Search

Interlayer incommensurateness slippage is an excellent pathway to realize superlubricity of van der Waals materials; however, it is instable and heavily depends on twisted angle and super‐smooth substrate which pose great challenges for the practical application of superlubricity. Here, macroscale superlubricity (0.001) is reported on countless nanoscale graphene moiré structure (GMS)‐assembled surface via counterface hydrogen (H) modulation. The GMS‐assembled surface is formed on grinding balls via sphere‐triggered strain engineering. By the H modulation of counterface diamond‐like carbon (25 at.% H), the wear of GMS‐assembled surface is significantly reduced and a steadily superlubric sliding interface between them is achieved, based on assembly face charge depletion and H‐induced assembly edge weakening. Furthermore, the superlubricity between GMS‐assembled and DLC25 surfaces holds true in wide ranges of normal load (7–11 N), sliding velocity (0.5–27 cm −1s), contact area (0.4×104–3.7×104 µm2), and contact pressure (0.19–1.82 GPa). Atomistic simulations confirm the preferential formation of GMS on a sphere, and demonstrate the superlubricity on GMS‐assembled surface via counterface H modulation. The results provide an efficient tribo‐pairing strategy to achieve robust superlubricity, which is of significance for the engineering application of superlubricity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We establish well‐posedness theory for the two‐dimensional stationary fluids with gravity and a nonflat bottom. The major purpose in this paper is to study free streamline theory in hydrodynamics of the fluids with gravity in rotational flows. More precisely, given any positive horizontal velocity of incoming flow in the inlet of the nozzle, there exists a smooth fluids with gravity. In addition, there exists a smooth free surface, which goes to infinity. Furthermore, we obtain the asymptotic behavior of the fluids with gravity in upstream and downstream by means of a blow‐up argument. As byproducts, the monotone relationship between the location of the free boundary and the asymptotic height in the inlet are also established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To describe the clinical characteristics of Chinese patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) using the data recorded in the Chinese Registry of Psoriatic Arthritis (CREPAR). Methods: This is a cross‐sectional study based on the CREPAR registry, which is a prospective registry founded in December 2018. Data regarding clinical characteristics and treatment of patients were collected during every visit. Data recorded at enrollment were extracted, analyzed, and compared with data in other registries or cohorts. Results: A total of 1074 patients were registered from December 2018 to June 2021. Of these, 929 (86.5%) patients had a history of peripheral arthritis, and 844 patients (78.6%) had peripheral arthritis at enrollment, of which polyarthritis is the most common subtype. Axial involvement was present in 39.9% of patients, and 50 (4.7%) patients had axial involvement only. More than half of the patients (55.4%) had at least two musculoskeletal presentations at enrollment. The prevalence of low disease activity and remission according to DAPSA were 26.4% and 6.8%, respectively. Conventional synthetic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) and biological DMARDs were used in 64.9% and 29.1% of patients, respectively. Among patients with different musculoskeletal presentations, patients with dactylitis had the highest proportion of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory and csDMARD use. The proportion of patients receiving bDMARDs was highest in axial PsA. Conclusion: The CREPAR registry has provided information on Chinese patients with PsA. Compared with data in other registries or cohorts, the disease activity of patients in CREPAR was higher, and the proportion of bDMARD use was lower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The molecular identification of neural progenitor cell populations that connect to establish the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) remains unclear. This is due to technical limitations in the acquisition and spatial mapping of molecular information to tissue architecture. Results: To address this, we applied Slide‐seq spatial transcriptomics to intact fresh frozen chick trunk tissue transversely cryo‐sectioned at the developmental stage prior to SNS formation. In parallel, we performed age‐ and location‐matched single cell (sc) RNA‐seq and 10× Genomics Visium to inform our analysis. Downstream bioinformatic analyses led to the unique molecular identification of neural progenitor cells within the peripheral sympathetic ganglia (SG) and spinal cord preganglionic neurons (PGNs). We then successfully applied the HiPlex RNAscope fluorescence in situ hybridization and multispectral confocal microscopy to visualize 12 gene targets in stage‐, age‐ and location‐matched chick trunk tissue sections. Conclusions: Together, these data demonstrate a robust strategy to acquire and integrate single cell and spatial transcriptomic information, resulting in improved resolution of molecular heterogeneities in complex neural tissue architectures. Successful application of this strategy to the developing SNS provides a roadmap for functional studies of neural connectivity and platform to address complex questions in neural development and regeneration. Key Findings: We applied Slide‐seq spatial transcriptomics to intact fresh frozen chick trunk tissue.In parallel, we performed age‐ and location‐matched single cell (sc) RNA‐seq and 10x Genomics Visium to inform our Slide‐seq analysis.Bioinformatic analyses led to the unique molecular identification of neural progenitor cells within the peripheral sympathetic ganglia (SG) and spinal cord preganglionic neurons (PGNs).We expanded the HiPlex RNAscope fluorescence in situ hybridization and multispectral confocal microscopy to visualize 12 gene targets in stage‐, age‐ and location‐matched chick trunk tissue sections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we are concerned with the continuation criteria to the 3D isentropic compressible Navier–Stokes equations in Lorentz spaces. We prove that there exists a positive constant ε$$ \varepsilon $$ such that no blowup occurs at time T$$ T $$ in this system provided that the supernorm of the density is bounded and the space‐time Lorentz spaces norm ‖ρu‖Lp,∞(0,T;Lq,∞)$$ {\left\Vert \sqrt{\rho }u\right\Vert}_{L&amp;#x0005E;{p,\infty}\left(0,T;{L}&amp;#x0005E;{q,\infty}\right)} $$ with 2/p+3/q=1$$ 2/p&amp;#x0002B;3/q&amp;#x0003D;1 $$(3≤q<∞)$$ \left(3\le q&lt;\infty \right) $$ is small. As a direct application, we established some Serrin's blow‐up criteria in the Lorentz spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present joint observations of a substorm injection event on 5 February 2016. The enhancements of energetic electron (∼30 to ∼300 keV) fluxes, the drift echoes of the injected electrons, and the quasi‐monochromatic ultralow frequency oscillations embedded in the flux variations were simultaneously observed by the BeiDa Imaging Electron Spectrometer and the Van Allen Probe B. These vivid features of substorm injection were concretely captured by multiple spacecraft within the geosynchronous distance for the first time. The radial separation of the spacecraft (∼0.3 RE) allowed for a quantitative comparison of the electron flux and phase space density (PSD) across different drift shells. It is found that a more intense increase of equatorial PSD occurred at the lower L‐shell (L* ∼5.5), which indicated a non‐adiabatic acceleration of the injected electrons in the inner magnetosphere. Plain Language Summary: Energetic charged particles can be transported from the magnetotail into the inner magnetosphere via a process named substorm injection. The injection process is usually considered adiabatic, as the magnetic moment of the particles remained conserved. In this study, however, we present observational evidence of non‐adiabatic acceleration of substorm injected electrons. Specifically, we derive the radial gradient of electron phase space density using the dual‐spacecraft data obtained by BeiDa Imaging Electron Spectrometer and Van Allen Probe B. The phase space density gradient turned into negative by the arrival of the injected electrons, which is indicative of a non‐adiabatic acceleration. Key Points: Substorm injection of energetic electrons was simultaneously observed by radially separated spacecraft within the geosynchronous distanceThe radial phase space density gradient turned into negative by the arrival of the injected electronsThe negative phase space density gradient indicated a non‐adiabatic acceleration of the injected electrons [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macroscale superlubricity breakdown of lubricating materials caused by substrate surface roughening and mechanochemical modification poses great challenges for their practical tribological applications. Here, a facile way is reported to access robust macroscale superlubricity in a vacuum environment, via the operando formation of graphene/transition‐metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) heterostructures at wear‐induced rough surfaces. By trapping active amorphous carbon (a‐C) wear products between TMDC flakes, the sandwich structures readily transform into graphene/TMDC heterostructures during running‐in stage, based on shear‐induced confinement and load‐driven graphitization effects. Then they assemble into multipoint flake‐like tribofilms to achieve macroscale superlubricity at steady stage by reducing contact area, eliminating strong cross‐interface carbon–carbon interactions and polishing a‐C rough nascent surface. Atomistic simulations reveal the preferential formation of graphene/TMDC heterostructures during running‐in stage and demonstrate the superlubric sliding of TMDCs on the graphene. The findings are of importance to achieve robust superlubricity and provide a good strategy for the synthesis of other van der Waals heterostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relativistic electron acceleration in the inner radiation belt have received little attention in the past due to sparse measurements. The 90° minimum pitch angle distributions of electrons in extremely low L‐shells during storms are speculated to be preferentially heated by fast magnetosonic waves. The high‐quality measurements of relativistic electrons by instruments onboard Van Allen Probes and ZH–1 provide a great opportunity to investigate the dynamics of relativistic electrons in the inner radiation belt. At extremely low L‐shells (L < $< $ 2), a weak flux enhancement (increased by 2–3 times) of 100s keV electrons and the corresponding formation of butterfly PADs are observed during the major geomagnetic storm (minimum Dst ≈ −179 nT) occurred in August 2018. Simultaneously the magnetosonic waves, accompanied with weak hiss waves, were observed also in such low L‐shells. Combining with a numerical simulation of wave and particle interaction model, magnetosonic waves are thought to play an important role in electron acceleration and formation of butterfly PADs during this storm, which is the first direct observation in such low L‐shells. Key Points: Electron evolution was investigated in extremely low L‐shells (L < $< $ 2) during a storm based on ZH–1 and Van Allen Probes joint observationsFormation of 90° minimum pitch angle distributions and a weak flux enhancement of 100s keV electrons appear at storm timeThe magnetosonic wave is shown to be heating the electrons in the deep inner belt [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The generation of Pc4‐5 ultralow frequency (ULF) waves after interplanetary shock‐induced electric field impulses in the Earth's magnetosphere is studied using Van Allen Probes measurements by investigating the relationship between the first impulses and subsequent resonant ULF waves. In the dayside, the relevant time scales of the first impulse is correlated better with local Alfvén speed than with local eigenfrequency, implying that the temporal scale of the first impulse is more likely related to fast‐mode wave propagation rather than local field line resonance. There are only 20 out of 51 events with narrow‐band poloidal ULF waves induced after the first impulse, showing a higher chance for ULF wave generation at the locations where the impulse equivalent frequency scale matches the local eigenfrequency. It is suggested that the shock‐related ULF wave can be excited in the magnetosphere on condition that shock‐induced impulse has large enough amplitude with its frequency matching the local eigenfrequency. Key Points: The 51 shock‐related impulse events are investigated based on Van Allen Probes measurement with 39% of them followed by poloidal ULF wave while 61% notThe time scale of shock‐induced electric field impulse is more related to fast‐mode wave propagation than field line resonanceThe shock‐related ULF wave is more likely excited when the shock‐induced impulse's equivalent frequency matches the local eigenfrequency [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent observations in the nightside inner magnetosphere have identified a series of wedge‐like spectral structures in the energy‐time spectrograms of oxygen, helium, and hydrogen ion fluxes. Although the shapes and distributions of these structures have been characterized by case and statistical studies, their formation mechanism remains unclear. Here we utilize a particle tracing model to reproduce the wedge‐like structures successively observed by the twin Van Allen Probes. The model suggests that these structures originate from intermittent substorm injection, and it is the accessibility region of these injected ions that determines their shapes. This mechanism is similar to the formation of another kind of structures, the inner magnetospheric nose‐like structures, except that the wedge‐like structures are separated from the tail population by the discontinuation of ion injections. This scenario is also supported by the distribution statistics of wedge‐like structures, which provides new insights into the dynamics of the magnetotail‐inner magnetosphere coupled system. Plain Language Summary: In Earth's inner magnetosphere, multiple plasma populations interact with one another to render a highly coupled system, with its dynamic evolution also subject to magnetospheric convection and magnetotail particle injections. The interplay of these complicated processes is manifested in spacecraft observations by various spectral structures of particle fluxes, and the understanding of their generation provides unique insights into the underlying processes. Here we focus on a specific type of spectral structures in the nightside inner magnetosphere, named the wedge‐like structures. These structures are characterized by enhanced fluxes of oxygen, helium, and hydrogen ions at increasing energies (from a few eV to several keV) with decreasing equatorial distance to the Earth. Based on a particle tracing model, we successfully reproduce the structure characteristics observed by NASA's (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) twin Van Allen Probes. The model suggests that these structures originate from transient injections associated with substorm activities, and their shapes are determined by the energy‐dependent ion accessibility into the inner magnetosphere. This scenario of wedge‐like structure formation is consistent with both case and statistical results, which sheds new light on our current understanding of the inner magnetospheric dynamics and its coupling process with the magnetotail plasma sheet. Key Points: The wedge‐like ion structures in the nightside inner magnetosphere are reproduced with a simple modelThe ions within the wedge originate from transient injections associated with substorm activitiesThe wedges are formed by the slow yet deep penetration of injected ions with specific magnetic moments [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we establish a weak Serrin‐type blowup criterion for the Cauchy problem of the three‐dimensional (3D) compressible barotropic Navier–Stokes equations in the whole space. It shows that the strong or smooth solution exists globally if the velocity satisfies the weak Serrin's condition and the L∞(0,T;Lα0)‐norm of the density is bounded, where α0 is positive constant. Therefore, if the weak Serrin norm of the velocity remains bounded, it is not possible for other kinds of singularities (such as vacuum states vanish or vacuum appears in the non‐vacuum region or even milder singularities) to form before the density becomes unbounded. Furthermore, the initial data can be arbitrarily large and contain vacuum states. The proof is based on the new a priori estimates for 3D compressible Navier–Stokes equations. In particular, this extends the corresponding Huang et al.'s results (SIAM J. Math. Anal. 43 (2011) 1872–1886). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on data from the Van Allen Probes and ZH‐1 satellites, relativistic electron enhancements in extremely low L‐shell regions (reaching L∼3) were observed during August 2018 major geomagnetic storm (minimum Dst≈−190 nT). Contrary to what occurs in the outer belt, such an intense and deep electron penetration event is rare and more interesting. Strong whistler‐mode (chorus and hiss) waves, with amplitudes 81–126 pT, were also observed in the extremely low L‐shell simultaneously (reaching L∼2.5) where the plasmapause was suppressed. The bounce‐averaged diffusion coefficient calculations support that the chorus waves can play a significantly important role in diffusing and accelerating the 1–3 MeV electrons even in such low L‐shells during storms. This is the first time that the electron acceleration induced by chorus waves in the extremely low L‐shell region is reported. This new finding will help to deeply understand the electron acceleration process in radiation belt physics. Key Points: Relativistic electron enhancement, companied with chorus wave disturbance, appears in the extremely low L‐shell (reaching L∼3) during the stormChorus wave can efficiently accelerate relativistic electrons in low L‐shell regionMomentum diffusion further enhanced the diffusion rate of relativistic electrons, especially in the low equatorial pitch angle [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flux variations of energetic electrons is one of the most important topics to understand dynamic processes in the space environment and the forecast for high‐energy electron burst. BeiDa Image Electron Spectrometer (BD‐IES), an imaging energetic elecstron spectrometer onboard a Chinese navigation satellite at an inclined geosynchronous orbit, can provide 50–600 keV electron flux data, which is used to investigate electron flux variations at GEO orbit during Co‐rotating Interaction Region events (CIRs). The superposed epoch analysis is applied to study the electron flux variations in different energy channels of BD‐IES during CIRs and the results support previous works. It reveals that electron fluxes in different channels all have a dropout before or at CIR interface and then the recovery of electrons with low energy reaches maximum earlier than that of electrons with high energy, with longer time differences for larger energy gap, which is consistent of two major mechanisms for energizing particles: inward radial diffusion and local acceleration. In addition, we investigate the relationship between electron flux enhancement in each energy channel and magnetic locals time and the extent of enhancement for electron flux peak value compared with average value before interface. These results can contribute to our understanding of electron flux variations at GEO during CIRs, and thus lay foundations for forecast research on high‐energy electron enhancement during CIRs. Key Points: Energetic electron flux variations at GEO during CIRs are studied using the observations from BD‐IES, the first mid‐energy electron detector in ChinaSuperposed epoch analysis reveals that there are time delays between the peaks of low‐ and high‐energy electron enhancements, with longer delay for larger energy gapRelatively low‐energy electrons tend to have MLT dependence during the enhancement process, while higher‐energy electrons could reach an approximately equal level of enhancement in every MLT sector [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sudden changes of the solar wind dynamic pressure have significant impacts on the dynamics of the magnetosphere‐ionosphere system. On 18 February 2011, a sudden decrease in solar wind dynamic pressure was observed by the Wind satellite, which drove the entire magnetosphere‐ionosphere system as recorded in many ground‐based and space‐based measurements. In the magnetosphere, Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) spacecraft observed a counterclockwise plasma flow vortex propagating tailward. Near the magnetic footprints of the THEMIS spacecraft, the ground magnetometers observed magnetic field variations that corresponded to a counterclockwise vortex in the equivalent ionospheric currents, which in turn indicated the presence of upward field‐aligned currents. The all‐sky imager at RANK station near the THEMIS footprints also observed a simultaneous enhancement of the auroral brightness. Therefore, this comprehensive case study demonstrates a causal chain that links the solar wind dynamic pressure variations to magnetospheric, ionospheric, and auroral activities. Plain Language Summary: In the near‐Earth space, the shape and dynamics of the magnetosphere and the ionosphere are strongly affected by solar wind variations. There have been numerous studies demonstrating the effects of magnetospheric compression caused by a sudden enhancement in the solar wind dynamic pressure. However, the opposite case with sudden decrease in the solar wind dynamic pressure has been rarely investigated. Here we perform a comprehensive, observational study to demonstrate the consequences of sudden decrease of solar wind dynamic pressure in the entire magnetosphere‐ionosphere system, which include the formation of magnetospheric flow vortices, generation of field‐aligned currents, perturbations of the geomagnetic field, and enhancement of auroral brightness near the magnetic footprints of the magnetospheric flow vortices. In other words, this case study provides a causal chain that shows the magnetospheric, ionospheric, and auroral responses to a sudden decrease of the solar wind dynamic pressure. Key Points: Small‐scale auroral brightening is observed after a sudden decrease in solar wind dynamic pressureSolar wind discontinuity produces a tailward‐moving magnetospheric flow vortex associated with field‐aligned currentsClear relationship between upward field‐aligned currents, ionospheric currents, and auroral activities are presented [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on physical function and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in China. Method: A cross‐section survey was conducted in 21 general hospitals in China. Eight hundred and seven patients were recruited. Data on demographics, clinical data, physical function (Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index, HAQ‐DI) and HRQoL (Study Short Form 36 Health Survey, SF‐36) were collected on site. Results: In our cohort, physical function was impaired in 77.6% of patients (HAQ‐DI >0). The median (interquartile range, IQR) of HAQ‐DI was 0.750 (0.125, 1.500). Rated by HAQ‐DI 0‐1, >1‐2, and >2‐3, percentage of patients with mild, moderate and severe disability was 61.0%, 25.4%, and 13.6%, respectively. Older age, long disease duration, presence of extra‐articular manifestations, tender joint count (TJC), overall status (assessed by patient Global Visual Analogue Scale [G‐VAS] and physician G‐VAS) and lacking disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drugs were identified as predictive factors for worse physical function (P < .05). The composite scores of SF‐36 in the observed patients were: physical component summary 40.4 (IQR 27.4, 60.3), and mental component summary 49.0 (IQR 33.6, 70.9). Impaired physical health may be predicted by low income, presence of extra‐articular manifestations, TJC, patient G‐VAS and high HAQ‐DI. Predictors for suboptimal mental health were low income, physical labor, married status, increased swollen joint count (SJC), physician G‐VAS and high HAQ‐DI. Conclusion: Rheumatoid arthritis has profound effects on physical function and HRQoL in Chinese patients. Patients with identified predictive factors for poor outcome should be closely monitored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Substorm injections are one of the most dynamic processes in Earth's magnetosphere and have global consequences and broad implications for space weather modeling. They can be monitored using energetic electron detectors on geosynchronous satellites. The Imaging Electron Spectrometer (IES) on board a Chinese navigation satellite, launched on 16 October 2015 into an inclined geosynchronous satellite orbit (IGSO), provides the first energetic electron measurement in IGSO orbit to the best of our knowledge. The IES was developed by Peking University and is named hereafter as BD‐IES. Using a pin‐hole technique, the BD‐IES instrument measures 50–600 keV incident electrons in eight energy channels from nine directions covering a range of 180° in polar angle. Data collection by the BD‐IES instrument have recently passed the 1 year mark, which reflects a successful milestone for the mission. The innermost and outermost signatures of substorm injection at L ~ 6 and 12 have been observed by the BD‐IES with a high L shell spatial coverage, complementary to the existing missions such as the Van Allen Probes that covers the range below L ~ 6. There are another two BD‐IES instruments to be installed in the coming Chinese Sun‐synchronous and geosynchronous satellites, respectively. Such a configuration will provide a unique opportunity to investigate inward and outward radial propagation of the substorm injection region simultaneously at high and low L shells. It will further elucidate potential mechanisms for the particle energization and transport, two of the most important topics in magnetospheric dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we carry out a comprehensive analysis of secular variation of the South Atlantic Anomaly. The center location of the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) is derived from the proton flux measurements of different energy channels by SAMPEX (Solar Anomalous and Magnetospheric Particle Explorer)/PET (Proton/Electron Telescope). The results are compared with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Medium Energy Proton and Electron Detector observations and the International Geomagnetic Reference Field 12 (IGRF12) geomagnetic field model. It is found that different energy protons have different behaviors while the center location of the SAA changes with altitude. The IGRF12 magnetic field can explain the observations to a limited extent. Possible reasons for the differences are discussed. It is confirmed that center location of the SAA is also affected by atmospheric density at SAMPEX altitudes. The results could be helpful for constructing inner radiation belt models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High performance solid lubricant materials with long wear life remain as one of the challenges in space technology. It is of great significance to lower the solid film's friction and wear and to prolong its service life in vacuum. Hydrogenated fullerene-like carbon film produced by dc-pulsed power source behaves ultralong wear life (≫1.8 × 105 cycles) and ultralow wear rate (2.2 × 10−8 mm3 Nm−1) as well as low friction (≈0.14) in high vacuum (2.3 × 10−4 Pa). To understand its long wear life reason, the interfacial structural evolution is investigated after steady state friction is achieved. By observing the interfacial nanostructure evolution, it is found that the friction and wear properties are related to the friction-induced phase transformation from fullerene like structure to nanocrystalline graphite and the deposition of tribofilm on Al2O3 counterface. And this process is analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, micro-Raman spectra and is observed through transmission electron microscopy. The results enrich hydrogenated fullerene-like carbon film friction mechanisms and expand its potential application in space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly exfoliated reduced graphite oxide (heRGO) is prepared by thermal reduction of crude graphite oxide (GO) powders with the assistance of KOH. By using the mixtures of KOH and GO with different weight ratios ( n) as the starting materials, the resulting heRGO- n powders show different microstructures and lubrication properties. The optimized heRGO-4 powders have an average particle size around 1 μm, a 'loose book'-like layered microstructure, and a large specific surface area of 829.5 m2 g−1. The unique microstructure and tiny particle sizes have made this graphene material to be an extraordinary high-performance additive of poly(α-olefin) lubricant oil (type 6, PAO-6). By adding 0.5% (by weight, wt%) heRGO-4, the coefficient of friction of PAO-6 is decreased by 44% and the wear scar depth is reduced by more than 90%. The lubrication effect of heRGO-4 is much superior to that of thermally reduced graphite oxide. Given its facile, cheap, and scalable preparation process, heRGO-4 has a great potential for industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To investigate the presence of autoantibodies ( aAbs) against interleukin ( IL)-17A and IL-17F and observe whether anti- IL-17A or IL-17F aAbs are associated with disease activity in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis ( ERA). Methods At present, 60 patients with ERA, 72 patients with osteoarthritis ( OA) and 61 healthy controls ( HC) have been included in a database. Clinical assessment and laboratory data were recorded. We detected the titer of aAbs against IL-17A and IL-17F using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and analyzed the correlation of these aAbs in patients with ERA. Results Our results showed that the levels of aAbs against IL-17A and IL-17F were significantly higher in ERA OA and HC ( P < 0.0001). The level of aAbs against IL-17F was correlated with Disease Activity Score-28 erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( ESR) ( P = 0.0457) and ESR alone ( P = 0.0032) in patients with ERA. In addition, in the ERA group, the level of C-reactive protein and rheumatoid factor immunoglobulin M was lower in patients with aAbs against IL-17F than patients without aAbs ( P = 0.0247; P = 0.0439). No significant correlation was observed between the clinical characteristics and level of aAbs against IL-17A in patients with ERA except ESR ( P = 0.0239). Conclusions Elevated aAbs against IL-17F correlate with disease activity in patients with ERA. This evidence suggests that anti- IL-17F aAbs may have a protective role in the pathogenesis of ERA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To estimate the annual direct and indirect costs of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in China and identify the predictors for cost of illness. Methods A cross-sectional study of cost of illness from the societal perspective was conducted on 829 patients with RA in 21 tertiary care hospitals in China between July 2009 and December 2010. Data on demographics, clinical variables, and components of costs were collected by physician interview. Costs were represented in 2009 US dollars using purchasing power parity estimates. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to identify the predictors for cost of illness. Results The mean ± SD total cost of RA in China was $3,826 ± $5,659 per patient-year, given a gross domestic product per capita of $6,798 in China in 2009. Direct costs and indirect costs comprised 90.0% and 10.0% of the total costs, respectively. Drug expense represented approximately half of the total costs, dominated by biologic agents (48.2%) and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (23.5%). Additionally, the cost of extracted herbal drugs and traditional Chinese medicine comprised ∼17.6% of the drug expense. Higher education level, noninsured status, longer disease duration, more extraarticular manifestations, and higher Health Assessment Questionnaire score independently predicted higher total costs. Conclusion Our results provide the first study of costs of RA in China. This study not only demonstrates the economic burden of RA, but also identifies the predictors that could be interventional factors to reduce the societal costs of RA in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]