How cinchona alkaloid-derived primary amines control asymmetric electrophilic fluorination of cyclic ketones.

The origin of selectivity in the α-fluorination of cyclic ketones catalyzed by cinchona alkaloid-derived primary amines is determined with density functional calculations. The chair preference of a seven-membered ring at the fluorine transfer transition state is key in determining the sense and level of enantiofacial selectivity

Value Relevance of Financial and Non-Financial Information: Evidence from the Gaming Industry

Using financial and non-financial data from casino gaming firms listed in the United States from 1999–2017, we explore two research questions: (1) Is financial information value relevant to financial markets in the casino gaming industry? (2) Does non-financial information have incremental explanatory power over financial information? In general, we find that accounting numbers can explain a firm’s market value and stock returns in the casino gaming industry, except for accounting accruals, which may behave differently compared to other industries. We also find that non-financial information, such as the number of table games, number of slot machines, and their relative proportion, have significant value relevance in explaining market valuation. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the value relevance of financial and non-financial information in the casino gaming industry. We also provide analysis of firms characterized by these non-financial attributes. Keywords: hospitality, casino, gaming, value relevance, table games, slot machines JEL Code: L83, M19, M4

Biocompatibility of degradable biomaterials:a study on the factors determining the inflammatory response against degradable polymers

The study reported in this thesis was undertaken to obtain more insight in the role of various factors determining the outcome of the interaction between biodegradable polymers and the host in which they are implanted. In the end, the outcome of this interaction determines the success or failure of the implant. Up till now, bioresorbable polymers, such as poly(L-lactide) and poly(g1ycolide) are mostly applied in suture material. However, much research is conducted for other clinical applications. E.g. artificial skin, meniscus prosthesis, abdominal wall prosthesis, nerve guides, bone plates for repairing fractures, small calibre vascular prosthesis, parodontal filters and drug delivery systems. There are many reasons for choosing a bioresorbable material. However, most of them can ultimately be derived from the adage of causing minimal damage to the host. Thus, no foreign material must be left in the host when a biomaterial has performed its function. This goes for drug delivery systems, as well as for those applications in which the function(s) of an organ or tissue is temporarily replaced by a biomaterial or a device made from biomaterials. Only a few of the vast array of polymers applied nowadays are bioresorbable and thus biodegradable

Lateral Deflections and Stress Analysis of Plate Girder Webs Subjected to Horizontal Loads

In a routine design of a plate girder bridge, the structural engineer is mainly concerned with the gross area of the flange due to bending and the gross area of the web due to shear. The web deflections and stresses due to horizontal loads resulting from the bracket during construction are not considered. The object of this thesis is to establish a mathematical solution which permits the prediction of structural behavior of the web for lateral loads. The web deflection and stress which occur as a result of using temporary construction brackets are primarily studied. In this investigation, a partial differential equation is to be derived in term of web deflection. Such a differential equation can be solved for any assumed boundary conditions. It would be rather difficult to obtain a solution for the differential equation in closed form, if not impossible. In such cases, resort to an approximate solution is inevitable. The finite differences method was chosen in this study for its simplicity and adaptability to electronic digital computers. Computer output will be arranged and tabulated for the purpose of comparison between analytical and experimental results

Boron carboxylate catalysis of homoallylboration.

Boron tris(trifluoroacetate) is identified as the first effective catalyst for the homoallyl- and homocrotylboration of aldehydes by cyclopropylcarbinylboronates. NMR spectroscopic studies and theoretical calculations of key intermediates and transition states both suggest that a ligand-exchange mechanism, akin to our previously reported PhBCl2-promoted homoallylations, is operative. Our experimental and theoretical results also suggest that the catalytic activity of boron tris(trifluoroacetate) might originate from more facile catalytic turnover of the trifluoroacetate ligands (in agreement with DFT calculations) or from a lower propensity for formation of off-pathway reservoir intermediates (as observed by (1)H NMR). This work shows that carboxylates are viable catalytic ligands for homoallyl- and homocrotylations of carbonyl compounds and opens the door to the development of catalytic asymmetric versions of this transformation