This empirical study of Taiwan’s textile and apparel manufacturers investigates the relationships between green supply chain management (GSCM) drivers (organizational support, social capital and ...government involvement) and GSCM practices (green purchasing, cooperation with customers, eco-design and investment recovery). It also studies moderating effects by institutional market, regulatory and competitive pressures. Through hierarchical moderated regression analysis, the results of this research show that (1) except for investment recovery, the other three GSCM practices are positively affected by GSCM drivers; (2) investment recovery is positively affected only by organizational support; (3) market pressure has no moderating effects on most of the relationships between GSCM drivers and GSCM practices; (4) regulatory pressure has positive moderating effects on most of the relationships between GSCM drivers and GSCM practices; and (5) competitive pressure has negative moderating effects on most of the relationships between GSCM drivers and GSCM practices. Finally, the implications of this study and future research are discussed.
Polarimetric inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) can operate all-day and all-weather, making it crucial for space surveillance. The compact polarimetric (CP) mode balances hardware complexity and ...polarimetric information, which is commonly equipped with ISAR systems. Given the constraints of limited physical conditions, exploring ISAR image super-resolution is worthwhile. Currently, deep learning models have been employed for enhancing ISAR image super-resolution. However, the super-resolution performance is limited by local interpolation and the occurrence of artifacts. To address these limitations, this work presents a non-local scene awareness network (NLSAN), which incorporates a non-local interpolation approach to capture global textures. Furthermore, a scene awareness scheme is established by integrating semantic and super-resolution information, concerning the varying levels of artifacts in different regions. The training process can be regulated by a designed penalty function to mitigate potentially generated artifacts. A dataset of CP ISAR images of satellite targets is constructed for comparison analysis. The proposed NLSAN method yields more elaborate super-resolution results with fewer artifacts. Quantitative evaluations are also carried out using global and local indexes, such as the peak-signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), the image entropy, and the 3 dB width of strong scatters. Compared with the typical state-of-the-art methods, the proposed approach achieves superior super-resolution performance, with an overall performance improvement of at least 9.2% and enhanced generalization capabilities.
•We propose an integrated FMEA-and-AHP framework to select new suppliers.•The MFMEA is based on the six-aspect criteria and supply chain risk.•An IC assembly company is studied to validate the MFMEA ...method.•The MFMEA can categorize new suppliers effectively and select a low-risk supplier.
In the emerging supply chain environment, supply chain risk management plays a more important role than ever. Companies must focus not only on the efficiency of supply chain, but also on its risks. If an unanticipated event occurs, all of the supply chain members will be impacted, and the result will cause significant loss. Therefore, this research proposes a modified failure mode and effects analysis (MFMEA) method to select new suppliers from the supply chain risk’s perspective and applies the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method to determine the weight of each criterion and sub-criterion for supplier selection. An IC assembly company is then studied to validate this model. The result shows that the case company can categorize its suppliers more effectively and at the same time select a low-risk supply chain partner. Moreover, the case company can provide unsatisfactory suppliers with valuable feedback that will help them improve and become its partners in the future.
Compared with the optical imaging system, polarimetric inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) can work all-day and all-weather, which plays an important role in space surveillance. However, ...high-resolution (HR) ISAR images usually require large bandwidth and coherent integration angle, which is limited by the equipment's physical conditions. In this vein, the super-resolution (SR) of ISAR images is of vital importance. At present, supervised learning methods are often used in image SR of computer vision. By constructing low-resolution (LR) and HR data pairs, the neural network can learn the mapping relationship between them. However, the low-frequency information in LR image data is less considered. In addition, to obtain different scales of SR reconstruction results, multiple network training repetitions are usually needed, which consumes time and hardware resources. Based on the idea of implicit neural representation, this paper constructs an implicit neural network representation framework for polarimetric ISAR image SR, which can obtain multiscale SR results through one training. A semi-supervised module is also constructed to make the network have the ability of supervised and unsupervised learning, which is conducive to mine and make better use of LR images. A polarimetric ISAR image SR dataset is constructed for satellite targets while four indexes are adopted for quantitative evaluation in global and local aspects. Experiments demonstrate that the proposed approach achieves better SR performance, where the PSNR index can be increased at least by 0.93dB.
Hydroxygenkwanin, a flavonoid isolated from the leaves of the Daphne genkwa plant, is known to have pharmacological properties; however, its modulatory effect on multidrug resistance, which is (MDR) ...mediated by ATP-binding cassette (ABC) drug transporters, has not been investigated. In this study, we examine the interaction between hydroxygenkwanin, ABCB1, and ABCG2, which are two of the most well-characterized ABC transporters known to contribute to clinical MDR in cancer patients. Hydroxygenkwanin is not an efflux substrate of either ABCB1 or ABCG2. We discovered that, in a concentration-dependent manner, hydroxygenkwanin significantly reverses ABCG2-mediated resistance to multiple cytotoxic anticancer drugs in ABCG2-overexpressing multidrug-resistant cancer cells. Although it inhibited the drug transport function of ABCG2, it had no significant effect on the protein expression of this transporter in cancer cells. Experimental data showing that hydroxygenkwanin stimulates the ATPase activity of ABCG2, and in silico docking analysis of hydroxygenkwanin binding to the inward-open conformation of human ABCG2, further indicate that hydroxygenkwanin sensitizes ABCG2-overexpressing cancer cells by binding to the substrate-binding pocket of ABCG2 and attenuating the transport function of ABCG2. This study demonstrates the potential use of hydroxygenkwanin as an effective inhibitor of ABCG2 in drug combination therapy trials for patients with tumors expressing higher levels of ABCG2.
Objectives
Skeletal muscle dysfunction is one of the most common comorbidities in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The occurrence of respiratory failure in COPD is common and leads to ...the patient's death. The diaphragm is the most important muscle in the respiratory system and plays a key role in the onset of respiratory failure. This study explores the feasibility of ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE) to measure diaphragmatic stiffness and evaluates its changes in COPD patients.
Methods
In total, 77 participants (43 patients with stable COPD and 34 healthy controls) were enrolled. All subjects underwent complete diaphragmatic ultrasound SWE measurements and pulmonary function tests. The diaphragmatic stiffness was indicated via diaphragmatic shear wave velocity (SWV) at functional residual capacity (FRC). A trained operator performed the ultrasound SWE examinations of the first 15 healthy controls thrice to assess the reliability of diaphragmatic SWE.
Results
A good to excellent reliability was found in diaphragmatic SWV at FRC (ICC = 0.93, 95%CI 0.82–0.98). As compared to the control group, the diaphragmatic SWV at FRC was considerably high in the COPD group (median 2.5 m/s versus 2.1 m/s, P = .008). Diaphragmatic SWV at FRC was linked to forced expiratory volume in one second (r = −0.30, P = .009), forced vital capacity (r = −0.33, P = .003), modified Medical Research Council score (r = 0.30, P = .001), and COPD assessment test score (r = 0.48, P < .001).
Conclusions
Ultrasound SWE may be employed as an effective tool for quantitative evaluation of diaphragm stiffness and can help in personalized management of COPD, such as treatment guidance and follow‐up monitoring.
Understanding genetic diversity patterns of endangered species is an important premise for biodiversity conservation. The critically endangered salamander Andrias davidianus, endemic to central and ...southern mainland in China, has suffered from sharp range and population size declines over the past three decades. However, the levels and patterns of genetic diversity of A. davidianus populations in wild remain poorly understood. Herein, we explore the levels and phylogeographic patterns of genetic diversity of wild‐caught A. davidianus using larvae and adult collection with the aid of sequence variation in (a) the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) fragments (n = 320 individuals; 33 localities), (b) 19 whole mtDNA genomes, and (c) nuclear recombinase activating gene 2 (RAG2; n = 88 individuals; 19 localities). Phylogenetic analyses based on mtDNA datasets uncovered seven divergent mitochondrial clades (A–G), which likely originated in association with the uplifting of mountains during the Late Miocene, specific habitat requirements, barriers including mountains and drainages and lower dispersal ability. The distributions of clades were geographic partitioned and confined in neighboring regions. Furthermore, we discovered some mountains, rivers, and provinces harbored more than one clades. RAG2 analyses revealed no obvious geographic patterns among the five alleles detected. Our study depicts a relatively intact distribution map of A. davidianus clades in natural species range and provides important knowledge that can be used to improve monitoring programs and develop a conservation strategy for this critically endangered organism.
The Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus) is the largest extant amphibian species in the world, and it is entirely aquatic and endemic to the montane areas of central and southern China at approximately 23.5–35°N and 100–120°E. In the study, we showed a relatively intact and thorough distribution patterns of distinct A. davidianus clades in natural species range.
This study used microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) to evaluate the effects of ovariectomy on the trabecular bone microarchitecture and cortical bone morphology in the femoral neck and mandible of ...female rats.
Twelve female Wister rats were divided into two groups: the control and ovariectomized groups. The rats in the ovariectomized group received ovariectomy at 8 weeks of age; all the rats were sacrificed at 20 weeks of age, and their mandibles and femurs were removed and scanned using micro-CT. Four microstructural trabecular bone parameters were measured for the region below the first mandibular molar and the femoral neck region: bone volume fraction (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (TbTh), trabecular separation (TbSp), and trabecular number (TbN). In addition, four cortical bone parameters were measured for the femoral neck region: total cross-sectional area (TtAr), cortical area (CtAr), cortical bone area fraction (CtAr/TtAr), and cortical thickness (CtTh). The CtTh at the masseteric ridge was used to assess the cortical bone morphology in the mandible. The trabecular bone microarchitecture and cortical bone morphology in the femoral necks and mandibles of the control group were compared with those of the ovariectomized group. Furthermore, Spearman's correlation (rs) was conducted to analyze the correlation between the osteoporosis conditions of the mandible and femoral neck.
Regarding the trabecular bone microarchitectural parameters, the BV/TV of the trabecular bone microarchitecture in the femoral necks of the control group (61.199±11.288%, median ± interquartile range) was significantly greater than that of the ovariectomized group (40.329±5.153%). Similarly, the BV/TV of the trabecular bone microarchitecture in the mandibles of the control group (51.704±6.253%) was significantly greater than that of the ovariectomized group (38.486±9.111%). Furthermore, the TbSp of the femoral necks in the ovariectomized group (0.185±0.066 mm) was significantly greater than that in the control group (0.130±0.026mm). Similarly, the TbSp of the mandibles in the ovariectomized group (0.322±0.047mm) was significantly greater than that in the control group (0.285±0.041mm). However, the TbTh and TbN trends for the mandibles and femoral necks were inconsistent between the control and ovariectomized groups. Regarding the cortical bone morphology parameters, the TtAr of the femoral necks in the ovariectomized group was significantly smaller than that in the control group. There was no significant difference in the TtAr, CtAr, or CtTh of the femoral necks between the control and ovariectomized groups, and no significant difference in the CtTh of the mandibles between the control and ovariectomized groups. Moreover, the BV/TV and TbSp of the mandibles were highly correlated with those of the femurs (rs = 0.874 and rs = 0.755 for BV/TV and TbSp, respectively). Nevertheless, the TbTh, TbN, and CtTh of the mandibles were not correlated with those of the femoral necks.
After the rats were ovariectomized, osteoporosis of the trabecular bone microarchitecture occurred in their femurs and mandibles; however, ovariectomy did not influence the cortical bone morphology. In addition, the parametric values of the trabecular bone microarchitecture in the femoral necks were highly correlated with those of the trabecular bone microarchitecture in the mandibles.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Although varus inclination of the tibial plateau has increasingly been recognized as a major risk factor in the progression of Osteoarthritis of the knee (OA knee), little attention has been placed ...on the development of the varus inclination of the tibial plateau. Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and may increase the risk of a stress fracture in the proximal tibia. To date, risk factors for varus inclination of the tibial plateau are rarely reported. In this study, we investigated Bone Mineral Density (BMD) as a risk factor of varus inclination of the tibial plateau in postmenopausal women with advanced OA knee.
A total of 90 postmenopausal women with varus OA knee who had received a total knee arthroplasty in our department between January 2016 and December 2019 were reviewed. Certain factors may correlate to inclination of the tibial plateau (Medial Tibial Plateau Angle, MTPA), including age, operation side, Kellgren-Lawrence grade of OA knee, BMD, Body Mass Index (BMI), Lateral Distal Femur Angle (LDFA), lower extremity alignment (Hip-Knee-Ankle angle, HKAA), and history of both spinal compression fracture and hip fracture were collected and analyzed.
Osteoporosis, lower extremity varus malalignment and age were significantly associated with varus inclination of the tibial plateau (MTPA) (P = 0.15, 0.013 and 0.033 respectively). For patients with a lower extremity varus malalignment (HKAA < 175°), osteoporosis (T-score ≤ -2.5) was significantly associated with inclination of the tibial plateau. For patients with a normal lower extremity alignment (HKAA ≥ 175°), no significant association was found between osteoporosis (T-score ≤ -2.5) and varus inclination of the tibial plateau.
Osteoporosis, lower extremity varus malalignment and age are major risk factors for inclination of the tibial plateau in postmenopausal women with OA knee. More attention needs to be given to the progression of varus OA knee in postmenopausal women who simultaneously has osteoporosis and lower extremity varus malalignment.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Kaolinite possesses a structure with asymmetrically layered 1 : 1 dioctahedral aluminum silicate, and this structural property provides a useful platform for creating new cost-efficient functional ...materials that require noncentrosymmetric crystal packing. In this study, we prepared three covalently grafted kaolinites of propanediol (PD)/butanediol (BD)/glycerol (GL) by forming Al−O−C bonds between the OH groups of PD/BD/GL and the surface of kaolinite (K). Three covalently grafted kaolinites (K-PD, K-BD and K-GL) were characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and microanalysis for C, H and N elements. The test of K-PD, K-BD and K-GL stirred with water at ambient conditions for 3 days demonstrated these hybrids showing extra high chemical stability to water. The dielectric spectra of three hybrids show two-step dielectric relaxation in the range of 1-10
7
Hz, and the
P
−
E
measurements revealed the existence of ferroelectricity at room temperature with the spontaneous polarization, the remanent polarization and the coercive field of ∼0.014 μC cm
−2
, ∼0.008 μC cm
−2
and ∼0.426 kV cm
−1
for K-PD, ∼0.017 μC cm
−2
, ∼0.011 μC cm
−2
and ∼0.645 kV cm
−1
for K-BD, and ∼0.018 μC cm
−2
, ∼0.011 μC cm
−2
and ∼0.141 kV cm
−1
for K-GL, respectively.
Three covalently grafted Kaolinites of propanediol/butanediol/glycerol show extra high chemical stability to water, dielectrics and ferroelectricity at room temperature.
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