a helpful guide for the further design of CD‐based light‐responsive supramolecular systems.
Multiple Machine Learning Based‐Chemoinformatics Models for Identification of Histone Acetyl Transferase Inhibitors
Authors: Krishna Shagun , Kumar Sushil , Singh Deependra Kumar , Lakra Amar Deep , Banerjee Dibyendu , Siddiqi Mohammad Imran
Published: April 2018

The histone acetyl transferase (HAT) are involved in acetylation of histones that lead to transcription activation in numerous gene regulatory mechanisms. There are very few GCN5 HAT inhibitors reported despite of their role in cancer progression. In this study, we have utilized in‐silico virtual screening approaches based on various machine learning algorithm to identify potent inhibitors of GCN5 HAT from commercially available Maybridge library. We have generated predictive chemoinformatics models based on k‐Nearest neighbour, naïve Bayesian, Random Forest and Support Vector Machine. Based on statistical parameters, the RF and SVM models have shown comparative performance. Therefore, we performed the virtual screening with these two models and the consensus hits were selected for further evaluation using molecular docking into the active site of GCN‐5 HAT. Finally, a set of 10 molecules were selected and subjected to biological evaluation. Subsequently, inhibition of acetylation shown by three out of the ten molecules in the in‐vitro experiments validated their utility as potential HAT inhibitors. Furthermore, the selected hits have also shown weak cell growth decrease in MCF‐7 cancer cell lines, which suggests that after subsequent structural optimization the identified molecules may further be explored for the development of anti‐cancer agents.
Diagnosis and management of the epilepsies in children
Authors: Prager Christine , Cross J Helen
Published: April 2018

There are many different types of epilepsy that can occur in childhood, therefore identification and management can be complex. Here, the authors discuss the diagnosis of epilepsy in children, choice of antiepileptic drug treatments and their adverse effects, and non‐pharmacological treatment options.
Infanrix hexa: a hexavalent vaccine for infant immunisation
Authors: Chaplin Steve
Published: April 2018

The hexavalent vaccine Infanrix hexa, which protects against hepatitis B in addition to diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis and Haemophilus influenzae type b, was introduced to the UK routine infant immunisation schedule in Autumn 2017. This article summarises its efficacy and adverse effects, with an overview of the new immunisation schedule.
Upscaled Synthesis of n‐ and p‐Type Thermoelectric Skutterudite Single Legs by Gas Atomization and Current‐Assisted Sintering
Authors: Stiewe Christian , Sottong Reinhard , de Boor Johannes , Müller Eckhard
Published: April 2018

CoSb3‐based Skutterudites are among the best materials for thermoelectric generator (TEG) applications in the intermediate temperature range up to 500 °C. Synthesis of these materials is usually performed on a laboratory scale in materials research. In order to be suitable for an industrial low cost production of TEG technologies capable of delivering large amounts of thermoelectric (TE) materials are needed. A process mastering this challenge is gas atomization, which has been adapted to the requirements of TE materials, in particular CoSb3‐based Skutterudites .It is found that despite rapid solidification taking place in the atomization process the produced powder material contains only traces of the target Skutterudite phase. Microstructure investigation shows a very fine dispersion on the micrometer scale of CoSb, CoSb2, and Sb phases in the atomized particles, making diffusion paths for the formation of the Skutterudite phase short. This allows the use of short‐term heat treatment to achieve almost single phase material of high functional homogeneity. Different thermal post‐treatments are evaluated leading to a content of >98% of the Skutterudite phase in large ingots. Doping and filling by varying the starting composition is applied to tune the materials to n‐ and p‐type conduction, respectively, and led to an increase of their thermoelectric figure of merit ZT up to values of 0.9 and 0.72 for n‐ and p‐type material, respectively.
Site‐Specific Surface Functionalization via Microchannel Cantilever Spotting (µCS): Comparison between Azide–Alkyne and Thiol–Alkyne Click Chemistry Reactions
Authors: Dadfar Seyed Mohammad Mahdi , Sekula‐Neuner Sylwia , Bog Uwe , Trouillet Vanessa , Hirtz Michael
Published: April 2018

Different types of click chemistry reactions are proposed and used for the functionalization of surfaces and materials, and covalent attachment of organic molecules. In the present work, two different catalyst‐free click approaches, namely azide–alkyne and thiol–alkyne click chemistry are studied and compared for the immobilization of microarrays of azide or thiol inks on functionalized glass surfaces. For this purpose, the surface of glass is first functionalized with dibenzocyclooctyne‐acid (DBCO‐acid), a cyclooctyne with a carboxyl group. Then, the DBCO‐terminated surfaces are functionalized via microchannel cantilever spotting with different fluorescent and nonfluorescent azide and thiol inks. Although both routes work reliably for surface functionalization, the protein binding experiments reveal that using a thiol–alkyne route will obtain the highest surface density of molecular immobilization in such spotting approaches. The obtained achievements and results from this work can be used for design and manufacturing of microscale patterns suitable for biomedical and biological applications.
Co3O4 Nanosheets as Active Material for Hybrid Zn Batteries
Authors: Tan Peng , Chen Bin , Xu Haoran , Cai Weizi , He Wei , Liu Meilin , Shao Zongping , Ni Meng
Published: April 2018

The rapid development of electric vehicles and modern personal electronic devices is severely hindered by the limited energy and power density of the existing power sources. Here a novel hybrid Zn battery is reported which is composed of a nanostructured transition metal oxide‐based positive electrode (i.e., Co3O4 nanosheets grown on carbon cloth) and a Zn foil negative electrode in an aqueous alkaline electrolyte. The hybrid battery configuration successfully combines the unique advantages of a Zn–Co3O4 battery and a Zn–air battery, achieving a high voltage of 1.85 V in the Zn–Co3O4 battery region and a high capacity of 792 mAh gZn−1. In addition, the battery shows high stability while maintaining high energy efficiency (higher than 70%) for over 200 cycles and high rate capabilities. Furthermore, the high flexibility of the carbon cloth substrate allows the construction of a flexible battery with a gel electrolyte, demonstrating not only good rechargeability and stability, but also reasonable mechanical deformation without noticeable degradation in performance. This work also provides an inspiring example for further explorations of high‐performance hybrid and flexible battery systems.
Synergistic potential of fenvalerate and triadimefon on endocrine disruption and oxidative stress during rare minnow embryo development
Authors: Wu Shenggan , Hu Gaojie , Zhao Xueping , Wang Qiang , Jiang Jinhua
Published: April 2018

Pyrethroids have been reported to interact synergistically when co‐exposed with azoles fungicides in different organisms. In the present study, we investigated the mixture toxicity of fenvalerate (FEN) and triadimefon (TDF) toward embryos of Gobiocypris rarus after 96 h exposure. Results demonstrated that TDF enhanced the acute toxicity of FEN. Exposure to binary mixtures of FEN and TDF resulted in synergistic responses of endocrine disruption by inducing the transcripts of several genes including vtg, erα, erβ1, erβ2, cyp19a, cyp1a, cyp4, cyp11a, gnrh3, gnrhr1a, star, and dmrt1. Furthermore, FEN and TDF mixture increased the VTG level and aromatase activity in rare minnow embryos. FEN and TDF co‐exposure also regulated the mRNA of vezf, hsp70, p53, gadd45α, induced the synthesis of ROS and activity of GST, suggesting the synergistic potential of oxidative stress induced by FEN and TDF co‐exposure. The results indicated that binary mixtures of FEN and TDF could simultaneously induce endocrine disruption and oxidative stress in a synergistic manner during rare minnow embryo development.
EPA proposes TSCA user fees
Authors: Bergeson Lynn L.
Published: April 2018

We all knew it was coming, and the proposal has finally arrived. On February 8, 2018, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt signed a proposed rule regarding user fees for the administration of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). As amended by the Frank Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, TSCA provides the EPA the authority to levy fees on certain chemical manufacturers, including importers and processors, to “provide a sustainable source of funding to defray resources that are available for implementation of new responsibilities under the amended law” (EPA, 2018a, p. 1). The EPA states in its press release that these fees:

would go toward developing risk evaluations for existing chemicals; collecting and reviewing toxicity and exposure data and other information; reviewing Confidential Business Information (CBI); and, making determinations in a timely and transparent manner with respect to the safety of new chemicals before they enter the marketplace. (EPA, , p. 1)

This column summarizes the proposal and explains why it is significant.
A simple recipe for estimating atmospheric stability solely based on surface‐layer wind speed profile
Authors: Basu Sukanta
Published: April 2018

The wind energy community is gradually recognizing the significance of atmospheric stability in both power production and structural loading. However, estimating stability requires temperature gradient data which are not commonly measured by the wind farm developers or operators. To circumvent this problem, we propose a simple approach á la Swinbank, to estimate stability from only 3 levels of wind speed measurements. As such, this approach is ideally suited for sodar‐ and lidar‐based wind measurements owing to their high vertical resolution in the surface layer.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Physicochemical Properties of Hydrophobic Pyridinium‐based Ionic Liquids with N‐Propyl and N‐Isopropyl
Authors: Matandabuzo Mzukisi , Ajibade Peter A.
Published: April 2018

Synthesis and physicochemical properties of four pyridinium‐based ionic liquids (ILs), N‐propylpyridinium bromide [N‐propylPyr]+[Br]–, N‐isopropylpyridinium bromide [N‐isopropylPyr]+[Br]–, N‐propylpyridinium hexafluorophosphate [N‐propylPyr]+[PF6]–, and N‐isopropylpyridinium hexafluorophosphate [N‐isopropylPyr]+[PF6]– are reported. The molecular structures of these compounds were characterized by FT‐IR, 1H, 19F, and 31P NMR, spectroscopy. The thermal properties, conductivity, and solubility of these ionic liquids were also investigated. The effects of propyl and isopropyl alkyl lateral chain at the N‐position of pyridinium cation on the thermal stability, conductivity, and solubility of ionic liquids are discussed. The results obtained confirmed that the ionic liquids based on pyridinium cations exhibit higher decomposition temperature, low melting points, immiscible with water, and their conductivities are mainly influenced by mobility of ions.