Browse Articles

Runaway resorption of microcracks contributes to age-related hip-fracture patients

Abstract Microdefects, including microcracks and resorption trenches, may be important contributors to bone fragility. 3D microdefect morphology was imaged using synchrotron micro-CT to develop a classification system for investigating the relationship with bone mechanics and hip-fractures. Femoral heads from ageing hip-fracture patients ( n  = 5, 74–82 years) were compared to ageing non-fracture controls ( n  = 5, 72–84 years). Two trabecular cores were prepared from the chiasma; one was imaged using synchrotron micro-CT to measure microdefects and one was mechanically tested to measure tensile strength. Morphological and mechanical data were compared and correlated using Mann Whitney U test and Pearson’s rank correlation. All the procedures performed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the Imperial College Tissue Bank (R13004) and the 1984 Declaration of Helsinki. Microdefects varied and were classified into four categories based on shape and measurable parameters. Hip-fracture donors exhibited significantly higher density of all microdefects ( p  < 0.05). Microdefect volume was strongly negatively correlated with ultimate tensile strength ( p  < 0.05) and stiffness ( p  < 0.05). Microdefects might contribute to loss of bone strength and fragility fracture via runaway resorption. Microcracks could promote focussed osteoclastic resorption and the formation of resorption pits which create stress risers leading to the re-formation of microcracks under continued load. CT-based classification methods should be used to explore the complex interaction between microdefects, metabolism, and bone fracture mechanics.

Analysis, design and control of A high step-up three level Quasi-Z-Source PWM DC-DC converter for photovoltaic applications:

Multi-level probabilistic computing: application to the multiway number partitioning problems

Metabolomics and network analysis reveal the mechanism of Salvia miltiorrhiza bunge extract in ameliorating cognitive dysfunction in sleep-deprived rats

Multidisciplinary 3D geological-petrophysical reservoir characterization of Abu Sennan Field, Abu Gharadig Basin, Egypt

Abstract Reservoir heterogeneity within the Cretaceous Abu Roash and Bahariya formations of the Abu Sennan Field (Western Desert, Egypt) presents a significant challenge to hydrocarbon prospect evaluation. This study applies an integrated approach combining well logs from four wells, core analysis, and 2D seismic data to assess reservoir quality and structural framework. The workflow includes: (1) petrophysical evaluation to quantify shale volume (Vsh), effective porosity (ϕe), and hydrocarbon saturation (Sh) across five reservoir intervals—Abu Roash C (net pay 1–32.5 m, Vsh 29–35%, ϕe 19–29%, Sh 52–67%), Abu Roash D (7–10.5 m, Vsh 2–13%, ϕe 17–23%, Sh 60–90%), Abu Roash E (3.4–48.6 m, Vsh 20–30%, ϕe 18–24%, Sh 62–76%), Abu Roash G (3–12.5 m, Vsh 11–18%, ϕe 22–24%, Sh 58–73%), and Bahariya (2.5–52.5 m, Vsh 17–27%, ϕe 15–26%, Sh 46–77%); (2) seismic interpretation identifying a NW–SE-trending horst structure bounded by E–W and NNW–SSE fault systems, which compartmentalize the reservoirs; and (3) 3D static modeling to visualize the distribution of facies, porosity, and saturation. The results highlight the AR-D-01 structural closure within the Abu Roash D member as a high-potential prospect, featuring dissolution-enhanced vuggy porosity (ϕe 17–24%) and elevated hydrocarbon saturation (Sₕ 60–90%) corroborated by depth structure maps and petrophysical property models. Overall, the study demonstrates that fault-controlled diagenesis improves reservoir quality in grainstone facies, offering a reliable framework for targeted hydrocarbon exploration in heterogeneous systems.

Thermal and mechanical performance of geopolymer concrete with recycled aggregate and copper slag as fine aggregate

Unveiling size-selective host-guest interaction of photoresponsive nanorings with carbon nanotubes and fullerenes

Astaxanthin-rich Nannochloropsis oculata mitigates high-fat diet-induced liver dysfunction in zebrafish by modulating lipid metabolism and oxidative stress

Improvements from incorporating machine learning algorithms into near real-time operational post-processing

Accurate segmentation of localized fuel cladding chemical interaction layers in SEM micrographs with deep learning method

Abstract U-Zr metallic fuels are promising fuel candidates for fast reactor applications. Fuel/cladding chemical interaction (FCCI) is a random, localized, complex interdiffusion phenomenon occurring at the fuel cladding interface under irradiation, thinning the cladding wall. This interaction has been recognized as a limiting factor in deploying metal fuels to achieve higher burnup under steady state operations. The post irradiation examination of Experimental Breeder Reactor II and Fast Flux Test Facility fuel pins with different irradiation conditions have been the primary method for investigating FCCI in metal fuels, utilizing various characterization techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This study compared several computer vision and deep learning approaches for the automated segmentation of FCCI layers in SEM micrographs. We deployed and compared state-of-the-art deep learning models for the task of FCCI layer segmentation in SEM micrographs. A deep learning based end-to-end method proved its capability to enable rapid and accurate segmentation of FCCI in as-collected SEM micrographs, making it highly suitable for real-time applications to automate data analysis. The average segmentation mAP achieves a high performance of 90.8% for dozens of FCCI layers. Furthermore, the method reported in this study is extendable to segmentation tasks for other materials with similar resolution, texture, and contrast characteristics, paving the way for accelerated and automated analysis in characterization analysis and beyond.

Evidence of neolithic cannibalism among farming communities at El Mirador cave, Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain

Abstract In El Mirador cave in Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain, a unique collection of human remains provides insights into cannibalistic practices from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age. Six Early Bronze Age individuals (4600–4100 cal BP) showing signs of cannibalism were discovered in the early 2000s. Later excavations uncovered older remains with similar cultural modifications. A Bayesian statistical analysis of the radiocarbon dates identified a single earlier event (5709–5573 cal BP) unrelated to the Bronze Age finds. 87Sr/86Sr analysis showed the cannibalised people were of local origin. The episode coincided with the end of the Neolithic occupation, suggesting this was a not common behaviour among the cave inhabitants. Given the age of the cannibalised individuals and environmental conditions, the data does not indicate a response to famine. This study complements and expands upon our understanding of European prehistoric cannibalism. The current findings suggest that cannibalism may be linked to intergroup violence during late prehistoric periods.

Screening and identification of muscle pericyte selective markers

Abstract Pericytes, which share markers with smooth muscle cells (SMCs), are heterogenous cells. Pericytes in the brain and skeletal muscle have different embryonic origins, representing distinct subpopulations. One challenge in the field is that there are no subpopulation-specific pericyte markers. Here, we compared the transcriptomes of muscle pericytes and SMCs, and identified 741 muscle pericyte-enriched genes and 564 muscle SMC-enriched genes. Gene ontology analysis uncovered distinct biological processes and molecular functions in muscle pericytes and SMCs. Interestingly, the Venn diagram revealed only one gene shared by brain and muscle pericytes, suggesting that they are indeed distinct subpopulations with different transcriptional profiles. We further validated that GSN co-localized with PDGFRβ+SMA− cells in small and large blood vessels but not PDGFRβ+SMA+ cells, indicating that GSN predominantly marks pericytes and fibroblasts rather than SMCs in skeletal muscle. Negligible levels of GSN were detected in the brain. These findings indicate that GSN may serve as a selective marker for muscle pericytes.

The tiny mouse lemur could make for a mighty model organism

Quantitative image analysis of the extracellular matrix of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and high grade dysplasia via two-photon microscopy

Abstract Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and high-grade dysplasia (HGD) are two different pathological entities; however, they sometimes share similarities in histological structure depending on the context. Thus, distinguishing between the two may require careful examination by a pathologist and consideration of clinical findings. Unlike previous studies on cancer diagnosis using two-photon microscopy, quantitative analysis or machine learning (ML) algorithms need to be used to determine the subtle structural changes in images and the structural features that are statistically meaningful in cancer development. In this study, we aimed to quantitatively distinguish between SCC and HGD using two-photon microscopy combined with ML. Tissue samples were categorized into two groups: Group 1, primary SCC vs. metachronous HGD (SCC-HGD) and Group 2, primary HGD vs. metachronous HGD (HGD-HGD). We quantitatively analyzed second harmonic generation (SHG) and two-photon fluorescence (TPF) signals from two-photon microscopy imaging of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) was used to extract the textural features of the tissue images, and support vector machine (SVM), for classification of the tissue images based on their pathologies. The SHG-based classifiers demonstrated 75%, 84.21%, 95%, and 95.65% for Group 1, Group 2, primary SCC vs. primary HGD, and metachronous HGD (Group 1) vs. metachronous HGD (Group 2), respectively. This integrative approach enabled the characterization of different pathological stages and enhances the understanding of the pathogenic factors involved in the progression of esophageal cancer.

NMN improves cardiac function in SIRT3 knockout mice via the SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway

Identification and experimental validation of mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum stress related gene in diabetic nephropathy

Enhanced photoconductive response of ZnO thin films with the impact of annealing temperatures on structural and optical properties

Abstract Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a versatile material widely used in optoelectronic devices due to its broad bandgap (3.37 eV), high electron mobility, and significant exciton binding energy (60 meV). In this study, ZnO thin films were fabricated on SiO₂/Si substrates via thermal evaporation, followed by annealing at 400 °C and 600 °C to investigate the effect of thermal treatment on their structural, optical, and photoconductive properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the formation of the hexagonal wurtzite ZnO structure, with improved crystallinity observed at higher annealing temperatures. The photoconductivity of the films demonstrated enhanced response times and self-powered behavior, particularly in the sample annealed at 600 °C. These findings highlight the potential of ZnO thin films for fast-response photodetection applications and show that controlled annealing significantly influences photosensitivity.

Eco-friendly enhancement of optical and structural properties in polyvinyl alcohol films via eggplant peel dye doping

No indications of weight gain associated DNA methylation changes in patients with anorexia nervosa

Abstract Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a mental disorder marked by a significantly low body weight. Differentially methylated CpG sites have been reported to be involved in body weight regulation. Methylation pattern may change during considerable weight gain by in-patient treatment. Consequently, we aimed to (1) replicate the hypomethylation at the NR1H3 gene locus (identified in our previous epigenome-wide association study) in independent study groups of 189 female patients with AN and 67 healthy-lean female controls, and (2) identify regions associated with large weight gain associated DNA methylation changes in three patients with AN through whole-genome bisulfite sequencing in CD14+ cells. In the replication study, no evidence was observed for hypomethylation at the investigated 15 CpG sites of the NR1H3 locus. Relying on two analysis tools (camel, metilene) to identify differentially methylated regions (DMRs), subtle methylation differences concordant between both tools were detected only when the usual threshold of camel was lowered. Then, eight regions were selected exemplarily for technical replication with deep bisulfite sequencing in the same three patients with AN. None of the regions could be confirmed. Summarising, we could not confirm hypomethylation at NR1H3 and could not detect methylation differences in patients with AN between admission and weight gain at discharge.

Recent advances in film dosimetry for quality assurance in microbeam radiation therapy