Bank regulation, financial crisis and the announcement effects of seasoned equity offerings of US commercial banks

This paper studies the differences in the announcement effects of seasoned equity offerings (SEOs) of commercial banks and non-banks, and explores the influence of bank regulation and the financial crisis on such differences. We find that abnormal stock returns on SEO announcements for US commercial banks are significantly higher than those of non-banks, consistent with the hypothesis that bank regulations reduce the likelihood that bank SEOs signal overpriced equity. The propensity score matching-based difference-in-difference analysis indicates that the differences in stock returns between banks and non-banks decreased during the 2007–2009 financial crisis period and increased after the passage of the Dodd-Frank Act in 2010

DNA-Interacting Characteristics of the Archaeal Rudiviral Protein SIRV2_Gp1

Whereas the infection cycles of many bacterial and eukaryotic viruses have been characterized in detail, those of archaeal viruses remain largely unexplored. Recently, studies on a few model archaeal viruses such as SIRV2 (Sulfolobus islandicus rod-shaped virus) have revealed an unusual lysis mechanism that involves the formation of pyramidal egress structures on the host cell surface. To expand understanding of the infection cycle of SIRV2, we aimed to functionally characterize gp1, which is a SIRV2 gene with unknown function. The SIRV2_Gp1 protein is highly expressed during early stages of infection and it is the only protein that is encoded twice on the viral genome. It harbours a helix-turn-helix motif and was therefore hypothesized to bind DNA. The DNA-binding behavior of SIRV2_Gp1 was characterized with electrophoretic mobility shift assays and atomic force microscopy. We provide evidence that the protein interacts with DNA and that it forms large aggregates, thereby causing extreme condensation of the DNA. Furthermore, the N-terminal domain of the protein mediates toxicity to the viral host Sulfolobus. Our findings may lead to biotechnological applications, such as the development of a toxic peptide for the containment of pathogenic bacteria, and add to our understanding of the Rudiviral infection cycle.status: publishe

Quantifying the pathway and predicting spontaneous emulsification during material exchange in a two phase liquid system

Kinetic restriction of a thermodynamically favourable equilibrium is a common theme in materials processing. The interfacial instability in systems where rate of material exchange is far greater than the mass transfer through respective bulk phases is of specific interest when tracking the transient interfacial area, a parameter integral to short processing times for productivity streamlining in all manufacturing where interfacial reaction occurs. This is even more pertinent in high-temperature systems for energy and cost savings. Here the quantified physical pathway of interfacial area change due to material exchange in liquid metal-molten oxide systems is presented. In addition the predicted growth regime and emulsification behaviour in relation to interfacial tension as modelled using phase-field methodology is shown. The observed in-situ emulsification behaviour links quantitatively the geometry of perturbations as a validation method for the development of simulating the phenomena. Thus a method is presented to both predict and engineer the formation of micro emulsions to a desired specification

Scaling-Enhanced Scaling during Electrodialysis Desalination

Scaling is one of the critical issues limiting the performance of electrodialysis (ED) desalination. In this study, we systematically investigated scaling during ED desalination of seawater. We observed that severe scaling occurred on the surfaces of the cathode and cation exchange membrane (CEM) facing the cathode chamber, which further induced the occurrence of scaling on the surfaces of the CEM and anion exchange membrane (AEM) facing the adjacent dilute chamber. We revealed that the formation and evolution of scaling in an entire ED stack undergo 3 sequential phases. In phase 1 during the early stage of ED desalination, divalent cations (e.g., Mg2+ and Ca2+) transport through the CEM into the cathode chamber and accumulate in the electrolyte solution, and meanwhile, OH– ions are generated via water electrolysis at the cathode, both of which synergistically increase the tendency of electrode scaling. In phase 2 after a period of desalination, fast reactions between divalent cations and OH– ions result in the occurrence of scaling in the cathode chamber. Under the typical constant-current operating mode, scaling on the CEM surface facing the cathode reduces effective membrane area, which leads to an increase in the local current density through the CEM. In phase 3, when the local current density exceeds the limiting current density, water splitting occurs on the surface of the CEM facing the dilute chamber, which induces the generation of OH– and thereby enhances the crystallization on this surface. Eventually, scaling in the cathode chamber further enhances scaling on ion exchange membranes in the adjacent dilute chamber. The mechanisms of scaling formation and evolution unveiled in this study provide important implications for scaling mitigation during ED desalination

Excess Molar Volumes and Viscosities of Binary Systems of Butylcyclohexane with <i>n</i>‑Alkanes (C7 to C14) at <i>T</i> = 293.15 K to 313.15 K

Experimental values of densities and viscosities have been measured in the binary mixtures of butylcyclohexane (BCH) with n-heptane, n-octane, n-nonane, n-decane, n-dodecane, and n-tetradecane at temperatures T = (293.15 to 313.15) K and pressure p = 0.1 MPa over the entire mole fraction range. The excess molar volumes (VmE) and viscosity deviations (Δη) are calculated, and then the changes of VmE and Δη with the composition of BCH are fitted to the Redlich–Kister equation. The values of densities increase continuously with the increase of mole fraction of BCH while the values of viscosities show different trends. All the densities and viscosities decrease with the rise of temperature. The variations of VmE and Δη are discussed with the change of mole fraction of BCH and temperature. This work is useful to understand the molecular interaction in binary systems of liquid

Appendix A. Maps of South Florida, the lower Florida keys, and Big Pine Key.

Maps of South Florida, the lower Florida keys, and Big Pine Key

Appendix E. Results of logistic regressions on fruiting or not (also summarized as percentage of fruiting plants) using plant cohort, fire treatment, and block as predictors.

Results of logistic regressions on fruiting or not (also summarized as percentage of fruiting plants) using plant cohort, fire treatment, and block as predictors

Paper-Based Electrochemical Sensing Platform with Integral Battery and Electrochromic Read-Out

We report a battery-powered, microelectrochemical sensing platform that reports its output using an electrochromic display. The platform is fabricated based on paper fluidics and uses a Prussian blue spot electrodeposited on an indium-doped tin oxide thin film as the electrochromic indicator. The integrated metal/air battery powers both the electrochemical sensor and the electrochromic read-out, which are in electrical contact via a paper reservoir. The sample activates the battery and the presence of analyte in the sample initiates the color change of the Prussian blue spot. The entire system is assembled on the lab bench, without the need for cleanroom facilities. The applicability of the device to point-of-care sensing is demonstrated by qualitative detection of 0.1 mM glucose and H2O2 in artificial urine samples

Promotional Role of a Cation Intermediate Complex in C₂ Formation from Electrochemical Reduction of CO₂ over Cu

Electroreduction of CO2 to C2 species was found to be promoted in the presence of large alkali metal cations, for example, Cs+. However, the origin of the promotional role remains unclear, and the complexity of structures and the intermediate–electrolyte interaction at the solid–liquid interface further pose enormous challenges. Here, with ab initio molecular dynamics simulation and free-energy sampling technology, the key step in producing C2 species, that is, CO dimerization to OCCO, was studied over Cu with an explicit solvent comprising Li+, K+, or Cs+. Results show that the free-energy barriers and reaction free energies of CO dimerization decrease in the presence of larger cations. Detailed analyses revealed that the dynamic cation intermediate complex is crucial for the promotion of C2 formation because larger cations can interact with two CO simultaneously, facilitating C–C bond formation. These insights obtained at the atomic level would facilitate further optimization of the electrolyte or catalysts for efficient CO2 conversion to C2 products

Promotional Role of a Cation Intermediate Complex in C₂ Formation from Electrochemical Reduction of CO₂ over Cu

Electroreduction of CO2 to C2 species was found to be promoted in the presence of large alkali metal cations, for example, Cs+. However, the origin of the promotional role remains unclear, and the complexity of structures and the intermediate–electrolyte interaction at the solid–liquid interface further pose enormous challenges. Here, with ab initio molecular dynamics simulation and free-energy sampling technology, the key step in producing C2 species, that is, CO dimerization to OCCO, was studied over Cu with an explicit solvent comprising Li+, K+, or Cs+. Results show that the free-energy barriers and reaction free energies of CO dimerization decrease in the presence of larger cations. Detailed analyses revealed that the dynamic cation intermediate complex is crucial for the promotion of C2 formation because larger cations can interact with two CO simultaneously, facilitating C–C bond formation. These insights obtained at the atomic level would facilitate further optimization of the electrolyte or catalysts for efficient CO2 conversion to C2 products