Does culture diversity affect innovation? Evidence from Chinese business group affiliated firms

We analyze how intra-group culture diversity affect group affiliated firm’s innovation. Our findings suggest that the more inconsistency on risk preference among affiliated firms in one group, the less impact of affiliated firm’s own risk culture on innovation. Specifically, we document that intra-group culture diversity impedes individual affiliated firm’s innovation through managerial and controlling agency problems. The heterogeneity test shows that size, executives, headquarter connected, location, state ownership and information quality of affiliated firms can affect intragroup culture diversity on innovation. We prove that intra-group culture diversity impedes innovation on group affiliated firms, which means a dark side of business group affiliation

Sn(II)-containing phosphates as optoelectronic materials

We theoretically investigate Sn(II) phosphates as optoelectronic materials using first principles calculations. We focus on known prototype materials Sn$_n$P$_2$O$_{5+n}$ (n=2, 3, 4, 5) and a previously unreported compound, SnP$_2$O$_6$ (n=1), which we find using global optimization structure prediction. The electronic structure calculations indicate that these compounds all have large band gaps above 3.2 eV, meaning their transparency to visible light. Several of these compounds show relatively low hole effective masses ($\sim$2-3 m$_0$), comparable the electron masses. This suggests potential bipolar conductivity depending on doping. The dispersive valence band-edges underlying the low hole masses, originate from the anti-bonding hybridization between the Sn 5s orbitals and the phosphate groups. Analysis of structure-property relationships for the metastable structures generated during structure search shows considerable variation in combinations of band gap and carrier effective masses, implying chemical tunability of these properties. The unusual combinations of relatively high band gap, low carrier masses and high chemical stability suggests possible optoelectronic applications of these Sn(II) phosphates, including p-type transparent conductors. Related to this, calculations for doped material indicate low visible light absorption, combined with high plasma frequencies.Comment: 10 pages, 10 figures, Supplementary informatio

Litter Decomposition Is Not Affected by Perfluorobutane Sulfonate (PFBS) in Experimental Soil Microcosms

Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) has been found in increasing concentrations in the environment. However, its effect on litter decomposition in soils is still unclear. Therefore, the effect of PFBS on the decomposition of various litter types was tested, as well as on selected aspects of soil quality. Soil samples were treated with different concentrations of PFBS (0, 1, and 10 µg g–1) and five organic litter materials were used with various C:N ratios. A soil microcosm experiment was performed at 20 °C for 6 weeks. Litter decomposition, soil respiration, enzyme activities, soil pH, water-stable aggregates (WSA), and soil total C and N contents were measured. PFBS treatments were observed to have negligible effects on litter decomposition as well as on other soil properties. This means that in the concentration range examined, this substance has no observable effects on the key soil parameters examined. The present result was inconsistent with the findings of a previous study with similar experimental microcosms but different soils. This study suggests that the effects of PFBS may be less pronounced in the tested soil, but it cannot be concluded that PFBS is harmless in soil ecosystems. A wider range of soil types and PFBS levels should be tested in future studies

Oscillation-specific nodal alterations in early to middle stages Parkinsons disease.

Background: Different oscillations of brain networks could carry different dimensions of brain integration. We aimed to investigate oscillation-specific nodal alterations in patients with Parkinsons disease (PD) across early stage to middle stage by using graph theory-based analysis. Methods: Eighty-eight PD patients including 39 PD patients in the early stage (EPD) and 49 patients in the middle stage (MPD) and 36 controls were recruited in the present study. Graph theory-based network analyses from three oscillation frequencies (slow-5: 0.01-0.027 Hz; slow-4: 0.027-0.073 Hz; slow-3: 0.073-0.198 Hz) were analyzed. Nodal metrics (e.g. nodal degree centrality, betweenness centrality and nodal efficiency) were calculated. Results: Our results showed that (1) a divergent effect of oscillation frequencies on nodal metrics, especially on nodal degree centrality and nodal efficiency, that the anteroventral neocortex and subcortex had high nodal metrics within low oscillation frequencies while the posterolateral neocortex had high values within the relative high oscillation frequency was observed, which visually showed that network was perturbed in PD; (2) PD patients in early stage relatively preserved nodal properties while MPD patients showed widespread abnormalities, which was consistently detected within all three oscillation frequencies; (3) the involvement of basal ganglia could be specifically observed within slow-5 oscillation frequency in MPD patients; (4) logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses demonstrated that some of those oscillation-specific nodal alterations had the ability to well discriminate PD patients from controls or MPD from EPD patients at the individual level; (5) occipital disruption within high frequency (slow-3) made a significant influence on motor impairment which was dominated by akinesia and rigidity. Conclusions: Coupling various oscillations could provide potentially useful information for large-scale network and progressive oscillation-specific nodal alterations were observed in PD patients across early to middle stages

Design of Lead-Free Inorganic Halide Perovskites for Solar Cells via Cation-Transmutation

Hybrid organic-inorganic halide perovskites with the prototype material of CH$_{3}$NH$_{3}$PbI$_{3}$ have recently attracted intense interest as low-cost and high-performance photovoltaic absorbers. Despite the high power conversion efficiency exceeding 20% achieved by their solar cells, two key issues -- the poor device stabilities associated with their intrinsic material instability and the toxicity due to water soluble Pb$^{2+}$ -- need to be resolved before large-scale commercialization. Here, we address these issues by exploiting the strategy of cation-transmutation to design stable inorganic Pb-free halide perovskites for solar cells. The idea is to convert two divalent Pb$^{2+}$ ions into one monovalent M$^{+}$ and one trivalent M$^{3+}$ ions, forming a rich class of quaternary halides in double-perovskite structure. We find through first-principles calculations this class of materials have good phase stability against decomposition and wide-range tunable optoelectronic properties. With photovoltaic-functionality-directed materials screening, we identify eleven optimal materials with intrinsic thermodynamic stability, suitable band gaps, small carrier effective masses, and low excitons binding energies as promising candidates to replace Pb-based photovoltaic absorbers in perovskite solar cells. The chemical trends of phase stabilities and electronic properties are also established for this class of materials, offering useful guidance for the development of perovskite solar cells fabricated with them.Comment: pages 19, 4 figures in main tex

A multi-degree-of-freedom reconfigurable ankle rehabilitation robot with adjustable workspace for post-stroke lower limb ankle rehabilitation

Introduction: A multi-degree-of-freedom ankle rehabilitation robot with an adjustable workspace has been designed to facilitate ankle joint rehabilitation training. It features a rotation center adapted to the human body, making it suitable for patients with ankle dysfunction following a stroke.Method: In this study, a multi-degree-of-freedom reconfigurable ankle rehabilitation robot (RARR) with adaptable features, based on the principles of ergonomics, has been proposed to cater to the varying needs of patients. This robot offers an adjustable workspace, allowing for different types of ankle joint rehabilitation exercises to be performed. By adjusting the assembly of the RARR, personalized and targeted training can be provided to patients, circumventing issues of redundancy in degrees of freedom during its use. A kinematic model of the robot has been established, and finite element simulation has been employed to analyze the strength of critical components, ensuring the safety of the robot. An experimental platform has been set up to assess the smoothness of the rehabilitation process with RARR, with angle measurements conducted using an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU).Results and discussion: In conclusion, both simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the robot offers an adjustable workspace and exhibits relatively smooth motion, thereby confirming the safety and effectiveness of the robot. These outcomes align with the intended design goals, facilitating ankle joint rehabilitation and advancing the field of reconfigurable robotics. The RARR boasts a compact structure and portability, making it suitable for various usage scenarios. It is easily deployable for at-home use by patients and holds practical application value for wider adoption in rehabilitation settings

Proteomic analysis of regenerating mouse liver following 50% partial hepatectomy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although 70% (or 2/3) partial hepatectomy (PH) is the most studied model for liver regeneration, the hepatic protein expression profile associated with lower volume liver resection (such as 50% PH) has not yet been reported. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the global protein expression profile of the regenerating mouse liver following 50% PH by differential proteomics, and thereby gaining some insights into the hepatic regeneration mechanism(s) under this milder but clinically more relevant condition.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Proteins from sham-operated mouse livers and livers regenerating for 24 h after 50% PH were separated by SDS-PAGE and analyzed by nanoUPLC-Q-Tof mass spectrometry. Compared to sham-operated group, there were totally 87 differentially expressed proteins (with 50 up-regulated and 37 down-regulated ones) identified in the regenerating mouse livers, most of which have not been previously related to liver regeneration. Remarkably, over 25 differentially expressed proteins were located at mitochondria. Several of the mitochondria-resident proteins which play important roles in citric acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation and ATP production were found to be down-regulated, consistent with the recently-proposed model in which the reduction of ATP content in the remnant liver gives rise to early stress signals that contribute to the onset of liver regeneration. Pathway analysis revealed a central role of c-Myc in the regulation of liver regeneration.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our study provides novel evidence for mitochondria as a pivotal organelle that is connected to liver regeneration, and lays the foundation for further studies on key factors and pathways involved in liver regeneration following 50% PH, a condition frequently used for partial liver transplantation and conservative liver resection.</p

Cellular Internalization and Cytotoxicity of Aptamers Selected from Lung Cancer Cell

Abstract In this work, single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) aptamers against EGFR-transfected A549 cells, one type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, were selected by cell-SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) and were evaluated. The selected aptamers had high affinity to the A549 cells with dissociation constants in the nanomolar rang. Moreover, the aptamers were able to internalize into the cells, which is advantageous over most of the other existing aptamers. One of the selected aptamers showed significant cytotoxicity by inhibiting the cell proliferation and inducing cell apoptosis. These aptamers are expected to be new molecular probes for cancer cell targeting and drug delivery