Silver nanotechnology has received tremendous attention in recent years, owing to its wide range of applications in various fields and its intrinsic therapeutic properties. In this review, an attempt is made to critically evaluate the chemical, physical, and biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as well as their efficacy in the field of theranostics including microbiology and parasitology. Moreover, an outlook is also provided regarding the performance of AgNPs against different biological systems such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites (leishmanial and malarial parasites) in curing certain fatal human diseases, with a special focus on cancer. The mechanism of action of AgNPs in different biological systems still remains enigmatic. Here, due to limited available literature, we only focused on AgNPs mechanism in biological systems including human (wound healing and apoptosis), bacteria, and viruses which may open new windows for future research to ensure the versatile application of AgNPs in cosmetics, electronics, and medical fields.
As an emerging economy, China modernized its economy via split-share structure reform. This reform changed the nature of ownership in state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Following this reform, we investigated the research question concerning how reductions in state ownership affect the corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance of listed firms. This study tests the hypotheses using data of Chinese listed firms between 2010 and 2015. Applying multiple regressions, we found a negative association between state reductions and CSR performance. We contribute to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence that those firms which reduce state holdings are not taking CSR activities seriously. Our study also sheds light on the worthiness and prominent status of large state owners of SOEs, as they are more likely to engage in social activities. This study provides fruitful implications for policy-makers and practitioners about state holdings, which may either hinder or enhance the corporate social performance.
As a result of the recent energy crisis and rapid industrialization in Pakistan, significant attention has turned toward alternative energy resources, CO 2 emissions, and healthrelated issues. The adoption of renewable energies will not only accomplish the energy demand in the economy but will also provide a healthy environment. Therefore, it is essential to understand the linkages between trade, renewable energy, CO 2 emissions, and health expenditures with a special focus on an emerging economy like Pakistan. This study used time series data from the 1998-2017 period and adopted the simultaneous equation approach for empirical analysis. The results show that an increase in trade volume positively contributes to the amount of CO 2 emissions and, as a result, CO 2 increases health expenditures. Conversely, renewable energy has a negative association with health expenditures and CO 2 emission, signifying the importance of renewable energy in enhancing environmental quality and reducing health expenditures, which are adversely affected due to CO 2 emissions. The empirical findings suggest that the government of Pakistan needs proper policy guidelines for renewable energy adoption in the industrial sector and that such guidelines can be further accommodated and adjusted in other determinants of the economy.
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