Support Function Research Articles

Platinum-Nickel Oxide Cluster-Cluster Heterostructure Enabling Fast Hydrogen Evolution for Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers.

Carbon black has been extensively employed as the support for noble metal catalysts for electrocatalysis applications. However, the nearly catalytic inertness and weak interaction with metal species of carbon black are two major obstacles that hinder the further improvement of the catalytic performance. Herein, we report a surface functionalization strategy by decorating transition metal oxide clusters on the commercial carbon black to offer specific catalytic activity and enhanced interaction with metal species. In the case of NiOx cluster-decorated carbon black, a strongly coupled cluster-cluster heterostructure consisting of Pt clusters and NiOx clusters (Pt-NiOx/C) is formed and delivers greatly enhanced alkaline hydrogen evolution kinetics. The NiOx clusters can not only accelerate the hydrogen evolution process as the co-catalyst, but also optimize the adsorption of H intermediates on Pt and stabilize the Pt clusters. Notably, the anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer with Pt-NiOx/C as the cathode catalyst (with a loading of only 50 μgPt cm-2) delivers the most competitive electrochemical performance reported to date, requiring only 1.90 V to reach a current density of 2 A cm-2. The results demonstrate the significance of surface functionalization of carbonaceous supports toward the development of advanced electrocatalysts.

Optimizing Pt catalyst performance for oxygen reduction reaction via surface functionalization of Vulcan XC-72R carbon black support

Optimizing Pt catalyst performance for oxygen reduction reaction via surface functionalization of Vulcan XC-72R carbon black support

RESOURCE DYNAMICS IN CAREER SATISFACTION: EXAMINING PERSON-JOB FIT, WORK ENGAGEMENT, AND SUPERVISOR SUPPORT

The current study empirically examines the relationship between person-job fit and career satisfaction based on the conservation of resources theory and the person–environment fit theory. In addition, the study investigates the mediating role of work engagement and the moderating role of supervisor support, using data from 277 participants working in two manufacturing firms operating in the civil aviation sector. For statistical analyses, Smart PLS 4 and SPSS 26 were utilized. The results indicate that person-job fit is positively related to both career satisfaction and work engagement. Furthermore, work engagement is positively associated with career satisfaction and mediates the relationship between person-job fit and career satisfaction. Supervisor support amplifies the positive relationship between person-job fit and career satisfaction, as well as between work engagement and career satisfaction. However, no significant effect of supervisor support was found on the relationship between person-job fit and work engagement, which indicates that employees who experience strong P-J fit tend to be engaged with their work regardless of supervisor support. Findings also suggest that match between job demands-job provisions and individual skills, preferences, and needs enhances career satisfaction and work engagement. The role of supervisor support further highlights the necessity of establishing a supportive work setting, where employees feel valued and encouraged by their leaders. However, from a theoretical perspective, this study contributes to the conservation of resources theory by demonstrating how person-job fit, work engagement, and supervisor support function as resources that enhance career satisfaction. Similarly, it enriches the person–environment fit theory by showing how the congruence between individual and organizational factors can lead to positive workplace outcomes.engagement. The role of supervisor support further highlights the necessity of establishing a supportive work setting, where employees feel valued and encouraged by their leaders. However, from a theoretical perspective, this study contributes to the conservation of resources theory by demonstrating how person-job fit, work engagement, and supervisor support function as resources that enhance career satisfaction. Similarly, it enriches the person–environment fit theory by showing how the congruence between individual and organizational factors can lead to positive workplace outcomes.

Wellbeing and quality of life among parents of individuals with Fontan physiology.

To examine global and health-related quality of life (QOL) among parents of individuals with Fontan physiology and determine associations with sociodemographic, parent and child-related health, psychological, and relational factors. Parents participating in the Australian and New Zealand Fontan Registry (ANZFR) QOL Study (N = 151, Parent Mean age = 47.9 ± 10.2years, age range: 31.6-79.6years, 66% women; child Mean age = 16.3 ± 8.8, age range: 6.9-48.7years, 40% female) completed a series of validated measures. Health-related QOL was assessed using the PedsQL 4.0 Core Generic Scales for adults and global QOL was assessed using a visual analogue scale (0-10). Most parents (81%) reported good global QOL (≥ 6), consistent with broader population trends. Nearly one-third of parents (28%) reported at-risk health-related QOL (based on total PedsQL scores) with physical functioning most affected (44%). Psychological factors, including psychological stress and sense of coherence, emerged as the strongest correlates of global and health-related QOL, explaining an additional 16 to 30% of the variance (using marginal R2). Final models explained 35 and 57% and of the variance in global and health-related QOL, respectively (marginal R2). Relational factors, including perceived social support and family functioning contributed minimally when analyzed alongside psychological variables. While parents of individuals with Fontan physiology report good global QOL, challenges in health-related QOL exist. We identified key psychological, sociodemographic, and health-related factors associated with parental QOL outcomes. These data may aid early identification of physical and psychosocial difficulties and guide targeted health resource allocation for this population.

Effect of social support on memory ageing of middle-aged and older cancer survivors: a marginal structural modelling approach

BackgroundWhile social support is associated with better cognitive health among cancer-free individuals, this relationship is understudied among cancer survivors. We investigated whether overall social support before and after a cancer...

LncRNA 3222401L13Rik Is Upregulated in Aging Astrocytes and Regulates Neuronal Support Function Through Interaction with Npas3.

Aging leads to cognitive decline and increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases. While molecular changes in central nervous system (CNS) cells contribute to this decline, the mechanisms are not fully understood. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are key regulators of cellular functions. Background/Objectives: The roles of lncRNAs in aging, especially in glial cells, are not well characterized. Methods: We investigated lncRNA expression in non-neuronal cells from aged mice and identified 3222401L13Rik, a previously unstudied lncRNA, as upregulated in astrocytes during aging. Results: Knockdown of 3222401L13Rik in primary astrocytes revealed its critical role in regulating genes for neuronal support and synapse organization, a function conserved in human iPSC-derived astrocytes. A 3222401L13Rik interacts with the transcription factor Neuronal PAS Domain Protein 3 (Npas3), and overexpression of Npas3 rescues deficits in astrocytes lacking 3222401L13Rik. Conclusions: These data suggest that 3222401L13Rik upregulation may help delay age-related cognitive decline.

A Preliminary Screening Tool for High-Risk Frailty in Older Adults Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

To understand the current status and analyse the factors influencing frailty in older adults patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. This retrospective case-control study included 204 older adults patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. The enrolled patients were divided into a frailty group (n = 101) and a non-frailty group (n = 103). The study further collected and compared the data of various scores. The total frailty score among the patients ranged from 0 to 15 points, with an average score of 5.23 ± 2.31 points. The total social support score ranged from 15 to 47 points, with an average of 33.43 ± 6.11 points. The physical function level scores ranged from 10 to 100 points, with an average of 84.58 ± 14.48 points. Additionally, univariate analysis showed significant differences between the groups in terms of age, body mass index (BMI), duration of disease, types of long-term medication and the number of complications and comorbidities (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed negative correlations of social support (P < 0.001) and physical function (P < 0.001) with the overall frailty score and a positive correlation of depression levels (P < 0.001) with the overall frailty score. Further regression analysis indicated that being over 80 years old, having a low BMI, long-term polypharmacy and a high depression score were risk factors. High social support and physical function scores were protective factors against frailty in older adults patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. In older adults patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, the overall frailty score shows negative correlations with social support and physical function and a positive correlation with depression level.

Neurotoxic effects and cognitive decline induced by Aniline Blue dye in an in-vivo zebrafish model.

Aniline Blue is a synthetic dye extensively used in various industries, including textiles, plastics, and biological research due to its effective staining properties. However, its environmental and health impacts, particularly its neurotoxic effects, are poorly understood. While the dye has been associated with carcinogenicity and organ toxicity, the neurobehavioral consequences of Aniline Blue exposure remain underexplored. This study aims to address this research gap by evaluating the neurotoxic effects of Aniline Blue using adult zebrafish as a model organism. We conducted a series of experiments to assess the dose-dependent toxicity of Aniline Blue, examining survival rates, cognitive function, anxiety-related behaviors, locomotor activity, oxidative stress markers, histopathological changes, and gene expression profiles. Zebrafish were exposed to varying concentrations of Aniline Blue over a specified period, followed by behavioral assays, biochemical analyses, and gene expression studies. The results revealed an apparent dose-dependent decline in survival rates, with higher concentrations of Aniline Blue significantly impairing cognitive function and increasing anxiety-like behaviors. Biochemical assays showed a reduction in antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD and CAT) and an increase in LDH activity, indicating oxidative stress. Histopathological analysis confirmed severe neuronal damage, including neuroinflammation and cell death. Gene expression analysis further highlighted the modulation of critical genes associated with neuroinflammation, neurotrophic support, and synaptic function, with potential implications for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. In conclusion, the study provides critical insights into the neurotoxic effects of Aniline Blue, emphasizing the need for caution in its use across industries.

Epidermal Collagen Reduction Drives Selective Aspects of Aging in Sensory Neurons.

Despite advances in understanding molecular and cellular changes in the aging nervous system, the upstream drivers of these changes remain poorly defined. Here, we investigate the roles of non-neural tissues in neuronal aging, using the cutaneous PVD polymodal sensory neuron in Caenorhabditis elegans as a model. We demonstrate that during normal aging, PVD neurons progressively develop excessive dendritic branching, functionally correlated with age-related proprioceptive deficits. Our study reveals that decreased collagen expression, a common age-related phenomenon across species, triggers this process. Specifically, loss-of-function in dpy-5 or col-120, genes encoding cuticular collagens secreted to the epidermal apical surface, induces early-onset excessive dendritic branching and proprioceptive deficits. Adulthood-specific overexpression of dpy-5 or col-120 mitigates excessive branching in aged animals without extending lifespan, highlighting their specific roles in promoting neuronal health span. Notably, collagen reduction specifically drives excessive branching in select sensory neuron subclasses but does not contribute to PVD dendritic beading, another aging-associated neurodegenerative phenotype associated with distinct mechanosensitive dysfunction. Lastly, we identify that rig-3, an immunoglobulin superfamily member expressed in interneurons, acts upstream of collagen genes to maintain PVD dendritic homeostasis during aging, with collagen's regulatory role requiring daf-16/FOXO. These findings reveal that age-related collagen reduction cues neuronal aging independently of collagen's traditional structural support function, possibly involving bi-directional communication processes between neurons and non-neuronal cells. Our study also offers new insights into understanding selective neuron vulnerability in aging, emphasizing the importance of multi-tissue strategies to address the complexities of neuronal aging.

Comparison of methods for assessing the quality of rehabilitation measures by indicators of statodynamic functions and emg studies in dogs

The work is devoted to the qualitative and quantitative assessment of physical rehabilitation in dogs. The relevance of the study is due to the need for a reliable comprehensive assessment of rehabilitation measures to expand the use of rehabilitation in treatment protocols for dogs. The animals in the experimental group had a history of neuropathies of various etiologies and underwent a course of physical rehabilitation with an assessment of the functions of the neuromuscular apparatus. Quantitative assessment was carried out using an instrumental electrophysiological research method - stimulation electroneuromyography (ENMG). Qualitative assessment of the indicators of statodynamic functions was assessed by the following indicators: the presence and degree of lameness, goniometric indicators of joints, assessment of gait and static postures, quality of the support function of the limbs, quality of reflex reactions. The study showed a reliable change in electrophysiological indicators in neuropathies of various etiologies and, at the same time, in the functions of the neuromuscular apparatus in dogs. At the same time, an improvement in the indicators of statodynamic functions was noted. Such results indicate the presence of a direct correlation between the improvement of statodynamic clinical parameters and the improvement of electrophysiological parameters recorded during the ENMG study. At the same time, the quantitative digital assessment using electroneuromyography is more reliable than the qualitative assessment of statodynamic function parameters, which largely depends on the subjective view of the assessor.

CLASSES OF CLOSE-TO-STARLIKE FUNCTIONS BASED ON THE REFERENCE FUNCTION OF A GENERAL FORM

The purpose of the article is to introduce and explore a wide class of doubly close-to-starlike functions, while demonstrating a unified approach to solving a certain range of extreme problems. The article defines a reference function of a general form – a starlike function, on the basis of which classes of close-to-starlike and doubly close-to-starlike functions can be constructed. On the basis of a general support function containing three parameters and new estimates of analytical functions, a generalization of various classes of close-to-starlike and doubly close-to-starlike functions is introduced, considered in a number of articles published in recent years, including the introduced class contains a generalized class of typically real functions. The properties of the introduced class of functions are studied, for example, the growth theorem, estimates of the modulus of the logarithmic derivative of the function and the radius of starlikeness are obtained, in particular cases leading to previously known results and representing new results. All the results of the article are accurate.

Case Report: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding and multiorgan injury caused by ethylicin poisoning

Ethylicin is a pesticide with excellent bactericidal ability. The incidence of poisoning has increased in recent years with the widespread use of ethylicin in green agriculture, but reports are lacking. In this study, we described three cases of oral ethylicin poisoning. Patients developed severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding after oral administration of ethylicin. Gastroscopy showed extensive mucosal erosions and ulcerations in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Impaired consciousness, multiorgan injury, irreversible shock, and cardiac arrest were observed in cases where larger doses of ethylicin were ingested. Patients were treated with comprehensive therapeutic measures, including total gastrointestinal decontamination, medications such as proton pump inhibitors and somatostatin to reduce gastric bleeding. Endoscopic hemostasis was performed when pharmacologic hemostasis was not effective. Parenteral nutritional support and organ function support were given. In patients’ follow up, esophageal stenosis and dysphagia during feeding was noted, which severely affected the quality of life. Ethylicin poisoning has been a public health problem and the awareness should be raised.

Enhancing electrical structure in magnetotelluric inversion by the constraint of minimum cross-gradient support coupling

The geophysical inversion problem is inherently underdetermined. Constrained inversion, by incorporating prior information, can effectively reduce the ambiguity in inversion results. A key research challenge lies in establishing a reasonable coupling mechanism between the prior information and the inversion model. Traditional cross-gradient coupling methods often exhibit weak coupling effects in regions with small model gradients. In this paper, we introduce a new coupling method called “minimum cross-gradient support” (MCGS), which enhances the balance between model gradient magnitude and the influence of gradient direction by applying a minimum support function to the cross-gradient. We evaluated the coupling effects of MCGS in comparison with two others coupling methods: normalized cross-gradient (NCG) and joint minimum gradient support (JMGS), the latter of which also employs the minimum support function. Theoretical models demonstrate that MCGS retains the advantage of reduced dependence on strictly accurate prior information, enhances constraint effectiveness in weak gradient regions, and the strength of constraints can be flexibly adjusted through focusing factors. To verify the effectiveness of MCGS, we conducted two synthetic experiments: a double-blocks model and a nappe structure model, applied to magnetotelluric (MT) constrained inversion. The results showed that MCGS constrained inversion achieved better performance than both non-constrained inversion and cross-gradient constrained inversion, with lower residual cross-gradient values and higher model recovery accuracy compared to the true model. Finally, we applied the proposed MCGS coupling to real data sets from the Junggar Basin. The inversion results revealed the resistivity structure of the sedimentary layer and imaged possible residual Carboniferous sediments beneath the Permian, as well as the distribution of the Paleozoic basement. These results provide valuable evidence supporting the subduction tectonic evolution model of the region.

Family Care Intervention Effect on the Family Support Needs of Residents in Nursing Homes: A Cluster Randomized Trial.

To assess the impact of a home care intervention on the family support needs of nursing home residents through a group clinical trial and blinded outcome assessment. A cluster randomized trial was conducted at two nursing homes in Zhengzhou. Each nursing home was randomized to either the intervention or control group. Eighty-two residents were enrolled in the study. Intervention group participants (n = 41) received a family support intervention, and those in the control group (n = 41) received the institution's standard daily care routine. The Questionnaire of Family Support Needs; Perceived Social Support Scale; and Family Adaptation, Partnership, Growth, Affection, Resolve Index were used to assess post-intervention outcomes. There were no significant differences between groups regarding baseline data. There were statistically significant (p < 0.05) within-subject, between-subject, and interaction effects for both groups regarding family support needs, perceived social support, and family functioning. Findings contribute to strengthening the care of residents in nursing homes, indicating the importance of family support, which can positively influence perceived social support and family function. The long-term efficacy of the intervention should be further verified. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 51(2), 24-31.].

Research on the micro-structure and water effect of excavated ivory from sacrificial pit No.7 at the Sanxingdui Ruins

The excavation of ivory and other artifacts from the Sanxingdui Ruins holds profound research significance in tracing of both the ancient Shu and Chinese civilizations. After being unearthed, a large quantity of ivory encountered issues such as dehydration, pulverization, and cracking, resulting from poor preservation conditions. To establish effective long-term conservation strategies for the excavated ivory, this paper takes the dentin of excavated ivory from the No.7 Sacrificial Pit (K7) at the Sanxingdui Ruins as the research object, focusing on the primary correlation between its microscopic porous structure and moisture states. The results show that the organic collagen protein component of the excavated ivory has already undergone basically diagenetic degradation. The remaining main mineral phases are hydroxyapatite and carbonated hydroxyapatite, exhibiting a mixed crystal structure with mainly needle-like and secondary lamellar. The porosity of the excavated ivory, as measured by dry and wet methods, is approximately 62 and 60%, respectively. The pore size distributions are primarily concentrated in the ranges of 5–100 nm for the dry method and 10–200 nm for the wet method. These diverse and heterogeneous pore structures store approximately 35–38% of water as free water and adsorbed water. Free water is primarily found in dentinal tubules, interlayer gaps and cracks, providing volume support and stabilizing equilibrium with the external environment. Adsorbed water is mainly present in the pores (d < 100 nm), providing support function through intermolecular forces and hydrogen bonding. The deterioration of excavated ivory is positively correlated with the loss of moisture. This is due to irreversible structural damage caused by the loss of water’s supportive, bonding, and stabilizing effects. Among them, the rapid migration and evaporation of free water affect the expansion of cracks and the formation of new fissures. This study offer a robust scientific basis and valuable insights for the subsequent conservation of excavated ivory, and also provide guidance for the research of other fragile bone and horn relics.

Large-Scale DFT Calculations on Size and Site Dependences of Atomic and Electronic Structures in Metallic Nanoparticle Catalysts

Size control of Pt nanoparticle catalysts is one of the key challenges in fuel cell development. Miniaturization of Pt nanoparticles is expected to increase activity and save the amount of Pt, while very small particles (e.g. sub-nano particles or clusters) have different electronic structures and stabilities from “nano” particles. To investigate the atomic and electronic structures of materials, first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculation is a powerful tool. However, because of its high computational cost, the DFT applications have been limited mainly for small particles and clusters of tens to hundreds of atoms. In this study, by using our own large-scale DFT calculation method, we investigate the size and site dependences of atomic and electronic structures in Pt nanoparticles with the diameters of several nanometers, which are comparable to the sizes of the particles in practical use.The computational cost of the conventional DFT calculation methods scale cubically to the system size, i.e., the number of the atoms in the target system and the number of local functions for each atom, which are used to express electronic density. We have developed the multi-site support function (MSSF) method [1,2], in which local functions are constructed as the linear combinations of the atomic orbital functions belonging to not only the target atom but also its neighboring atoms. The MSSF method enables us to reduce the number of local functions to be the minimal-basis size, leading the dramatical computational cost reduction. The MSSF method is implemented in our large-scale DFT code CONQUEST [3,4].We optimized the structures of Pt nanoparticles with the diameters of 0.5 nm (13 atoms) - 5.5 nm (3871 atoms) and found that the Pt-Pt bond lengths inside the nanoparticle converge to those in bulk Pt when the nanoparticle size becomes large. The similar trend is found also in the electronic structures as shown in the figure. In the presentation, we compare the size dependence of the stability and atomic and electronic structures of Pt nanoparticle with other metallic nanoparticles. Site dependence of the electronic structures and reactivity with molecules are also investigated by using large-scale DFT together with statistical analysis.[1] A. Nakata, D. R. Bowler, T. Miyazaki, J. Phys. Soc. Jpn., 91, 091011 (2022). [2] A. Nakata, D. R. Bowler, T. Miyazaki, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 17, 31427 (2015). [3] http://www.order-n.org/ [4] A. Nakata, J. S. Baker, S. Y. Mujahed, J. T. L. Poulton, S. Arapan, J. Lin, Z. Raza, S. Yadav, L. Truflandier, T. Miyazaki, D. R. Bowler, J. Chem. Phys., 152, 164112 (2020). Figure 1

Monolithic Stacks: The Next Evolution for Solid Oxide Electrolysis/Fuel Cell Technology

Different solutions adopted in producing Solid Oxide Cells (SOCs) have proven to be scalable and the technology is now approaching commercialization. The high energy conversion efficiency, coupled with the fuel flexibility and the reduced use of expensive catalyst materials promoted by the favorable thermodynamics at the operative temperatures, are making the technology increasingly attractive and stacks are finding applications in more fields. Large scale power-to-X plants, particularly the ones devoted to hydrogen production (Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells – SOEC), are among the solutions that are gaining most momentum in the energy market. X-to-power (Solid Oxide Fuel Cells – SOFC) solutions such as decentralized heat and electricity production, auxiliary power systems and heavy duty transport propulsion are spreading as well, facing challenges such as power density and dynamic load operation.Advancement in the SOC technology is opting at substituting ceramic materials with mechanical support function, in favor of metal. A lower amount of ceramic materials not only reduces the raw material costs, but also allows rapid thermal cycling without compromising the mechanical integrity of the cells – hence allowing faster start-ups and load regulations. Furthermore, our recent studies demonstrated a scalable and innovative layer integration process that allows to fabricate complex 3D multilayer structures with internal gas channels and cavities of different geometries, using conventional tape casting. The monolithic SOC stacks rising from this process, combined with the integration of metallic parts in the great majority of their volume, may achieve groundbreaking power densities and the dynamic load operation desired for the mentioned applications, while decreasing CapEX and resources necessary to produce high performing SOCs of the future.The monolithic SOC stacks obtained within this work are made of three standard repetitive units (SRUs). Each SRU consists of a SOC backbone, composed by two porous zirconia based electrode backbones to be infiltrated with appropriate electro-catalysts, a dense thin zirconia based electrolyte, two sets of ferritic steel gas channel structures – one at the fuel side and one at the oxygen side – conferring enhanced gas diffusion to the triple phase boundaries, mechanical support and electronic conductivity and composite metal/ceramic interconnect plates connecting in series the SRUs. The total number of layers co-fired to produce monoliths within this work is 19 and the monoliths are denoted as “MNx3” (nomenclature defined for a monolith stack with 3x SRUs). The cross section is showed in Figure, where scanning electron microscopy is complemented by qualitative energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) to highlight the material composition of the three SRUs. This work presents the challenges and a solid framework for the solutions adopted to fabricate monolithic stacks aimed at hydrogen production, using the conventional tape casting shaping technique integrated with the innovative assembly process developed. Among the challenges, focus is given to i) the shaping of internal gas channels, ii) structural integrity during fabrication and operation and iii) the use of non-critical raw materials. Detailed electrochemical characterization is currently in progress and the results will be presented at the conference. Besides the real initial performance of the stacks at this development stage, it is speculated that SRU cells performance could get close to the ones of state of the art metal supported cells, also relying on electrocatalyst infiltration. Figure 1

Beyond the Hip: Clinical Phenotypes of Hip Osteoarthritis Across the Biopsychosocial Spectrum.

Background/Objectives: To identify clinical phenotypes of hip osteoarthritis (OA) within a biopsychosocial framework. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 143 individuals with hip OA awaiting total hip arthroplasty (THA) was performed. Phenotyping features included sociodemographic and biomedical information, pain-related cognitions and emotions, mental disorders, traumatic experiences, self-efficacy, social support, perceived stress, and somatosensory function. Outcome measures included the hip disability and osteoarthritis outcome score and the numeric pain-rating scale. Decision tree learning was used to select the most important phenotyping features. K-means clustering analyses were performed to identify clinical phenotypes and a decision tree algorithm was trained to classify individuals in the identified clinical phenotypes. Results: Selected phenotyping features associated with pain and disability included a combination of biomedical, psychological, and social variables. Two distinct clinical phenotypes were identified. Individuals within the maladaptive phenotype (34%) reported more comorbidities, less self-efficacy and higher levels of anxiety, depression, pain-related fear-avoidance, and feelings of injustice. No differences were found regarding social support and somatosensory function. Regarding the outcome measures, individuals within the maladaptive phenotype reported higher levels of pain and disability. Finally, based on the Fear-Avoidance Components Scale (FACS) and the anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A), individuals could be classified into the clinical phenotypes with 87.8% accuracy. Conclusions: Two clinical phenotypes, an adaptive and a maladaptive phenotype, can be identified in individuals with hip OA using the FACS and HADS-A. The identification of these clinical phenotypes represents a crucial step toward precision medicine, enabling the development of targeted treatment pathways tailored to the distinct biomedical and psychological features of each phenotype.

Experience of Surgical Treatment of Tuberculous and Nonspecific Spondylitis with a Barrier Collagen Membrane to Stimulate Osteogenesis in the Site of Bone Block Formation

The objective: to increase effectiveness of surgical treatment of infectious spondylitis with impaired support function of the spinal column through the combined use of a titanium cylindrical block mesh, a resorbable double-sided collagen membrane and an osteoconductor to achieve successful spinal fusion.Subjects and Methods. A prospective monocenter cohort study included 17 patients with infectious spondylitis who were operated with anterior spinal fusion with a titanium mesh graft filled with an osteoconductor and delimited by a barrier double-sided collagen membrane. In the postoperative period, antibacterial treatment was administered based according to the results of bacteriological tests of biological specimensl. Formation of the bone block (spondylodesis) was evaluated by the scale for assessing the fusion of the graft with the bed of the cranial and caudal vertebrae.Results. 6 months after surgery, the fusion of the graft with the bed of the supporting vertebra according to the Baulin scale was 4.5 ± 0.4 scores on the average. In 5 (29%) patients, a clear, homogeneous bone block with a transition of bone beams was achieved after surgery which amounted to 5 scores by the Baulin scale.

A durable self-cleaning superhydrophobic coating fabricated using the preset grid-spraying method

Herein, a new durable superhydrophobic coating was prepared using the preset grid-spraying method which was low cost and simple. To achieve the regular continuous grid structure which had protection and support function to the coatings, the sieve mesh was preset on the substrate with hot pressing process. After spraying the superhydrophobic coating on the substrate of the preset mesh followed by curing, a superhydrophobic coating was obtained. The surface morphology of the superhydrophobic coating prepared using the preset grid-spraying method was primarily composed of the regular grid structure and island-like structure with the micro-nano scale rough structure on them. Compared with the superhydrophobic coating prepared with the traditional spraying method, the mechanical stability of the superhydrophobic coating, which was prepared using the preset grid-spraying method, was considerably higher along with good hydrophobic properties. The superhydrophobic coating demonstrated superhydrophobic properties after 170 cycles of the sandpaper abrasion test, which was about 300 % higher than the traditional superhydrophobic coating. Furthermore, the superhydrophobic coating prepared using the preset grid-spraying method had excellent self-cleaning performance and weather resistance. Self-cleaning efficiencies of this superhydrophobic coatings on kaolin and sand were 99.2 % and 98.9 %, respectively. Even after 170 cycles of the sandpaper abrasion test, the self-cleaning efficiency of superhydrophobic coatings on kaolin and sand remained over 85 % and 90 %, respectively. The coated surface still showed superhydrophobic properties after 30 days of the outdoor placement experiment. Showing excellent comprehensive properties and low cost, the superhydrophobic coating prepared using the preset grid-spraying method had a board application prospect.