Understanding informal financing Allen, Franklin; Qian, Meijun; Xie, Jing
Journal of financial intermediation,
July 2019, 2019-07-00, Letnik:
39
Journal Article
Recenzirano
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This paper offers a framework to understand informal financing based on mechanisms to deal with asymmetric information and enforcement. We find that constructive informal financing such as trade ...credits and family borrowing that relies on information advantages or an altruistic relationship is associated with good firm performance. Underground financing such as money lenders who use violence for enforcement is not. Constructive informal financing is prevalent in regions where access to bank loans is extensive, while its role in supporting firm growth decreases with bank loan availability. International comparisons show that China is not an outlier but rather average in using informal financing.
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been confirmed to be strongly associated with the progression of various types of cancer. LncRNA LINC01234 (LINC01234) is a newly identified tumor‐related lncRNA ...whose upregulation has been confirmed in some tumors. However, its potential expressions and possible functions in non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have not been explored. In this study, we first found that LINC01234 expressions were distinctly upregulated in both NSCLC samples and cell lines using RT‐PCR. Our group also showed that LINC01234 upregulations were modulated by nuclear transcription factor SP1. The results form clinical investigations indicated that high LINC01234 expressions were associated with positively lymph node metastasis and advanced tumor‐metastasis‐node (TMN) stage. Kaplan‐Meier assays indicated that patients with NSCLC having high LINC01234 expressions tend to have unfavorable clinical prognosis. Using multivariate assays, it was confirmed that LINC01234 was an independent prognostic factor for patients with NSCLC. In vitro assays showed that inhibition of LINC01234 suppressed NSCLC cell proliferation, cell colony formation and metastasis, and greatly promoted apoptosis. Mechanistic investigations revealed LINC01234 promotes the progression of NSCLC cells by the modulation of miR‐140 to positively regulate OTUB1 expression. Taken together our findings, they provided an exhaustive assay of LINC01234 in NSCLC and imperative clues for insights into the potential effects of lncRNAs‐miRNAs regulatory network in NSCLC.
We first reported that LINC01234 upregulations induced by SP1 promtoed the progression of lung non‐small‐cell lung cancer by via regulating OTUB1.
Porous materials that can undergo pore‐structure adjustment to better accommodate specific molecules are ideal for separation and purification. Here, we report a stable microporous metal‐organic ...framework, JNU‐1, featuring one‐dimensional diamond‐shaped channels with a high density of open metal sites arranged on the surface for the cooperative binding of acetylene. Together with its framework flexibility and appropriate pore geometry, JNU‐1 exhibits an induced‐fit behavior for acetylene. The specific binding sites and continuous framework adaptation upon increased acetylene pressure are validated by molecular modeling and in situ X‐ray diffraction study. This unique induced‐fit behavior endows JNU‐1 with an unprecedented increase in the acetylene binding affinity (adsorption enthalpy: up to 47.6 kJ mol−1 at ca. 2.0 mmol g−1 loading).
Tailored pores: A flexible microporous metal‐organic framework (MOF) physisorbent, JNU‐1, exhibits an induced‐fit behavior for acetylene. This unique behavior endows JNU‐1 with an unprecedented increase in the acetylene binding affinity (adsorption enthalpy: up to 47.6 kJ mol−1 at ca. 2.0 mmol g−1 loading), which enables a remarkable selectivity towards acetylene over other gas molecules including carbon dioxide.
Rigid molecular sieving materials work well for small molecules with the complete exclusion of large ones
, and molecules with matching physiochemical properties may be separated using dynamic ...molecular sieving materials
. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)
are known for their precise control of structures and functions on a molecular level
. However, the rational design of local flexibility in the MOF framework for dynamic molecular sieving remains difficult and challenging. Here we report a MOF material (JNU-3a) featuring one-dimension channels with embedded molecular pockets opening to propylene (C
H
) and propane (C
H
) at substantially different pressures. The dynamic nature of the pockets is revealed by single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation upon exposure of JNU-3a to an atmosphere of C
H
or C
H
. Breakthrough experiments demonstrate that JNU-3a can realize high-purity C
H
(≥99.5%) in a single adsorption-desorption cycle from an equimolar C
H
/C
H
mixture over a broad range of flow rates, with a maximum C
H
productivity of 53.5 litres per kilogram. The underlying separation mechanism-orthogonal-array dynamic molecular sieving-enables both large separation capacity and fast adsorption-desorption kinetics. This work presents a next-generation sieving material design that has potential for applications in adsorptive separation.
Microplastics (MP) are receiving increased attention as a harmful environmental pollutant, however information on the reproduction toxicity of MP in terrestrial animals, especially mammals, is ...limited. In this experiment, we investigated the impact of polystyrene microplastics (micro-PS) on the reproductive system of male mice. Healthy Balb/c mice were exposed to saline or to different doses of micro-PS for 6 weeks. The results showed that micro-PS exposure resulted in a significant decrease in the number and motility of sperm, and a significant increase in sperm deformity rate. We also detected a decrease in the activity of the sperm metabolism-related enzymes, succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and a decrease in the serum testosterone content in the micro-PS exposure group. We found that micro-PS exposure caused oxidative stress and activated JNK and p38 MAPK. In addition, we found that when N-acetylcysteine (NAC) scavenges ROS, and when the p38 MAPK-specific inhibitor SB203580 inhibits p38MAPK, the micro-PS-induced sperm damage is alleviated and testosterone secretion improves. In conclusion, our findings suggest that micro-PS induces reproductive toxicity in mice through oxidative stress and activation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathways.
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•Micro-PS resulted in a significant decrease in the quantity and quality of sperm in mice.•Micro-PS exposure caused oxidative stress in testes.•Micro-PS exposure activated JNK and P38 MAPK.•Blocking oxidative stress or P38 MAPK can alleviate micro-PS-induced sperm damage.
In many parts of the world, concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic and city quarantine policy have led to a general decline in the physical and mental health of residents due to insufficient social ...interaction. These adverse effects can cause potential public health risks. Ways to alleviate the adverse impact of the pandemic and meet social interaction needs must be widely addressed. This survey was conducted from 1–5 April 2020; it collected 386 responses from residents of Chengdu, China, during the pandemic based on an online survey questionnaire. The results indicate that most of the residents believe their health status is poor, and that they do not experience adequate social contact with others. Most of the respondents indicated no difference in mental health, while a few reported differences in their physical health and social interaction levels. Visiting urban parks can significantly improve overall health and assist in meeting individuals’ social interaction needs. Although residents have reduced the frequency of visits during the pandemic, even once a week can be beneficial. This paper emphasizes the critical role of urban parks during the pandemic period from the perspective of the urban building environment. The conclusion affirms that urban parks and large outdoor, open spaces can provide residents with a place for safe outdoor activities and social interaction in a green environment during a pandemic, as well as serve as a buffer area to maintain favorable health and quality of life.
•Multi-frequency ultrasound assisted freezing accelerated the freezing rate.•Increase in the number of ultrasonic frequencies enhanced the cavitation effects.•TUF treated samples retained better ...quality attributes.•Light microscopy observation was adopted to study the microstructures of frozen fish.
This research evaluated the effects of multi-frequency ultrasound assisted freezing (UAF) on the freezing rate, structural characteristics, and quality properties of cultured large yellow croaker. The freezing effects with triple ultrasound-assisted freezing (TUF) at 20, 28 and 40 kHz under 175 W was more obvious than that of single ultrasound-assisted freezing (SUF) at 20 kHz and dual ultrasound-assisted freezing (DUF) at 20 and 28 kHz. The results showed that UAF significantly increased the freezing rate and better preserved the quality of frozen large yellow croaker samples. Specifically, the quality parameters of the TUF-treated samples were closer to those of the fresh samples, with greater texture characteristics, a larger water holding capacity (lower thawing loss and cooking loss), lower K values and lower thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values. Light microscopy observation images revealed that the ice crystals formed by TUF were fine and evenly distributed, resulting in less damage to the frozen large yellow croaker samples. Therefore, multi-frequency UAF could improve the quality properties of the large yellow croaker samples.
Understanding in-situ stresses is the foundation for investigating deep rock mechanics. In practice, the fracture morphology of a disced core can often reflect its in-situ environment and ...disturbance-induced fracture process to some extent. In this study, three-dimensional dynamic scanning technology is used to reconstruct the fracture morphology of the disced cores extracted from Songke-2 as well as part of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Project. The roughness of various regions of the fracture surfaces of the cores is investigated. Additionally, a parametric system is developed for the quantitative study of the integrity coefficient of the disced rock samples. Furthermore, the mechanisms and characteristics of the fractures along the stress paths are investigated. According to the findings, when shallow cores undergo discing, they have notable saddle-shaped coarse fractures, which may be related to the properties of the cores at these depths. Deep cores demonstrate discing behavior, but the generated discs are relatively thick. Deep core fracture surfaces are mostly smooth and straight, possibly propagating from the outside to the inside. Under excavation disturbance in the hydrostatic state, the extreme values of the maximum tensile stress at the core stubs show a saddle-shaped distribution. In general, the results of this study can serve as a theoretical foundation for the quantitative assessment of the intactness of disced cores. Furthermore, because disc patterns and characteristics are associated with stress states, this approach can be used to evaluate in-situ stress environments.
Rethinking the SN2 reaction Xie, Jing; Hase, William L.
Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science),
04/2016, Letnik:
352, Številka:
6281
Journal Article
Recenzirano
The SN2 nucleophilic substitution reaction, X- + RY arrow right XR + Y-, is a paradigm reaction in organic chemistry . The modern understanding of the SN2 reaction mechanism is based on work of ...Hughes and Ingold , who proposed that the nucleophile (X-) approaches the carbon atom that bears the leaving group (Y-). As a result, the bond between the carbon atom and the leaving group becomes weakened. As this bond breaks and a new bond forms between the nucleophile and the carbon atom, the configuration of the carbon atom is inverted. Analyses of gas-phase reaction rates led to the suggestion of a potential energy surface (PES) with two wells connected by a central barrier transition state . Electronic structure calculations have confirmed this picture for some SN2 reactions , but recent studies have shown that the actual reaction dynamics may be considerably more complex (see the figure) (-).
Superhydrophobic and transparent coatings are deposited onto paper by spraying alcohol suspensions of SiO2 nanoparticles. Superhydrophobicity depends on the aggregation states of nanoparticles, which ...are determined by the type of alcohol used in the suspensions. The superhydrophobicity of the paper is maintained after touching the paper with a bare finger.
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