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End-stage ankle osteoarthritis with large cysts of talar dome can be challenging to treat. Twenty patients diagnosed as end-stage ankle arthritis with large talar cysts between 04/2010 and 02/2016 were randomly divided into experimental group (10 cases) and conventional group (10 cases) by random number method. Patients in the experimental group were treated with ankle arthrodesis combined with a concomitant procedure of mosaic bone autograft transplantation, the conventional group under the ankle arthrodesis. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, the time of bone union, and postoperative height of the talus between the 2 groups were compared. The preoperative and postoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot scale score were also recorded and compared. There was no significant difference in the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative hospital stay between the 2 groups. The postoperative height of the talus body and the time of bone union were better in the experimental group than that in the conventional group (p <.05). The results of follow-up showed that the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society scores of the conventional group were lower than those in the experimental group (p <.001). And the incidence of complication (10%) in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the conventional group (40%). The use of tibiotalar arthrodesis combined with mosaic bone autograft transfer may be potentially an effective option for the treatment of end-stage ankle arthritis with large talar cysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Original nebkhas were changed by artificial sand addition in fields. • Expansion of nebkhas volume does not increase or reduce soil water storage. • Hydrology connection between upper and lower soil layers was weakened after sand addition. • Shallower hydrology and reversed infiltration in surface soil were found after sand addition. Nebkhas play a key role in the regulation of soil moisture in arid regions. In this study, we monitored the responses of soil hydrological processes to the developed nebkhas by adding sand to the origin dune in a degraded artificial Caragana shrubland from 2012 to 2016. No physical properties but infiltration rate were affected by sand addition in surface soils (0–10 cm soil layer). More specifically, soils in the 0–5 cm layer exhibited a greater cumulative infiltration and higher water holding capacity in response to sand addition. Compared to CK (nebkhas without sand addition), water stored in the 0–100 cm soil layer was greater in Sb (nebkhas with sand addition) at the end of each growing season in four out of the five years. However, greater local infiltration rates did not give rise to an increase in the depth of water recharge, but actually weakened the hydrological connections between the upper and lower soil layers. The changes in hydrological processes induced by sand addition indicated that there remains the question whether sand addition should be useful in the management of degraded Caragana forests, emphasizing the urgent need for further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • PNE induced persistent thymic hypoplasia in mice male offspring. • PNE induced transient thymic hypoplasia in mice female offspring. • PNE induced a decreased of CD4SP T cells proportion in thymocyte of both sexes. • PNE male offspring showed a more serious thymus atrophy in the OVA-sensitized model. • PNE induced excessive autophagy in fetal thymocytes. Abstract Clinical study showed that smoking during pregnancy deceased the thymus size in newborns. However, the long-term effect remains unclear. This study was aimed to observe the effects of prenatal nicotine exposure (PNE) on the development of thymus and the T-lymphocyte subpopulation in mice offspring from the neonatal to adulthood. Both the thymus weight and cytometry data indicated that PNE caused persistent thymic hypoplasia in male offspring from neonatal to adult period and transient changes in female offspring from neonatal to prepuberal period. Flow cytometry analysis disclosed a permanent decreased proportion and number of mature CD4 single-positive (SP) T cells in thymus of both sex. In addition, the PNE male offspring showed a more serious thymus atrophy in the ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized model. Moreover, increased autophagic vacuole and elevated mRNA expression of Beclin 1 were noted in PNE fetal thymus. In conclusion, PNE offspring showed thymus atrophy and CD 4 SP T cell reduction at different life stages. Mechanically, PNE induced excessive autophagy in fetal thymocytes might be involved in these changes. All the results provided evidence for elucidating the PNE-induced programmed immune diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study examines the association between internal control risk and audit fees under the voluntary adopting regime of the Basic Standard of Enterprise Internal Control in China. We find that audit fees are positively related to disclosed internal control weaknesses (ICWs). In particular, they are significantly associated with non-financial reporting-related, but not with financial reporting-related, ICWs. Our results also indicate that voluntary assurance in internal control reports can mitigate higher audit fees associated with ICWs. Our study provides timely evidence relating to the debate on whether the scope of internal control should be expanded to non-financial reporting-related areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenge of wound infections post-surgery and open trauma caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria poses a constant threat to clinical treatment. As a promising antimicrobial treatment, photothermal therapy can effectively resolve the problem of drug resistance in conventional antibiotic antimicrobial therapy. Here, we report a deep-penetration functionalized cuttlefish ink nanoparticle (CINP) for photothermal and immunological therapy of wound infections. CINP is decorated with zwitterionic polymer (ZP, namely sulfobetaine methacrylate-methacrylate copolymer) to form CINP@ZP nanoparticles. Natural CINP is found to not only exhibit photothermal destruction of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli (E. coli), but also trigger macrophages-related innate immunity and enhance their antibacterial functions. The ZP coating on the surface of CINP enables nanoparticles to penetrate into deeply infected wound environment. In addition, CINP@ZP is further integrated into the thermosensitive Pluronic F127 gel (CINP@ZP-F127). After in situ spraying gel, CINP@ZP-F127 is also documented notable antibacterial effects in mice wound models infected with MRSA and E. coli. Collectively, this approach combining of photothermal therapy with immunotherapy can promote delivery efficiency of nanoparticles to the deep foci of infective wounds, and effectively eliminate wound infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 1600 km-long Gangdese magmatic belt features extensive Paleocene–Eocene I-type intrusive rocks and coeval volcanic successions, which can be divided into Group I (~69–53 Ma), Group II (~53–49 Ma), and Group III (~49–43 Ma), corresponding to Neo-Tethyan slab rollback, Neo-Tethyan slab breakoff, and ongoing Indian-Asian collision, respectively. The magmas from these three groups show significant variations in geochemical and isotopic compositions, which provide the information of the growth of continental crust in southern Tibet. The most voluminous magmatism in the Gangdese belt occurred during ~53–49 Ma. High zircon saturation temperature (up to 800 °C) and Ti in zircon temperature (up to 980 °C) estimations suggest there is a period of thermal anomaly during ~53–49 Ma. Starting from ~53 Ma, magmas have increased K 2 O contents, and their zircons have decreased Th/U ratios, and Y and Yb contents. Zircons from Group II have the most heterogeneous Hf isotopic compositions (εHf (t)  = −5.3 to 15.1). These are evident of ingress of asthenosphere mantle in the arc, extensive crustal melting, and magma mixing. Magma underplating during this time is the main mechanism for the growth of continental crust. With the Indian-Asian collision going on, the magmas in Group III show high Th/Y and La/Yb ratios and K 2 O contents, but significantly low Tzr and T(ti-zr) values (mostly below 750 °C). These features suggest the water-fluxed melting of early arc residues occurred in the late stage of growth of continental crust. The crust has been thickened and nearly mature at this stage. This study has great implication on understanding of growth of continental crust in orogenic belts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to observe the effects of maternal food restriction (MFR) on the development of fetal thymus in different gestation periods. Timed pregnant rats were randomized into 3 groups: CN (free access to standard chow throughout gestation), MFR 0-21 (50% MFR throughout gestation), MFR 0-14 (50% MFR from gestational day (GD) 0 to GD14, early-mid gestation). Results showed that MFR during early-mid period had few impact on the fetal thymus and T cell subpopulations. However, MFR throughout gestation resulted in thymic atrophy, deceased frequency of both CD4 + and CD8 + single positive (SP) T cells and enhanced thymocyte apoptosis in fetus. Our results suggest the fetal thymus is more vulnerable to the adverse intrauterine environments in the late gestation period, and the decreased number of SP T cells could result from the enhanced thymocyte apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study finds a positive association between voluntary corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting and audit fees in China. In contrast to prior research from the US, CSR reporting in China is associated with greater earnings management. Results suggest that Chinese firms use CSR reporting as a strategic device for window dressing, and that auditors charge higher fees in response to heightened audit risk and greater audit effort. Further, the positive effects of CSR reporting on audit fees and earnings management are more significant for non-state-owned enterprises (non-SOEs) than for state-owned enterprises, which suggests that non-SOEs have not fully embraced the principles of CSR and essentially use CSR reporting to create the appearance of legitimacy. In additional tests, we find that non-SOEs with more highly rated CSR performance or longer CSR reports are associated with lower audit fees and less earnings management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic molecular sensors have the advantage of being used through easy, fast, economical and reliable optical methods for detecting toxic metal ions in the environment. In the present work, a simple but specific organic ligand N , N -(3,3′-dimethyl biphenyl)-bis(4-diethylaminosalicyladimine) ( Q2 ) was designed and synthesized according to the excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT). Q2 can be regarded as a colorimetric and fluorescent sensor for relay recognition of Cu 2+ and H 2 PO 4 − in DMSO/H 2 O (8:2, v/v) HEPES buffer solutions. Moreover, sensor Q2 showed a highly sensitive and selective response towards Cu 2+ and H 2 PO 4 − over other metal ions and anions. Particularly, the fluorescence “ON–OFF–ON” responding circle could be repeated over 4 times by the sequential addition of Cu 2+ and H 2 PO 4 − . Notably, the actual usage of sensor Q2 was further demonstrated by test kits and silica gel plates. The fluorescence changes of Q2 upon the addition of Cu 2+ and H 2 PO 4 − were utilized as an INHIBIT logic gate at the molecular level, using Cu 2+ and H 2 PO 4 − as chemical inputs and the fluorescence intensity signal as the output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fluorescent and colorimetric sensor based on naphtho[2,1 -b ]furan-2-carbohydrazide and 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde ( Q1-1 ) was developed via straightforward reaction from inexpensive reagents. It exhibited rapid response, superb selectivity, and swift sensitivity toward CN based on its promising photo-induced electron transfer (PET) feature. Q1-1 not only can sense CN through sharp colorimetric and selective turn-on fluorescence dual-channel responses in EtOH/H 2 O (7:3, v/v) HEPES solution, but also have strong anti-interference toward other common anions, especially the basic anions such as F − , AcO − , H 2 PO 4 − and SCN − . Notably, this sensor was successfully applied to detect CN − in food samples, which proves a very simple and selective platform for on-site monitoring of CN − in agriculture samples. In addition, the test strips based on Q1-1 were fabricated, which could act as convenient and efficient CN − test kits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a novel Schiff-Base ( Q1 ) which based on 5-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-furan and naphtho[2,1 -b ]furan-2-carbohydrazide was designed to act efficiently in a chemodosimeter approach for the selective detection of cyanide in aqueous medium. The recognition progress occurred via deprotonating between the hydrazide moiety of Q1 and cyanide. When exposed Q1 to the low concentration solution of cyanide anion, there was a significant color change from yellow to orange in visible light and accompanied with a strong and broad red shift (from λ max-ab = 400 nm to λ max-ab = 468 nm) in the UV–vis absorption spectrum. Meanwhile, a dramatically decrease almost 4 times of the emission maximum of Q1 took place from 775 (a.u.) to 204 (a.u.), and the color of the solution changed from bright orange to dim red, which can be saw by naked-eyes under the UV lamp (365 nm). However, without any signal changes after the addition of other common anions, especially the basic anions such as F − , AcO − , H 2 PO 4 − and SCN − . Notably, this probe can serve as a recyclable component in sensing materials. The corresponding experiment proved that this probe can be repeated use above 10 times. (Scheme 1) On the basis of these observations and supporting mechanistic analyses, it is concluded that the recyclable probe Q1 must be a promising cyanide anion indicator that is attractive in terms of its selectivity, ease-of-use, rapid response (<3 s), and the low, naked-eye discernible cyanide detection limit it, also it will be regarded as an environmental friendly material which can sensing cyanide anion in aqueous medium and making great contribution to the development of cyanide anion sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous reports have suggested that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is involved in microglia activation characterized by cell morphology changes, cytokine production and cell migration; and the biochemical regulation of the microglia migration is a potential therapeutic target following CNS inflammatory damages. However, the role of EGFR in microglia motility after inflammatory stimulation remains unknown. In the present study, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was found to trigger rapid EGFR phosphorylation within 10 min, which was sustained during long-term stimulation in both primary microglial cells and the cultured BV2 microglial cells, furthermore, blocking EGFR phosphorylation by AG1478 significantly attenuated the LPS-induced chemotactic and chemokinetic migration of microglia. In addition, LPS could initiate calcium oscillation in microglia during live-cell recording, however, an intracellular calcium chelator and a selective inhibitor of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, but not an extracellular calcium chelator, remarkably suppressed the LPS-induced EGFR phosphorylation in BV2 microglia cells. As EGFR is not a traditional receptor for LPS, these findings suggest that the rapid phosphorylation of EGFR is attributed to the LPS-triggered intracellular calcium mobilization. By examining the downstream signals of EGFR, we further proved that extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) is essential for EGFR-mediated microglia migration, because ERK inhibition attenuated the chemotactic and chemokinetic migration of microglia that had been induced by either LPS or EGF. Collectively, these results suggest that LPS could trigger the rapid phosphorylation of EGFR and subsequent ERK activation through mobilizing calcium activity, which underlies the microglia migration in an inflammatory condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimized lung preparation for detailed structural evaluation is required to improve consistency in preclinical safety evaluation, differences of opinion exist among regulatory agency personnel regarding the optimal methods for routine formalin fixation of lungs from rodent toxicology studies. The simple tracheal ligation fixation method emphasizes tracheal ligation before opening the thorax instead of attempting to re-inflate after lung collapse when opening the thorax. Photomicrographs of this method demonstrated an unprecedented ability to maintain the natural lung architecture, in contrast to the unavoidable changes in the alveolar environment by the intratracheal instillation and vascular perfusion methods. In addition, a comparison of fixation methods on lung morphology in a rodent model of LPS-induced acute lung injury demonstrated that the tracheal ligation fixation method may provide a standard approach for morphometry. Additionally, a TUNEL assay was used to determine the degree of autolysis, which revealed that the autolysis was insignificant in the central areas of each lobe of the lung compared to the lung periphery by tracheal ligation fixation. In conclusion, our novel modified method, which avoids the disadvantages of generating artifacts, fulfills the requirement of preserving the clear, natural morphology of the lung making it suitable and worthy of recommendation for toxicological studies in a good laboratory practice (GLP) lab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this report, corncob residue, the main by-product in the furfural industry, is used as a precursor to prepare porous carbon by a simple and direct thermal treatment: one-step activation without pre-carbonization. As a consequence, the corncob residue derived porous carbon achieves a high surface area of 1210 m 2 g −1 after ash-removal. The carbon material has the advantages of low cost and low environmental impact, with a superior electrochemical performance compared to those polymer-based synthetic carbons as electrode material for a supercapacitor. The carbon electrode exhibits a high capacitance of 314 F g −1 in 6 M KOH electrolyte. The corresponding sample also shows a superb cycling stability. Almost no capacitance decay was observed after 100,000 cycles. The excellent electrochemical performance is due to the combination of a high specific surface area with a fraction of mesopores and highly stable structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two kinds of fluorescent sensors (G 1 and G 2 ) for Fe 3+ bearing 1H -imidazo [4,5-b] phenazine derivatives have been designed and synthesized. G 1 can display ON-OFF-type fluorescence charged with high selectivity and sensitivity toward Fe 3+ in DMSO solutions. And other cations, including Hg 2+ , Ag + , Ca 2+ , Co 2+ , Ni 2+ , Cd 2+ , Pb 2+ , Zn 2+ , Cr 3+ , and Mg 2+ had no influence on the probing behavior. The detection limit of the sensor G 1 towards Fe 3+ is 2.860 × 10 −7 M. Once combined with Fe 3+ , G 1 displayed high specificity for H 2 PO 4 − . Furthermore, in the situ generated G 1 –Fe 3+ ensemble could recover the enhanced fluorescence upon the addition of H 2 PO 4 − resulting in an ON-OFF-ON sensing with a detection limit of 1.866 × 10 −7 M in the same medium. Notably, this sensor serves as a recyclable component in sensing materials. The reversibility and selectivity of G 1 /G 1 + Fe 3+ toward Fe 3+ /H 2 PO 4 − ions as a sequence dependent molecular keypad lock using the G 1 , Fe 3+ and H 2 PO 4 − as three different chemical inputs. In addition, the test strip based on G 1 was fabricated, which could act as a convenient and efficient Fe 3+ test kit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the determinants and economic consequences of disclosure of internal control weaknesses (ICWs) by Chinese listed firms under the voluntary disclosure regime over 2010–2011. We find that the probability of firms disclosing ICWs is not only associated with firm characteristics such as profitability, age and business complexity, but is also strongly related to the unique attributes of corporate governance and ownership structure in Chinese listed firms, e.g. the independence of the supervisory board, political connections, concentration of the top 3 shareholders' ownership and tradability of shares. Our results show that the severity of the ICWs disclosed is negatively and significantly associated with earnings response coefficients (ERCs), and audit assurance of ICRs has a significant moderating effect on the relationship between ICWs and ERCs. Our research adds further evidence to support the implementation of SOX-type regulations globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a highly sensitive and selective mercury fluorescent sensor (E)-1-((5-(4-nitrophenyl)furan-2-yl)methylene) semicarbazone (BI) based on the 5-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-furan and semicarbazide groups was designed, prepared and utilized to monitor mercury ions in aqueous solution. Upon addition of mercury to BI in DMSO/H 2 O (8:2, v/v) HEPES buffer (pH = 7.2) solution, an observable decrease of fluorescent to dim red change occurs that can be monitored by using fluorescence spectroscopy at room temperature. Concomitantly, a remarkably reducing in the emission maximum of BI takes place from 580 (a.u.) to 300 (a.u.). The observations indicate that association of the chemosensor with mercury ions leads to the supramolecular self-assembly breaking and the cooperation reaction occurrence, intra molecular charge density decreased in the chemosensor, the phenomenon likely responsible for the large decrease observed in emission spectra. And the detection limit of BI for the determination of mercury was estimated to be 2.084 × 10 −9 M. Notably, this sensor serves as a recyclable component in sensing materials. The experiment proved that this sensor can be repeated use above 10 times. Therefore, the chemosensor has good application prospect for recognizing and detecting Hg 2+ in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We revisit initial public offering (IPO) underpricing in China before and after the 2001 China Securities Regulatory Commission reforms targeting the IPO process and strengthening corporate governance, using Habib and Ljungqvist’s (2001) wealth loss measure instead of headline underpricing. Habib and Ljungqvist argue that the extent to which owners care about underpricing depends on both headline underpricing and the percentage of IPO shares issued relative to total shares outstanding. We find that in the post-reform period, relative to the pre-reform period, the wealth loss for pre-IPO owners is lower, the incremental effect of the association between wealth loss and state-retained ownership is significantly positive, and a higher proportion of independent directors on the board moderates the wealth loss. Our findings suggest that the more market-oriented IPO process and the corporate governance reforms provide insiders of Chinese IPO firms with greater opportunities to influence IPO pricing and thereby reduce their wealth loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The frequency distributions and some statistical features of background aerosol concentrations were investigated at two remote China Atmosphere Watch Network (CAWNET) stations. The estimated elemental carbon (EC) background at Akdala (AKD) in the mid-latitudes of northwestern China (~0.15 μg m−3) was only half of that at Zhuzhang (ZUZ) in low-latitude southwestern China (~0.30 μg m−3). The contributions of EC to the aerosol mass also differed between sites: EC contributed 3.5% of the PM10 mass at AKD versus 5.1% at ZUZ. Large percentages of the total organic carbon (OC) apparently were secondary organic carbon (SOC); SOC/OC averaged 81% at ZUZ and 68% at AKD. The OC/EC ratios in PM10 (ZUZ: 11.9, AKD: 12.2) were comparable with other global background sites, and the OC/EC ratios were used to distinguish polluted periods from background conditions. The SO4 2 −, NH4 + and soil dust loadings at AKD were higher and more variable than at ZUZ, probably due to impacts of pollution from Russia and soil dust from the Gobi and adjacent deserts. In contrast to ZUZ, where the influences from pollution were weaker, the real-time PM10 mass concentrations at AKD were strongly skew right and the arithmetic mean concentrations of the aerosol populations were higher than their medians. Differences in the aerosol backgrounds between the sites need to be considered when evaluating the aerosol''s regional climate effects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Board cultural diversity boosts Chinese corporate innovation as the local government interferes less. • Government intervention limits cognitive dynamics of a culturally diverse board. • Power distance, individualism, long-term orientation and indulgence cultural dimensions mainly drive the finding. This study explores whether the impact of board cultural diversity on corporate innovativeness is contingent on the firm's exposure to local government intervention. Using Chinese firm-year observations spanning 2008–2016, we find that the positive impact of board cultural diversity on corporate innovativeness is more (less) pronounced for Chinese firms subjecting to a low (high) level of local government intervention. Further, we find that foreign directors from countries with lower power distance, and greater individualism, long-term orientation and indulgence indexes relative to China, more (less) successfully facilitate corporate innovativeness, particularly when the level of local government intervention is low (high). Our study contributes to the literature by documenting that greater intervention by the local government can undermine cognitive dynamics, and hence dissipate corporate innovativeness and value creation associated with a culturally diverse board. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Analysis the original different compounds of fresh ginseng of four to seven years. • UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS combine with multivariate statistical method to identify the potential marker ions. • 6-year-old NRG has high level of rare ginsenosides and strong anti-inflammatory activity than that by 4-year-old NRG. • Illustrate the components transformation of NRG and the six years old ginseng was more suitable for clinical application. Ginseng has been widely applied in clinical practice, but the cultivation age cannot be ignored as it influences the quality of ginseng and its products. In this work, different cultivation ages of fresh ginseng (FG) from four to seven years were analysed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. Principal component analysis and supervised orthogonal partial least squared discrimination analysis, which belong to the normal method of multivariate statistical analysis, were applied to discover the characteristic components of FG at different cultivation ages. The components of new type of red ginseng (NRG) derived from FG at different cultivation ages were compared by HPLC analysis. The pharmacological anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by ELISA and qPCR. The result showed that the characteristic components of both 6- and 7-year-old ginseng were ginsenoside Rb1, mal-ginsenoside Rb1, ginsenoside Rc, mal-ginsenoside Rc, mal-ginsenoside Rb1 isomer, and mal-ginsenoside Rb2. Moreover, the characteristic components of both 4- and 5-year-old ginseng were ADP-glucose and 3-hydroxyhexanoyl CoA. In addition, 6-year-old NRG has higher rare ginsenosides than 4-year-old NRG, which possesses great anti-inflammatory activity in vitro. The results reveal the ginsenoside transformation law of NRG processing and suggest that the cultivation age of FG influences the content of ginsenosides in NRG. Therefore, 6-year-old ginseng is more suitable for red ginseng processing and clinical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stimuli-response supramolecular fluorescent materials have received significant attention in recent years since they endow specific and unique properties to materials. Herein, a bi-acylhydrazone supramolecular gelator HT was successfully prepared by simple Schiff base reaction. Interestingly, the gelator HT could self-assemble into supramolecular gel HT-G in DMSO-H 2 O binary solutions via π-π stacking interactions. Simultaneously, gel HT-G showed specially selective and ultrasensitive sensing property for CN−. The limit of lowest detection of the gel for CN− is 0.50 nM. In addition, the thin films based on the HT-G and HT-G + CN− were also prepared, which could not only act as supramolecular fluorescent material but a convenient and efficient tool for detection CN−. A novel bis-acylhydrazone supramolecular gel (HT-G) was constructed, which could ultrasensitively detect CN− in aqueous medium. Image 1 • A novel bis-acylhydrazone supramolecular gel HT-G was designed and synthesized via π-π stacking interactions. • The supramolecular gel HT-G presented excellent single selectivity towards CN−. • The supramolecular gel HT-G shown ultrasensitive sensing ability for CN−. • The test thin film could serve as practical detection application of CN− in aqueous medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using discretionary accruals to proxy for earnings quality, this study investigates whether and how the first voluntary internal control reporting in 2007 is associated with earnings quality in China. We find that earnings quality is higher in 2007, yet not in 2006, for public companies issuing a first-time voluntary unqualified internal control report, compared with listed firms not issuing an internal control report. Our findings are consistent with a signalling of performance explanation and inconsistent with a signalling of effectiveness explanation. We also find that earnings quality is lower for public companies issuing an internal control report mentioning a weakness, compared with public companies not issuing an internal control report. Overall, our study suggests that public companies conduct diligent self-assessments when issuing a first-time voluntary unqualified internal control report. Consequently, there is an improvement in earnings quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]