Ownership Concentration and Accounting Conservatism: The Moderating Role of Board Independence

The purpose of this study is to examine the moderating effect of board independence on the relationship between ownership concentration and accounting conservatism. Using fixed-effect regressions for a sample of 165 Vietnamese listed companies from 2007 to 2017, the results revealed that the proportion of outstanding shares owned by the largest shareholder is negatively associated with accounting conservatism and board independence plays a moderating role in this relationship. Our results are robust after applying alternative measures of the largest ownership and correcting for potential endogeneity using fixed-effects regression with instrumental variables. Overall, our evidence shows that firms with concentrated ownership should keep a high non-executive ratio to maintain accounting conservatism. In other words, increasing the number of non-executive directors on boards in firms with a substantial proportion of shares held by the largest shareholder is likely to strengthen the information environment, giving financial reporting more credibility.JEL Classification: G30; G32. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2023-07-01-07 Full Text: PD

Current advances in seagrass research: A review from Viet Nam

Seagrass meadows provide valuable ecosystem services but are fragile and threatened ecosystems all over the world. This review highlights the current advances in seagrass research from Viet Nam. One goal is to support decision makers in developing science-based conservation strategies. In recent years, several techniques were applied to estimate the size of seagrass meadows. Independent from the method used, there is an alarming decline in the seagrass area in almost all parts of Viet Nam. Since 1990, a decline of 46.5% or 13,549 ha was found. Only in a few protected and difficult-to-reach areas was an increase observed. Conditions at those sites could be investigated in more detail to make suggestions for conservation and recovery of seagrass meadows. Due to their lifestyle and morphology, seagrasses take up compounds from their environment easily. Phytoremediation processes of Thalassia hemprichii and Enhalus acoroides are described exemplarily. High accumulation of heavy metals dependent on their concentration in the environment in different organs can be observed. On the one hand, seagrasses play a role in phytoremediation processes in polluted areas; on the other hand, they might suffer at high concentrations, and pollution will contribute to their overall decline. Compared with the neighboring countries, the total Corg stock from seagrass beds in Viet Nam was much lower than in the Philippines and Indonesia but higher than that of Malaysia and Myanmar. Due to an exceptionally long latitudinal coastline of 3,260 km covering cool to warm water environments, the seagrass species composition in Viet Nam shows a high diversity and a high plasticity within species boundaries. This leads to challenges in taxonomic issues, especially with the Halophila genus, which can be better deduced from genetic diversity/population structures of members of Hydrocharitaceae. Finally, the current seagrass conservation and management efforts in Viet Nam are presented and discussed. Only decisions based on the interdisciplinary cooperation of scientists from all disciplines mentioned will finally lead to conserve this valuable ecosystem for mankind and biodiversity

MAGI1 Inhibits Interferon Signaling to Promote Influenza a Infection

We have shown that membrane-associated guanylate kinase with inverted domain structure-1 (MAGI1), a scaffold protein with six PSD95/DiscLarge/ZO-1 (PDZ) domains, is involved in the regulation of endothelial cell (EC) activation and atherogenesis in mice. In addition to causing acute respiratory disease, influenza A virus (IAV) infection plays an important role in atherogenesis and triggers acute coronary syndromes and fatal myocardial infarction. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the function and regulation of MAGI1 in IAV-induced EC activation. Whereas, EC infection by IAV increases MAGI1 expression, MAGI1 depletion suppresses IAV infection, suggesting that the induction of MAGI1 may promote IAV infection. Treatment of ECs with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL) increases MAGI1 expression and IAV infection, suggesting that MAGI1 is part of the mechanistic link between serum lipid levels and patient prognosis following IAV infection. Our microarray studies suggest that MAGI1-depleted ECs increase protein expression and signaling networks involve in interferon (IFN) production. Specifically, infection of MAGI1-null ECs with IAV upregulates expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), interferon b1 (IFNb1), myxovirus resistance protein 1 (MX1) and 2\u27-5\u27-oligoadenylate synthetase 2 (OAS2), and activate STAT5. By contrast, MAGI1 overexpression inhibits Ifnb1 mRNA and MX1 expression, again supporting the pro-viral response mediated by MAGI1. MAGI1 depletion induces the expression of MX1 and virus suppression. The data suggests that IAV suppression by MAGI1 depletion may, in part, be due to MX1 induction. Lastly, interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) translocates to the nucleus in the absence of IRF3 phosphorylation, and IRF3 SUMOylation is abolished in MAGI1-depleted ECs. The data suggests that MAGI1 inhibits IRF3 activation by maintaining IRF3 SUMOylation. In summary, IAV infection occurs in ECs in a MAGI1 expression-dependent manner by inhibiting anti-viral responses including STATs and IRF3 activation and subsequent MX1 induction, and MAGI1 plays a role in EC activation, and in upregulating a pro-viral response. Therefore, the inhibition of MAGI1 is a potential therapeutic target for IAV-induced cardiovascular disease

Controlled Synthesis of Au Nanoparticles by Modified Polyol Methods: Determination of Their Size, Shape, and Crystal Structure

We successfully prepared Au nanoparticles using the modified polyol methods and design of experiments. The desirable crystal structure and particle size of Au nanoparticles with various kinds of polyhedral and spherical shapes as well as various kinds of their morphologies or complete and rough spherical crystal surfaces were experimentally predicted in TEM and XRD measurements according to the theoretical calculation and data. The fine crystal formation of Au nanostructures by modified polyol methods with EG, PVP, and NaBH4 is of great importance to their practical applications. Our research shows that the critical nucleation, growth, and formation of sizes, shapes, and morphologies of Au nanoparticles were experimentally discussed in modified polyol methods and design of experiments. In this context, our particle size calculation can hold the greatest attraction for researchers in the field of nanoparticles

Adsorption/Desorption Behaviors and SERS Chemical Enhancement of 6-Mercaptopurine on a Nanostructured Gold Surface: The Au20 Cluster Model

Computational approaches are employed to elucidate the binding mechanism and the SERS phenomenon of 6-mercaptopurine (6MP) adsorbed on the tetrahedral Au20 cluster as a simple model for a nanostructured gold surface. Computations are carried out in both vacuum and aqueous environments using a continuum model. In the gaseous phase and neutral conditions, interaction of 6MP with the gold cluster is mostly dominated by a covalent Au−S bond and partially stabilized by the Au⋅⋅⋅H−N coupling. However, in acidic solution, the nonconventional Au⋅⋅⋅H−S hydrogen-bond becomes the most favorable binding mode. The 6MP affinity for gold clusters decreases in the order of vacuum > neutral solution > acidic medium. During the adsorption, the energy gap of Au20 substantially declines, leading to an increase in its electrical conductivity, which can be converted to an electrical noise. Moreover, such interaction is likely a reversible process and triggered by either the low pH in sick tissues or the presence of cysteine residues in protein matrices. While N−H bending and stretching vibrations play major roles in the SERS phenomenon of 6MP on gold surfaces in neutral solution, the strongest enhancement in acidic environment is mostly due to an Au⋅⋅⋅H−S coupling, rather than an aromatic ring-gold surface π overlap as previously proposed

Factors influencing continuance intention of online shopping of generation Y and Z during the new normal in Vietnam

This study investigated the determinants of online shopping continuance intention of Generation Y and Z during the new normal. A conceptual framework, which was an extension of the Technology Acceptance Model, was empirically tested using partial least squares structural equation modelling, multi-group analysis technique, and the data collected from 847 Gen Y-ers and Gen Z-ers in Hanoi, Vietnam during March 2022. The results revealed that facilitators of repurchase intention included perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, satisfaction, and environmental awareness while perceived risks of online shopping served as a barrier. Notably, the barrier was found to affect Gen Y's repurchase intention more severely. Personalization was not directly associated with the intention but had strong indirect effects through perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and satisfaction. The risk of COVID-19 was not a predictor of online repurchase intention. Understanding of the continuance intention of online shopping among consumers from different generations in an emerging country during the new normal may aid to enhance the quality of decision-making. Specifically, platforms and sellers should adopt customized marketing programs towards Gen Y and Gen Z. Additionally, a user-friendly and informative purchasing process with personalized features should be formulated. Demonstrating online shopping as a green behavior would be useful. This study differs from earlier research by considering and comparing factors influencing the intention to keep shopping online of Gen Y and Gen Z in a developing country when the COVID-19 is well controlled

Adsorptive Removal of Rhodamine B Using Novel Adsorbent-Based Surfactant-Modified Alpha Alumina Nanoparticles

The objective of the present study is to investigate removal of cationic dye, rhodamine B (RhB), in water environment using a high-performance absorbent based on metal oxide nanomaterials toward green chemistry. The adsorption of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) onto synthesized alpha alumina (α-Al2O3) material (M0) at different ionic strengths under low pH was studied to fabricate a new adsorbent as SDS-modified α-Al2O3 material (M1). The RhB removal using M1 was much higher than M0 under the same experimental conditions. The optimal conditions for RhB removal using M1 were found to be contact time 30 min, pH 4, and adsorbent dosage 5 mg/mL. The maximum RhB removal using M1 achieved 100%, and adsorption amount reached 52.0 mg/g. Adsorption isotherms of RhB onto M1 were well fitted by the two-step adsorption model. The electrostatic attraction between positive RhB molecules and negatively charged M1 surface controlled the adsorption that was evaluated by the surface charge change with zeta potential and adsorption isotherms. Very high RhB removal of greater than 98% after four regenerations of M1 and the maximum removal for all actual textile wastewater samples demonstrate that SDS-modified nano α-Al2O3 is a high-performance and reusable material for RhB removal from wastewater

Pt-Based Multimetal Electrocatalysts and Potential Applications: Recent Advancements in the Synthesis of Nanoparticles by Modified Polyol Methods

In our review, we have presented a summary of the research accomplishments of nanostructured multimetal-based electrocatalysts synthesized by modified polyol methods, especially the special case of Pt-based nanoparticles associated with increasing potential applications for batteries, capacitors, and fuel cells. To address the problems raised in serious environmental pollution, disease, health, and energy shortages, we discuss and present an improved polyol process used to synthesize nanoparticles from Pt metal to Pt-based bimetal, and Pt-based multimetal catalysts in the various forms of alloy and shell core nanostructures by practical experience, experimental skills, and the evidences from the designed polyol processes. In their prospects, there are the micro/nanostructured variants of hybrid Pt/nanomaterials, typically such as Pt/ABO3-type perovskite, Pt/AB2O4-type ferrite, Pt/CoFe2O4, Pt/oxide, or Pt/ceramic by modified polyol processes for the development of electrocatalysis and energy technology. In the future, we suggest that both the polyol and the sol-gel processes of diversity and originality, and with the use of various kinds of water, alcohols, polyols, other solvents, reducing agents, long-term capping and stabilizing agents, and structure- and property-controlling agents, are very effectively used in the controlled synthesis of micro/nanoparticles and micro/nanomaterials. It is understood that at the levels of controlling and modifying molecules, ions, atoms, and nano/microscales, the polyol or sol-gel processes, and their technologies are effectively combined in bottom-up and top-down approaches, as are the simplest synthetic methods of physics, chemistry, and biology from the most common aqueous solutions as well as possible experimental conditions

Corporate environmental responsibility and financial performance: The moderating role of ownership structure and listing status of Vietnam banks

The study aims to provide empirical evidence for a one-way relationship between corporate environmental responsibility (CER) and financial performance (FP) in the banking industry, with special consideration into the moderating role of legal regulations and ownership structures. Net interest margin (NIM), return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE) are selected to measure FP while the content analysis method is adopted to examine CER. The study used regression analysis with the two-step system generalised method of moments (Sys-GMM) on a sample of 29 Vietnamese commercial banks from 2012 to 2019, and the positive impacts of CER on banks' FP were identified. Analysis of these data revealed that listed banks have a higher level of information disclosure than unlisted banks, but the positive relationship between CER and FP is weaker in listed banks. Similarly, while state-owned banks have a higher degree of disclosure than privately-controlled banks, the relationship between their CER and FP is weaker. The paper also provides some recommendations and suggests future research implications

Micro/nanosized ferrite and hexaferrite by the polyol processes: The special case of structure and properties of SrFe

In this research, we have mainly focused on the controlled synthesis, and properties of micro/nanosized ferrite and hexaferrite powders by the polyol process. They are Fe3O4-type Sr-Fe-O oxide and SrFe12O19 with the structure and magnetic properties by SEM, XRD, and VSM measurements. After heat treatment, it was discovered that Sr element was gradually fully incorporated into Fe3O4 for the formation of the original hexaferrite structure of SrFe12O19 at 950°C