The effects of firm ownership and affiliation on government’s target setting on energy conservation in China

Targets of energy conservation in China are allocated by the central government across subnational jurisdictions and firms. However, we know little about why some regulated entities receive higher mandates than others. In this paper, we use the Top- 1,000 Enterprises Energy-Saving Program, which was adopted in 2006, to examine the underlying mechanisms through which energy-saving targets are assigned. After considering a variety of control variables, we find that state-owned enterprises (SOEs) receive significantly higher targets than non-SOE firms. In addition, centrally affiliated firms are assigned with higher targets than their locally affiliated counterparts. Furthermore, firm ownership and affiliation interactively affect target assignment, with central non-SOE firms bearing the heaviest tasks. We then derive theoretical and policy implications from the findings for energy policy and resultsbased management strategy

Oxygen Intercalation of Graphene on Transition Metal Substrate: An Edge-Limited Mechanism

Oxygen intercalation has been proven to be an efficient experimental approach to decouple chemical vapor deposition grown graphene from metal substrate with mild damage, thereby enabling graphene transfer. However, the mechanism of oxygen intercalation and associated rate-limiting step are still unclear on the molecular level. Here, by using density functional theory, we evaluate the thermodynamics stability of graphene edge on transition metal surface in the context of oxygen and explore various reaction pathways and energy barriers, from which we can identify the key steps as well as the roles of metal passivated graphene edges during the oxygen intercalation. Our calculations suggest that in well-controlled experimental conditions, oxygen atoms can be easily intercalated through either zigzag or armchair graphene edges on metal surface, whereas the unwanted graphene oxidation etching can be suppressed. Oxygen intercalation is, thus, an efficient and low-damage way to decouple graphene from a metal substrate while it allows reusing metal substrate for graphene growth

Laparoscopic nephrectomy outside gerota fascia and en bloc ligation of the renal hilum for management of inflammatory renal diseases

<div><p>ABSTRACT Objectives This study aims to improve laparoscopic nephrectomy techniques for inflammatory renal diseases (IRD) and to reduce complications. Materials and Methods Thirty-three patients underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy for IRD, with a method of outside Gerota fascia dissection and en-bloc ligation and division of the renal pedicle. Operative time, blood loss, complications, analgesia requirement, post-operative recovery of intestinal function and hospital stay were recorded. The degrees of perinephric adhesion were classified based on the observation during operation and post-operative dissection of the specimen, and the association of different types of adhesion with the difficulty of the procedures was examined. Results Among 33 cases, three were converted to hand-assisted laparoscopy, and one was converted to open surgery. Mean operative time was 99.6±29.2min, and blood loss was 75.2±83.5 mL. Postoperative recovery time of intestinal function was 1.6±0.7 days and average hospital stay was 4.8±1.4 days. By classification and comparison of the perinephric adhesions, whether inflammation extending beyond Gerota fascia or involving renal hilum was found to be not only an important factor influencing the operative time and blood loss, but also the main reason for conversion to hand-assisted laparoscopy or open surgery. Conclusions In laparoscopic nephrectomy, outside Gerota fascia dissection of the kidney and en-bloc ligation of the renal pedicle using EndoGIA could reduce the difficulty of procedure and operative time, with satisfactory safety and reliability. Inflammation and adhesion extending beyond Gerota fascia or involving renal hilum is an important predictor of the difficulty related to laparoscopic nephrectomy for IRD.</p></div

Working memory test battery for young adults: Computerized working memory assessment

<div><p>This study developed a battery of computerized working memory (WM) tests and a scoring system suitable for young adult users. The tests comprised five classic tasks derived from Baddeley’s model of WM, reflecting each of the five WM functions. We recruited 115 undergraduate and graduate students from various academic fields and constructed a preliminary WM scoring norm for young adults. The scoring norm was used as a basis for developing a computerized assessment system. The results of correlation analysis show that the fluid intelligence of young adults is related to the memory function of WM, but not to the central executive system. The proposed working memory test battery for young adults comprehensively reflects the WM capacity of adults.</p></div

Structural Properties of the Closed Myosin Active Site During Equilibrium MD Simulations with Different Nucleotide Chemical States (ATP or ADP·P<i>_i</i>)

<div><p>(A–D) Instantaneous distances between Mg²⁺ and oxygen atoms in its four nonwater ligands. (A) MM ATP state. (B) MM ADP·P<i>_i</i> state. (C) QM/MM ATP state. (D) QM/MM ADP·P<i>_i</i> state. O^1ß refers to O^1ß in ATP or ADP; O^1γ refers to O^1γ in ATP or the closest oxygen atom in P<i>_i</i>; O^Ser237 refers to O^γ in Ser237; O^Thr186 refers to O^γ2 in Thr186.</p><p>(E) Overlay of the active site in two snapshots from MM simulations with ATP and ADP·P<i>_i</i>, respectively. The one with color coding is for the ATP state while the one in grey is for the ADP·P<i>_i</i> state. The Mg²⁺-O^Ser237 distance is much longer in the ADP·P<i>_i</i>-state snapshot, due to displacements in both the Ser237 sidechain and the hydrolyzed nucleotide.</p><p>(F) Root mean square fluctuation (RMSF) for Cα atoms in the three critical active-site motifs based on equilibrium MM simulations. Ser237 has notably larger fluctuations in the ADP·P<i>_i</i> state, although the rest residues do not show distinct differences.</p></div

Quantification of patulin in fruit leathers by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array (UPLC-PDA)

<div><p>Patulin is a mycotoxin commonly found in certain fruit and fruit products. For this reason many countries have established regulatory limits pertaining to, in particular, apple juice and apple products. Fruit leathers are produced by dehydrating fruit puree, leaving a sweet product that has a leathery texture. A recent report in the literature described the detection of patulin at substantial levels in fruit leathers. To investigate this further, an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array (UPLC-PDA) method was developed for the sensitive detection of patulin in fruit leathers. Investigations were also made of the suitability of direct analysis in real time-mass spectrometry (DART-MS) for detection of patulin from the surface of fruit leathers. Results indicated DART-MS was insufficiently sensitive for quantification from the surface of home-style apple leathers, although patulin spiked onto the surface of leather or peel could be detected. The UPLC-PDA method was used to determine the fate of patulin during the preparation of home-made fruit leathers. Interestingly, when a home-style process was used, the patulin was not destroyed, but rather increased in concentration as the puree was dehydrated. The UPLC-PDA method was also used to screen for patulin in commercial fruit leathers. Of the 36 products tested, 14 were above the limit of detection (3.5 μg kg^–1) and nine were above the limit of quantification (12 μg kg^–1). Positive samples were confirmed by UPLC-MS/MS. Only one sample was found above the US regulatory limit for single-strength apple juice products (50 μg kg^–1). These results suggest patulin can be concentrated during preparation and can be found in fruit leathers. The limited survey suggests that patulin is fairly prevalent in such commercial products, but that the levels are usually low.</p></div

7-cysteine-pyrrole conjugate: A new potential DNA reactive metabolite of pyrrolizidine alkaloids

<p>Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) require metabolic activation to exert cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and tumorigenicity. We previously reported that (±)-6,7-dihydro-7-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethyl-5H-pyrrolizine (DHP)-derived DNA adducts are responsible for PA-induced liver tumor formation in rats. In this study, we determined that metabolism of riddelliine and monocrotaline by human or rat liver microsomes produced 7-cysteine-DHP and DHP. The metabolism of 7-glutathionyl-DHP by human and rat liver microsomes also generated 7-cysteine-DHP. Further, reaction of 7-cysteine-DHP with calf thymus DNA in aqueous solution yielded the described DHP-derived DNA adducts. This study represents the first report that 7-cysteine-DHP is a new PA metabolite that can lead to DNA adduct formation.</p