The impact of environmental, social, and governance, board diversity and firm size on the sustainable development goals of registered firm in China

Recently, sustainability practices have become a global requirement to attain the high-performance goals of the organizations and capture the focus of regulators and recent researchers. Therefore, the present article aim is to investigate the board diversity (percentage of women directors, percentage of nonexecutive directors and board member nationality) and firm size (logarithm of total assets) on the sustainability practices (expenditures on environmental sustainability) of the top ten registered firms in China. The researchers have adopted the secondary source of data collection and extracted the data from the financial statements of the adopted firms from 2005 to 2019. Additionally, the researchers used a fixed-effect model (FEM) and a robust standard error model to investigate the relationship between the two concepts. There were positive correlations between firm size (logarithmic total assets) and board diversity (percentage of women directors, percentage of non-executive directors, and board member nationality) and China’s top ten registered firms’ sustainability practises (expenditures on environmental sustainability). This research provides help to the policymakers while formulating strategies and policies related to the adoption of sustainability practices

Design of Adaptive Switching Controller for Robotic Manipulators with Disturbance

Two adaptive switching control strategies are proposed for the trajectory tracking problem of robotic manipulator in this paper. The first scheme is designed for the supremum of the bounded disturbance for robot manipulator being known; while the supremum is not known, the second scheme is proposed. Each proposed scheme consists of an adaptive switching law and a PD controller. Based on the Lyapunov stability theorem, it is shown that two new schemes can guarantee tracking performance of the robotic manipulator and be adapted to the alternating unknown loads. Simulations for two-link robotic manipulator are carried out and show that the two schemes can avoid the overlarge input torque, and the feasibility and validity of the proposed control schemes are proved

Pretreatment of microcrystalline cellulose in organic electrolyte solutions for enzymatic hydrolysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Previous studies have shown that the crystalline structure of cellulose is negatively correlated with enzymatic digestibility, therefore, pretreatment is required to break down the highly ordered crystalline structure in cellulose, and to increase the porosity of its surface. In the present study, an organic electrolyte solution (OES) composed of an ionic liquid (1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([AMIM]Cl)) and an organic solvent (dimethyl sulfoxide; DMSO) was prepared, and used to pretreat microcrystalline cellulose for subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis; to our knowledge, this is the first time that this method has been used.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Microcrystalline cellulose (5 wt%) rapidly dispersed and then completely dissolved in an OES with a molar fraction of [AMIM]Cl per OES (χ _[AMIM]Cl) of greater than or equal to 0.2 at 110°C within 10 minutes. The cellulose was regenerated from the OES by precipitation with hot water, and enzymatically hydrolyzed. As the χ _[AMIM]Clof the OES increased from 0.1 to 0.9, both the hydrolysis yield and initial hydrolysis rate of the regenerated cellulose also increased gradually. After treatment using OES with χ _[AMIM]Clof 0.7, the glucose yield (54.1%) was 7.2 times that of untreated cellulose. This promotion of hydrolysis yield was mainly due to the decrease in the degree of crystallinity (that is, the crystallinity index of cellulose I).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>An OES of [AMIM]Cl and DMSO with χ _[AMIM]Clof 0.7 was chosen for cellulose pretreatment because it dissolved cellulose rapidly to achieve a high glucose yield (54.1%), which was only slightly lower than the value (59.6%) obtained using pure [AMIM]Cl. OES pretreatment is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly technique for hydrolysis, because it 1) uses the less expensive OES instead of pure ionic liquids, 2) shortens dissolution time, 3) requires lower energy for stirring and transporting, and 4) is recyclable.</p

Direct production of biodiesel from high-acid value Jatropha oil with solid acid catalyst derived from lignin

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Solid acid catalyst was prepared from Kraft lignin by chemical activation with phosphoric acid, pyrolysis and sulfuric acid. This catalyst had high acid density as characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive x-ray spectrometry (EDX) and Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) method analyses. It was further used to catalyze the esterification of oleic acid and one-step conversion of non-pretreated <it>Jatropha </it>oil to biodiesel. The effects of catalyst loading, reaction temperature and oil-to-methanol molar ratio, on the catalytic activity of the esterification were investigated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The highest catalytic activity was achieved with a 96.1% esterification rate, and the catalyst can be reused three times with little deactivation under optimized conditions. Biodiesel production from <it>Jatropha </it>oil was studied under such conditions. It was found that 96.3% biodiesel yield from non-pretreated <it>Jatropha </it>oil with high-acid value (12.7 mg KOH/g) could be achieved.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The catalyst can be easily separated for reuse. This single-step process could be a potential route for biodiesel production from high-acid value oil by simplifying the procedure and reducing costs.</p

Identification of the anti-COVID-19 mechanism of action of Han-Shi Blocking Lung using network pharmacology-integrated molecular docking

Purpose: To investigate the bio-active components and the potential mechanism of the prescription remedy, Han-Shi blocking lung, with network pharmacology with a view to expanding its application. Methods: Chemical components were first collected from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). Pharmmapper database and GeneCards were used to predict the targets related to active components and COVID-19. Using DAVIDE and KOBAS 3.0 databases, Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were enriched. A “components-targets-pathways” (C-T-P) network was conducted by Cytoscape 3.7.1 software. With the aid of Discovery Studio 2016 software, bio-active components were selected to dock with SARS-COV-2 3CL and ACE2. Results: From the prescription, 47 bio-active components, 83 targets and 103 signaling pathways were obtained in total (p &lt; 0.05). 126 GO entries (p &lt; 0.05) were screened by GO enrichment analysis. Molecular docking results showed that procyanidin B1 eriodictyol, (4E, 6E)-1, 7-bis(4- hydroxyphenyl)hepta-4, 6-dien-3-one, and quercetin had higher docking scores with SARS-COV-2 3CL and ACE2. Conclusion: With network pharmacology and molecular docking, the bio-active components and targets of this prescription, Han-Shi blocking lung, against COVID-19 were identified. Taken together, this study provided a basis for the treatment of COVID-19 and further promotion of this prescription

Retinal Microvasculature in Relation to Central Hemodynamics in a Flemish Population

Arterial stiffness and wave reflection predict cardiovascular mortality and morbidity and are associated with renal microvascular disease. We hypothesized that the retinal microvascular traits might be associated with central hemodynamic properties. In 735 randomly recruited Flemish (mean age, 50.3 years; 47.1% women), we derived central pulse pressure and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity by applanation tonometry and calculated forward (Pf) and backward (Pb) pulse waves, using an automated pressure-based wave separation algorithm. We measured central retinal arteriolar (CRAE) and venular equivalent and their ratio, using IVAN software (Vasculomatic ala Nicola, version 1.1). Mean values for pulse wave velocity (n=554), Pf and Pb were 7.50 m/s, 32.0 mm Hg, and 21.5 mm Hg, respectively. In multivariable-adjusted analyses, CRAE was 4.62 µm and 1.26 µm smaller (P≤0.034) for a 1-SD increment in central mean arterial pressure (+11.3 mm Hg) and central pulse pressure (+15.2 mm Hg); a 1-SD increment in the augmentation ratio (+7.0%), aortic pulse wave velocity (+1.66 m/s), Pf (+10.0 mm Hg), and Pb (+8.5 mm Hg), was associated with smaller CRAE; the association sizes were -1.91 µm, -1.59 µm, -1.45 µm, and -2.38 µm (P≤0.014), respectively. Associations of arteriole-to-venule diameter ratio with the central hemodynamic traits mirrored those of CRAE. None of the multivariable-adjusted associations of central retinal venular diameter with the central hemodynamic traits reached significance with the exception of central diastolic blood pressure (-1.62 µm; P=0.030). In conclusion, in the general population, higher central pulse pressure, pulse wave velocity, Pf, and Pb were associated with smaller CRAE

Guidezilla extension catheter for percutaneous interventional therapy of complex lesions via a transradial approach: Case series from a single-center experience

   Background: Guide catheter extension systems have become one of the most powerful tools for address­ing complex lesions during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but data on a new-generation rapid exchange extension catheter — the Guidezilla catheter — are limited. Summarized herein reports on experience using the Guidezilla catheter for complex coronary lesions via a transradial approach at the documented institution an evaluation of its safety and efficacy. Methods: A total of 25 patients (19 males and 6 females) who underwent PCI via the radial approach with the Guidezilla catheter for adequate back-up support and to facilitate equipment delivery were enrolled. The clinical, angiographic and procedural data of all 26 procedures in 25 patients (1 patient underwent two PCI procedures on different lesions) were collected to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this novel equipment. Results: The mean age of the enrolled patients was 67.7 ± 8.41 years old. The mean depth of intuba­tion was 27.90 ± 12.23 mm. Stent implantation was successful in 23 out of 26 procedures (88.5%) and failed in 3 cases: 1 case of tortuosity and severe angulation in a chronic total occlusion lesion; 1 case of an existing type B dissection (NHLBI classification system for coronary artery dissection types); and 1 case in which a stent was stripped off its balloon. None of the patients experienced coronary dissection, perforation, air embolism, pressure dampening or other major complications during the procedure. Conclusions: The Guidezilla extension catheter is an effective and safe tool that provides improved back-up support and increases the success rate of PCI for complex coronary lesion by radial access

Epidemiologic observations guiding clinical application of a urinary peptidomic marker of diastolic left ventricular dysfunction

Hypertension, obesity, and old age are major risk factors for left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction (LVDD), but easily applicable screening tools for people at risk are lacking. We investigated whether HF1, a urinary biomarker consisting of 85 peptides, can predict over a 5-year time span mildly impaired diastolic LV function as assessed by echocardiography. In 645 white Flemish (50.5% women; 50.9 years [mean]), we measured HF1 by capillary electrophoresis coupled with mass spectrometry in 2005-2010. We measured early (E) and late (A) peak velocities of the transmitral blood flow and early (e') and late (a') mitral annular peak velocities and their ratios in 2009-2013. In multivariable-adjusted analyses, per 1-standard deviation increment in HF1, e' was -0.193 cm/s lower (95% confidence interval: -0.352 to -0.033; P = .018) and E/e' 0.174 units higher (0.005-0.342; P = .043). Of 645 participants, 179 (27.8%) had LVDD at follow-up, based on impaired relaxation in 69 patients (38.5%) or an elevated filling pressure in the presence of a normal (74 [43.8%]) or low (36 [20.1%]) age-specific E/A ratio. For a 1-standard deviation increment in HF1, the adjusted odds ratio was 1.37 (confidence interval, 1.07-1.76; P = .013). The integrated discrimination (+1.14%) and net reclassification (+31.7%) improvement of the optimized HF1 threshold (-0.350) in discriminating normal from abnormal diastolic LV function at follow-up over and beyond other risk factors was significant (P ≤ .024). In conclusion, HF1 may allow screening for LVDD over a 5-year horizon in asymptomatic people