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Ferroptosis, characterized by iron-dependent cell death, has recently emerged as a critical defense mechanism against microbial infections. The present study aims to investigate the involvement of exosomes in the induction of ferroptosis and the inhibition of bacterial infection in crustaceans. Our findings provide compelling evidence for the pivotal role of exosomes in the immune response of crustaceans, wherein they facilitate intracellular iron accumulation and activate the ferroptotic pathways. Using RNA-seq and bioinformatic analysis, we demonstrate that cytochrome P450 (CYP) can effectively trigger ferroptosis. Moreover, by conducting an analysis of exosome cargo proteins, we have identified the participation of six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate 4 in the regulation of hemocyte ferroptotic sensitivity. Subsequent functional investigations unveil that six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate 4 enhances cellular Fe2+ levels, thereby triggering Fenton reactions and accelerating CYPmediated lipid peroxidation, ultimately culminating in ferroptotic cell death. Additionally, the Fe2+-dependent CYP catalyzes the conversion of arachidonic acid into 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, which activates the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor. Consequently, the downstream target of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, cluster of differentiation 36, promotes intracellular fatty acid accumulation, lipid peroxidation, and ferroptosis. These significant findings shed light on the immune defense mechanisms employed by crustaceans and provide potential strategies for combating bacterial infections in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high pathogenicity to organisms and high destructiveness in the natural environment determine the utmost importance of removing Cr(VI) from water. Herein, thiourea crosslinked-amino modified graphene nanoflakes (TAGN) was prepared by simple ring opening reaction and silanization reaction and the Cr(VI) adsorption performance was investigated. Results manifested that TAGN presented three-dimensional porous structure with abundant folds and avoided agglomeration. The adsorption experiments indicated that the optimal test pH value was 2 and the most suitable adsorbent dosage was 1 g/L. Under the optimum adsorption conditions, TAGN exhibited an outstanding adsorption capacity of 193.77 mg/g for Cr(VI) in water. Various characterizations and tests such as Zeta potential, FTIR, XPS as well as isotherms and kinetics revealed that the adsorption of TAGN for Cr(VI) was more consistent with Freundlich isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model, confirming a multilayer chemisorption process dominated by multiple combination mechanisms: electrostatic interaction, reduction reaction, complexation and hydrogen bonding interaction. Under the condition of coexistence of multiple metal ions, the TAGN could still maintain superb selectivity of 63.9% towards Cr(VI). After ten cycling test, 81.8% removal efficiency of Cr(VI) was guaranteed. Therefore, TAGN possessed high adsorption capacity, excellent selectivity and prominent cyclic regeneration ability. This work provided a promising nanosorbent for the field of water cleaning, especially for the elimination of heavy metal ions. [Display omitted] • Thiourea crosslinked-amino modified graphene nanoflakes were fabricated via simple ring opening reactions and silanation reactions. •The adsorbent presented three-dimensional porous structure with abundant folds and avoided agglomeration. •The adsorbent displayed outstanding purification efficiency towards Cr(VI). •Superior selectivity in highly concentrated polymetallic solutions was achieved. •Remarkable stability in the cyclic test was obtained for the neoteric sorbent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microstructure formation during a liquid-liquid phase transformation of immiscible alloys remains an unsolved scientific problem. In this work, casting experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of TiC particles on the liquid-liquid phase transformation of Al-Pb alloys. SEM and EDS investigations reveal that TiC particles can be used as inoculants for the nucleation of the Pb-rich droplets during the liquid-liquid decomposition of Al-Pb alloys and promote the formation of Al-Pb alloy with a dispersed microstructure. A model was developed to describe the kinetic behavior of TiC particles and the precipitation of the Pb rich droplets in the melt. The dissolution, coarsening and precipitation of TiC particles during the whole process from the very beginning of the addition of TiC into the melt till the liquid-liquid phase transformation of the Al-Pb alloy were calculated. It is demonstrated that if the number density of the TiC particles in the melt cooled to the binodal line temperature of Al-Pb alloys is high enough, the addition of TiC causes a refinement of the Pb-rich droplets/particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Zinc deficiency has been well documented in alcoholic liver disease.Objective: This study was undertaken to determine whether dietary zinc supplementation provides beneficial effects in treating alcohol-induced gut leakiness and endotoxemia.Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups and pair-fed (PF) Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet for 8 wk: 1) control (PF); 2) alcohol-fed (AF; 5.00-5.42% wt:vol ethanol); and 3) AF with zinc supplementation (AF/Zn) at 220 ppm zinc sulfate heptahydrate. The PF and AF/Zn groups were pair-fed with the AF group. Hepatic inflammation and endotoxin signaling were determined by immunofluorescence and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Alterations in intestinal tight junctions and aldehyde dehydrogenases were assessed by qPCR and Western blot analysis.Results: The AF rats had greater macrophage activation and cytokine production (P < 0.05) in the liver compared with the PF rats, whereas the AF/Zn rats showed no significant differences (P > 0.05). Plasma endotoxin concentrations of the AF rats were 136% greater than those of the PF rats, whereas the AF/Zn rats did not differ from the PF rats. Ileal permeability was 255% greater in the AF rats and 19% greater in the AF/Zn rats than in the PF rats. The AF group had reduced intestinal claudin-1, occludin, and zona occludens-1 (ZO-1) expression, and the AF/Zn group had upregulated claudin-1 and ZO-1 expression (P < 0.05) compared with the PF group. The intestinal epithelial expression and activity of aldehyde dehydrogenases were elevated (P < 0.05) in the AF/Zn rats compared with those of the AF rats. Furthermore, the ileal expression and function of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α, which was impaired in the AF group, was significantly elevated in the AF/Zn group compared with the PF group.Conclusions: The results demonstrate that attenuating hepatic endotoxin signaling by preserving the intestinal barrier contributes to the protective effect of zinc on alcohol-induced steatohepatitis in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The removal of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) from contaminated soil by an amino carboxylic acid-enhanced zero-valent iron/Air (ZVI/Air) Fenton-like system has been performed in this study. The effects of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS) on the catalytic degradation of 2,4-DCP were primarily studied in the presence of ZVI catalyst and O2 oxidant. The result indicated that the degradation of 2,4-DCP in ZVI/Air system was hindered by EDDS but enhanced by EDTA. Complete destruction of 2,4-DCP in contaminated soil was achieved in the heterogeneous ZVI/EDTA/Air (ZEA) Fenton-like system under ambient air and room temperature. ZVI and EDTA were the predominant factors influencing the degradation of 2,4-DCP. The degradation of 2,4-DCP was ascribed to heterogeneous catalytic reaction over the ZVI surface in situ modified by EDTA via the formation of monodentate inner-sphere complexes. In this system, two main reactive oxygen species of O2-/HO2 and Fe(IV) were generated, in which O2-/HO2 was predominant. The novel ZEA oxidation system provides a promising eco-friendly alternative for the remediation of contaminated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence and seasonal variation of 50 pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Xiamen, China was investigated over a period of one year. Among the targets, 39 PPCPs were detected in the influent. The highest concentration was observed for acetaminophen, with the average concentration in the influent of 2963.5ng/L. The seasonal variation of PPCPs in the influent was observed. For most pharmaceuticals, highest concentrations were in March 2013, followed by December 2012, while the concentrations were lower in August 2012 and May 2013. Among the detected PPCPs, 14 targets could be removed more than 50% in the WWTP. The activated sludge treatment process contributed to most of PPCP removal, while the adsorption to the particles in the primary treatment and the transformation under UV radiation in the disinfection treatment also contributed to the PPCP removal. Among the detected PPCPs in the influent, 36 PPCPs could be detected in the final effluent of the WWTP. Significantly higher concentrations of PPCPs were observed in effluent samples collected in March 2013 compared to other seasons, suggesting higher concentrations of PPCPs could be discharged into the surrounding seawater during this period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caspase 1 activation can be induced by oxidative stress, which leads to the release of the proinflammatory cytokines IL1β and IL18 in myeloid cells and a potentially damaging inflammatory response. However, little is known about the role of caspase 1 in non-immune cells, such as hepatocytes, that express and activate the inflammasome but do not produce a significant amount of IL1β/IL18. Here we demonstrate that caspase 1 activation protects against cell death after redox stress induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation in hepatocytes. Mechanistically, we show that caspase 1 reduces mitochondrial respiration and reactive oxygen species by increasing mitochondrial autophagy and subsequent clearance of mitochondria in hepatocytes after hypoxia/reoxygenation. Caspase 1 increases autophagic flux through up-regulating autophagy initiator beclin 1 during redox stress and is an important cell survival factor in hepatocytes. We find that during hemorrhagic shock with resuscitation, an in vivo mouse model associated with severe hepatic redox stress, caspase 1 activation is also protective against liver injury and excessive oxidative stress through the up-regulation of beclin 1. Our findings suggest an alternative role for caspase 1 activation in promoting adaptive responses to oxidative stress and, more specifically, in limiting reactive oxygen species production and damage in cells and tissues where IL1β/IL18 are not highly expressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To establish the two key in wireless sensor network is a basic security services, forming the basis other security services, such as authentication and encrypted. However, due to the sensor network resource constraints on to establish the two key not wireless sensor networks trivial tasks. The existing key, pre-alpha-ever scheme compromise node number and a minor part however influence key will increase quickly. As a result, a small compromise the number of node may affect the most adversaries. This paper proposes an improved key management wireless sensor network plan, take advantage of one-way hash function to alleviate the influence of compromise the sensor high sensor nodes. At the same time, this method does not affect the connection between neighboring sensor node. The analysis shows that compared with the existing plan which has good network resilience against node capture attack. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The molecular basis for retention of integral membrane proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is not well understood. We recently discovered a novel ER molecular chaperone termed Cosmc, which is essential for folding and normal activity of the Golgi enzyme T-synthase. Cosmc, a type II single-pass transmembrane protein, lacks any known ER retrieval/retention motifs. To explore specific ER localization determinants in Cosmc we generated a series of Cosmc mutants along with chimeras of Cosmc with a non-ER resident type II protein, the human transferrin receptor. Here we show that the 18 amino acid transmembrane domain (TMD) of Cosmc is essential for ER localization and confers ER retention to select chimeras. Moreover, mutations of a single Cys residue within the TMD of Cosmc prevent formation of disulfide-bonded dimers of Cosmc and eliminate ER retention. These studies reveal that Cosmc has a unique ER-retention motif within its TMD and provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms by which TMDs of resident ER proteins contribute to ER localization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Androgen receptor (AR) within prostatic mesenchymal cells, with the absence of AR in the epithelium, is still sufficient to induce prostate development. AR in the luminal epithelium is required to express the secretory markers associated with differentiation. Nkx3.1 is expressed in the epithelium in early prostatic embryonic development and expression is maintained in the adult. Induction of the mouse prostate gland by the embryonic mesenchymal cells results in the organization of a sparse basal layer below the luminal epithelium with rare neuroendocrine cells that are interdispersed within this basal layer. The human prostate shows similar glandular organization; however, the basal layer is continuous. The strong inductive nature of embryonic prostatic and bladder mesenchymal cells is demonstrated in grafts where embryonic stem (ES) cells are induced to differentiate and organize as a prostate and bladder, respectively. Further, the ES cells can be driven by the correct embryonic mesenchymal cells to form epithelium that differentiates into secretory prostate glands and differentiated bladders that produce uroplakin. This requires the ES cells to mature into endoderm that gives rise to differentiated epithelium. This process is control by transcription factors in both the inductive mesenchymal cells (AR) and the responding epithelium (FoxA1 and Nkx3.1) that allows for organ development and differentiation. In this review, we explore a molecular mechanism where the pattern of transcription factor expression controls cell determination, where the cell is assigned a developmental fate and subsequently cell differentiation, and where the assigned cell now emerges with it's own unique character. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The surface tension and contact angle can be reduced by adding NaCl. • Treated with SDS and NaCl can change the content of functional groups in coal. • The contact angle decreases with the increase of CH 3 content. In order to enhance the wetting performance of surfactants to coal dust and reduce the harm caused by coal dust, different concentration of NaCl solution was added to the anionic surfactant of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS). The effect of NaCl-SDS compound solution on wetting coal was studied by DSA25 optical droplet morphology analysis system and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results show that the surface tension and contact angle decrease significantly with the increase of NaCl concentration in SDS. When the concentration of NaCl is 0.9 mol/L, the surface tension and contact angle are the lowest, which are 29.41 mN/m and 29.3°, respectively. In addition, adding NaCl to SDS can change the content of functional groups in coal, in which the content of methyl (CH 3) increases with the increase of NaCl concentration. The effect of CH 3 content on the contact angle is the most significant, and the contact angle decreases with the increase of CH 3 content. The addition of NaCl into SDS can effectively reduce the surface tension of the solution, reduce the contact angle between the solution and the coal sample, and improve the wetting effect. In this paper, a new compound solution is prepared by combining a surfactant and an inorganic salt, and the NaCl-SDS compound solution can further improve the wettability of the surfactant, and is of great significance in reducing the coal dust in the mining process of the coal mine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytokine storm development is a major cause of many transplant-related complications, especially during the conditioning regimen. This study aimed to characterize the cytokine profile and determine its prognostic impact during conditioning in patients undergoing subsequent haploidentical stem cell transplantation. A total of 43 patients were enrolled in this study. Sixteen cytokines associated with cytokine release syndrome (CRS) during anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) treatment were quantified in patients undergoing haploidentical stem cell transplantation. Thirty-six (83.7%) patients developed CRS during ATG treatment; most of those cases (33/36; 91.7%) were classified as grade 1 CRS, whereas only three (7.0%) developed grade 2 CRS. CRS was observed more frequently on the first (15/43; 34.9%) and second day (30/43; 69.8%) of ATG infusion. No factors were identified that could predict the development of CRS on the first day of ATG treatment. Five of the 16 cytokines (interleukins 6, 8, and 10 (IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10), C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin (PCT)) were significantly elevated during ATG treatment, although only the level of IL-6, IL-10, and PCT were associated with the severity of CRS. However, neither CRS nor the cytokine levels significantly impacted the development of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) or cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection or affected overall survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coalbed methane energy resources waste, environmental pollution and miner's health remain challenging problems in worldwide mining operations accompanied by coal-gas outbursts; thus, the safe and efficient yield of these resources plays a vital role in the world's energy market. The tectonic coal development is a significant geological feature of coal and gas outburst sites, and the study of coal and gas outburst mechanism should be based on more precise geological occurrence characteristics. In this paper, the geological characteristics of coal and gas outburst sites were analyzed. The failure law of coal body under the stratified occurrence of tectonic coal and raw coal seam with different thickness was studied. The mechanical equilibrium equation of non-synchronous deformation of tectonic coal and raw coal was constructed, the initiation criterion of coal and gas outburst was established based on the support body model, and a case study was carried out. The results show that with the thickness increase of the tectonic coal seam, the peak displacement of the driving face increases. The outburst start-up and development of coal and gas outburst, coal and gas extrusion outburst and coal and gas collapse outburst were deeply analyzed, as well as the internal reasons of the occurrence of coal-gas outburst portent are explained, based on the support body model. The development process from the start to the end of coal and gas outburst is revealed, and a new perspective is proposed for the prevention and control of coal and gas outburst: improving the strength of support body is also of great significance for the prevention and control of coal and gas outburst. • Asynchronous deformation induced coal-gas outburst mechanism. • The initiation criterion of coal and gas outburst was established. • The start and development process of the three types outburst were revealed. • New theoretical method and direction into dynamic disaster monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction ATP-binding cassette transporter 1 (ABCA1), a member of the ATP-binding cassette family, plays a critical role in the development of atherosclerosis (AS). This meta-analysis was performed to assess the associations of ABCA1 C69T and V825I polymorphisms with AS susceptibility. Materials and methods A comprehensive search was conducted to identify all eligible studies from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane database, CBMdisc, CNKI and Google Scholar. Additionally, hand searching of the references of identified articles was performed. All statistical analyses were done with Review Manager 5.1.4 and Stata 11.0. Results Eleven articles involving 14 studies were included in the final meta-analysis. For the ABCA1 C69T polymorphism, six studies involving 1854 AS cases and 5744 controls were combined showing significant association between this variant and AS risk (for T allele vs. C allele: OR =1.44, 95% CI =1.04-1.24, p =0.005; for T/T vs. C/C: OR =1.39, 95% CI =1.12-1.73, p =0.003; for T/T vs. C/T+C/C: OR =1.34, 95% CI =1.09-1.65, p =0.006; for T/T+C/T vs. C/C: OR =1.13, 95% CI =1.01-1.27, p =0.040). For the ABCA1 V825I polymorphism, eight studies involving 2026 AS cases and 8696 controls were combined. There was no significant association between the variant and AS risk (for I allele vs. V allele: OR =1.18, 95% CI =0.90-1.53, p =0.230; for I/I vs. V/V: OR =1.29, 95% CI =0.75-2.23, p =0.360; for I/I vs. V/I+V/V: OR =1.40, 95% CI =0.87-2.26, p =0.160; for I/I+V/I vs. V/V: OR =1.15, 95% CI =1.00-1.33, p =0.060). Conclusions This meta-analysis suggested that the ABCA1 C69T polymorphism was associated with an increased AS risk. Furthermore, there was no significant association between the ABCA1 V825I polymorphism and AS risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of cost-effective technologies for degradation of microcystin from water bodies has generated considerable scientific, regulatory and public interest. In this study, functional bentonite supported Fe/Pd nanoparticles (B-Fe/Pd) was used to remove microcystin-LR (MC-LR). Batch experiments showed that 96.86% of MC-LR was removed using B-Fe/Pd, while only 81.76% and 10.06% of MC-LR were removed using Fe/Pd nanoparticles and bentonite after degrading 3 h, respectively. Characterizations of SEM, EDS, XRD and XPS indicated that the bentonite as a support decreased in aggregation of nanoparticles and enhanced in the adsorption of MC-LR onto the B-Fe/Pd, while Fe and Pd were loaded on bentonite and the formation of iron oxide after B-Fe/Pd reacting with MC-LR. UV-vis and FTIR spectra demonstrated that the peak of MC-LR was degraded and new bands were formed. LC-MS revealed that the intermediates at m/z 999.6, 413.3 and 331.2 continued to be observed when MC-LR degraded by B-Fe/Pd. Degradation of MC-LR fitted well to the pseudo-first kinetic order model with activation energy of 12.21 kJ/mol. Finally, a degradation mechanism of MC-LR was proposed based on the MC-LR was firstly adsorbed on B-Fe/Pd, followed by catalytic degradation using Fe/Pd nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanism of desensitization of the nitric oxide (NO) receptor (αi·β1 isoform of soluble guanylyl cyclase, sGC) is not known. Models of the structure of αi·β1, based on the x-ray crystal structure of adenylyl cyclase (AC) suggest the existence of a nucleotide-like binding site, in addition to the putative catalytic site. We have previously reported that mutating residues that coordinate Mg2+GTP (substrate) binding in αi·β1 into those present in AC fully reverts GC activity to AC activity. The wild-type form of αi·β1 (GC-wt) and the mutant form (AC-mut, α1R592Q·β1E473K, C541D) were purified, and their sensitivities to various nucleotides were assessed. In using the AC-rout as well as other mutants that coordinate purine binding, we were able to distinguish allosteric inhibitory effects of guanine nucleotides from competitively inhibitory effects on catalytic activity. Here we report that several nucleotide analogs drastically alter sGC and AC-mut activity by acting at a second nucleotide site, likely pseudosymmetric to the catalytic site. In particular, Mg2+GTPγS and Mg2+ATPγS inhibited cyclase activity through a mixed, non-competitive mechanism that was only observable under NO stimulation and not under basal conditions. The non-competitive pattern of inhibition was not present in mutants carrying the substitution β1D477A, the pseudosymmetric equivalent to α1D529 (located in the substrate-binding site and involved in substrate binding and catalysis), or with the double mutations α1E525K, C594D, the pseudosymmetric equivalent to β1E473K, C541D. Taken together these data suggest that occupation of the second site by nucleotides may underlie part of the mechanism of desensitization of sGC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• SDS synergistic acidification increased the proportion of seepage pores by 5.99%. • SDS synergistic acidification promotes the pores connectivity of coal. • The average size of corrosion hole is distributed at the nanometer scale. • Coal quality characteristics have a great influence on the pore fractal dimension. In order to study the influence of surfactant on pore fractal characteristics of composite acidized coal. In this paper, the coal samples were acidified by solution constituted with the Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS), hydrochloric acid (HCL) and hydrofluoric acid (HF). And the proximate and ultimate analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) testing, scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) testing were carried out. The fractal dimension of pore in coal was evaluated by fractal theory, and the evolution relationship between coal quality, NMR fractal features and coal pore structure parameters were characterized. The results show that the addition of surfactant has a great influence on the coal characters. The mineral content in coal is exponential positively correlated with the fractal dimension (D s) of seepage pores. The relative content of ash is linear positively correlated with the fractal dimension. Conversely, the volatiles is linear negatively correlated with the fractal dimension. SDS synergistic acidification compared to without SDS, the fractal dimension (D w) of the total pore distribution and the fractal dimension (D s) of the seepage pores are both reduced, indicated that the addition of SDS promotes the improvement of coal pore connectivity by acidification treatment. The results showed that after SDS synergistic acidification, the proportion of seepage pore volume was increased by 5.99%, and the fractal dimension is linear negatively correlated with the porosity. The changes of these parameters are beneficial to the seepage, migration and extraction of coalbed methane. Therefore, SDS synergistic composite acid fracturing technology has practical guiding significance for improving acid fracturing effect and increasing coal seam permeability. The research results are of great significance for improving the efficiency of coalbed methane mining and reducing coalbed methane pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issue of global warming is becoming more prominent with passage of time, prompting authorities to take action against it. In this context, first, this study focuses on studying the role of the board sustainable committee for corporate social responsibility. Second, this study considers the importance of gender diversity for corporate social responsibility as a moderating factor between board sustainable committee and corporate social responsibility. Third, this study highlights the significance of ownership concentration for improving the corporate social responsibility. Lastly, this study uses the role of ownership concentration as a moderating factor in the association between board sustainable committees and corporate social responsibility. This study uses panel data of 297 Chinese manufacturing firms (2970 observations) for the period 2010–2019, and employs different dynamic panel regression models and robustness test. This study concludes following: first, the board sustainable committee has significance for improving the corporate social responsibility. Second, gender diversity helps to improve the corporate social responsibility. Third, gender diversity helps to enhance the linkage between the board sustainable committee and corporate social responsibility. Fourth, ownership concentration positively affects corporate social responsibility. Fifth, ownership concentration is beneficial to the board sustainable committee and corporate social responsibility. These findings contribute to the literature by providing guidance to the policymakers and regulatory organizations for achieving the sustainable development. • The improvement of CSR via board sustainable committee with effect ofgender diversity and ownership concentration. • This study uses fixed effect, generalized method of moment, and the feasible generalized least square. • Board sustainable committee, gender diversity, and ownership concentration found to be beneficial for CSR. • Gender diversity and ownership concentration positively moderates the connection amid BSC and CSR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lipid microenvironment of receptors can influence their conformation, function, and regulation. Cholecystokinin (CCK)-stimulated signaling is abnormal in some forms of hyperlipidemia, suggesting the possibility of unique sensitivity to its lipid environment. Here we examined the influence of cholesterol and sphingolipids on CCK receptors in model Chinese hamster ovary cell systems having lipid levels modified. Cholesterol was modulated chemically or metabolically, and sphingolipids were modulated using a temperature-sensitive cell line (SPB-1). Receptor conformation was probed with a fluorescent full agonist ligand, Alexa 488-conjugated Gly-[Nle28,31]CCK-(26-33), shown previously to decrease in anisotropy and lifetime when occupying a receptor in the active conformation (Harikumar, K. G., Pinon, D. L., Wessels, W. S., Prendergast, F. G., and Miller, L. J. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 18552-18560). Anisotropy and lifetime of this probe were increased and prolonged with cholesterol enrichment, and decreased and shortened with depletion of cholesterol or sphingolipids. The increase in these parameters with cholesterol enrichment may reflect change in CCK receptor conformation toward its inactive, uncoupled state. Indeed, cholesterol enrichment resulted in nonproductive agonist ligand binding, with affinity of binding higher than normal and calcium signaling in response to this reduced. In cholesteroland sphingolipid-depleted states, the receptor moved into conformations that were less than optimal. With cholesterol depletion, both ligand binding and signaling were decreased, yet internalization and trafficking were unperturbed. With sphingolipid depletion, ligand binding and signaling were normal, but internalization and trafficking were markedly inhibited. Of note, normai transferrin receptor trafficking through the same clathrin-dependent pathway was maintained under these conditions. Thus, lipid microenvironment of the CCK receptor is particularly important, with different lipids having distinct effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Material synergy optimization effect is more potent than a single substance. • Styrene-acrylic emulsion can greatly enhance the elastic modulus of cement. • Styrene-acrylic emulsions and SiO 2 improve pore structure and strength of cement. • Styrene-acrylic emulsion and SiO 2 increase the fractal dimension of materials. To enhance the drilling sealing material's performance, SiO 2 , sodium silicate, and styrene-acrylic emulsion are selected to optimize the pore structure. Through the uniaxial compression experiment, NMR, SEM, and combined with fractal theory, each substance's influence on the pore structure and physical strength of the sealing material is analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. The results show that the synergistic effect of styrene-acrylic emulsion and SiO 2 on cement performance improvement is better than that of a single substance. The porosity of the optimized material decreases by more than 13.49%, and the peak stress of uniaxial compression is increased by more than 18.08%. Besides, the styrene-acrylic emulsion can improve the material's elastic modulus and enhance the material's ability to resist harmful external factors. Sodium silicate can hinder the optimization effect of SiO 2 and styrene-acrylic emulsion. Compared with ordinary cement, the peak stress of materials containing these three substances is reduced by 3.05%, and the porosity is decreased only by 0.73%. Comparing the fractal dimension of each material, SiO 2 and styrene-acrylic emulsion increases the total pore fractal dimension (D w) and the percolation pore fractal dimension (D s) of the material. The fractal dimension has a positive linear correlation with the porosity, which indicates that the pore structure of the material is optimized, and the pore connectivity is reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to characterize the effect of ionic liquid concentration on the molecular structure of lignite, the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) experiments were performed on lignite coal samples treated with different concentrations of ionic liquids. The results show that with the increase of IL concentrations, the apparent aromaticity f a increases gradually. The chemical bonds on both sides of the alkyl groups are destroyed, the alkyl chains become shorter, and the molecular structure become more compact. The C-O groups such as alcohol, phenol and ether groups are converted to C O groups such as carbonyl, aldehyde and carboxy groups. The inter-layer spacing (d 002) ranges from 0.374 to 0.379, which is slightly higher than that in pure graphite. It indicates that the crystalline order in coal samples is in a lower degree. The L a ranges from 3.05 to 4.05 nm and L c ranges from 0.98 to 1.11 nm, which indicates the crystallite size increases further and the order degree of coal samples gradually approaches graphitization. The results of this paper can provide some reference for studying the characteristics of molecular structure change of coal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal pore structure is not only closely related to gas adsorption, but also affect the dynamic characteristics of gas desorption and diffusion. In order to understand the influence of pulsating hydraulic fracturing on the variation of coal pore structure, in this paper, the mercury intrusion method and liquid nitrogen adsorption method were used to quantitatively analyze the changes of coal porosity and pore size distribution under the action of pulse wave. And combined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) test to study the variation of minerals on the surface of coal samples. The results show that the influence of pulsating load on coal porosity is greater than that of static pressure load. The cumulative volume of micropores and their proportion decrease with the increase of pulsating frequency and pressure; the cumulative volume and proportion of macropores show an increasing trend; the cumulative volume of mesopores increases with increasing frequency, but the proportion increases in the low frequency phase, and decreases in the high frequency phase. There are two types of pores in the coal sample affected by the pulse waves: one is the expansion of the original pores, and the other is the new pores because the mineral crystals embedded in the coal body are washed out. The results have an important theoretical basis for the analysis of gas microscopic dynamics during pulsating hydraulic fracturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Water treated reduced the pore volume and specific surface area. • Compared with water treated, mesopore volume increased in ionic liquid treated coal. • After ionic liquid treated, the pore becomes rougher and more complex. • Ionic liquid treated can change pore structures and improve coalbed methane mining. In order to study the variation of pore characteristics and fractal dimensions, coal samples are treated by ionic liquid with different concentrations. Then the N 2 isotherm adsorption/desorption experiment is carried out. The results show that water treatment caused a decrease in total pore volume. While the total pore volume in ionic liquid treated coal samples are larger than that in water treated coal sample. In comparison with water treated coal sample, the volumes of micropores in ionic liquid treated coal samples are reduced and the specific surface areas are increased. However, the volume and specific surface area of the mesopores are opposite to those in the water treated coal sample. The fractal dimensions D 1 and D 2 are calculated. The results show D 1 decreases in water treated coal sample while increases in ionic liquid treated coal samples. D 2 decreases obviously in water treated coal sample. Besides, it is lower than that in ionic liquid treated coal samples. Those indicate single water treatment will decrease the surface roughness and structural complexity of pores, while ionic liquid treatment will increase it. This study is of great significance to enhance the CBM exploitation and reduce the water block effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]