Role of investor attention and executive green awareness on environmental information disclosure of Chinese high-tech listed companies.

Against the backdrop of growing public concern about environmental disclosure, and despite this concern, the level of environmental disclosure by high-tech firms remains low, necessitating a heightened emphasis on corporate environmental disclosure. This study delves into the impact of investor attention on the environmental information disclosure of Chinese high-tech firms, analyzing data from 463 firms between 2011 and 2022. Utilizing dynamic panel GMM, our findings highlight a significant negative correlation between investor attention and environmental information disclosure. We also introduced executive green awareness, exploring their moderating role. The results show that improved executive green awareness mitigates the adverse impact of investor attention on environmental information disclosure. However, heterogeneity analysis revealed that this moderating effect does not exist in IT service and non-polluting high-tech enterprises. This research offers policy implications for enhancing transparency and environmental governance through targeted investor engagement and executive training programs. The findings underscore the importance of a comprehensive regulatory framework tailored to sector-specific challenges in high-tech industry.

Fe(III) Docking-Activated Sites in Layered Birnessite for Efficient Water Oxidation.

Non-noble metal catalysts for promoting the sluggish kinetics of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are essential to efficient water splitting for sustainable hydrogen production. Birnessite has a local atomic structure similar to that of an oxygen-evolving complex in photosystem II, while the catalytic activity of birnessite is far from satisfactory. Herein, we report a novel Fe-Birnessite (Fe-Bir) catalyst obtained by controlled Fe(III) intercalation- and docking-induced layer reconstruction. The reconstruction dramatically lowers the OER overpotential to 240 mV at 10 mA/cm2 and the Tafel slope to 33 mV/dec, making Fe-Bir the best of all the reported Bir-based catalysts, even on par with the best transition-metal-based OER catalysts. Experimental characterizations and molecular dynamics simulations elucidate that the catalyst features active Fe(III)-O-Mn(III) centers interfaced with ordered water molecules between neighboring layers, which lower reorganization energy and accelerate electron transfer. DFT calculations and kinetic measurements show non-concerted PCET steps conforming to a new OER mechanism, wherein the neighboring Fe(III) and Mn(III) synergistically co-adsorb OH* and O* intermediates with a substantially reduced O-O coupling activation energy. This work highlights the importance of elaborately engineering the confined interlayer environment of birnessite and more generally, layered materials, for efficient energy conversion catalysis.

Integration of the blaNDM-1 carbapenemase gene into a novel SXT/R391 integrative and conjugative element in Proteus vulgaris.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the genetic environment of the carbapenem resistance determinant in Proteus vulgaris of swine origin. METHODS: The carbapenem-resistant P. vulgaris strain BC22 was isolated from a faecal swab from a diseased pig with diarrhoea in Sichuan Province of China in 2018. The presence of carbapenemase genes was screened by PCR. WGS and bioinformatics analysis were performed to analyse the genetic environment of the carbapenem resistance determinant. RESULTS: P. vulgaris strain BC22 was found to harbour the carbapenemase gene blaNDM-1. WGS data revealed that blaNDM-1 was located in a truncated ISAba125 composite transposon. The carbapenem resistance gene blaNDM-1 and 20 other resistance genes, including the multiresistance gene cfr and the bifunctional aminoglycoside/quinolone resistance gene aac(6')-lb-cr, were located in a novel SXT/R391 integrative and conjugative element (ICE). This new SXT/R391 ICE of 148.7 kb was chromosomally located, and could be transferred to Escherichia coli. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we report a carbapenemase gene, blaNDM-1, integrated into an SXT/R391 ICE. Our study highlights that this SXT/R391 ICE may facilitate the dissemination of clinically important resistance genes such as blaNDM-1, cfr and aac(6')-lb-cr.

A novel cfr-carrying Tn7 transposon derivative characterized in Morganella morganii of swine origin in China.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the presence and genetic environment of the multiresistance gene cfr in bacterial isolates from a swine farm. METHODS: A total of 97 bacterial isolates, recovered from 32 faecal swabs obtained on one farm, were tested for the presence of the cfr gene by PCR. Species identification of the one cfr-positive strain was conducted using the BD PhoenixTM 100 Automated Microbiology System. Susceptibility testing was carried out by broth microdilution. The genetic environment of the cfr gene was analysed by WGS. RESULTS: The Morganella morganii isolate BCMM24 was the only cfr-positive strain. The cfr gene, as well as 15 other resistance genes, is located on a novel 111238 bp transposon derived from Tn7, designated as Tn6451, which comprises various genetic materials including a novel class 1 integron with five gene cassettes. The cfr-containing region consists of a novel genetic structure IS26-cfr-ΔTn554 tnpB-ΔTn3 family tnpA-IS26, differing from previous reports. Two-step PCR results show that the structure can be looped out and that Tn6451 cannot be excised from the chromosome. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, we report the cfr gene in M. morganii for the first time. The cfr gene and 15 other resistance genes are located on a novel Tn7 transposon derivative, suggesting that the Tn7 transposon may act as a reservoir for various antimicrobial resistance genes and more Tn7 derivatives carrying multiple resistance genes are likely to be discovered in Gram-negative bacteria of both animal and human origin.

Characterization of a Novel SXT/R391 Integrative and Conjugative Element Carrying cfr, blaCTX-M-65, fosA3, and aac(6')-Ib-cr in Proteus mirabilis.

A novel 139,487-bp SXT/R391 integrative and conjugative element, ICEPmiChnBCP11, was characterized in Proteus mirabilis of swine origin in China. ICEPmiChnBCP11 harbors 20 different antimicrobial resistance genes, including the clinically important rRNA methyltransferase gene cfr, the extended-spectrum ß-lactamase gene blaCTX-M-65, fosfomycin resistance gene fosA3, and fluoroquinolone resistance gene aac(6')-Ib-cr An ISPpu12-mediated composite transposon containing various resistance genes and 10 copies of IS26 is inserted in hot spot 4. ICEPmiChnBCP11 was successfully transferred to Escherichia coli.

PGI2 Is a Novel SGI1-Relative Multidrug-Resistant Genomic Island Characterized in Proteus mirabilis.

A novel 61,578-bp genomic island named Proteus genomic island 2 (PGI2) was characterized in Proteus mirabilis of swine origin in China. The 23.85-kb backbone of PGI2 is related to those of Salmonella genomic island 1 and Acinetobacter genomic island 1. The multidrug resistance (MDR) region of PGI2 is a complex class 1 integron containing 14 different resistance genes. PGI2 was conjugally mobilized in trans to Escherichia coli in the presence of a conjugative IncC helper plasmid.

Colocation of the Polymyxin Resistance Gene mcr-1 and a Variant of mcr-3 on a Plasmid in an Escherichia coli Isolate from a Chicken Farm.

A colistin-resistant Escherichia coli isolate from a commercial poultry farm in China carried two colistin resistance genes, mcr-1 and variant of mcr-3, in an IncP plasmid. The variant of the mcr-3 gene, named mcr-3.11, encoded two amino acid substitutions compared with the mcr-3 gene. A novel genetic structure, ISKpn40-mcr-3-dgkA-ISKpn40, might be the key element mediating the translocation of mcr-3 through the formation of a circular form. The mcr-1 and mcr-3 genes, which are colocated on a plasmid, might pose a huge threat to public health.

Tn6450, a Novel Multidrug Resistance Transposon Characterized in a Proteus mirabilis Isolate from Chicken in China.

A novel 65.8-kb multidrug resistance transposon, designated Tn6450, was characterized in a Proteus mirabilis isolate from chicken in China. Tn6450 contains 18 different antimicrobial resistance genes, including cephalosporinase gene blaDHA-1 and fluoroquinolone resistance genes qnrA1 and aac(6')-Ib-cr It carries a class 1/2 hybrid integron composed of intI2 and a 3' conserved segment of the class 1 integron. Tn6450 is derived from Tn7 via acquisition of new mobile elements and resistance genes.

Distribution of Salmonella Enteritidis in internal organs and variation of cecum microbiota in chicken after oral challenge.

The aim study was to explore the distribution of Salmonella Enteritidis (S. enteritidis) in internal organs and variation of cecum microbiota in newly hatched chicken after oral challenge during a 21-day period. The quantities of S. enteritidis DNA in different internal organs (heart, liver, spleen, stomach, pancreas, small intestine, blood and cecum contents) were determined by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR). The result showed that all of the above-mentioned samples were positive at 12 h post inoculation (PI) after oral challenge. The highest copy numbers of S. enteritidis in all tissue were heart and liver, with about 2 × 102 to 6 × 106 copies of DNA target sequences/0.5 g. The copy number of S. enteritidis in the stomach was only lower than the heart and liver. The blood at 8 d PI, the pancreas at 10 d PI, the heart at 14 d PI and the stomach at 17 d PI didn't have a positive result. However, the liver, spleen, cecum contents and small intestine were all positive during the 21-day period. The cecum contents at 0 d PI, 4 d PI and 10 d PI from the control group and experiment group were collected for bacterial 16 S rRNA sequencing targeting the V3-V4 hypervariable region. The result showed that at the 0 d PI, the main cecum microbiota ingredient of the two-day old chicken was Enterobacteriaceae (Proteobacteria) and the other microbiology species were fewer. At the 10 d PI, the microbiota ingredient of cecum became abundant and stable mainly including the families Ruminococcaceae (Firmicutes), Enterobacteriaceae (Proteobacteria), Lachnospiraceae (Firmicutes) and clostridiacaea (Firmicutes) both of the two group, suggesting Salmonella infection with 2-day old chicken might not significantly change cecum microbiota community. The study indicated the major organs, which carried numerous S. enteritidis, providing a significantly guideline for salmonella detection in poultry and revealed the main microbiota ingredient of chicken cecum.

Frequency of antimicrobial resistance and integron gene cassettes in Escherichia coli isolated from giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) in China.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is considered as a common opportunistic pathogen, which causes seriously intestinal infections to giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) and other animals. The aim of this investigation was to characterize the antimicrobial resistance and integron gene cassettes in E. coli isolated from the faeces of giant pandas in China. A total of 89 E. coli were isolated, after diagnosis of isolates and genomes were extracted. All the isolates were screened for the presence of related drug-resistance genes and integron gene cassettes through the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and sequencing. In addition, antimicrobial resistance testing was performed according to the standard disk diffusion method (CLSI 2013). The results demonstrated that all the isolates were multi-drug resistance (MDR). High resistance proportions of the E. coli isolates were to streptomycin (93%), cefazolin (90%), amikacin (75%), tetracycline (65%), ampicillin (62%), cefotaxime and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (54%, each). With respect to the various resistance genes; blaCTX-M, sul1, ant (3')-Ia, tetA, qnrB, tetE, floR, aac (6')-Ib, sul2, rmtA, cmlA, rmtB and tetC were identified with the respective frequencies of 44%, 45%, 38%, 37%, 35%, 27%, 26%, 20%, 18%, 15%, 10%, 7% and 4%. None of the isolates was positive for qnrA and cfr genes. Moreover, a further investigation of integron revealed that the emergence of class 1 and 2 integrons were in 47% and 8% isolates, respectively. While class 3 integron was not screened. Six types of containing in class 1 integron specific gene cassettes (dfrA12-orfF-aadA2, dfrA17-aadA5, aadA1, aadA5, dfrA1 and dfrA7) were identified. However, only one gene cassette (dfrA1-sat2-aadA1) was detected in class 2 integron. These finding emphasize that a high level of E. coli isolates harbored antibiotics resistance and integron gene cassettes, which may bring so many potential threats to the health of giant pandas.

An IncX1 plasmid isolated from Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Pullorum carrying blaTEM-1B, sul2, arsenic resistant operons.

We have identified an IncX1 plasmid named pQJDSal1 from Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Pullorum (S. Pullorum). The plasmid is 67,685 bp in size and has 72 putative genes. pQJDSal1 harbors a conserved IncX1-type backbone with predicted regions for conjugation, replication and partitioning, as well as a toxin/antitoxin plasmid addiction system. Two regions (A and B) that have not been previously reported in IncX1 plasmids are inserted into the backbone. Region A (10.7 kb), inserted between parA and taxD, consists of a new Tn6168-like transposon containing an arsenic resistant operon arsB2CHR and sulfonamide resistance gene sul2. Region B contains another arsenic resistant operon arsADHR, resistance gene blaTEM-1B and three transposable elements. Conjugation experiments showed that pQJDSal1 could transfer from S. Pullorum to Escherichia coli (E. coli) J53. Statistical analysis of 70 sequenced IncX1 plasmids revealed that IncX1 plasmids harbored various antibiotic resistance genes. The results highlight the importance of IncX1 plasmids in disseminating antibiotic resistance genes.

A novel type 1/2 hybrid IncC plasmid carrying fifteen antimicrobial resistance genes recovered from Proteus mirabilis in China.

IncC plasmids are of great concern as vehicles of broad-spectrum cephalosporins and carbapenems resistance genes blaCMY and blaNDM. The aim of this study was to sequence and characterize a multidrug resistance (MDR) IncC plasmid (pPm14C18) recovered from Proteus mirabilis. pPm14C18 was identified in a CMY-2-producing P. mirabilis isolate from chicken in China in 2014, and could be transferred to Escherichia coli conferring an MDR phenotype. Whole genome sequencing confirmed pPm14C18 was a novel type 1/2 hybrid IncC plasmid 165,992bp in size, containing fifteen antimicrobial resistance genes. It harboured a novel MDR mosaic region comprised of a hybrid Tn21tnp-pDUmer, in which blaCTX-M-65, dfrA32 and ereA were firstly reported in IncC plasmid. Phylogenetic relationship reconstruction based on the nucleotide sequences of the 52 IncC backbones showed all type 1 IncC plasmids were clustered into one clade, and then merged with pPm14C18 and finally with the type 2 IncC plasmids and another type 1/2 hybrid IncC plasmid pYR1. The MDR IncC plasmids in P. mirabilis of animal origin might threaten public health, which should be drawn more attention.

Prevalence, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Relatedness of Salmonella Isolated from Chickens and Pigs on Farms, Abattoirs, and Markets in Sichuan Province, China.

This study aims at investigating the distribution, antimicrobial resistance, and genetic relationship of Salmonella isolated from 18 farms, their downstream abattoirs, and markets of chickens and pigs in Sichuan province, China. A total of 193 Salmonella isolates were identified from 693 samples with an isolation rate of 26.27% (88/335) in chickens and 29.33% (105/358) in pigs. Salmonella was isolated more frequently in abattoirs and markets than from farms. Serotypes were determined according to the White-Kauffmann-Le Minor scheme and 16 different serotypes were identified, with Derby being the most common, followed by Typhimurium and Meleagridis. Antimicrobial resistance phenotypes and genotypes were studied by using the disk diffusion method and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, respectively. Overall, 44.04% (n = 85) of all isolates were multidrug resistant (MDR) and resistance to nalidixic acid (51.30%) was the most frequently observed. blaCTX-M-55 was the most prevalent extended-spectrum ß-lactamases gene, and polymyxin resistance gene mcr-1 was present in strains with various serotypes. Multilocus sequence typing indicated that sequence type (ST) had a close relationship with serotype, and 34.20% of all strains were ST40, which was the most prevalent. The unweighted pair group method with arithmetic means (UPGMA) dendrogram of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis showed that Salmonella isolates belonging to the same serovar from different parts of the production chain were highly genetic related, indicating that Salmonella as well as resistance genes could potentially be transmitted from farms to markets. Our study highlights the fact that Salmonella isolates from chicken and pig production chain were frequently exhibiting MDR profiles, and the dissemination of MDR Salmonella from farm to market could pose significant threats to food safety and public health.

Pore Structure Evolution and Failure Mechanism of Limestone in the Taiyuan Formation of the Ordos Basin under High Temperature.

The study on the destruction of the limestone microstructure after high-temperature treatment has a significant value in the airtightness and safety of underground high-temperature geotechnical engineering. In order to truly simulate the influence of the underground high-temperature environment on limestone, taking seven groups of limestones of the Taiyuan Formation in the Ordos Basin as examples, we carried out a high-temperature (25-1200 °C) heating experiment of limestone in an argon atmosphere. The pore structure of limestone after the high temperature is studied based on scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), porosity, and permeability, and the change in the fractal dimension of the limestone pore structure was discussed based on the thermodynamic fractal theory, combined with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetry differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), the variation of mineral composition with temperature is characterized, and the evolution mechanism of the limestone microstructure under high temperature is discussed. The results show that the evaporation of pore water does not destroy the lattice structure of limestone minerals; however, with the increase of temperature, the complete decomposition of dolomite and calcite occurs, along with the tensile fracture of calcite crystals under the effect of swelling stress. Moreover, the new minerals generated by the decomposition products under the effect of temperature severely damage the crystal structure, leading to the rapid increase of porosity and permeability. The comprehensive results show that the decomposition, expansion, and recrystallization of calcite and dolomite minerals after 800 °C led to the development of limestone macropores and fissures, increased the pore throat radius, enhanced the pore connectivity, simplified the pore structure, and sharply increased the permeability; thus, 800 °C can be used as the critical temperature to change the limestone pores and fractures. The research results can provide data support for subsurface high-temperature geotechnical engineering.

Graphene Chainmail Shelled Dilute Ni─Cu Alloy for Selective and Robust Aqueous Phase Catalytic Hydrogenation.

Cost-effective non-noble metal-based catalysts for selective hydrogenation with excellent activity, selectivity, and durability are still the holy grail. Herein, an oxygen-doped carbon (OC) chainmail encapsulated dilute Cu-Ni alloy is developed by simple pyrolysis of Cu/Ni-metal-organic framework. The CuNi0.05@OC catalyst displays superior performance for atmospheric pressure transfer hydrogenation of p-chloronitrobenzene and p-nitrophenol, and for hydrogenation of furfural, all in water and with exceptional durability. Comprehensive characterizations confirm the close interactions between the diluted Ni sites, the base Cu, and optimized three-layered graphene chainmail. Theoretical calculations demonstrate that the properly tuned lattice strain and Schottky junction can adjust electron density to facilitate specific adsorption on the active centers, thus enhancing the catalytic activity and selectivity, while the OC shell also offers robust protection. This work provides a simple and environmentally friendly strategy for developing practical heterogeneous catalysts that bring the synergistic effect into play between dilute alloy and functional carbon wrapping.

Combustion Growth of NiFe Layered Double Hydroxide for Efficient and Durable Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

NiFe layered double hydroxide (LDH) with abundant heterostructures represents a state-of-the-art electrocatalyst for the alkaline oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Herein, NiFe LDH/Fe2O3 nanosheet arrays have been fabricated by facile combustion of corrosion-engineered NiFe foam (NFF). The in situ grown, self-supported electrocatalyst exhibited a low overpotential of 248 mV for the OER at 50 mA cm-2, a small Tafel slope of 31 mV dec-1, and excellent durability over 100 h under the industrial benchmarking 500 mA cm-2 current density. A balanced Ni and Fe composition under optimal corrosion and combustion contributed to the desirable electrochemical properties. Comprehensive ex-situ analyses and operando characterizations including Fourier-transformed alternating current voltammetry (FTACV) and in situ Raman demonstrate the beneficial role of modulated interfacial electron transfer, dynamic atomic structural transformation to NiOOH, and the high-valence active metal sites. This study provides a low-cost and easy-to-expand way to synthesize efficient and durable electrocatalysts.

Four New Species of Torula (Torulaceae, Pleosporales) from Sichuan, China.

Torula is an asexual and hyphomycetous genus in the family Torulaceae. Torula species are generally saprophytic. They have a worldwide distribution and abound in humid or freshwater habitats. In order to better understand this genus, we carried out several field collections from Sichuan, China. As a result, we obtained nine Torula isolates from dead woody substrates in terrestrial and freshwater habitats. Based on a biphasic approach of morphological examination and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses (ITS, SSU, LSU, TEF, RPB2), these collections were identified as belonging to seven Torula species. Four of them were new species (Torula chinensis, T. longiconidiophora, T. sichuanensis and T. submersa), and the other three belonged to existing species, though one was found for the first time in China (T. masonii). Morphological and updated phylogenetic delamination of the new discoveries is also discussed. This study provides further insights into our understanding of wood-based Torula species in China.

Six Additions to the Genus Periconia (Dothideomycetes: Periconiaceae) from Graminaceous Plants in China.

Periconia is a polyphyletic and asexual morphic genus within the family Periconiaceae (Pleosporales). The genus is characterized by a pale to dark brown stipe with an apical conidial head and ellipsoidal to oblong conidia. Species of Periconia are widely distributed throughout the world in various hosts, while most species are isolated from graminaceous plants. During our investigations of microfungal in Sichuan Province, China, 26 Periconia isolates were collected from a wide variety of graminaceous plants. These isolates corresponded to 11 species based on the examination of morphology and multi-locus phylogenetic analysis (SSU, ITS, LSU, TEF1, RPB2). This includes six new species (P. chengduensis, P. cynodontis, P. festucae, P. imperatae, P. penniseti, and P. spodiopogonis) and five new records (P. byssoides, P. chimonanthi, P. cookie, P. pseudobyssoides, and P. verrucosa). A comprehensive description and illustrations of the new species are provided and discussed with comparable taxa. These discoveries expand our knowledge of the species diversity of Periconia taxa in graminaceous plants in China.

Physical, chemical, and bio-pretreatments on microbial gas production in Baode Block coal.

Currently, the exploitation of Baode Block as a biogenic coal-bed gas field has been in the later stage of stable production; hence, exploration and activation of microbial gas production are of great practical significance for the enhancement and stabilization of block production. Pretreatment is the key process to improve anaerobic biodegradation performance and increase yield and production rate of gas. In this study, we examine physical, chemical, and biological pretreatment methods and compare their effectiveness toward microbial gas production in the coal seam. The obtained results indicate that: (1) grinding can enhance contact between the coal sample and bacteria liquid, and coal powder has greater gas-producing performance than the coal lump. (2) Chemical pretreatment of coal samples using acid and base can enhance gas production capacity. NaOH treatment has better gas-producing performance than HCl treatment, and the activity of microbial flora is higher after treatment. (3) Biological pretreatment can greatly enhance the microbial degradation of coal bed. The highest gas yield after white rot fungus pretreatment is 11.65 m3/t, and gas production cycle is shorter than before. This may be due to the white rot fungus effectively degrading macromolecules and, therefore, shortening the duration of methanogenic hydrolysis, which provides more organic matter for methanogens to decompose. During production, in addition to selecting a proper pretreatment method, the treatment cost and balance between energy input of pretreatment and gas energy output must also be considered. The joint pretreatment between different reagents and treatment methods is a possible solution to the problem and a current research trend to realize the large-scale degradation of coal. The simulated microbial methane production of coal seam is feasible for Baode Block in Ordos, where coal samples in this block have great gas-producing potential after treatment, and provides good references for further in-field tests.