Electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption materials possess exceptionally high EM energy loss efficiency. With vigorous developments in nanotechnology, such materials have exhibited numerous advanced EM ...functions, including radiation prevention and antiradar stealth. To achieve improved EM performance and multifunctionality, the elaborate control of microstructures has become an attractive research direction. By designing them as core–shell structures with different dimensions, the combined effects, such as interfacial polarization, conduction networks, magnetic coupling, and magnetic–dielectric synergy, can significantly enhance the EM wave absorption performance. Herein, the advances in low‐dimensional core–shell EM wave absorption materials are outlined and a selection of the most remarkable examples is discussed. The derived key information regarding dimensional design, structural engineering, performance, and structure–function relationship are comprehensively summarized. Moreover, the investigation of the cutting‐edge mechanisms is given particular attention. Additional applications, such as oxidation resistance and self‐cleaning functions, are also introduced. Finally, insight into what may be expected from this rapidly expanding field and future challenges are presented.
Harnessing the coordination between the components and microstructures of low‐dimensional core–shell structure materials represents a paradigm shift in the design of electromagnetic wave absorbents with radiation prevention and antiradar stealth functions.
•Consider government intervention in a dynamic closed-loop supply chain.•Examine different types of government intervention.•Formulate dynamics of changes in the environmental burden.•Derive the ...subgame perfect Nash equilibrium decisions.•Investigate the effects on the environment, firms, consumers, and society.
Changes in environmental burden are inherently dynamic because a steady state cannot be instantaneously reached, and the current state is associated with the previous state and continuously evolves. In this study, we examine a dynamic closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) consisting of an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) selling new products and an independent remanufacturer (IR) selling recovered products generated from end-of-life (EOL) products. The government intervenes in the CLSC by imposing taxes or subsidies to reduce the environmental burden. We propose a baseline model without government intervention and six different policies: a fixed tax or subsidy on the firm side, a unit tax or subsidy on the firm side, and a unit tax or subsidy on the consumer side. We derive the firms’ closed-form instantaneous and steady-state decisions at the subgame perfect Nash equilibrium. Finally, we conduct a comparative study to explore the effects of the policies on the environmental burden, firm profits (producer surpluses), consumer surplus, and social welfare. We find that the proposed policies can effectively reduce the environmental burden and mitigate the intensity of price competition, except for the policy with the fixed subsidy to the IR. The policies are all profitable for the IR and, thus, effective in encouraging recovery; however, the policies are not necessarily profitable for the OEM. The policies with a unit tax for consumers and fixed subsidy for the OEM are more conducive to social welfare. Moreover, the degree of dynamics improves the effectiveness of the policies in reducing the environmental burden.
The aim of this study was to determine the validity of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) diagnosis coding in the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) by cross-comparisons of discharge ...diagnoses listed in the NHIRD with those in the medical records obtained from a medical center in Taiwan.
This was a cross-sectional study comparing records in the NHIRD and discharge notes in one medical center (DNMC) in the year 2008. Positive predictive values (PPVs) for AMI diagnoses were evaluated by reviewing the relevant clinical and laboratory data recorded in the discharge notes of the medical center. Agreement in comorbidities, cardiac procedures, and antiplatelet agent (aspirin or clopidogrel) prescriptions between the two databases was evaluated.
We matched 341 cases of AMI hospitalizations from the two databases, and 338 cases underwent complete chart review. Of these 338 AMI cases, 297 were confirmed with clinical and lab data, which yielded a PPV of 0.88. The consistency rate for coronary intervention, stenting, and antiplatelet prescription at admission was high, yielding a PPV over 0.90. The percentage of consistency in comorbidity diagnoses was 95.9% (324/338) among matched AMI cases.
The NHIRD appears to be a valid resource for population research in cardiovascular diseases.
In this paper, we consider a supply chain consisting of two manufacturers and a retailer. The first manufacturer is a traditional manufacturer that produces the new product, while the second ...manufacturer operates a reverse channel producing remanufactured products from used cores. Both manufacturers bundle their products with services, including warranty and advertisement, and they sell through the same retailer, which independently determines the sales prices. We assume that the second manufacturer invests extra effort in facilitating the remanufacturing process. In this study, we identify the equilibrium characteristics with respect to the remanufacturer's effort and price and service decisions for all members of the supply chain. We also investigate the profits of chain members by considering different interactions between prices and service. Based on the theoretical and numerical analyses, we derive economic and managerial insights for chain members.
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients usually lead to poor prognosis and survival because of metastasis. The major sites for TNBC metastasis include the lungs, brain, liver, and bone. Long ...non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are non-protein-coding transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides and have been reported as important regulators in BC metastasis. However, the underlying mechanisms for lncRNAs regulating TNBC metastasis are not fully understood. Here we found that linc-ZNF469-3 was highly expressed in lung-metastatic LM2-4175 TNBC cells and overexpression of linc-ZNF469-3 enhanced invasion ability and stemness properties in vitro and lung metastasis in vivo. Furthermore, we found linc-ZNF469-3 physically interacted with miR-574-5p and overexpression of miR-574-5p attenuated ZEB1 expression. Importantly, endogenous high expressions of linc-ZNF469-3 and ZEB1 were correlated with tumor recurrence in TNBC patients with lung metastasis. Taken together, our findings suggested that linc-ZNF469-3 promotes lung metastasis of TNBC through miR-574-5p-ZEB1 signaling axis and may be used as potential prognostic marker for TNBC patients.
Osteoporosis is a serious health issue among aging postmenopausal women. The majority of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis have bone loss related to estrogen deficiency. The rapid bone loss ...results from an increase in bone turnover with an imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation. Osteoporosis can also result from excessive glucocorticoid usage, which induces bone demineralization with significant changes of spatial heterogeneities of bone at microscale, indicating potential risk of fracture. This review is a summary of current literature about the molecular mechanisms of actions, the risk factors, and treatment of estrogen deficiency related osteoporosis (EDOP) and glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis (GIOP). Estrogen binds with estrogen receptor to promote the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG), and to suppress the action of nuclear factor-κβ ligand (RANKL), thus inhibiting osteoclast formation and bone resorptive activity. It can also activate Wnt/β-catenin signaling to increase osteogenesis, and upregulate BMP signaling to promote mesenchymal stem cell differentiation from pre-osteoblasts to osteoblasts, rather than adipocytes. The lack of estrogen will alter the expression of estrogen target genes, increasing the secretion of IL-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). On the other hand, excessive glucocorticoids interfere the canonical BMP pathway and inhibit Wnt protein production, causing mesenchymal progenitor cells to differentiate toward adipocytes rather than osteoblasts. It can also increase RANKL/OPG ratio to promote bone resorption by enhancing the maturation and activation of osteoclast. Moreover, excess glucocorticoids are associated with osteoblast and osteocyte apoptosis, resulting in declined bone formation. The main focuses of treatment for EDOP and GIOP are somewhat different. Avoiding excessive glucocorticoid use is mandatory in patients with GIOP. In contrast, appropriate estrogen supplement is deemed the primary treatment for females with EDOP of various causes. Other pharmacological treatments include bisphosphonate, teriparatide, and RANKL inhibitors. Nevertheless, more detailed actions of EDOP and GIOP along with the safety and effectiveness of medications for treating osteoporosis warrant further investigation.
The role of fibronectin (FN) in tumorigenesis and malignant progression has been highly controversial. Cancerous FN plays a tumor-suppressive role, whereas it is pro-metastatic and associated with ...poor prognosis. Interestingly, FN matrix deposited in the tumor microenvironments (TMEs) promotes tumor progression but is paradoxically related to a better prognosis. Here, we justify how FN impacts tumor transformation and subsequently metastatic progression. Next, we try to reconcile and rationalize the seemingly conflicting roles of FN in cancer and TMEs. Finally, we propose future perspectives for potential FN-based therapeutic strategies.
Differences in immune function and responses contribute to health- and life-span disparities between sexes. However, the role of sex in immune system aging is not well understood. Here, we ...characterize peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 172 healthy adults 22-93 years of age using ATAC-seq, RNA-seq, and flow cytometry. These data reveal a shared epigenomic signature of aging including declining naïve T cell and increasing monocyte and cytotoxic cell functions. These changes are greater in magnitude in men and accompanied by a male-specific decline in B-cell specific loci. Age-related epigenomic changes first spike around late-thirties with similar timing and magnitude between sexes, whereas the second spike is earlier and stronger in men. Unexpectedly, genomic differences between sexes increase after age 65, with men having higher innate and pro-inflammatory activity and lower adaptive activity. Impact of age and sex on immune phenotypes can be visualized at https://immune-aging.jax.org to provide insights into future studies.
Doping of semiconductors, i.e., accurately modulating the charge carrier type and concentration in a controllable manner, is a key technology foundation for modern electronics and optoelectronics. ...However, the conventional doping technologies widely utilized in silicon industry, such as ion implantation and thermal diffusion, always fail when applied to two-dimensional (2D) materials with atomically-thin nature. Surface charge transfer doping (SCTD) is emerging as an effective and non-destructive doping technique to provide reliable doping capability for 2D materials, in particular 2D semiconductors. Herein, we summarize the recent advances and developments on the SCTD of 2D semiconductors and its application in electronic and optoelectronic devices. The underlying mechanism of STCD processes on 2D semiconductors is briefly introduced. Its impact on tuning the fundamental properties of various 2D systems is highlighted. We particularly emphasize on the SCTD-enabled high-performance 2D functional devices. Finally, the challenges and opportunities for the future development of SCTD are discussed.
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