Joint Contribution Research Articles

INVOLVEMENT OF THE SCAPULOTHORACIC ARTICULATION AFTER WELL-FUNCTIONNING REVERSE SHOULDER ARTHROPLASTY.

Shoulder movements result from the combined movements of the glenohumeral joint (GH) and the scapulothoracic joint (ST), following a rhythm known as the scapulohumeral rhythm (SHR). The SHR represents the ratio of glenohumeral movement to scapulothoracic movement during arm elevation. Numerous studies have demonstrated that scapulothoracic kinematics and the SHR are significantly modified after reverse shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA). This study aimed to analyze scapulothoracic motion post-rTSA and compare it to that of an asymptomatic healthy shoulder. Thirteen shoulders formed the rTSA group. All patients had undergone rTSA for primary osteoarthritis (9 shoulders) or cuff tear arthropathy (5 shoulders) between 2017 and 2022. The healthy group consisted of 25 adult volunteers with no previous medical or surgical history involving the shoulder or spine. Analyses were performed bilaterally. For each patient, clinical (shoulder range of motion), functional (Constant score, ASES, and SSV), and scapular kinematic assessments were conducted using miniature inertial measurement units (MIMU). Scapular upward rotation was significantly increased in rTSA patients compared to healthy controls starting from 60° of elevation (p<0.01). Scapular retraction was also significantly higher in rTSA patients compared to healthy controls from the beginning of elevation (p<0.01). No significant difference in scapular tilt was found between rTSA and healthy patients. The SHR of healthy controls varies during abduction, from 7 at 30° to 4 at the end of the movement, indicating increased involvement of the ST joint relative to the GH joint. In contrast, the SHR in the rTSA cohort remains stable throughout abduction, from 2.4 at the beginning to 2.8 at the end, suggesting a greater contribution of the ST joint to abduction in rTSA patients than in the healthy controls, especially at the movement's initiation. This study demonstrates that the kinematics of the ST joint during overhead motion after a well-functioning rTSA are significantly altered compared to a healthy shoulder. Overhead motion was associated with a significant increase in scapular external rotation and retraction in rTSA patients, with no difference in scapular tilt. The ST contribution to overall shoulder movement is significantly increased in patients with a rTSA compared with a healthy shoulder. Better understanding of ST motion after rTSA could help improve rehabilitation protocols and preoperative planning for rTSA.

Human in vivo talocrural contributions to ankle joint complex kinematics during walking, running, and hopping.

The human ankle joint complex, consisting of calcaneus, talus, and tibia, is often simplified as a single functional ankle joint, neglecting the motion of the talus. Understanding the individual contributions of the talus and calcaneus is crucial for comprehending ankle joint complex function in healthy populations, and alterations in function that may exist in clinical conditions. To achieve accurate bone kinematics, high-resolution biplanar videoradiography was used with participants engaged in walking and running (n=9) and hopping (n=9) with no overlap in participants. The rotation axes for the calcaneus and talus were analysed relative to the tibia over the ankle joint dorsi-/plantar flexion phases. Contributions of the talocrural joint to overall ankle joint complex function were measured by comparing the range of motion (talus relative to calcaneus). Most of the sagittal plane motion in the ankle joint complex (80%) occurred in the talocrural joint, with the subtalar joint contributing 20%. Rotation of the calcaneus about the tibia dominated frontal and transverse plane motion during hopping. Although surprisingly large ranges of talus motion were also observed in these planes (>5deg), indicating notable inter-subject variability and that the talocrural joint is not a simple hinge joint. The study highlights the importance of directly quantifying talus motion to understand ankle joint complex function. The results showed opposing talus and calcaneus movements for many participants during different locomotor tasks, which may influence the magnitude and distribution of subtalar joint loading. In addition, the large out-of-sagittal plane movements and inter-subject variability in talus and calcaneus motion may further emphasize the need for personalised models to investigate treatments for ankle pathologies.

Noise generation and contribution of a single-gap bridge expansion joint: An experimental and numerical study

Noise generated from bridge expansion joints during vehicle passing has caused localized environmental problems around the world. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the vibration and noise radiation from the single-gap expansion joint induced by passing vehicles. First, a vibration and noise field test was performed for single-gap expansion joints in the highway ramps. Based on the tested results, two numerical models, involving a 3D tire-bridge expansion joint hybrid finite element model for the vibration analysis, as well as an acoustic boundary element model for the prediction of the noise radiation, were established and validated. The results of the numerical simulations and the field tests are well matched, which offers opportunities to predict the vibration and noise induced by vehicles passing through using the proposed methodology. Finally, the acoustic contribution and sound pressure distribution of different sound sources were discussed. The research showed that, for the single-gap expansion joint, the contribution of tire noise to the total noise level is dominant, and the contribution of structure-borne noise of the expansion joint and girder to the total noise level is insignificant. The findings emphasize the importance of tire noise and provide new ideas for noise control of single-gap expansion joints.

Effect of External Work Magnitude on Mechanical Efficiency of Sledge Jumping.

The mechanical efficiency of human locomotion has been studied extensively. The mechanical efficiency of the whole body occasionally exceeds muscle efficiency during bouncing type gaits. It is thought to occur due to elasticity and stiffness of the tendinomuscular system and neuromuscular functions, especially stretch reflexes. In addition, the lower limb joint kinetics affect mechanical efficiency. We investigated the impact of varying external work on mechanical efficiency and lower limb kinetics during repeated sledge jumping. Fifteen male runners performed sledge jumping for 4minutes at 3 different sledge inclinations. Lower limb kinematics, ground reaction forces, and expired gases were analyzed. Mechanical efficiency did not differ according to sledge inclination. Mechanical efficiency correlated positively with the positive mechanical work of the knee and hip joints and the negative contribution of the hip joints. Conversely, it correlated negatively with both the positive and negative contributions of the ankle joint. This may be attributable to the greater workload in this study versus previous studies. To achieve greater external work, producing more mechanical energy at the proximal joint and transferring it to the distal joint could be an effective strategy for improving mechanical efficiency because of the greater force-generating capability of distal joint muscles.

Interpretation method for laser-scanning point clouds of segmental tunnel linings based on hybrid analysis

Owing to its convenience and precision, laser scanning has been applied in inspecting segmental tunnel linings. The point clouds generated by laser scanning provide valuable geometric information regarding the lining profile. Numerous studies have identified defects including cracks, leaks, and concrete spalling from these point clouds. However, they primarily relied on computer vision and neglected the mechanical information inherent in point clouds. This paper proposes a method for interpreting laser-scanning point clouds related to segmental tunnel linings based on analytical back analysis, known as hybrid analysis. The objective involves interpreting the mechanical behavior of segmental tunnel linings derived from point clouds. Through hybrid analysis, the deformation of the segmental tunnel linings was broken down into deflection and rigid-body motion. This process revealed the contribution of joints to the overall deformation of the linings. The strain of the segmental tunnel linings can be further quantified using the elastic theory of an arch slender. To validate the hybrid analysis, results were compared with experimental monitoring results. Further, potential application scenarios for the proposed method were explored. This method holds promise in engineering practice because it requires limited knowledge of the external loads, rendering it suitable for in-operation tunnels buried in uncertain strata.

Preoperative Degenerative Changes at the Medial Sesamoid-Metatarsal Joint Is Associated with Postoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes in Hallux Valgus

Introduction/Purpose: While hallux valgus (HV) is understood to be a triplanar deformity of the first metatarsal, less is known about the contribution of the sesamoid-metatarsal joint (SMJ) to pain and function. Osteoarthritis of the SMJ is frequently present in HV feet, with an incidence rate ranging from 32% to 81%. Following surgical correction, approximately 10% of HV patients remain dissatisfied, but factors affecting postoperative outcomes are poorly understood. The primary aim of our study was to describe the relationship between degenerative changes at the SMJ as measured on weightbearing CT (WBCT) scans and 1-year patient-reported outcome scores following a modified Lapidus procedure for correction of HV. We hypothesized that decreased joint space at the SMJ would affect postoperative patient-reported outcomes. Methods: This study included 48 consecutive patients who underwent a modified Lapidus procedure for HV, had preoperative and at least 5-month postoperative WBCT scans, and had preoperative PROMIS scores and at least 1-year postoperative PROMIS Physical Function (PF), Pain Interference, and Pain Intensity scores. For each patient, the first metatarsal and sesamoids on pre- and postoperative WBCT scans were segmented using Disior Bonelogic software and uploaded to Geomagic Design X to perform distancing mapping. The minimum and average distances between the first metatarsal head and medial sesamoid (medial-SMJ) for each patient pre- and postoperatively were calculated. Sesamoid subluxation was measured on WBCT scans using the grading system from 0 to 3 (Yildirim et al.). A simple linear regression model was used to investigate the correlations between minimum preoperative and postoperative medial-SMJ distances and 1-year postoperative PROMIS scores in patients with postoperative reduction of the sesamoids (grade 0). Results: Preoperatively, the mean minimum and average medial-SMJ distances were 0.76 ± 0.37 mm and 1.54 ± 0.33 mm, respectively. Postoperatively, the mean minimum and average medial-SMJ distances were 1.08 ± 0.25 mm and 1.73 ± 0.24 mm, respectively. Thirty-five of 48 patients had a complete reduction of the sesamoids. Lower preoperative minimum distances at the medial-SMJ were significantly correlated with worse 1-year PROMIS PF scores (r=0.405, P=0.016) (Figure 1). Similarly, lower preoperative minimum distances at the medial-SMJ were significantly correlated with worse 1-year PROMIS Pain Intensity scores (r=-0.350, P=0.039) but did not reach significance for 1-year PROMIS Pain Interference scores (r=-0.286, P=0.095). The postoperative minimum medial-SMJ distance was not correlated with 1-year PROMIS PF, Pain Interference, and Pain Intensity scores. Conclusion: In HV patients undergoing a modified Lapidus procedure with postoperatively reduced sesamoids, decreased joint space at the medial sesamoid-metatarsal head articulation was associated with worse 1-year postoperative function as measured by PROMIS PF scores and worse 1-year postoperative pain as measured by PROMIS Pain Intensity scores. In contrast, postoperative degenerative changes at the SMJ were not found to be associated with patient-reported outcomes. Our results suggest that pre-existing SMJ arthritic changes may affect postoperative outcomes and may be a source of dissatisfaction following HV surgery despite appropriate correction of the deformity. Figure 1. Preoperative medial sesamoid to the first metatarsal head minimum distance relative to 1-year PROMIS Physical Function, Pain Intensity, and Pain Interference scores. A simple linear regression demonstrates a significant association between preoperative medial sesamoid –metatarsal head minimum joint distance and 1-year PROMIS Physical Function (r=0.405, P=0.016) and Pain Intensity (r=‒0.305, P=0.039) scores.

The Thai Health Promotion Foundation: Two Decades of Joint Contributions to Addressing Noncommunicable Diseases and Creating Healthy Populations.

The Thai Health Promotion Foundation: Two Decades of Joint Contributions to Addressing Noncommunicable Diseases and Creating Healthy Populations.

Light absorption properties and source contributions of black and brown carbon in Guangxi, southern China

Black carbon (BC) and brown carbon aerosols (BrC) are primary light-absorbing carbonaceous aerosols that significantly influence the global and regional radiation balance, as well as air quality. Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, as a primarily agricultural province of China and neighbouring Southeast Asia, is subjected to both local emissions and pollution transport from Southeast Asian biomass burning. To investigate the light absorption properties and source contributions of BC and BrC in this region, observations from a 7-wavelength Aethalometer are employed to estimate the light absorption properties of BC and BrC over the period from March to December 2020 in Nanning, China. This study focuses on analysing the absorption contributions of BC and BrC to the total absorption of carbonaceous aerosols, identifying their emission sources, and exploring the impact of long-range transport of biomass burning (BB) from Southeast Asia on BC and BrC based on backward trajectory and weighted concentration-weighted trajectories (WCWT) model. Our results show that the absorption Ångström exponent (AAE) of light-absorbing carbonaceous aerosols varies from 0.54 to 2.08, reflecting the presence of different absorbing aerosol sources with specific optical properties. The average absorption coefficients of BC and BrC at 370 nm, denoted as babs,BC(370) and babs,BrC(370), are 42.25 Mm−1 and 9.63 Mm−1, respectively, with the highest value observed in winter. The average absorption of BrC contributes 19% to the total absorption from light-absorbing carbonaceous aerosols, and this contribution decreases for high babs,BrC(370) values, with the highest value in summer at 20%. For the BC source apportionment using a site-specific AAE, fossil fuel combustion (FF) contributes 57%, with its highest proportion in summer (62%). Meanwhile, biomass burning (BB) accounts for 43%, with the greatest contribution in winter (58%). These results highlight the considerable role of BB in Guangxi. In terms of the BrC sources, secondary BrC (BrCsec) is responsible for 32% of the total light absorption of BrC at 370 nm, and is particularly characterized by a much higher level of 35% at night, meaning the dominant role of BrCsec in Nanning. The relative contribution of babs,BrC,sec(370) increases with a higher contribution of babs,BrC(370) to aerosol absorption. Compared with the BrCsec, primary BrC values are higher in spring and winter, due to the increased emissions from biomass burning. Based on the analysis of backward trajectory and WCWT, the increase in BC and BrC during March and April is mainly influenced by the long-range transport of BB from Southeast Asian countries, e.g., Laos and Thailand. Overall, the contributions of BB and FF emissions to BC are comparable in Guangxi, while BrC mainly formed from primary sources is significantly impacted by both local emissions and the long-range transport of BB. Studying the optical characteristics and emission sources in this region can promote the understanding of the radiative effect of light-absorbing carbonaceous aerosols under the joint contributions from biomass burning and industrial emissions.

Provenance, chemical weathering, and sedimentary environment of the aquifer sediments: Implication for arsenic enrichment in groundwater

High arsenic (As) groundwater has been widely observed in the world, but the provenance, chemical weathering, and sedimentary environment of aquifer sediments hosting high As groundwater remain poorly understood. The geochemical and isotopic characteristics of high-resolution aquifer sediments were investigated to unravel the roles of provenance, chemical weathering, and sedimentary environment of the aquifer sediments. The average values of rare earth elements (REEs) showed the enrichment of light REEs and flat heavy REEs in the aquifer and the Yellow River sediments. The chemical index of alteration reflected incipient and moderate weathering (41 to 71). The δ13CSOM (−27.4‰ ± 4.3‰) and C/N values (8.1 ± 5.8) indicated aquatic environment of sedimentation. Shallow aquifer sediments mostly had relatively high ΣREEs contents and negative Eu anomalies, demonstrating that the aquifer sediments were mainly derived from the Yellow River (up to 94.3% ± 5%). Deep aquifer sediments had relatively low ΣREEs contents and positive Eu anomalies, which originated from the Yinshan Mountains (up to 72.2% ± 20.4%) principally with igneous and metamorphic rocks. Moreover, recycling of the Yellow River sediments from Northeastern Tibetan Plateau enhanced the silicate weathering and increased contents of Fe/Mn oxides and As. The δ13CSOM and C/N values evidenced that organisms of paleo-lake or paleo-Yellow River were responsible for abundant sedimentary organic matter. Concentrations of Fe, Mn, and As were high in shallow groundwater from the plain. The As enrichment in the shallow groundwater was jointly controlled by the provenance and chemical weathering of the aquifer sediments (14%), sedimentary environment (10%), reductive dissolution (35%) of Fe/Mn oxides, As desorption under elevated pH (20%), and competitive adsorption of HCO3- (21%). This study systematically reveals the roles of provenance, chemical weathering, and sedimentary environment of the aquifer sediments and highlights joint contributions of geochemical processes and geochemical conditions to As enrichment in groundwater.

A double defects-dominated flexible TiO2 matrix for in-situ SERS sensing of antibiotic residues in aquatic ecosystem (fish & fishpond water) and their on-site degradation in flowing water

High-performance flexible semiconductor material can be used as an excellent multifunctional matrix for in-situ ultrasensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection and synchronous photocatalytic degradation of antibiotic residues in aquatic ecosystem. Here, a calcium-doped TiO2 flexible matrix with double defects (surface oxygen vacancy defect and Ti3+ energy level defect) was developed by its “in-situ one-step” hydrothermal synthesis on cotton fabric for the above purposes. Due to the joint contribution of double defects, a multi-channel charge transfer mode and a high-efficiency carrier separation are achieved, which endows flexible cotton fabric/Ca-doped TiO2 (Cot/Ca-TiO2) substrate with the greatly boosted SERS effect for in-situ detection of antibiotic residues on fish body surface and in fishpond water by a simple wiping or dipping sampling method, even for simultaneous identification of multi-component residues. The detection limits of three antibiotic residues (enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and enoxacin) are as low as 10−9 M, which are far lower than the EU standard. More meaningfully, the flexible Cot/Ca-TiO2 can be used as a multifunctional filter-membrane type photocatalyst for efficient on-site degradation of antibiotic residues in flowing fishpond water by a multi-grade photocatalysis means. Moreover, the flexible matrix exhibits good recyclability in both actual detection and photocatalysis.

Geography and ecology shape the phylogenetic composition of Amazonian tree communities

AbstractAimAmazonia hosts more tree species from numerous evolutionary lineages, both young and ancient, than any other biogeographic region. Previous studies have shown that tree lineages colonized multiple edaphic environments and dispersed widely across Amazonia, leading to a hypothesis, which we test, that lineages should not be strongly associated with either geographic regions or edaphic forest types.LocationAmazonia.TaxonAngiosperms (Magnoliids; Monocots; Eudicots).MethodsData for the abundance of 5082 tree species in 1989 plots were combined with a mega‐phylogeny. We applied evolutionary ordination to assess how phylogenetic composition varies across Amazonia. We used variation partitioning and Moran's eigenvector maps (MEM) to test and quantify the separate and joint contributions of spatial and environmental variables to explain the phylogenetic composition of plots. We tested the indicator value of lineages for geographic regions and edaphic forest types and mapped associations onto the phylogeny.ResultsIn the terra firme and várzea forest types, the phylogenetic composition varies by geographic region, but the igapó and white‐sand forest types retain a unique evolutionary signature regardless of region. Overall, we find that soil chemistry, climate and topography explain 24% of the variation in phylogenetic composition, with 79% of that variation being spatially structured (R2 = 19% overall for combined spatial/environmental effects). The phylogenetic composition also shows substantial spatial patterns not related to the environmental variables we quantified (R2 = 28%). A greater number of lineages were significant indicators of geographic regions than forest types.Main ConclusionNumerous tree lineages, including some ancient ones (&gt;66 Ma), show strong associations with geographic regions and edaphic forest types of Amazonia. This shows that specialization in specific edaphic environments has played a long‐standing role in the evolutionary assembly of Amazonian forests. Furthermore, many lineages, even those that have dispersed across Amazonia, dominate within a specific region, likely because of phylogenetically conserved niches for environmental conditions that are prevalent within regions.

Criminal Responsibility of Accomplices in Committing a Criminal Offence

Background: When a criminal offence is committed by a single person, the problem of criminal responsibility is clear, whereas when the criminal offence is committed jointly by two or more people, the problem of responsibility is discussed. In this paper, the issues related to the problems of the responsibility of accomplices participating in a criminal activity will be addressed, such as the special subject, the excess of the executor, the cooperation and complicity of the case, the use of irresponsible persons in the commission of the criminal offence, and cooperation with unidentified persons. This article will answer the question of whether the criminal offence committed in cooperation would qualify in cases of cooperation with unidentified or irresponsible persons. The conclusions deal with the fact that if the criminal offence is carried out with the will, desire, and joint contribution, it is a product of the joint criminal behaviour, so the persons will be held accountable as accomplices. Also, collaborators are not responsible for other actions of the executor during the commission of the criminal offence, or for actions that go beyond the agreement. Albanian criminal law does not accept objective responsibility in the commission of a criminal offence, it also requires the subjective element. Regarding acceptance of cooperation, there is no cooperation with irresponsible persons. It would not be enough to prove only that in the commission of the crime other persons also participated, be they all adults, but it must be proven simultaneously that the unidentified persons are criminally responsible. Methods: In this study, a comprehensive legal analysis approach was employed to delve into the intricate issues surrounding the criminal responsibility of accomplices engaged in joint criminal activities. The methodology involved a meticulous examination of Albanian criminal law, jurisprudence, and relevant legal principles. The study focused on various aspects, including the special subject, the concept of cooperation, the excess of the executor, cooperation, complicity within specific cases, the utilisation of irresponsible individuals in the commission of criminal offences, and collaboration with unidentified persons. This method allows for gaining a profound understanding of the legal framework governing joint criminal behaviour and accomplice liability. Results and conclusions: The findings of the research shed light on the complex issues surrounding the criminal responsibility of accomplices in cases of joint criminal activities. Through an in-depth analysis of Albanian criminal law and jurisprudence, answers to critical questions concerning the qualification of criminal offences committed in cooperation, especially in cases involving unidentified or irresponsible persons, are provided. The results confirm that when a criminal offence is executed with the shared intent, desire, and joint contribution of individuals, it unequivocally constitutes joint criminal behaviour, leading to accountability for all involved accomplices. Furthermore, the research elucidates that collaborators cannot be held responsible for actions by the principal offender that exceed the scope of their agreement. Additionally, emphasis is given regarding Albanian criminal law adhering to a subjective element requirement for criminal responsibility, ruling out objective responsibility in the commission of criminal offences. Regarding the acceptance of cooperation, the findings underscore that the mere participation of other individuals in the commission of a crime, even if they are adults, does not establish criminal responsibility for unidentified persons. Instead, it necessitates the concurrent demonstration of their individual criminal liability. The results provide valuable insights into the legal principles governing the responsibility of accomplices in joint criminal activities within the Albanian legal context.

Overcoming the consequences of crop failures and helping victims of famine in the Penza province in the 1860s-1890s.

Despite the increased scientific interest in the problem of famine and food security in the Russian Empire in recent years, the topic remains poorly studied on the materials of the Penza province. The subject of the study is the main activities of the authorities and the public in the fight against famine and its consequences in the Penza province in the 1860s and 1890s. The purpose of the work is to identify the effectiveness of a system of local measures aimed at overcoming the consequences of crop failures and helping the hungry. The principles of historicism and objectivity, methods of grouping and generalizing statistical information, system, functional and comparative analysis were used as a methodological basis. According to the provisions of the socio-natural theory of E. S. Kulpin-Gubaidullin, the genesis of the crises of society is considered in the relationship and interdependence with the crises of nature. The author's special contribution to the research of the topic is that new information about the causes of crop failures and famine, as well as specific measures taken by the authorities and society to provide assistance to the affected population, has been introduced and analyzed. Based on the analysis of archival and literary sources, the state and public forms of assistance to victims of famine are systematized, the joint contribution of government agencies and zemstvo self-government bodies to overcoming the consequences of crop failures is determined. The main conclusion of the study is that the local security system had limited damage compensation capabilities and needed extraordinary government support. It can be argued that the implementation of local measures together with general imperial ones turned out to be generally effective: mass starvation deaths in the Penza province were not recorded in any of the lean years.

CYCLOIDEA paralogs function partially redundantly to specify dorsal flower development in Mimulus lewisii.

Duplicated genes (paralogs) are abundant in plant genomes, and their retention may influence the function of genetic programs and contribute to evolutionary novelty. How gene duplication affects genetic modules and what forces contribute to paralog retention are outstanding questions. The CYCLOIDEA(CYC)-dependent flower symmetry program is a model for understanding the evolution of gene duplication, providing multiple examples of paralog partitioning and novelty. However, a novel CYC gene lineage duplication event near the origin of higher core Lamiales (HCL) has received little attention. To understand the evolutionary fate of duplicated HCL CYC2 genes, we determined the effects on flower symmetry by suppressing MlCYC2A and MlCYC2B expression using RNA interference (RNAi). We determined the phenotypic effects on flower symmetry in single- and double-silenced backgrounds and coupled our functional analyses with expression surveys of MlCYC2A, MlCYC2B, and a putative downstream RADIALIS (MlRAD5) ortholog. MlCYC2A and MlCYC2B jointly contribute to bilateral flower symmetry. MlCYC2B exhibits a clear dorsal flower identity function and may additionally function in carpel development. MlCYC2A functions in establishing dorsal petal shape. Further, our results suggest an MlCYC2A-MlCYC2B regulatory interaction, which may affect pathway homeostasis. Our results suggest that CYC paralogs specific to higher core Lamiales may be selectively retained for their joint contribution to bilateral flower symmetry, similar to the independently derived CYC paralogs in the Lamiales model for bilateral flower symmetry research, Antirrhinum majus (snapdragon).

Mn-Cu bimetallic electro-spun catalytic membrane coupled Fenton-like scheme for sulfamethoxazole destruction under ambient pH

Heterogeneous catalyst reuse and the effectiveness of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-based advanced oxidation processes under near-neutral conditions remain an obstacle in wastewater remediation. Herein, we put forward a versatile catalytic membrane with Cu-doped MnO active layer anchoring on the polydopamine-modified electrospinning polyvinylidene fluoride (PDA@PVDF) base. The Cu-MnO@PDA@PVDF membrane was conferred admirable sulfamethoxazole (SMX) reduction (over 90% within 90 min) and clogging alleviation (relative flux recovery to 0.98) capabilities via in situ H2O2 activation at pH 8, which was slightly affected by actual water background. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and trapping tests unveiled the joint contribution of •OH, O2•− and 1O2, with •OH exerting the supreme role in SMX oxidation. The inherent characteristics of dual Mn-Cu centers on the membrane surface for facilitation of electron transfer, H2O2 adsorption and barrierless dissociation to •OH were further elucidated by electrochemical measurements and density functional theory (DFT) computation. Comprehensively, this study proposes a facile procedure and insights into engineering catalytic membrane coupled H2O2 strategy for refractory organic treatment at ambient conditions.

Contribution of the alternative model for DSM-5 personality disorders to relationship satisfaction.

Personality is a central factor associated with relationship discord, conflicts, and separation, as well as with dyadic adjustment and relationship stability. The Alternative Model for Personality Disorders (AMPD) of the DSM-5 offers a hybrid model for understanding personality based on personality dysfunction (Criterion A) and pathological domains and facets (Criterion B). So far, few studies have integrated this model into the understanding of relationship quality. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the contribution of Criterion B to relationship satisfaction in individuals involved in an intimate relationship. We also explored the joint contribution of Criteria A and B, as well as their interaction effects, to relationship satisfaction. Participants were drawn from two clinical samples: patients with personality disorders (PD; N = 101) and clients consulting in private practice clinics (PPC; N = 350). They completed self-report questionnaires assessing relationship satisfaction and AMPD Criteria A (only for PPC sample) and B. Hierarchical regressions showed that, for the PD sample, the Detachment and Negative Affectivity domains, especially the pathological facets of Intimacy Avoidance and Separation Insecurity, explained 22.5% of relationship satisfaction's variance. For PPC clients, Detachment, Negative Affectivity, and Antagonism domains, and especially the pathological facets of Intimacy Avoidance, Anxiousness, and Grandiosity, contribute significantly to relationship satisfaction, explaining 14.8% of its variance. Criterion A elements did not evince incremental value to the regression models in the PPC sample, and no Criteria A and B interaction effects were found. Clinical implications as well as limitations of the study are discussed.

PH-responsive, self-sculptured Mg/PLGA composite microfibers for accelerated revascularization and soft tissue regeneration

Biodegradable Mg/polymer composite fibers offer a promising therapeutic option for tissue injury because of bioactive Mg2+ and biomimetic microstructure. However, current studies are limited to the contribution of Mg2+ and the single microstructure. In this study, we designed Mg/poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (Mg/PLGA) composite microfibers that significantly enhanced angiogenesis and tissue regeneration synergistically by Mg2+ and self-sculptured microstructure, due to spontaneous in situ microphase separation in response to the weakly alkaline microenvironment. Our composite microfiber patch exhibited superior performance in the adhesion, spreading, and angiogenesis functions of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) due to the joint contribution of the hierarchically porous microstructure and Mg2+. Genomics and proteomics analyses revealed that the Mg/PLGA composite microfibers activated the cell focal adhesion and angiogenesis-related signaling pathways. Furthermore, the repair of typical soft tissue defects, including refractory urethral wounds and easily healed skin wounds, validated that our Mg/PLGA composite microfiber patch could provide favorable surface topography and ions microenvironment for tissue infiltration and accelerated revascularization. It could cause rapid urethral tissue regeneration and recovery of rabbit urethral function within 6 weeks and accelerate rat skin wound closure within 16 days. This work provides new insight into soft tissue regeneration through the bioactive alkaline substance/block copolymer composites interactions.

Joint contributions to sagittal plane total support moment in patients with knee osteoarthritis after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

BackgroundPatients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) demonstrate lower knee loading. This study aimed to determine whether sagittal plane TSM and joint contributions to total support moment (TSM) in the surgical limb are different between athletes who did and did not show radiological features of knee OA at 2 years after ACLR during triple hops (TH), single hop (TH), single-legged vertical jump (VJ), and walking. MethodsForty-one athletes with 2 years of unilateral ACLR surgery participated in this cross-sectional study. Athletes completed motion analysis testing of single-legged TH, SH, VJ, and walking tasks. Sagittal plane TSM and individual joint (ankle, knee, and hip) contributions to TSM were computed at peak knee flexion angle (TSM-PKF). Posterior-anterior radiographs were completed in standing and 30° knee flexion. Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) system was used to identify radiological features of knee OA in the medial compartment of the reconstructed knee (OA-group: KL ≥2; Non-OA group: KL<2). ResultsThere was a significant group-by-joint-by-task interaction for joint contributions to TSM-PKF (p = 0.012), with the OA-group (n = 13) had lower knee and higher hip contributions compared to the non-OA group during TH, SH, and VJ (p ≤ 0.049). There was a significant joint-by-group interaction for the joint contributions to TSM-PKF (p = 0.004), with the OA-group having lower knee (p = 0.003) and higher hip (p = 0.001) contributions compared to the Non-OA group. SignificanceThe OA-group exhibited lower knee and higher hip contributions to the sagittal plane TSM compared to the Non-OA group during the landing phase of single-limb high-demand activities. The OA-group exhibited decreased knee loading and compensated by shifting the mechanical load to the hip joint within the reconstructed knee. Decreased knee loading in the OA-group may have affected the required mechanical loading to maintain knee metabolism and integrity.

The Midfoot Joint Complex (Foot Arch) Contributes to the Upper Body Position in Bipedal Walking and Coordinates With the Lower Limb Joints.

This study estimated the contribution of the midfoot joint complex (MJC) kinematics to the pelvis anterior-posterior positions during the stance phase of walking and investigated whether the MJC is functionally coordinated with the lower limb joints to maintain similar pelvic positions across steps. Hip, knee, ankle, and MJC sagittal angles were measured in 11 nondisabled participants during walking. The joints' contributions to pelvic positions were computed through equations derived from a link-segment model. Functional coordination across steps was identified when the MJC contribution to pelvic position varied and the summed contributions of other joints varied in the opposite direction (strong negative covariations [r ≤ -.7] in stance phase instants). We observed that the MJC plantarflexion (arch raising) during the midstance and late stance leads the pelvis backward, avoiding excessive forward displacement. The MJC was the second joint that contributed most to the pelvis positions (around 18% of all joints' contributions), after the ankle joint. The MJC and ankle were the joints that were most frequently coordinated with the other joints (≅70% of the stance phase duration). The findings suggest that the MJC is part of the kinematic chain that determines pelvis positions during walking and is functionally coordinated with the lower limb joints.

Lower-Extremity Energetic Distribution During Rate-Controlled Ballet Jumps (Sautés) in Healthy Dancers.

Dancers frequently perform jumps in the context of a prolonged, continuous dance piece. The purpose of this study is to explore the lower-extremity energetics in healthy dancers performing repetitive dance jumps (sautés) before and after typical dance-specific choreography. Lower-extremity kinetic data were collected from 14 healthy female dancers during a series of sautés performed before and after 3minutes of dance. Percent contributions of the lower-extremity joints to the whole-limb mechanical energy expenditure during ground contact were calculated. The jumps performed at the beginning were compared with the jumps at the end of the dance choreography. Dancers maintained the jump rate and consistent whole-limb mechanical energy expenditure between the jump series. As expected, for both jump series, the sautés had greater relative energetic contribution from the ankle and knee as compared with lesser contribution from the hip and toe. However, we observed lesser contribution from the knee and greater contribution from the hip after a 3-minute dance. After performing typical dance choreography, the dancers demonstrated a distal to proximal redistribution of individual joints' contribution to whole-limb mechanical energy expenditure.