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Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rapidly spreads worldwide and causes more suffering. The relation about the aggravation of inguinal pain and COVID-19 was unclear in patients with total hip arthroplasty (THA). This study aimed to evaluate the risk of groin pain aggravation in short-term THA patients after COVID-19. Methods: Between 2020 and 2022, 129 patients with THA who were affected COVID-19 were enrolled. A short-standardized questionnaire was administered during follow-up to inquire about the aggravation of groin ache before and after SARS-COV-2 affection. Furthermore, we evaluated the potential association between the presence of increased pain and various factors, including age, gender, body mass index, diagnosis, and length of hospital stay. Results: The case-crossover study revealed an increased risk of inguinal soreness aggravation when comparing 8 weeks after COVID-19 with 12 weeks before COVID-19 (Relative risk [RR], 9.5; 95% Confidence intervals [CI], 2.259–39.954). For COVID-19 positive patients, multivariate analysis showed length of stay was an independent factor significantly associated with increased risk of aggravation of groin pain (Odds ratio [OR], 1.26; 95%CI, 1.03–1.55, p = 0.027). Conclusion: This study confirms the association between COVID-19 and the exacerbation of soreness in the groin region in THA patients and extended length of stay is a possible contributing factor. This study expands the current literature by investigating the risk of aggravation of inguinal pain in patients with THA after COVID-19, providing valuable insights into postoperative outcomes in this specific population. Trial registration This retrospective study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Shanghai general hospital (No.2023-264). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the indentation-induced incipient plasticity of Ni 3 Al crystal is investigated by performing molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Simulation results reveal that the incipient plasticity of Ni 3 Al is originated from the homogeneous nucleation of the 1/6〈1 1 2〉-type Shockley partial dislocation. The critical load, critical contact pressure, dislocation nucleation site and active slip system are significantly affected by crystallographic orientation, model size, indenter radius and temperature. The choice of interatomic potential has significant implications for the indentation behavior of Ni 3 Al. Some benchmarks for evaluating the credibility of interatomic potentials are presented. The pop-in phenomena are correlated with dislocation generation, multiplication and reactions. The formation mechanisms of complex stacking faults (CSFs), antiphase boundaries (APBs) and superlattice intrinsic stacking faults (SISFs) are clarified. The highest indentation modulus is obtained in (1 1 1) indentation followed by the (1 1 0) and (1 0 0) cases. The indentation modulus and the depth of nucleation sites increase with increasing indenter radius but the maximum shear stress decreases. The maximum shear stress and indentation modulus decrease linearly with increasing temperature, reflecting the stress-assisted and thermally activated nature of dislocation nucleation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose a genetic algorithm based design procedure for a radial-basis function neural network. A Hierarchical Rank Density Genetic Algorithm (HRDGA) is used to evolve the neural network's topology and parameters simultaneously. Compared with traditional genetic algorithm based designs for neural networks, the hierarchical approach addresses several deficiencies highlighted in literature. In addition, the rank-density based fitness assignment technique is used to optimize the performance and topology of the evolved neural network to deal with the confliction between the training performance and network complexity. Instead of producing a single optimal solution, HRDGA provides a set of near-optimal neural networks to the designers so that they can have more flexibility for the final decision-making based on certain preferences. In terms of searching for a near-complete set of candidate networks with high performances, the networks designed by the proposed algorithm prove to be competitive, or even superior, to three other traditional radial-basis function networks for predicting Mackey–Glass chaotic time series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose a genetic algorithm based design procedure for a multi-layer feed-forward neural network. A hierarchical genetic algorithm is used to evolve both the neural network's topology and weighting parameters. Compared with traditional genetic algorithm based designs for neural networks, the hierarchical approach addresses several deficiencies, including a feasibility check highlighted in literature. A multi-objective cost function is used herein to optimize the performance and topology of the evolved neural network simultaneously. In the prediction of Mackey-Glass chaotic time series, the networks designed by the proposed approach prove to be competitive, or even superior, to traditional learning algorithms for the multi-layer Perceptron networks and radial-basis function networks. Based upon the chosen cost function, a linear weight combination decision-making approach has been applied to derive an approximated Pareto-optimal solution set. Therefore, designing a set of neural networks can be considered as solving a two-objective optimization problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phase diagrams of continuous binary nanoalloys are important in providing guidance for material designs and industrial applications. However, experimental determination of the nano-phase diagram is scarce since calorimetric measurements remain quite challenging at the nanoscale. Based on the size-dependent cohesive energy model, we developed a unified nano-thermodynamic model to investigate the effects of the size, shape, and segregation on the phase diagrams of continuous binary nanoalloys. The liquidus/solidus dropped in temperature, two-phase zone was narrowed, and the degree of surface segregation decreased with decrease in the size or increase in the shape factor. The congruent melting point of Cu-Au nanoalloys with and without segregation is linearly shifted to higher Au component and lower temperature with decreasing size or increasing shape factor. By reviewing surface segregated element of different binary nanoalloys, two segregation rules based on the solid surface energy and atomic size have been identified. Moreover, the established model can be employed to describe other physicochemical properties of nanoalloys, e.g. the cohesive energy, catalytic activation energy, and order-disorder transition temperature, and the validity is supported by available other theoretical prediction, experimental data and molecular dynamic simulations results. This will help the experimentalists by guiding them in their attempts to design bimetallic nanocrystals with the desired properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With structural miniaturization down to the nanoscale, the detectable parameters of materials no longer remain constant but become tunable. For GaN nanocrystals example, the band gap increases while the dielectric constant, Young's modulus and melting temperature decrease with decreasing the solid size. Herein, we developed the models to describe the size and shape dependences of these seemingly uncorrelated parameters for GaN nanocrystals, based on our established thermodynamic model for cohesive energy of metallic nanocrystals. Consistency between our theoretical predictions and the corresponding experimental or simulated results confirms the accuracy of the developed models and indicates the essentiality of cohesive energy in describing the effects of size and shape on the physicochemical properties of different low-dimensional systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the vapor-liquid-solid growth of semiconductor nanowire is a non-equilibrium process, the equilibrium phase diagram of binary alloy provides important guidance on the growth conditions, such as the temperature and the equilibrium composition of the alloy. Given the small dimensions of the alloy seeds and the nanowires, the known phase diagram of bulk binary alloy cannot be expected to accurately predict the behavior of the nanowire growth. Here, we developed a unified model to describe the size- and dimensionality-dependent equilibrium phase diagram of Au-Ge binary eutectic nanoalloys based on the size-dependent cohesive energy model. It is found that the liquidus curves reduce and shift leftward with decreasing size and dimensionality. Moreover, the effects of size and dimensionality on the eutectic composition are small and negligible when both components in binary eutectic alloys have the same dimensionality. However, when two components have different dimensionality (e.g. Au nanoparticle-Ge nanowire usually used in the semiconductor nanowires growth), the eutectic composition reduces with decreasing size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is widely recognized as the most common chronic joint disease accompanied by progressive cartilage and subchondral bone damage. Toddalolactone (TOD), a natural compound extracted from Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam., has been widely used in the treatment of stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, and oedema. Nevertheless, what TOD acts as in the pathogenesis and progression of OA hasn't been reported. In this investigation, we have aimed to determine how TOD affects OA in vitro and in vivo. Methods: LPS (10 µg/ml) and IL-1β (10 ng/ml) were employed to induce chondrocyte inflammation or RANKL to induce osteoclast differentiation in bone marrow derived macrophages (BMMs). The effects of TOD on chondrocyte inflammation and osteoclast differentiation were evaluated. Anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) was performed to develop an OA animal model and study the effects of TOD. Results: We found that TOD inhibited the expression of inflammatory and catabolic mediators (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, MMP2, MMP9, and MMP13) in inflammatory chondrocytes in vitro. Furthermore, TOD was proven to inhibit RANKL-induced-osteoclastogenesis and inhibit the expression of osteoclast marker genes. Our data also confirmed that TOD suppressed the destruction of articular cartilage and osteoclastogenesis via inhibiting the activation of NF-κB and MAPK signalling pathways. In the ACLT mouse model, we found that TOD attenuated cartilage erosion and inhibited bone resorption. Conclusions: These results showed that TOD can be adopted as a potential therapeutic agent for OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid decline of Arctic sea ice has been reminding us the significant impacts caused by global warming. However, the other side of the coin is that this opens a window to utilize the Arctic sea routes in the summer seasons, bringing remarkable economic benefits for ocean transportation between Asia and Europe. However, commercial vessels with low ice classes must tackle substantial environmental challenges in the Arctic sea routes, particularly those caused by variable sea ice, even in the melting seasons. Therefore, the science-based support for shipping safety in the Arctic sea routes is being given more prominence. Emerging satellite remote sensing technology plays a critical role in environmental monitoring in the Arctic. This paper reviews state-of-the-art satellite observations on monitoring sea ice and potential applications on supporting shipping activities in the Arctic Ocean. Moreover, we introduced a recently developed system based on satellite observations to support the safe transportation of Chinese cargo vessels in the Arctic northern sea route, demonstrating the efforts by both the science and business communities to promote the development of the polar silk road. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Aseptic loosening (AL) is the most common reason of total hip arthroplasty (THA) failure and revision surgery. Osteolysis, caused by wear particles released from implant surfaces, has a vital role in AL. Although previous studies suggest that wear particles always lead to osteoblast programmed death in the process of AL, the specific mechanism remains incompletely understood and osteoblast ferroptosis maybe a new mechanism of AL. Materials and Methods: CoCrMo nanoparticles (CoNPs) were prepared to investigate the influence of ferroptosis in osteoblasts and calvaria resorption animal models. Periprosthetic osteolytic bone tissue was collected from patients who underwent AL after THA to verify osteoblast ferroptosis. Results: Our study demonstrated that CoNPs induced significant ferroptosis in osteoblasts and particles induced osteolysis (PIO) animal models. Blocking ferroptosis with specific inhibitor Ferrostatin‐1 dramatically reduced particle‐induced ferroptosis in vitro. Moreover, in osteoblasts, CoNPs significantly downregulated the expression of Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2), a core element in the antioxidant response. The overexpression of Nrf2 by siKeap1 or Nrf2 activator Oltipraz obviously upregulated antioxidant response elements (AREs) and suppressed ferroptosis in osteoblasts. Furthermore, in PIO animal models, the combined utilization of Ferrostatin‐1 and Oltipraz dramatically ameliorated ferroptosis and the severity of osteolysis. Conclusions: These results indicate that CoNPs promote osteoblast ferroptosis by regulating the Nrf2‐ARE signalling pathway, which suggests a new mechanism underlying PIO and represents a potential therapeutic approach for AL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, the shape evolution and thermal stability of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) on spherical SiO2 substrates were investigated by means of in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The initial Ag NPs at room temperature were semispherical-like, with an average size of 9nm in half-height width, well-dispersed on spherical SiO2 substrates. No obvious shape change was observed when the semispherical NPs of Ag were heated at temperature lower than 550°C. The shape of the semispherical Ag NPs changed gradually into a spherical one in the temperature range of 550–700°C, where surface diffusion and surface premelting took place. When the heating temperature was increased up to 750°C, the spherical Ag NPs were found to desquamate from the substrates due to the decreases of the contact area and the binding force between Ag NPs and SiO2 substrates. A possible mechanism for the desquamation of Ag NPs from the SiO2 sphere surface is proposed according to the results of in situ TEM observation and DSC analysis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Macrophytes are of key importance to the structure and ecological services of shallow lakes and are sensitive to anthropogenic and natural perturbations. Ongoing eutrophication and hydrological regime change affect macrophytes through changes in water transparency and water level, which lead to a dramatic decrease in bottom light availability. Here an integrated dataset (2005–2021) of multiple environmental factors is used to demonstrate the driving forces and recovery potential of the macrophyte decline in East Taihu Lake by using a critical indicator, which is the ratio of the Secchi disk depth to the water depth (SD/WD). The macrophyte distribution area showed a remarkable decrease from 136.1 ± 9.7 km2 (2005–2014) to 66.1 ± 6.5 km2 (2015–2021). The macrophyte coverage in the lake and in the buffer zone decreased by 51.4% and 82.8%, respectively. The structural equation model and correlation analysis showed that the distribution and coverage of macrophytes decreased with the decrease in the SD/WD over time. Moreover, an extensive hydrological regime change, which caused a sharp decrease in SD and an increase in the water level, is likely to be the driving force that brought about the decline of macrophytes in this lake. The proposed recovery potential model shows that the SD/WD has been low in recent years (2015–2021), and that this SD/WD cannot ensure the growth of submerged macrophytes and is unlikely to ensure the growth of floating-leaved macrophytes, especially in the buffer zone. The approach developed in the present study provides a basis for the assessment of macrophyte recovery potential and the management of ecosystems in shallow lakes that suffer from macrophyte loss. [Display omitted] • Macrophyte dynamics and environmental changes were studied in East Taihu Lake. • Decline in macrophytes was the result of sharp decrease in the SD/WD. • The SD/WD was mainly controlled by hydrological regime changes. • We develop the first conceptual model to assess macrophyte recovery potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effectiveness of celecoxib and its effect on the rehabilitation of joint function after total knee arthroplasty.Methods: 72 patients presented between 2016 and 2017 and were divided into two groups. The experimental group was given 200 mg celecoxib twice daily with tramadol hydrochloride 50 mg twice daily (as required); the control group was given tramadol hydrochloride 50 mg twice daily for 6 weeks from the first day after total knee arthroplasty. Skin temperature around the knee was measured 1 day before surgery, on postoperative days 1 and 3, and at weeks 1, 2, and 6. Inflammatory markers (white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and interleukin-6) were measured preoperatively, on postoperative day 3, and at weeks 1 and 6. Knee Society Score was recorded preoperatively and at postoperative weeks 1, 2, and 6.Results: Except for preoperative skin temperature, the recorded skin temperatures of the experimental group were significantly different compared to those of the control group (p = 0.001, 0.024, 0.030, 0.041, 0.047, respectively). Levels of C-reactive protein were significantly different at the 1st and the 6th week after surgery, differing by 19.3 ± 4.64 mg/L (p < 0.001) and 2.6 ± 0.92 mg/L (p = 0.006). Levels of interleukin-6 showed a significant difference of 6.61 ± 2.36 pg/mL (p = 0.007) at the 1st week after surgery. Until the 6th week after surgery, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate in the experimental group and the control group differed by 17 ± 4.6 mm/h (p = 0.001).Conclusions: Celecoxib has a significant inhibitory effect on postoperative aseptic inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoarthritis (OA) has traditionally been defined as a non-inflammatory disease. Recently, many studies have demonstrated that OA also has an inflammatory component. BRD4, a member of the Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal Domain family, has emerged as an important regulator of some chronic inflammatory diseases. JQ1, an antagonist of BRD4, modulates transcription of several genes. Our study demonstrated that BRD4 is up-regulated in articular cartilage of OA. BRD4 inhibition attenuated the inflammation and catabolism of chondrocytes and suppressed NF-κB signalling pathway activation. In addition, BRD4 inhibition abolished the transcriptional activity of High Mobility Group Protein B1 (HMGB1). We identified HMGB1 as a direct target of BRD4. Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of BRD4 suppressed IL-1β-induced expression and translocation of HMGB1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) showed the enrichment of BRD4 around the HMGB1 upstream non-promoter region, which diminished with JQ1 treatment. Finally, haematoxylin & eosin and Safranin o/Fast Green staining demonstrated that JQ1 attenuates cartilage destruction in mice with anterior cruciate ligament transection without significant toxic effects. These studies highlighted the importance of BRD4 in the chronic inflammatory reactions of OA, which, as far as we know, was the first report of this finding, and suggested that BRD4 might be a novel potential therapeutic target for the treatment of OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the influence of body mass index (BMI) and hip anatomy on direct anterior approach (DAA) total hip replacement.Subjects and Methods: The study is a retrospective analysis of 124 cases of DAA total hip replacement from 2009 to 2012. The BMI, the ratio of the greater trochanter (GT) and anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) bilaterally (GT/ASIS), and the vertical distance between the ASIS and GT (AGVD) were obtained from medical records. All cases were categorized into three groups (43, 49, and 32 cases in each group, respectively) based on BMI (BMI <18.5, BMI 18.5-25, and BMI >25) or divided into two groups based on GT/ASIS (≤1.17 or >1.17) or AGVD (≤86 or >86 mm). Operating time, intraoperative bleeding, and surgical complications were compared between different groups.Results: A longer average operating time, more intraoperative bleeding, and a higher rate of complications were observed in the group with the highest BMI. The complications included a case of intraoperative femur fracture, a wound hematoma, and a lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injury. The group with higher GT/ASIS had a shorter average operating time, less bleeding, and a lower complication rate than the group with lower GT/ASIS. Moreover, the group with higher AGVD showed a shorter average operating time, less bleeding, and a lower complication rate compared with the group with lower AGVD.Conclusion: Our study suggests that lower BMI and larger GT/ASIS and AGVD are associated with a shorter operating time, less bleeding, and a lower complication rate in DAA total hip replacement. These findings are valuable for clinicians to make the appropriate choice of surgery types for different individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The Ti 3 C 2 /CPNC heterostructure is designed by intercalating Ti 3 C 2 nanosheets with CoP nanocages, in which Ti 3 C 2 prevent the aggregation of CoP and CoP also restrain the recombination of Ti 3 C 2. • The Ti 3 C 2 /CPNC provides abundant actives sites for effective adsorption-diffusion-conversion of LiPSs. • The Ti 3 C 2 /CPNC with remarkable lithiophilicity and high conductivity can accomplish uniform Li deposition to inhibit the growth of dendrites. • The Li–S full cell harvests excellent electrochemical performance even at a high sulfur loading of 5.3 mg cm−2 and a negative to positive electrode capacity ratio of 1.7:1. The practical application of lithium–sulfur (Li-S) batteries has been hampered by the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) and seriously uncontrollable Li dendrite growth. Herein, we report an elaborate heterostructure (Ti 3 C 2 /CPNC), composed of Ti 3 C 2 nanosheets-encapsulated CoP nanocages with abundant lithiophilic/sulfiphilic sites for suppressing polysulfide shuttling and dendritic growth in Li-S batteries. Functioning as a separator mediator, the Ti 3 C 2 /CPNC heterostructure affords a synergistic effect of strong chemical interactions and fast conversion kinetics toward LiPSs. A half cell with the Ti 3 C 2 /CPNC interlayer exhibits a remarkable cycling stability with a capacity decay of only 0.039 % per cycle at 1C after 1150 cycles. As a Li host, the Ti 3 C 2 /CPNC heterostructure with remarkable lithiophilicity and high conductivity regulates the uniform plating/stripping of Li. The integrated Li–S full cell harvests an excellent electrochemical performance, even at a high sulfur loading of 5.3 mg cm−2 with a negative to positive (N/P) electrode capacity ratio of 1.7:1. This work demonstrates the potential application of bifunctional mediators for fabricating Li–S full batteries with outstanding electrochemical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Silica–silver core–shell composite particles with uniform thin silver layers were successfully synthesized by a facile and one-step ultrasonic electrodeposition method. By electrolysis of the slurry consisting of preformed silica spheres and silver perchlorate without any additives, the homogenous composite particles can be prepared. The average size of single silver crystals in the composite is about 12nm and the thickness of silver layer is 14±2nm. Moreover, the continuity of Ag distribution, the surface roughness and the thickness of silver layer are controllable by adjusting the current density (I), the concentration of electrolyte (C) and the reaction time (t). Optical properties of the composite particles with different silver content were also investigated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]