In the ever-evolving capital market, safeguarding shareholder rights and interests is paramount for Chinese listed companies facing escalating risks. This article explores the dynamic discourse ...surrounding Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance, focusing on its implications in emerging markets with lower institutional support and disclosure quality. Spanning 2000 to 2020, this study rigorously examines the impact of D&O insurance in China, investigating its associations with capital markets, regulatory frameworks, managerial practices and financial reporting. My analysis reveals that D&O insurance correlates negatively with CEO turnover and litigation risk. However, its influence on investment efficiency, earnings management, financial reporting and corporate governance is comparatively modest. I also uncover nuanced disparities between stateowned enterprises (SOEs) and non-state-owned enterprises (non-SOEs). In SOEs, where CEOs are appointed by the government and litigation risk is lower, D&O insurance’s impact is less pronounced. Conversely, non-SOEs, facing higher litigation risk, find greater significance in D&O insurance as protection against legal action. In summary, this article highlights D&O insurance’s role as a protective shield for CEOs and underscores its evolving dynamics in Chinese listed companies’ corporate governance and risk management.
A typical feature of marine foods is that they are rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which have formed a large-scale global industry. DHA/EPA phospholipids (PLs) are ...ubiquitous in marine foods and are the main DHA/EPA molecular forms in fish roe, shrimp and shellfish. Much attention has been focused on the bioavailability and health benefits that are influenced by the type and esterified form of dietary fatty acids. Recently, numerous findings have suggested that dietary DHA/EPA-PLs are superior to the triacylglycerol (TAG) or ethyl ester forms in exerting their functional properties through specific mechanisms of action. However, there is no comprehensive review covering the health benefits of dietary marine DHA/EPA-enriched PLs. In this paper, we review publications on the nutritional functions of DHA/EPA-enriched glycerophospholipids, including the effects on brain function, antitumor activity, lipid metabolism, and glucose metabolism. The current research status regarding the active ingredients, sources, models, treatment, duration, and mechanisms are presented. In addition, the way in which the structure-activity relationship of DHA/EPA-PLs is affected by ester-bond structure at the sn-1 position, fatty acid at the sn-2 position and polar head group at the sn-3 position is also reviewed. DHA/EPA-PLs are one of the major n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid dietary forms in our diet, and we should maximize the ability to fully exploit the nutritional properties of DHA/EPA.
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Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is an effective therapeutic to regulate the expression of target genes in vitro and in vivo. Constructing a siRNA delivery system with high serum stability, especially ...responsive to endogenous stimuli, remains technically challenging. Herein we develop anti-degradation Y-shaped backbone-rigidified triangular DNA bricks with sticky ends (sticky-YTDBs) and tile them onto a siRNA-packaged gold nanoparticle in a programmed fashion, forming a multi-functional three-dimensional (3D) DNA shell. After aptamers are arranged on the exterior surface, a biocompatible siRNA-encapsulated core/shell nanoparticle, siRNA/Ap-CS, is achieved. SiRNAs are internally encapsulated in a 3D DNA shell and are thus protected from enzymatic degradation by the outermost layer of YTDB. The siRNAs can be released by endogenous miRNA and execute gene silencing within tumor cells, causing cell apoptosis higher than Lipo3000/siRNA formulation. In vivo treatment shows that tumor growth is completely (100%) inhibited, demonstrating unique opportunities for next-generation anticancer-drug carriers for targeted cancer therapies.
Herein, we report on the design of a programmable DNA ribbon using long‐chain DNA molecules with a user‐defined repetitive padlock sequence. The DNA ribbon can be further combined with gold ...nanoparticles (AuNPs) to create a composite nanomaterial that contains an AuNP core and a high‐density DNA crown carrying a cancer‐cell‐targeting DNA aptamer, a fluorescent tag for location tracking, and a cell‐killing drug. This composite material can be efficiently internalized by cancer cells and its cellular location can be tracked by fluorescence imaging. The system offers several attractive characteristics, including simple design, tunable DNA crown, high drug‐loading capacity, selective cell targeting, and pH‐sensitive drug release. These features make such a material a promising therapeutic agent.
Self‐folding DNA ribbon: A programmable DNA ribbon is constructed from long‐chain DNA molecules with a user‐defined repetitive padlock sequence. The DNA ribbon can be further combined with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to create a composite nanomaterial that contains an AuNP core and a high‐density DNA crown carrying a cancer‐cell‐targeting DNA aptamer, a fluorescent tag for location tracking, and a cell‐killing drug.
The career prospects of politicians can significantly influence their policy decisions, including those related to environmental protection. This study examines how promotion incentives affect ...environmental outcomes by analyzing prefectural pollution and personnel data in China from 2003 to 2017. The research indicates that the promotion prospects of prefecture party secretaries were negatively affected by changes in their social networks with the transition of power. The difference-in-differences analyses, using the power transition as a shock, reveal that sulfur dioxide emissions significantly increased in prefectures governed by secretaries who had lost their connections. This was due to a decrease in officials' motivation to prioritize environmental protection, owing to their slim chances of promotion. The possibility of an increase in pollution as a result of growth competition is ruled out. The mechanism is demonstrated through text analysis of local governments' annual work reports.
As market competition has increased in recent years, CEO turnover has become more frequent. The tax avoidance activities maximize after-tax profits. After the CEO turnover, the company's strategy ...needs to be repositioned. Therefore, this paper analyzes the impact of corporate tax avoidance on CEO turnover. This paper selects the Chinese A-share market from 2010 to 2019. It combines theoretical analysis and empirical research to explore the impact of corporate tax avoidance on CEO turnover and further analyzes the relationship under different ownerships. This paper finds a negative relationship between tax rates and forced CEO turnover. Listed companies with lower tax rates increase social concern, leading to public doubts and inspections by tax authorities, which further damage the company's reputation. CEO turnover is the quick and easy way to respond to public accusations. This paper also finds that state-owned enterprises (SOEs) undertake more social responsibilities than non-state-owned enterprises (non-SOEs). The main contributions of this paper are as follows: From the theoretical perspective, this paper conducts systematic research on corporate tax avoidance and CEO turnover and analyzes the relationship under different ownerships. In practice, this paper puts forward relevant policy recommendations for the long-term development of enterprises and social responsibilities.
Scope
A growing number of studies have reported the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and terrestrial phospholipids on ameliorating mood disorders. Marine‐derived EPA‐enriched phospholipids ...(EPA‐PL) exhibit the structural characteristics of EPA and phospholipids. However, the effect of dietary EPA‐PL, and the differences between amphiphilic EPA‐PL and lyophobic EPA on mood disorders had not been studied.
Methods and Results
A comparative investigation to determine the effects of dietary EPA‐enriched ethyl ester (EPA‐EE) and EPA‐PL on improving depression‐ and anxiety‐like behavior in a mouse model is performed, induced by 4 week chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) coupled with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. It is found that dietary 4 week 0.6% (w/w) EPA‐PL rescued depression‐ and anxiety‐like behavior to a greater extent than did EPA‐EE. Moreover, dietary EPA‐PL significantly reduced the immobility time by 56.6%, close to the normal level, in forced swimming test, which revealed a reversal of depression‐like behavior. Further studies revealed that dietary EPA‐PL regulated immunity, monoamine systems, and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis by multi‐target interactions, including inhibition of neuroinflammation and apoptosis.
Conclusion
EPA‐PL exerted superior effects to EPA‐EE in alleviating depression‐ and anxiety‐like behavior. The data suggest potential novel candidate or targeted dietary patterns to prevent and treat mood disorder.
Comparatively investigated the effects of dietary EPA‐EE and EPA‐PL on improving depression‐ and anxiety‐like behavior in a mouse model, induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) couple with LPS challenge. The results reveal that EPA‐PL exerts superior effects to EPA‐EE in alleviating depression‐ and anxiety‐like behavior by regulating immunity and neuroinflammation, monoamine systems, and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis.
Purpose The paper attempts to discuss the optimal pricing decisions under the decentralized and centralized decision and analyze the influence of online reviews and in-sale service on dual-channel ...supply chain. Finally, the authors design a two-part tariff coordination mechanism. Design/methodology/approach To deal with this pricing conflict problems of dual-channel supply chain consisting of dominant manufacturer and a retailer, considering the fact that online reviews and in-sale service are important factors on consumers’ purchase decisions, the authors establish some basic models and exploit them to discuss the optimal pricing decisions under the decentralized and centralized decision and analyze the influence of online reviews and in-sale service on dual-channel supply chain. Finally, the authors design a profit-sharing coordination mechanism. Findings The results show that the optimal online direct selling price is positively correlated with product perceived quality obtained from online reviews and negatively correlated with the in-sale service. The traditional retail price is positively correlated with the in-sale service and weakly correlated with online reviews. For the manufacturer and retailer, whether decentralized decision or coordination contract, their profits increase with the increase of the in-sale service in a certain range and quality perceived from spontaneous online reviews. Online reviews and in-sale service are important factors on consumers’ purchase decisions. Positive in-sale services and online reviews can provide consumers with a better shopping experience, thereby promoting their enthusiasm for shopping and improving their quality of life. The two-part tariff coordination mechanism improves the profits of the manufacturer and the traditional retailer, respectively, through the transfer fee. Originality/value The proposed approach can well analyze the channel conflicts and pricing problems between retailers and manufacturers with respect to product offline price and online price. The analysis and results can inform decision-making for manufacturers and retailers.
Abstract
Long-duration GRB 211211A that lacks a supernova emission even down to very stringent limits at such a low redshift
z
= 0.076 and is associated with kilonova emission, suggests that its ...physical origin is from a binary compact star merger. By reanalyzing its data observed with the Gamma-Ray Burst Monitor on board the Fermi mission, we find that both time-integrated and time-resolved spectra can be fitted well by using a 2SBPL plus blackbody (2SBPL+BB) model in the prompt emission. The bulk Lorentz factors (Γ
ph
) of the outflow can be inferred by invoking the observed thermal emission at the photosphere radius within a pure fireball model, and we find out that the temporal evolution of Γ
ph
seems to be tracking with the light curve. The derived values of Γ
ph
are also consistent with the Γ
ph
–
L
γ
,iso
/
E
γ
,iso
correlations that had been found in other bursts. Moreover, we also calculate the magnetization factor
σ
0
in the central engine and
σ
ph
at the photosphere radius within the framework of a hybrid jet model, and find that the values of both 1 +
σ
0
and 1 +
σ
ph
are larger than 1 for different time slices. It suggests that at least the Poynting-flux component is indeed existent in the outflow. If this is the case, one possible physical interpretation of thermal and nonthermal emissions in GRB 211211A is from the contributions of both
ν
ν
¯
annihilation and the Blandford–Znajek mechanisms in the relativistic jet when a stellar mass black hole resides in the central engine.
Risk management has been an important topic since the 2008 financial crisis, and it has become an important area of focus in business management. It is important for the board of directors to ...evaluate the ability and competence of the CEO. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of various risks on forced CEO turnover through the use of a linear probability model. The Chinese A-share market from 2010 to 2019 was selected as the sample, and theoretical analysis and empirical research were combined to explore the impact of various risks on forced CEO turnover, further analyzes the relationship under different ownerships. This paper study revealed that the crash risk is positively associated with forced CEO turnover. This paper also found that the idiosyncratic risk increases the likelihood of forced CEO turnover, and that the relationship is more significant in non- state-owned enterprises (non-SOEs) than state-owned enterprises (SOEs). The systematic risk has no effect on forced CEO turnover. Risks can be an important indicator of the CEO's ability and competence. This paper also evaluated the relationships in Chinese circumstances. China is an emerging market that has a different legal and social environment than other countries. The different goals of SOEs and non-SOEs lead to different risk attitudes. It is necessary to distinguish ownership when evaluating the Chinese situation.
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