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“Going green” has become an important environmental issue in contemporary business practice worldwide. This study examined the influence of a number of factors on green innovation and the consequences in terms of performance. The stakeholder theory was adopted to observe the effects of each stakeholder on the green innovation practices of companies and to determine how green innovation practices influence environmental and business performance. A research model with eight hypotheses was proposed to determine the associations between the variables of interest. An empirical survey was conducted of 202 Taiwanese service and manufacturing companies. The survey found that pressure from competitors and the government, along with employee conduct, all had significant and positive effects on green innovation practices. Additionally, a moderating effect of innovation orientation existed only in the relationship between green product innovation practices and employee conduct. This study not only provides a systematic way to analyze the effects of green innovation practices but also suggests the best means for companies to adopt green innovation practices.

To determine the penetration of heated tobacco products (HTPs) into the youth market in Taiwan, with a particular focus on the correlation between IQOS use and the usage of other tobacco products. Data from the 2018 Global Youth Tobacco Survey were used to assess previous experience with and current use (within 30 days prior to survey completion) of IQOS products by Taiwanese students aged 12-18 years. Independent variables included the usage patterns of conventional cigarettes and e-cigarettes. The control variables included background information (gender, grade, monthly income/allowance, household educational level, smoking status at home and among close friends), access to free cigarettes, as well as exposure to cigarette advertisements and anti-tobacco courses. Logistic regression was used to identify tobacco usage patterns correlated with IQOS use. In 2018, 2.33% of Taiwan's adolescents were currently using IQOS and 4.17% had tried IQOS. The use of conventional cigarettes and e-cigarettes (individually and together) were associated with an elevated risk of the ever use and current use of IQOS. Despite the fact that HTP products are not sold legally in Taiwan, the use of IQOS products by young people is far from negligible. We recommend amending the \"Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act\" to include regulations pertaining to the sale and marketing of HTPs.

Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a phenolic compound that has several bioactivities, such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Here, we further investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of RA on rat A7r5 aortic smooth muscle cells with exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Our findings showed that low-dose RA (10-25 μM) did not influence the cell viability and morphology of A7r5 cells and significantly inhibited LPS-induced mRNA expression of the pro-inflammatory mediators TNFα, IL-8, and inducible NO synthase (iNOS). Consistently, RA reduced the production of TNFα, IL-8, and NO by A7r5 cells with exposure to LPS. Signaling cascade analysis showed that LPS induced activation of Erk, JNK, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and NF-κB, and RA treatments attenuated the activation of the three MAPKs and NF-κB. Moreover, cotreatment with RA and Erk, JNK, p38 MAPK, or NF-κB inhibitors further downregulated the mRNA expression of TNFα, IL-8, and iNOS, and decreased the production of TNFα, IL-8, and NO by A7r5 cells. Taken together, these findings indicate that RA may ameliorate the LPS-provoked inflammatory response of vascular smooth muscle cells by inhibition of MAPK/NF-κB signaling.

In recent years, optimal control which minimizes a cost function formulated by weighted states and control inputs has been applied to the seismic control of structures. Optimal control requires structural states which may not be available in real application; therefore, state estimation is essential, which inevitably takes additional computation time. However, time delay and state estimate error could affect the control performance. In this study, a multilayer perceptron (MLP) model and an autoregressive with exogenous inputs (ARX) model in machine learning are applied to learn the control force generated from a linear-quadratic regulator (LQR) with weighting matrices optimized by applying symbiotic organisms search algorithm. A 10-story building is adopted as a benchmark model for training and validation of the MLP and ARX models. Numerical simulation results demonstrate that the MLP and ARX models are able to emulate the LQR control force from the acceleration response directly, indicating that state estimation is not essential for optimal control implementation in real application. Finally, the machine-learning based approach is experimentally validated by conducting shake table testing in the laboratory in which the structural model is controlled by an active mass damper. The experimental results and structural control performance of the MLP and ARX models are compared with those of the LQR with a Kalman filter.

The journal retracts the article \"Rosmarinic Acid Attenuates the Lipopolysaccharide-Provoked Inflammatory Response of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell via Inhibition of MAPK/NF-κB Cascade\" [...].The journal retracts the article \"Rosmarinic Acid Attenuates the Lipopolysaccharide-Provoked Inflammatory Response of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell via Inhibition of MAPK/NF-κB Cascade\" [...].

•AZM/AML combination was assessed for BP inadequately controlled by each monotherapy.•BP was inadequately controlled for some patients despite high-dose monotherapy.•A 4-week active run-in ensured inclusion of true monotherapy nonresponders.•AZM/AML combination reduced SBP by 5 to 9 mm Hg more than monotherapy across all groups.•All dose-level combinations were well tolerated, with no new safety concerns. To assess the antihypertensive efficacy and safety of azilsartan medoxomil (AZM) and amlodipine (AML) combination therapy in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension inadequately controlled by AZM or AML monotherapy. In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind Phase III study (NCT05385770), patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension inadequately controlled with AZM 40/80 mg or AML 5/10 mg were randomized (1:1:1) to receive low-dose or high-dose AZM/AML combination therapy or continued monotherapy as control. Eligible patients completed a 4-week active run-in period before randomization. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in mean sitting systolic blood pressure (SBP) after 8 weeks of treatment. A total of 890 patients were randomized. AZM/AML combination therapy resulted in significantly greater reductions in mean sitting SBP compared with AZM or AML monotherapy across all dose groups. Least-squares mean reductions in mean sitting SBP at week 8 ranged from 5.2 to 9.0 mm Hg across all monotherapy nonresponder groups, with all comparisons showing statistical significance (P < 0.05). Reductions in mean sitting diastolic blood pressure also favored combination therapy. Safety profiles were comparable across all treatment arms, with most adverse events mild or moderate in severity. No additional safety concerns were identified compared with monotherapy. AZM/AML combination therapy was more effective than monotherapy in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension inadequately controlled with either agent alone, even at maximum doses. Both low-dose and high-dose combinations were well tolerated. AZM/AML combination therapy may offer enhanced BP-lowering efficacy compared with other angiotensin II receptor blocker-based regimens.

Summary Shaking table testing has been regarded as one of the most straightforward experimental approaches to evaluate the seismic response of structures subjected to earthquake ground motions. Therefore, reproducing an acceleration time history accurately becomes crucial for shaking table testing. In this study, a control framework for uniaxial shaking tables is proposed which incorporates a feedback controller into a weighted command shaping controller. It implements through outer‐loop control in addition to the conventional existing proportional‐integral inner‐loop control. The model‐based command shaping controller which considers the control‐structure interaction can be designed to shape either displacement or acceleration references. The weightings for the shaped displacement and acceleration can be calculated by a linear interpolation algorithm which considers the dominant frequency of the desired acceleration time history as well as the correlation between the displacement and acceleration responses of the shaking table. Accordingly, the weighted combination of the shaped displacement and acceleration generates the control command to the shaking table. On the other hand, the feedback controller deals with the system uncertainty and modeling error. Loop‐shaping design method is adopted to synthesize the feedback controller. Finally, the control framework is verified by several shaking table tests with and without a flexible specimen. Experimental results demonstrate the performance and robustness of the proposed control framework for shaking table test systems.

This study aimed to show that the efficacy of 1PC111 is superior to that of either ezetimibe or pitavastatin alone (monotherapy) for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, Phase III study. Patients with hypercholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidemia were randomized to receive 1PC111 (which was a fixed-dose combination of pitavastatin 2 mg and ezetimibe 10 mg), pitavastatin 2 mg, or ezetimibe 10 mg daily for 12 weeks. The primary end point was the difference in the percent change in LDL-C from baseline to week 12 between the 1PC111 and each monotherapy group. The secondary end points were the percent change in other lipid profiles from baseline to each visit. All patients were assessed for adverse events until end of study. A total of 388 patients were randomly assigned to the 1PC111 (n = 128), pitavastatin (n = 132), or ezetimibe (n = 128) group. Generally, baseline characteristics were similar among the 3 groups. A statistically significant decrease in the LDL-C level at week 12 was observed in the 1PC111 group (–50.50% [14.9%]) compared with either the pitavastatin (–36.11% [11.4%]; P < 0.001) or ezetimibe (–19.85% [12.4%]; P < 0.001) group. Also, there was a statistically significant difference between 1PC111 and each monotherapy group in the reduction in total cholesterol, non–HDL-C, and apolipoprotein B levels. Moreover, there was a trend toward more efficient lowering of LDL-C levels in elderly patients (age ≥65 years) than in younger patients (age <65 years) by 1PC111 treatment. In patients given a class I recommendation for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease prevention, the percentage of patients achieving the LDL-C target of <100 mg/dL at week 12 was significantly higher in the 1PC111 group than in both monotherapy groups (P < 0.001). Overall, the incidence of adverse events was similar among 3 groups. 1PC111 was more effective in improving lipid profiles and achieving the LDL-C goal than pitavastatin or ezetimibe alone for hypercholesterolemia treatment. Furthermore, 1PC111 may provide more benefit in treating elderly patients. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04643093.

Objective Proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors are a standard therapy for patients who respond poorly to or cannot tolerate statins. However, identifying responders to PCSK9 inhibitors remains unclear. This study investigates the characteristics of patients who achieve target LDL-C reduction (< 70 mg/dl) after PCSK9 inhibitor therapy. Methods A multicenter, retrospective cohort study included patients initiating PCSK9 inhibitors at 11 teaching hospitals in Taiwan (2017–2021). Baseline characteristics, lipid-lowering therapies, and lipid profile changes were analyzed. Results Among 211 patients (mean age 57.2 ± 13.1 years, 72.0% male), 73.5% used alirocumab and 26.5% used evolocumab. More than half had coronary artery disease and/or hypertension. Of these, 120 patients achieved the LDL-C target. Target achievers had a lower baseline BMI (25.8 ± 3.7 vs. 27.4 ± 4.5 kg/m 2 , P = 0.028) and a higher incidence of myocardial infarction and anti-platelet use compared to non-achievers. Baseline cholesterol and LDL-C levels were similar, but target achievers experienced greater LDL-C reductions (− 71.5; IQR − 81.8, − 62.2 vs. − 29.4; IQR − 38, − 10.5 mg/dl, P < 0.001), as well as decreases in triglycerides and increases in HDL-C. Glucose levels and liver enzymes did not differ significantly. Logistic regression revealed BMI as the only independent predictor of LDL-C target achievement (odds ratio: 0.899, 95% CI 0.821–0.984, P = 0.021). Conclusions Lower BMI at baseline was associated with a higher likelihood of achieving LDL-C < 70 mg/dl after 12 weeks of PCSK9 inhibitor therapy. These findings support personalized strategies for optimizing cholesterol management in statin-intolerant patients while further investigations are required. Graphical abstract

Recent clinical trials showed that short aspirin duration (1 or 3 months) in dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) followed by P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy reduced the risk of bleeding and did not increase the ischemic risk compared to 12-month DAPT in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, it is unclear about the optimal duration of aspirin in P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of aspirin treatment duration on clinical outcomes in a cohort of ACS patients with early aspirin interruption and received P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy. From January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2018, we included 498 ACS patients (age 70.18 ± 12.84 years, 71.3% men) with aspirin stopped for various reasons before 6 months after PCI and received P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy. The clinical outcomes between those with aspirin treatment ≤ 1 month and > 1 month were compared in 12-month follow up after PCI. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to balance the covariates between groups. The mean duration of aspirin treatment was 7.52 ± 8.10 days vs. 98.05 ± 56.70 days in the 2 groups (p<0.001). The primary composite endpoint of all-cause mortality, recurrent ACS or unplanned revascularization and stroke occurred in 12.6% and 14.4% in the 2 groups (adjusted HR 1.19, 95% CI 0.85–1.68). The safety outcome of BARC 3 or 5 bleeding was also similar (adjusted HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.34–1.40) between the 2 groups. In conclusion, patients with ≤ 1 month aspirin treatment had similar clinical outcomes to those with treatment > 1 month. Our results indicated that ≤ 1-month aspirin may be enough in P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy strategy for ACS patients undergoing PCI.