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This study examines the effect of short selling on total-factor productivity (TFP) using China's short-selling pilot program as a quasi-natural experiment. Short-selling significantly improves TFP, and this positive effect is mainly driven by improvements in firms' innovation ability and resource-allocation efficiency. The results are robust to potential endogeneity using propensity-score matching, a placebo test, and exogenous shocks. Further, the positive effect is more pronounced when external governance mechanisms (i.e. market competition and institutional investor supervision) are weak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development and wide application of visible (VIS) and infrared (IR) detections, it is necessary to explore visible-infrared (VIS-IR) compatible camouflage. Here, we report a VIS-IR compatible and independent camouflage device which is composed of the upper IR-transparent VIS-color-patterned layer and the lower electrochromic IR layer. The upper layer has amorphous photonic structure of polystyrene nanospheres (PSNSs). By customizing the PSNS size, various colors can be realized for VIS camouflage. The lower electrochromic IR layer takes advantage of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as the electrode as well as the IR active material. Experimental results reveal that different colors (including blue, green, and purple) have been obtained, and the IR emissivity can be electrically regulated from 0.43 to 0.9. Moreover, the prototype also exhibits good electrical stability as well as hydrophobic characteristic (the water contact angle of the outmost surface exceeds 120°). These output performances demonstrate the success of our design strategy for promoting the finding applied in camouflage fields as well as energy conservation fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Streptococcus agalactiae (S.agalactiae), also known as group B Streptococcus (GBS), is a highly infectious pathogen. Prolonged antibiotic usage leads to significant issues of antibiotic residue and resistance. Chelerythrine (CHE) is a naturally occurring benzophenidine alkaloid and chelerythrine chloride (CHEC) is its hydrochloride form with diverse biological and pharmacological activities. However, the antibacterial mechanism of CHEC against GBS remains unclear. Thus, this study aims to investigate the in vitro antibacterial activity of CHEC on GBS and elucidate its underlying mechanism. The antibacterial effect of CHEC on GBS was assessed using inhibitory zone, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays, as well as by constructing a time-kill curve. The antibacterial mechanism of CHEC was investigated through techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), measurement of alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity, determination of Na+ K+, Ca2+ Mg2+--adenosine triphosphate (ATP) activity, observation of membrane permeability, and analysis of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mRNA expression levels of key virulence genes. The results demonstrated that the inhibition zone diameters of CHEC against GBS were 14.32 mm, 12.67 mm, and 10.76 mm at concentrations of 2 mg/mL, 1 mg/mL, and 0.5 mg/mL, respectively. The MIC and MBC values were determined as 256 µg/mL and 512 µg/mL correspondingly. In the timekill curve, 8 × MIC, 4 × MIC and 2 × MIC CHEC could completely kill GBS within 24 h. SEM and TEM analyses revealed significant morphological alterations in GBS cells treated with CHEC including shrinkage, collapse, and leakage of cellular fluids. Furthermore, the antibacterial mechanism underlying CHEC's efficacy against GBS was attributed to its disruption of cell wall integrity as well as membrane permeability resulting in extracellular release of intracellular ATP, AKP, Na+ K+, Ca2+ Mg2+. Additionally CHEC could increase the ROS production leading to oxidative damage and downregulating mRNA expression levels of key virulence genes in GBS cells. In conclusion, CHEC holds potential as an antimicrobial agent against GBS and further investigations are necessary to elucidate additional molecular mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As a therapeutic tool, kinesiology taping (KT) has become increasingly popular for musculoskeletal injuries utilized by physiotherapists. KT has been found to have effects on facilitating muscle strength by generating a concentric pull on the fascia. However, little is known about KT in the improvement of dynamic and static balance. This study aims to explore whether KT on the quadriceps muscle has any immediate effects on static and dynamic balance. Methodology: Twenty-seven healthy individuals (13 males and 14 females, aged 22 to 29) were recruited in a crossover study with two conditions: KT and no taping. KT was applied to the quadriceps muscle for the taping group, with the control receiving no taping. Pre- and post-test measurements were taken to give an indication of the effect of the tape on balance performance. Center of Pressure Excursion (COPE) and Time to Stabilization (TTS) when landing from a hop test and Y Balance test combined score (YBTCS) were used to assess a stabilizing balance activity and a dynamic balance. The pre- and postintervention were collected, with differences explored using repeated measures ANOVA with time and condition (tape) factor analysis. Results: We found a significant improvement (p≤  0.05) with a moderate to large effect size in YBTCS between KT and no taping, indicating enhanced balance performance in the KT group. However, no significant difference (p≥  0.05) with small to moderate effect size was found in COPE or TTS between the two conditions during landing tests, suggesting similar balance capabilities in these specific measures. Conclusion: The use of KT shows no significant immediate effect on static balance in healthy individuals when applied to the quadriceps muscles; however, it demonstrates a positive immediate effect on dynamic balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the enhancement of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) using ammonium-enhanced vanadium oxide cathodes. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations reveal that NH4+ incorporation into V6O16 lattices significantly facilitates Zn2+ ion diffusion by reducing electrostatic interactions, acting as a structural lubricant. Subsequent experimental validation using (NH4)2V6O16 cathodes synthesized via a hydrothermal method corroborates the DFT findings, demonstrating remarkable electrochemical stability with a capacity retention of 90% after 2000 cycles at 5 A g−1. These results underscore the potential of NH4+ in improving the performance and longevity of AZIBs, providing a pathway for sustainable energy storage solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]