Search

This article traces the journey that the AST-RX platform has taken with some insects from the study collection of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle in Paris to transform them into digital avatars. These avatars appear in their singularity, even in a digital environment. This transition takes place between environments with different textures, densities, contrasts and volumes, which stage very concrete operations: glances and touches adjust the production of data with specific technologies in order to create 3D models using X-ray tomography, dedicated to the analysis of the internal structure of the specimens. The preliminary preparation of the specimen is part of this process of data production, which highlights the complexity of the materiality of specimen conservation, in addition to their physical characteristics. Describing this process is crucial for integrating the creation of the digital avatar into the history of the specimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artifacts in computed tomography and X-ray microtomography are image distortions caused by various factors. Some can be reduced before or during the examination, while others are removed algorithmically after image acquisition. The latter group includes metallic artifacts caused by metal objects in the sample. This paper proposes a new method for eliminating metallic artifacts, applying a bone- and soft-tissue decomposition (BSTD) algorithm to microtomography raw data before the reconstruction process. We show that the decomposition algorithm can effectively remove metallic artifacts in microCT images, which increases the image contrast and allows for better visualization of regions near the metallic elements. For quantity analysis, we computed SSIM and PSNR factors, and we observed values increasing from 0.97 to 0.99 and from 40 dB to 43 dB, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Biomedical Imaging and Therapy facility of the Canadian Light Source comprises two beamlines, which together cover a wide X-ray energy range from 13 keV up to 140 keV. The beamlines were designed with a focus on synchrotron applications in preclinical imaging and veterinary science as well as microbeam radiation therapy. While these remain a major part of the activities of both beamlines, a number of recent upgrades have enhanced the versatility and performance of the beamlines, particularly for high-resolution microtomography experiments. As a result, the user community has been quickly expanding to include researchers in advanced materials, batteries, fuel cells, agriculture, and environmental studies. This article summarizes the beam properties, describes the endstations together with the detector pool, and presents several application cases of the various X-ray imaging techniques available to users.

Abstract Consensus holds that pottery technology came to Central Europe from the Northern Balkans with independent pottery traditions existing concurrently in Eastern Europe. An unusual grass-tempered pottery dating back to around 5800 cal BC found in lake sediments at Santovka, Slovakia, predated the earliest known Neolithic pottery in the region (~ 5500 cal BC), suggesting unexplored narratives of pottery introduction. Analyses of the pottery’s technology, origin, and grass temper shedding light on ceramic traditions' spread can unveil mobility patterns and community lifestyles. Our findings indicate a non-local provenance, low temperature firing, Festuca sp. grass temper and unique rectangular or cylindrical vessel shapes which align with Eastern European hunter-gatherer practices. Moreover, the pottery style and technology have no analogies in the contemporary Danubian pottery traditions and have more similarities to those of the Eastern traditions. The pottery's raw materials likely originated from distant areas, indicating extensive territorial access for its creators. Our findings imply late Mesolithic hunter-gatherers as the probable artisans and with implications for the site's significance in the late Mesolithic landscape.

Wood–polymer composites (WPCs) with polypropylene (PP) matrix suffer from low toughness, and fossil-based impact modifiers are used to improve their performance. Material substitution of virgin fossil-based materials and material recycling are key aspects of sustainable development and therefore recycled denim fabric, and elastomer were evaluated to replace the virgin elastomer modifier commonly used in commercial WPCs. Microtomography images showed that the extrusion process fibrillated the denim fabric into long, thin fibers that were well dispersed within the WPC, while the recycled elastomer was found close to the wood fibers, acting as a soft interphase between the wood fibers and PP. The fracture toughness (KIC) of the WPC with recycled denim fabric matched the commercial WPC which was 1.4 MPa m1/2 and improved the composite tensile strength by 18% and E-modulus by 54%. Recycled elastomer resulted in slightly lower KIC, 1.1 MPa m1/2, as well as strength and modulus while increasing elongation and contributing to toughness. The results of this study showed that recycled materials can potentially be used to replace virgin fossil-based elastomeric modifiers in commercial WPCs, thereby reducing the CO2 footprint by 23% and contributing to more efficient use of resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Biomedical Imaging and Therapy facility of the Canadian Light Source comprises two beamlines, which together cover a wide X‐ray energy range from 13 keV up to 140 keV. The beamlines were designed with a focus on synchrotron applications in preclinical imaging and veterinary science as well as microbeam radiation therapy. While these remain a major part of the activities of both beamlines, a number of recent upgrades have enhanced the versatility and performance of the beamlines, particularly for high‐resolution microtomography experiments. As a result, the user community has been quickly expanding to include researchers in advanced materials, batteries, fuel cells, agriculture, and environmental studies. This article summarizes the beam properties, describes the endstations together with the detector pool, and presents several application cases of the various X‐ray imaging techniques available to users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Equine trigeminal-mediated headshaking is a painful neuropathic disorder comparable to trigeminal neuralgia in humans. The selective destruction of pain fibers within the trigeminal ganglion, called rhizotomy, is the surgical treatment of choice for idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia refractory to medical treatment in humans. The human trigeminal ganglion is enclosed by a dural recess called the Meckel's or trigeminal cave, in which the ganglion is surrounded by a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-filled subarachnoid space. During glycerol rhizotomy, glycerol is percutaneously injected in this CSF-filled space. Until now, information about the anatomy of the dural recess and the subarachnoid space surrounding the trigeminal ganglion is lacking in horses. The aim of this study was to explore if a CSF-filled subarachnoid space around the trigeminal ganglion exists in horses. Materials and methods: Six equine cadaver heads were investigated for CSF accumulation around the ganglion with a 3 Tesla MRI. After anatomical dissection to expose the trigeminal root, a polymer-based radiopaque contrast agent was injected through the porus trigeminus into the subarachnoid space (cisternography). The exact delineation and the volume of the contrast agent accumulation were determined on subsequent micro-computed tomographic scans and segmentation. Finally, the distribution of the contrast agent within the subarachnoid space was examined histologically in three specimens. Results: In all 12 specimens included in this study, the trigeminal ganglion was surrounded by a subarachnoid space forming a trigeminal cistern. The mean volume of the trigeminal cave in this study was 0.31 mL (±SD: 0.11 mL). Distribution of the contrast agent along the peripheral nerves (i.e., ophthalmic, maxillary and/or mandibular nerve) was observed in 7 out of 12 specimens. Discussion/conclusion: A subarachnoid space surrounding the trigeminal ganglion exists in the horse and could be targeted for glycerol rhizotomy in horses suffering from trigeminal-mediated headshaking. However, the clinical relevance of contrast agent distribution along the peripheral nerves remains to be assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During reservoir development process, the permeability of near wellbore zone decreases, and filtration characteristics of productive formations deteriorate due to anthropogenic impact for the primary and secondary improved oil recovery process and other technological operations. To restore and improve the productivity of wells in heterogeneous low-permeability terrigenous reservoirs, classic acid treatments are recommended. Aggressive secondary sedimentation or in other words, precipitation occurs during acid treatments in terrigenous reservoirs, confirming the effectiveness of putting wells into operation through the proposed chemical composition as the cleaning and stimulating operations. Therefore, a comprehensive approach and methods of impact on the near wellbore zone are necessary, as these are multifactorial processes. This research is focused on developing effective technologies to improve technical means or compositions that restore well productivity by decolmatizing the formation and substantiating effective chemical compositions. The results of this work show that the proposed method and chemical reagent highly improved the permeability of near wellbore zone and as a result increased the productivity index of the well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to design, print, and examine elastic properties of porous structures with various parameters and beam distributions. These structures, generated using an algorithm, featured three types of lattices: octet, cubic, and Voronoi diagram-based, with different porosities (40%, 60%, 80%) and beam sizes (0.45mm, 0.66mm). They were printed using Direct Light Processing and examined using X-ray computed microtomography. Compression tests were conducted to determine the Young's modulus. The results were compared with computer simulations performed using Abaqus. The tools used, such as 3D printing and X-ray computed microtomography, were described, and the results and conclusions of the tests were presented. As a result, comparable outcomes were obtained for structures with higher beam diameter, while significantly different results were observed for structures with lower beam diameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fossils are valuable indicators of the evolutionary history of the clades to which they belong to, especially when they are incorporated as terminal taxa in a total‐evidence phylogeny. According to their state of preservation, fossils are often incompletely described for key morphological characters, such as genitalic structures. Here, the internal parts of the genitalia of a male fossil cricket from Cretaceous amber, †Picogryllus carentonensis Josse & Desutter‐Grandcolas (Oecanthidae, Podoscirtinae), together with other key morphological characters (i.e., metanotal structures and tibial spurs), were reconstructed for the first time by 3D microtomography. Total‐evidence phylogeny and dating combining morphological data (fossils and extant taxa), molecular data (extant taxa only) and time calibration (fossil dates) were performed to evaluate the tempo and mode of evolution of the cricket family Oecanthidae. Divergence time estimates were thus refined and the patterns of transformation for key morphological structures contrasted through the analysis of phylogenetic morphological partitions. Our results show that Oecanthidae date back to the Upper Jurassic (Oxfordian, around 162 Ma) and attest to the presence of the Podoscirtinae in Western Europe during the Lower Cretaceous. Morphological evolution may have been driven by the conquest of new resources (as shown by leg evolution in ancestral Oecanthidae) and/or the 'conquest of silence' (as shown by repetitive and definitive losses of acoustic structures). By contrast, genitalia evolution proved more diffuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to design, print, and examine elastic properties of porous structures with various parameters and beam distributions. These structures, generated using an algorithm, featured three types of lattices: octet, cubic, and Voronoi diagram-based, with different porosities (40 %, 60 %, 80 %) and beam sizes (0.45 mm, 0.66 mm). They were printed using Direct Light Processing and examined using X-ray computed microtomography. Compression tests were conducted to determine the Young’s modulus. The results were compared with computer simulations performed using Abaqus. The tools used, such as 3D printing and X-ray computed microtomography, were described, and the results and conclusions of the tests were presented. As a result, comparable outcomes were obtained for structures with higher beam diameter, while significantly different results were observed for structures with lower beam diameter.

This study aims to recover carotenes from crude palm oil, which are typically destroyed during refining, despite their high nutritional value and vitamin activity. The proposed approach involves the continuous adsorption of carotenes from crude palm oil onto polymeric resins, specifically Diaion HP-20. To evaluate the adsorption process, breakthrough experiments were conducted using solutions consisting of 10% oil and 90% isopropanol (w/w) at a temperature of 313 K. The experimental data obtained from the breakthrough experiments were successfully predicted by a Linear Driving Force (LDF) model, indicating its adequacy in describing the adsorption process. The shape of the breakthrough curve was found to be significantly influenced by the variation in axial dispersion (Dax). The estimated mass transfer coefficient (KL) varied from 2.25 for the fresh resin to 1.31 min−1 for the two-times regenerated, and the diffusion in the adsorbate (DH) was 0.0202 mm2/min; the average capacity of the solid phase was 0.78, 0.76 and 0.72 mg/g for fresh, one-time and two-time regenerated resins, respectively. FTIR analysis provided evidence of the formation of ester bonds between the polymeric resin and the oil, confirming the occurrence of chemical interactions during the adsorption process. MicroCT analysis indicates the presence of intraparticle diffusion phenomena within the resin. A notable outcome of this study was the potential for reusing the polymeric resin for multiple cycles without a significant loss in its adsorptive capacity. This suggests the feasibility and promising nature of removing carotenes from crude palm oil through the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the influence of different preparation tapers on the reduction in planktonic bacteria and biofilms of Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans in the apical third (4 mm) of the mesial roots of mandibular molars, correlating decontamination with canal shape. Methodology: After microtomography analysis for morphological standardization of the canals, 48 mandibular molar roots, each containing two canals (96 canals), were contaminated with E. faecalis and C. albicans and divided into four groups (n = 11) for canal instrumentation using ProDesign Logic 2 files with different tapers G (.03): # 25.03; G (.04): # 25.04; G (.05): # 25.05; and G (.06): # 25.06 and irrigation with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite. Four roots were examined under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to qualitatively assess biofilm formation. Eight roots were used as the negative control group (samples were not contaminated). Bacteriological samples were taken exclusively from the apical third of the roots before and after chemical–mechanical preparation and bacterial counts were determined (CFU/mL). The final micro‐CT scan was used to quantify the volume variation and unprepared canal area in the apical third. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal–Wallis, Student–Newman–Keuls and Wilcoxon tests for analysis of microbiological data. anova and the Tukey or Games–Howell test were used for analysis of micro‐CT data and Spearman's test for correlations (α = 5%). Results: All groups showed a significant reduction in bacteria (p <.05), with no statistically significant difference between groups. There was no significant difference in per cent volume increase between groups. The unprepared area (Δ%) was affected by the file used (p =.026) and was significantly lower for G (.06) compared to G (.03). There was no statistically significant correlation among bacterial reduction, volume and unprepared area (p >.05). Conclusion: The different preparation tapers influenced root canal shaping in the apical third but did not improve decontamination in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increasing number of CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing) hybrid materials have been introduced to the dental market in recent years. In addition, CAD/CAM hybrid materials for additive manufacturing (AM) are becoming more attractive in digital dentistry. Studies on material microstructures using micro-computed tomography (µ-CT) combined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) have only been available to a limited extent so far. One CAD/CAM three-dimensional- (3D-) printable hybrid material (VarseoSmile Crown plus) and two CAD/CAM millable hybrid materials (Vita Enamic; Voco Grandio), as well as one direct composite material (Ceram.x duo), were included in the present study. Cylindrical samples with a diameter of 2 mm were produced from each material and investigated by means of synchrotron radiation µ-CT at a voxel size of 0.65 µm. Different samples from the same materials, obtained by cutting and polishing, were investigated by SEM. The 3D-printed hybrid material showed some agglomerations and a more irregular distribution of fillers, as well as a visible layered macrostructure and a few spherical pores due to the printing process. The CAD/CAM millable hybrid materials revealed a more homogenous distribution of ceramic particles. The direct composite material showed multiple air bubbles and microstructural irregularities based on manual processing. The µ-CT and SEM analysis of the materials revealed different microstructures even though they belong to the same class of materials. It could be shown that µ-CT and SEM imaging are valuable tools to understand microstructure and related mechanical properties of materials. • µ-CT and SEM imaging are valuable tools to understand material microstructure. • Mechanical properties might be derivable from the microstructure of the material. • Deviations from a homogeneous microstructure may influence material properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the feasibility of using neutron tomography to gain new knowledge of human articular cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis (OA). Different sample preparation techniques were evaluated to identify maximum intra-tissue contrast. Human articular cartilage samples from 14 deceased donors (18–75 years, 9 males, 5 females) and 4 patients undergoing total knee replacement due to known OA (all female, 61–75 years) were prepared using different techniques: control in saline, treated with heavy water saline, fixed and treated in heavy water saline, and fixed and dehydrated with ethanol. Neutron tomographic imaging (isotropic voxel sizes from 7.5 to 13.5 µm) was performed at two large scale facilities. The 3D images were evaluated for gradients in hydrogen attenuation as well as compared to images from absorption X-ray tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and histology. Cartilage was distinguishable from background and other tissues in neutron tomographs. Intra-tissue contrast was highest in heavy water-treated samples, which showed a clear gradient from the cartilage surface to the bone interface. Increased neutron flux or exposure time improved image quality but did not affect the ability to detect gradients. Samples from older donors showed high variation in gradient profile, especially from donors with known OA. Neutron tomography is a viable technique for specialized studies of cartilage, particularly for quantifying properties relating to the hydrogen density of the tissue matrix or water movement in the tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Long-term exposure to antiepileptics causes adverse effects on bone metabolism, but the available English literature regarding fracture healing is limited. In his study, we compare the effects of carbamazepine and levetiracetam on fracture healing. Material and Method: Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups of ten. Carbamazepine and levetiracetam were administered to rats in the first (CAR) andsecond group (LEV), respectively; the third group (CONT) served as the control group. Drug administration was started four weeks before fracture model establishment. Then a closed fracture was created and fixed. In each group, half of the rats were sacrificed at 4 weeks and then at 6 weeks. All femurs were evaluated with plain radiography using radiographic union scale in tibial (RUST) fractures scoring, Lane & Sandhu scoring. Besides microtomography (micro-CT), and histological Huo scoring was performed. Results: Radiological scores were superior in all groups in the sixth week than in the fourth week (p<0.01). The group with the lowest bone mineral density (BMD) was the CAR group, followed by the LEV group in the 4"' and 6'1' weeks (p<0.01). The callus mineralization rate was lower in the drug groups in the 4th week (p=0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups at 6 weeks in micro-CT analysis (p=0.54). Histologic scores were similar to micro-CT in the 4"' week, but the carbamazepine group had the lowest scores in the. 6lh week (p<0.01). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that carbamazepine and levetiracetam adversely affect the early period of fracture healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bushizheia yangi O'Flynn & Liu, a euarthropod from the lower Cambrian (Series 2, Stage 3) Chengjiang Konservat‐Lagerstätte, possesses both raptorial frontal appendages sharing traits with stem‐group euarthropods, and deuteropodan characters shared by all extant euarthropods (e.g. dorsal arthrodization and arthropodization of all limbs). Microtomography of new specimens of B. yangi shows previously unknown details of head morphology: a six‐segmented head composed of an ocular segment that carries diminutive paired stalked eyes, a post‐ocular segment with deutocerebral frontal appendages, and four subsequent cephalic segments each bearing a pair of appendages. The phylogenetic position of B. yangi in the euarthropod stem‐group adds support to a six‐segmented head being an ancestral state for Deuteropoda. This study also reports the first occurrence of possible eggs closely associated with B. yangi. The homology of raptorial frontal appendages between lower stem‐group euarthropod radiodonts and deuteropods (i.e. upper stem and crown‐group euarthropods) is strengthened by similarity and phylogenetic continuity between B. yangi, its likely sister taxon Kiisortoqia soperi Stein, from the Sirius Passet Konservat‐Lagerstätte, and other euarthropod taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionEquine trigeminal-mediated headshaking is a painful neuropathic disorder comparable to trigeminal neuralgia in humans. The selective destruction of pain fibers within the trigeminal ganglion, called rhizotomy, is the surgical treatment of choice for idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia refractory to medical treatment in humans. The human trigeminal ganglion is enclosed by a dural recess called the Meckel’s or trigeminal cave, in which the ganglion is surrounded by a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-filled subarachnoid space. During glycerol rhizotomy, glycerol is percutaneously injected in this CSF-filled space. Until now, information about the anatomy of the dural recess and the subarachnoid space surrounding the trigeminal ganglion is lacking in horses. The aim of this study was to explore if a CSF-filled subarachnoid space around the trigeminal ganglion exists in horses.Materials and methodsSix equine cadaver heads were investigated for CSF accumulation around the ganglion with a 3 Tesla MRI. After anatomical dissection to expose the trigeminal root, a polymer-based radiopaque contrast agent was injected through the porus trigeminus into the subarachnoid space (cisternography). The exact delineation and the volume of the contrast agent accumulation were determined on subsequent micro-computed tomographic scans and segmentation. Finally, the distribution of the contrast agent within the subarachnoid space was examined histologically in three specimens.ResultsIn all 12 specimens included in this study, the trigeminal ganglion was surrounded by a subarachnoid space forming a trigeminal cistern. The mean volume of the trigeminal cave in this study was 0.31 mL (±SD: 0.11 mL). Distribution of the contrast agent along the peripheral nerves (i.e., ophthalmic, maxillary and/or mandibular nerve) was observed in 7 out of 12 specimens.Discussion/conclusionA subarachnoid space surrounding the trigeminal ganglion exists in the horse and could be targeted for glycerol rhizotomy in horses suffering from trigeminal-mediated headshaking. However, the clinical relevance of contrast agent distribution along the peripheral nerves remains to be assessed.

This study evaluates various methods for estimating soil permeability using microtomography-derived data and compares them to the conventional laboratory approaches. Different methods, including measurement in custom-designed permeameter at micro-CT-compatible scale, empirical equations, simulated sifting, semi-theoretical equations, pore-network modeling, and lattice-Boltzmann simulations, were applied to samples of sandy soils with distinct microstructural properties. The empirical equations showed varied results, highly dependent on the method chosen. The simulated sifting method was able to adequately estimate the granulometric properties of the soil, allowing the use of empirical permeability formulations for substantially small samples. Semi-theoretical equations based on the microstructural properties presented reasonable agreement for some samples. The pore-network modeling approach demonstrated computational efficiency but lacked accuracy. The lattice-Boltzmann method required significant computational resources but did not provide substantially closer alignment with the measured hydraulic properties of some samples. None of the simulations was able to properly determine the permeability of silty and organically contaminated sand. The study highlights the complexity of permeability estimation, emphasizing the need for choosing volumes of interest, resolution of micro-CT scans, and methods that match specific soil characteristics and available computational resources.

Artifacts in computed tomography and X-ray microtomography are image distortions caused by various factors. Some can be reduced before or during the examination, while others are removed algorithmically after image acquisition. The latter group includes metallic artifacts caused by metal objects in the sample. This paper proposes a new method for eliminating metallic artifacts, applying a bone- and soft-tissue decomposition (BSTD) algorithm to microtomography raw data before the reconstruction process. We show that the decomposition algorithm can effectively remove metallic artifacts in microCT images, which increases the image contrast and allows for better visualization of regions near the metallic elements. For quantity analysis, we computed SSIM and PSNR factors, and we observed values increasing from 0.97 to 0.99 and from 40 dB to 43 dB, respectively.

This article presents the results of petrophysical analyses of limestones and sandstones used for the construction of the wall structures of a Roman rural settlement located in Podšilo Bay on Rab Island (Croatia). An on-site analysis of the walls indicated the use of different lithotypes, which is an uncommon case in the area. So far, no petrophysical properties of the applied materials have been tested, and their provenance has not been specified. The aim of this research was to determine their usability as construction materials in an attempt to determine the possible reasons behind the usage of multiple lithotypes and their suitability as building materials. The following procedure was used to address these issues: (1) determination of the petrographic characteristics of the rocks, (2) performance of tests to characterise the mechanical properties in a complex stress state of uniaxial tension followed by uniaxial and triaxial compression, and, finally, (3) determination of the internal structure of the rocks using methods based on X-ray imaging. Multi-proxy characteristics of the materials including numerous observations and methods were performed: optical microscopy used to characterise rock petrography and mineralogy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with EDS, as well as grinding tests; furthermore, mechanical properties were determined on cylindrical samples in accordance with European standards. X-ray microtomography using the XμCT method enabled microscopic observations and determination of the orientation of discontinuities and the rock structure. The performed analyses allowed us to distinguish three lithological types of sandstone and two types of limestone among the examined stone blocks. Stone blocks of fine- and medium-grained sandstone with carbonate binders, as well as sparitic limestone and mudstone with calcite veins, were used to build the studied structures. The analysed blocks showed traces of partial edge processing. Despite the defects in the material structure identified using XμCT, all the types of rock were characterised by high or very high strength. High values of longitudinal wave velocity confirmed the good quality of the material. These results contribute to a better understanding of the construction process and the related technological choices, and they provide the first dataset which can be used for the reconstruction of the building's original appearance in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of manufacturing conditions on the mechanical properties and structure of ABS parts. Two sets of samples with the same geometric characteristics were produced by Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) and injection molding (IM). The molding pressure and cooling rate were found to have a significant effect on shaping the mechanical properties and structure of ABS products. The manufacturing method and adopted process parameters have a significant impact on the degree of packing of macromolecules in the volume of the product, and thus determine its density. Selected mechanical properties were determined and compared with their specific gravity. The research was carried out using tools and machines, i.e. injection molds of unique design and standard measuring stations. Tensile and bending strengths and Young's modulus were related to the density of products obtained under different process conditions and having gradient and solid structures. The results provide useful information for engineers designing products using FDM technology. Relating tensile and flexural strength and Young's modulus to the specific gravity of the product. It was found that the value of product properties is closely related to various process conditions, which further provides a true description of the products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fossil insects are valuable indicators of the evolutionary history of the clades to which they belong. According to their state of preservation, fossil insects are often partially described for key morphological characters, such as forewing venation in crickets (Orthoptera, Grylloidea). In parallel, the use of 3D microtomography is increasingly becoming common for studying some fossils, which allowed here the precise reconstruction and interpretation of the venation pattern in the smallest known cricket with a stridulatory apparatus, †Picogryllus carentonensis, found in opaque amber. The 3D reconstructions have revealed the general structure of the venation of the forewing and have enabled the identification of all its veins and cells, validating its similarity with that of extant crickets. Putative homologies are established according to previous studies, and some particularities are observed, such as the presence of two crossveins in the mirror, a rare feature in extant crickets that is discussed in the frame of cricket venation evolution. These findings highlight the importance of 3D microtomography as a powerful tool for examining fossil insects and also provide crucial information for taxonomic identification and evolutionary studies, offering a validated morphological basis for future phylogenetic analyses incorporating fossils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite strontium ranelate use in osteoporosis management being one of the promising concepts in disease treatment, there is no clear evidence that strontium organic compounds are more effective than inorganic ones. The aim of this study was to compare strontium chlorate and strontium ranelate influence on the mice bone microarchitecture. We investigated whether strontium chlorate (7.532 mmol/L) and strontium ranelate (7.78 mmol/L) solutions fed to healthy SWISS growing mice (n = 42) had an influence on the percent of bone volume (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), number of trabeculae (Tb.N), and separation between each trabecula (Tb.Sp) in the chosen ROI (region of interest) in the distal metaphysis of the left femurs. The cortical bone surface was examined close to the ROI proximal scan. There was an increase in each examined parameter compared with the control group. There were no statistical differences between strontium ranelate and strontium chlorate parameters. Our study indicates that organic and inorganic strontium compounds similarly affect the bone microarchitecture and strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract While not generally used for relatively flat structures, X‐ray microtomography can provide decisive insights for comparative anatomy and evolutionary studies of flat structures, thereby solving long‐standing ecological and evolutionary issues. This is particularly true for the study of insect wings, organs that have played a central role in the evolution and ecological success of insects, the first organisms to develop powered flight. We present the challenges inherent in studying insect wings by microtomography, as well as solutions to overcome them. We highlight the impact of insect preparation (i.e. dry or ethanol‐preserved specimens, complete specimens or only part of the wings, wings stained with iodine or with a 0.3% solution of phosphotungtic acid—PTA) and of the acquisition mode (phase contrast or not), on scan quality and ease of interpretation. We compare our results with those obtained by more ‘traditional’ techniques, based on examination of the wings with a binocular or SEM microscope. We show that X‐ray microtomography is effective in establishing vein homologies—a crucial step in many evolutionary studies in insects—by accessing the internal structures of the wing base itself, where veins originate. It can also be used for difficult tasks such as distinguishing between crossveins and main veins, establishing vein polarity (i.e. concave vs. convex veins) or vein fusions, situations that complicate the establishment of vein homology hypotheses and the completion of subsequent evolutionary studies. Unstained, ethanol‐preserved specimens give the least conclusive results, while dry specimens and ethanol‐preserved wings stained with PTA give the best results. We show that 3D tools provide crucial insights for the study of insect wings, illustrating how CT‐scan tools may contribute to a change in dimension, introducing quantification and functional approaches and hopefully stimulating new studies for other seemingly 2D organs in several other fields, including plant studies. We highlight, nonetheless, that this tool must be used in coordination with more traditional observational techniques, at least for insect wings, to provide a more complete picture of these fundamental organs.

We investigated the interfaces of the epiphyseal plate with over‐ and underlying bone segments using an integrated approach of histochemistry, microtomography and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to overcome the inherent limitations of sections‐based techniques. Microtomography was able to provide an unobstructed, frontal view of large expanses of the two bone surfaces facing the growth plate, while SEM observation after removal of the soft matrix granted an equally unhindered access with a higher resolution. The two interfaces appeared widely dissimilar. On the diaphyseal side the hypertrophic chondrocytes were arranged in tall columns packed in a sort of compact palisade; the interposed extracellular matrix was actively calcifying into a thick mineralized crust growing towards the epiphysis. Behind the mineralization front, histochemical data revealed a number of surviving cartilage islets which were being slowly remodelled into bone. In contrast, the epiphyseal side of the cartilage consisted of a relatively quiescent reserve zone whose mineralization was marginal in amount and discontinuous in extension; the epiphyseal bone consisted of a loose trabecular meshwork, with ample vascular spaces opening directly into the non‐mineralized cartilage. On both sides the calcification process took place through the formation of spheroidal bodies 1–2 μm wide which gradually grew by apposition and coalesced into a solid mass, in a way distinctly different from that of bone and other calcified tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proximal caudal vertebrae and notochord in thick-toed geckos (TG) (Chondrodactylus turneri, Gray, 1864) were investigated after a 30-day space flight onboard the biosatellite Bion-M1. This region has not been explored in previous studies. Our research focused on finding sites most affected by demineralization caused by microgravity (G0). We used X-ray phase-contrast tomography to study TG samples without invasive prior preparation to clarify our previous findings on the resistance of TG's bones to demineralization in G0. The results of the present study confirmed that geckos are capable of preserving bone mass after flight, as neither cortical nor trabecular bone volume fraction showed statistically significant changes after flight. On the other hand, we observed a clear decrease in the mineralization of the notochordal septum and a substantial rise in intercentrum volume following the flight. To monitor TG's mineral metabolism in G0, we propose to measure the volume of mineralized tissue in the notochordal septum. This technique holds promise as a sensitive approach to track the demineralization process in G0, given that the volume of calcification within the septum is limited, making it easy to detect even slight changes in mineral content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of manufacturing conditions on the mechanical properties and structure of ABS parts. Two sets of samples with the same geometric characteristics were produced by fused deposition modelling (FDM) and injection molding (IM). The molding pressure and cooling rate were found to have a significant effect on shaping the mechanical properties and structure of ABS products. The manufacturing method and adopted process parameters have a significant impact on the degree of packing of macromolecules in the volume of the product and thus determine its density. Selected mechanical properties were determined and compared with their specific gravity. The research was carried out using tools and machines, i.e. injection molds of unique design and standard measuring stations. Tensile and bending strengths and Young’s modulus were related to the density of products obtained under different process conditions and having gradient and solid structures. The results provide useful information for engineers designing products using FDM technology. Relating tensile and flexural strength and Young’s modulus to the specific gravity of the product. It was found that the value of product properties is closely related to various process conditions, which further provides a true description of the products.

ABSTRACTAim The aim of this study was to investigate variations in the root canal morphology of human mandibular premolars using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT).Methods Three-dimensional images of 150 extract mandibular premolars were obtained using micro-CT. The root canal configurations were analyzed using Vertucci´s classification, volume and area of apical segment and considering the total canal length. The root canal length and apical diameter were two-dimensionally analyzed.Results The teeth were classified in the following Vertucci´s types: I (67.3%), V (16.7%), III (10%), IV (2.7%), VII (1.3%), and II (0.7%) with 1,3% not classifiable. The mean for the total length was 12.63 ± 2.20. The mean volume was 7.64 ± 5.68 mm3 for the total length and 0.89 ± 1.34 mm3 for the apical segment (5 mm). The area at 5 mm from the apical foramen was 10.57 ± 4.33 mm3 and the apical diameter was 1.68 ± 0.72 mm. Apical deltas were found in 4.7%. Lateral canals were observed in 8% and secondary in 14.7% of the teeth, with 4.7% having both a lateral canal and a secondary canal. Branches were found in 44% of the elements. Two-dimensional data showed that the mean of the total lengh and the apical diameters of the canals were 12.63 mm and 1.68 mm, respectively.Conclusion There was a high prevalence of complex morphology through the canal and variations at the apical critical zone in mandibular premolars.

While not generally used for relatively flat structures, X‐ray microtomography can provide decisive insights for comparative anatomy and evolutionary studies of flat structures, thereby solving long‐standing ecological and evolutionary issues. This is particularly true for the study of insect wings, organs that have played a central role in the evolution and ecological success of insects, the first organisms to develop powered flight.We present the challenges inherent in studying insect wings by microtomography, as well as solutions to overcome them. We highlight the impact of insect preparation (i.e. dry or ethanol‐preserved specimens, complete specimens or only part of the wings, wings stained with iodine or with a 0.3% solution of phosphotungtic acid—PTA) and of the acquisition mode (phase contrast or not), on scan quality and ease of interpretation. We compare our results with those obtained by more 'traditional' techniques, based on examination of the wings with a binocular or SEM microscope.We show that X‐ray microtomography is effective in establishing vein homologies—a crucial step in many evolutionary studies in insects—by accessing the internal structures of the wing base itself, where veins originate. It can also be used for difficult tasks such as distinguishing between crossveins and main veins, establishing vein polarity (i.e. concave vs. convex veins) or vein fusions, situations that complicate the establishment of vein homology hypotheses and the completion of subsequent evolutionary studies. Unstained, ethanol‐preserved specimens give the least conclusive results, while dry specimens and ethanol‐preserved wings stained with PTA give the best results.We show that 3D tools provide crucial insights for the study of insect wings, illustrating how CT‐scan tools may contribute to a change in dimension, introducing quantification and functional approaches and hopefully stimulating new studies for other seemingly 2D organs in several other fields, including plant studies. We highlight, nonetheless, that this tool must be used in coordination with more traditional observational techniques, at least for insect wings, to provide a more complete picture of these fundamental organs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, numerical simulations on 3D images of Dalbergia ruddae wood are used to analyze the influence of porosity characteristics on the fluid flow through it. Image acquisition was performed with X-ray computed tomography. Flow throughout the three main directions, longitudinal, radial and tangential is estimated by numerical simulation inside sapwood and heartwood tissue. Numerical simulations were performed on images of wood tissue without vessels, only vessels and the complete wood tissue by virtual separation of each phase. Results indicate that flow through the vessels is obstructed by the presence of gums, which reduces their permeability in the longitudinal direction, causing flow in that direction to be conducted through gaps in the fibers and parenchyma. In the radial direction, gums do not hinder flow within the vessel unlike in the tangential direction. The estimation of permeability in the segmented tissues indicates the null contribution of the vessel when is obstructed by gums and the high contribution of the axial parenchyma to the flow of fluid encapsulated in a vessel. Flow lines illustrate the flow pathways throughout the woody tissue, which made it possible to highlight the flow problem in this species as vessel-encapsulated flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to develop a recipe for vegan muffins using wheat flour (100%) and a blend of whole-grain spelt flour (50%) and wheat flour (50%) enriched with microalgae (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% (g/100 g flour)). Replacing wheat flour with whole-grain spelt flour and adding microalgae while eliminating egg white from a recipe can affect the rheological properties of the dough and also the microstructure and texture of the muffins. The study analyzed the effects of the type of flour and the addition of microalgae on the rheological properties of the raw dough, measured through the oscillatory method, as well as the texture and microstructure, determined via X-ray microtomography. Additionally, the sensorial quality of the muffins was analyzed. The use of spelt flour in the formulation of muffins affected the rheological properties of the dough irrespective of the addition of microalgae. The dough made with spelt flour exhibited higher viscosity (consistency coefficient (K) was 74.7 Pa·sn), but it was more cohesive and less springy compared to the dough made with wheat flour alone, which had a K = 58.3 Pa·sn. Incorporating a mixture of spelt and wheat flour along with a 1.5% addition of microalgae made the dough more viscous (K = 118.6 Pa·sn), leading to a fine, porous microstructure (porosity was 69.7%) and a crumbly texture (hardness was 52.2 N) in the muffins. On the other hand, the wheat flour dough with 1.5% microalgae had a consistency coefficient of 69.3 Pa·sn, while the muffin porosity was 67.1% and the hardness 61.8 N. The microstructure had a strong effect on the texture of the muffin crumb. The new wheat flour products with microalgae exhibited a higher proportion of closed pores in their microstructure, whereas samples containing spelt flour and microalgae showed the opposite trend, with more open pores. The greatest difference in closed pores was observed with the addition of 1.5% of microalgae (33.4% in wheat muffins and 26.9% in spelled muffins). The presence of closed porosity contributed to the harder and less consistent texture observed in the muffins. However, despite the instrumental evaluation results, all the new products were accepted by consumers in terms of appearance, taste, and overall quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In modern dental practice, treatment of early stages of caries is possible using minimally invasive intervention. In this work, using X-ray computed microtomography (micro-CT), an ex vivo non-destructive study of the density of white spot lesions was carried out before and after the application of a polymer infiltrant. The use of a calibration phantom during microtomography of samples, as well as the technique of segmenting regions of interest on caries foci after reconstruction of microtomograms of teeth, made it possible to study the quantitative effect of the infiltrant on pathologically altered enamel.

Methane (CH4) hydrate dissociation and CH4 release are potential geohazards currently investigated using X-ray computed tomography (XCT). Image segmentation is an important data processing step for this type of research. However, it is often time consuming, computing resource-intensive, operator-dependent, and tailored for each XCT dataset due to differences in greyscale contrast. In this paper, an investigation is carried out using U-Nets, a class of Convolutional Neural Network, to segment synchrotron XCT images of CH4-bearing sand during hydrate formation, and extract porosity and CH4 gas saturation. Three U-Net deployments previously untried for this task are assessed: (1) a bespoke 3D hierarchical method, (2) a 2D multi-label, multi-axis method and (3) RootPainter, a 2D U-Net application with interactive corrections. U-Nets are trained using small, targeted hand-annotated datasets to reduce operator time. It was found that the segmentation accuracy of all three methods surpass mainstream watershed and thresholding techniques. Accuracy slightly reduces in low-contrast data, which affects volume fraction measurements, but errors are small compared with gravimetric methods. Moreover, U-Net models trained on low-contrast images can be used to segment higher-contrast datasets, without further training. This demonstrates model portability, which can expedite the segmentation of large datasets over short timespans.

Complex biological systems often provide ready solutions for contemporary engineering. One such organism might be sponges, primitive, tissueless animals whose evolution over 600 million years has allowed them to become highly specialized. An example of such an organism is the freshwater sponge Spongilla lacustris L., an organism that filters water. This study aimed to investigate the 3D structure of the aforementioned sponge using a broad spectrum of techniques such as Microcomputed Tomography (µCT), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM), and Light Microscopy. Additionally, these techniques have been used to correlate sponge architecture with mechanical properties using the concept of tensegrity, i.e., the feature of architectural structures that self-stabilize by balancing multidirectional, often opposing, tensile and compressive forces. A more detailed look at the structure of the sponge skeleton reveals that it is based on two elements: rigid siliceous spicules, chitin in in fibres with cementing collagen-type spongin material. The coexistence of these elements in the sponge structure determines the mechanical properties and, consequently, the sponge skeleton’s postulated tensegrity. Our observations indicate that the integrity of loose megascleres is realized by sponging material surrounding the bundles of spicules. Our distinction of skeletal elements was determined by the number of spicules in the bundle, the direction of spicule position relative to the main body axis, and the way the elements were connected. The arrangement of the bundles described above has important implications for the mechanical properties of the sponge skeleton and, consequently, for the tensegrity hypothesis.

During the last decades, the analytical techniques of X-ray absorption contrast imaging have systematically gained greater relevance, mainly due to the ability to attain non-destructive exploration the sample interior. The significant improvement in spatial resolution offered by X-ray micro-tomography, as compared to conventional computed tomography, has motivated its insertion in many biomedical fields, among which dentistry stands out. Particularly, for endodontics, microCT appears as a method of remarkable potential interest to study procedures involved in root canal treatments, where one of the main needs is the anatomical characterization of the root canal in the teeth. The present work reports on the adaptation of the micro CT equipment of the LIIFAMIRx⃝laboratory at the E. Gaviola Physics Institute, CONICET and UNC, thus allowing to acquire radiographic images of dental samples of interest, to be later used in the implementation of algorithms, intended to tomographic reconstruction and volume segmentation. As a result, radiographic images of premolar teeth were obtained with good contrast between the different materials present, and three-dimensional representations, whose visualization is comparable with the real samples. Moreover, it was possible to characterize the root canal volume of the tooth both in its natural form and after having undergone the instrumentation process in which the pulp tissue is extracted.

In the last years, microtomography has proved to be a powerful technique on insects' studies, allowing a detailed view of the structures' internal with a high resolution. One of the most important advantages about the use of microtomography in these studies is the fact that the dissection is not necessary, which decreases considerably the number of samples used on the insects' research. Some insects are used constantly in studies about morphology, metamorphosis, and reproduction, because they work as a model for others, and Rhodnius prolixus is one of the most studied in this group. This insect is also one of the main insect vectors of Chagas disease that kills around 12,000 people every year in Latin America. Some studies using laboratory microtomography conventional scanners combining with the correct staining methods have proved that it could be a powerful tool in biological research, allowing the visualisation of low‐density tissues. The main goal of the present work was to use staining protocols to study Rhodnius prolixus with laboratory microtomography conventional scanners. The experiments were carried out at the imaging lab in the Theoretical Biology Department, University of Vienna, using an Xradia MicroXCT and at the University of Oslo, using a Skyscan 2211. LAY DESCRIPTION: Microtomography is a technique widely used to study the inside of insects without the need to cut or dissect them. In this work we used this technique to study an insect called Rhodnius prolixus, well known in Latin America for being the main vector of Chagas disease, which kills around 12,000 people a year. Microtomography can be used in two different ways, through particle accelerators, known as a synchrotron, and also through conventional microtomography. The main objective of this work was to show results of conventional microtomography of Rhodnius prolixus through different staining techniques, to visualize its internal anatomy and thus contribute to future studies of pest control and Chagas disease. The measurements were performed at the University of Vienna and at the University of Oslo [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural bioinspiration in modern material science and biomimetics represents an actual trend that was originally based on the bioarchitectural diversity of invertebrate skeletons, specifically, honeycomb constructs of natural origin, which have been in humanities focus since ancient times. We conducted a study on the principles of bioarchitecture regarding the unique biosilica-based honeycomb-like skeleton of the deep-sea glass sponge Aphrocallistes beatrix. Experimental data show, with compelling evidence, the location of actin filaments within honeycomb-formed hierarchical siliceous walls. Principles of the unique hierarchical organization of such formations are discussed. Inspired by poriferan honeycomb biosilica, we designed diverse models, including 3D printing, using PLA-, resin-, and synthetic-glass-prepared corresponding microtomography-based 3D reconstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The present study aimed to determine and compare the dentine thickness around the root canals of maxillary molars with fusion using micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT). Methodology: A total of 120 fused maxillary molars having more than a single canal with distinct canal orifices near the cementoenamel junction were selected from a pool of extracted maxillary molars, which were scanned on a micro‐CT device (SkyScan 1172, Bruker‐microCT). The minimum dentine thickness around the root canals in furcal direction was measured using CTAn software (v.1.18.8 Bruker‐microCT) at each millimetre. The specimens were grouped according to their fusion type, and dentine thickness around the canals was compared. The data were statistically analysed using anova and post hoc Tukey–Kramer tests following an assessment of the normality of their distribution with the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test (p <.05). Results: Dentine thickness showed a statistically significant decrease at 2 mm apical to the orifice level irrespective of fusion type. The minimum dentine thickness values were detected around the second mesiobuccal canal as 0.30 mm at 6 mm below orifice. Dentine thickness around the mesiobuccal canal was significantly greater in fusion type 1 than those of types 2 and 3 (p <.05), while those of distobuccal and palatal canals were significantly thinner in type 3 fusion compared with type 1 or 6 (pDentine thickness showed a statistically significant decrease at 2 mm apical to the orifice level irrespective of fusion type. The minimum dentine thickness values were detected around the second mesiobuccal canal as 0.30 mm at 6 mm below orifice. Dentine thickness around the mesiobuccal canal was significantly greater in fusion type 1 than those of types 2 and 3 (Conclusion: Minimum dentine thickness values at the danger zone of distobuccal and palatal canals change according to the fusion type in fused maxillary second molars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synchrotron radiation microcomputed tomography (SR‐μCT) can provide non‐destructive three‐dimensional investigation for soft tissue with high resolution. The aim of this study is to evaluate technical improvements in microcomputed tomographic imaging of human lung tissue using a synchrotron radiation source at the 6C biomedical beamline. SR‐μCT images of excised human lung tissue (6 mm vertically and 10 mm horizontally sized) were explored at the 6C biomedical beamline in the Pohang accelerator laboratory (Pohang, Republic of Korea) using phase retrieval methods with a modified Bronnikov algorithm. Experimental data collection was performed with changes in the following conditions: the presence of a graphite attenuator, sample to detector distance, the presence of different scintillators and increasing pixel sizes. We identified that the resolution of lung tissue images was sufficiently enhanced when the graphite attenuator was not applied, 550 mm of sample to detector distance, with Cadmium tungsten (CdWO4) scintillator and twice binning of the pixel data and could be comparable with images from pathologic examination. Refinement of SR‐μCT techniques for soft tissue originating from the human body would advance the potential clinical application of synchrotron radiation in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In oral and maxillofacial surgery, hard tissue augmentation is provided by materials that accelerate the healing, act as a template for reconstructing bony defects, and stimulate bone production and growth. This study investigated the effects of biocompatible carriers containing active vitamin D and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on bone defects created in rat calvaria. Material and Methods: This experimental animal study utilized fifty-two male Sprague Dawley rats divided into six groups and conducted histopathological, microtomographic, and biochemical comparisons by adding vitamin D, which has an accelerating effect on bone development. We examined the calvarial defects, sacrificing the rats in equal numbers (eight in each group and four to obtain PRP) at the first, second, fourth, and eighth weeks. The newly formed bone was assessed using histopathologic, microtomographic, and macroscopic methods as well as the biochemical analysis performed in the plasma samples. Expression of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), vitamin D receptor (VDR), and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B (RANK), which determine bone formation, were investigated. The amounts of ossification, bone volume, and mineral densities were significantly higher in the fourth and eighth weeks as the biocompatible material was delivered with calcitriol. Results: The histological and macroscopic examinations revealed that the defect area shrank and was colonized with new cells in the "calcitriol + chitosan + PRP" group. The expression of RANK, FGF23, and VDR antibodies was more intense in the "calcitriol + chitosan + PRP" group than in other groups of the experiment and controls. Conclusion: Active vitamin D, PRP, and chitosan formulation positively contributed to the repair of bone defects and induced remarkable clinical improvement. This new delivery approach could be promising for healing bone defects following surgical operations in hard bony tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We reassess the taxonomic assignment and stratigraphic context of a permanent upper first molar and a permanent lower third premolar recovered from the archeological site of Lezetxiki in the North of the Iberian Peninsula. Materials and Methods: We assessed the external and internal morphology of the teeth using qualitative descriptions, crown diameters, dental tissue proportions, and geometric morphometrics. The teeth from Lezetxiki were compared with Middle Pleistocene specimens, Neanderthals, Upper Paleolithic modern humans, and recent modern humans. Results: Both teeth were consistent with a Neanderthal classification. The upper first molar shows taurodontism, and its cusp proportions and overall morphology match those of Neanderthals. Geometric morphometric analyses of occlusal anatomy classify this molar as a Neanderthal with a posterior probability of 76%. The lower third premolar, which was originally classified as a lower fourth premolar, also shows a Neanderthal morphology. This premolar is classified as a Neanderthal with a posterior probability of 60%. Discussion: These teeth represent the only adult Neanderthal teeth from the Western Pyrenees region found to date. The teeth were found at a stratigraphic level (designated Level III) that marks the transition level from Mousterian to Aurignacian, and are among the most recent Neanderthal remains from the north of the Iberian Peninsula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Production of applicable and homogeneous biochar for soil amendment purposes would benefit from knowledge on how feedstock heterogeneity impacts key biochar pore properties and how the properties are transformed due to pyrolysis. This study aimed (1) to quantify how clonal differences and within-tree heterogeneity of a hybrid aspen feedstock (wood) impact biochar pore properties and (2) to estimate how pore properties of non-pyrolysed wood materials are transformed when pyrolysed into biochar. The study was conducted by collecting samples from a hybrid aspen (Populus tremula L. × Populus tremuloides Michx.) clonal field trial. Key pore properties of non-pyrolysed and pyrolysed wood samples were quantified with 3D X-ray imaging and quantitative image analyses. The results demonstrated how pyrolysis shifted distinctively bi-modal pore size distributions of the wood samples towards smaller pore size regions. The bi-modal wood tissue structure controlled the pore structure also in the biochars. Due to decreasing cell wall thicknesses, the pyrolysis increased the porosity of the materials. While the thermal process homogenized differences in the wall thicknesses, the thicknesses of the feedstock were also shown to control the resulting thicknesses in the biochars. Mechanisms of biochar pore property formation can be considered important when designing applicable biochars for a chosen purpose. Clonal differences and within-tree heterogeneity had a direct impact only on the wall thicknesses and the pore diameters of vessels. These impacts can be of interest when planning feedstock utilization in biochar production. However, the results suggest that relatively homogeneous biochar can be produced from hybrid aspen feedstocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The visualization of microfluidic chips is considered to study the morphology of the microfluidic channel surface and estimate the quality of 3D-printing technology based on digital light processing. Visualization is performed by X-ray microtomography using different iodine-based contrast agents and by scanning electron microscopy. It is shown that X-ray microtomography visualization makes it possible to control the quality of device printing relative to the geometrical parameters of the models specified at the device prototyping stage, as well as to visualize a 3D model of microfluidic channels and surface morphology. The spatial resolution of scanning electron microscopy exceeds the print pixel size and makes it possible to clarify the presence of local defects caused by uneven solidification of the resin during sample washing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The techniques of microtomography (Micro-CT), confocal laser scanner microscopy (CLSM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), nanoindentation - Vickers hardness (Nano-VH) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) are undeniably important to the modern study of bovine podiatry. These techniques are also employed in engineering, physics and in the assessment of biomaterials used in reconstructive or experimental surgeries in bovine and bubaline claws. Although studies involving these analyses are still inconspicuous in veterinary medicine, these technologies represent a new paradigm in this area, enabling the development of new lines of research. The objective of this review is to gather information about the microstructural aspects of bovine and bubaline claws, concerning the intratubular and extratubular keratin, which is responsible for the physical and mechanical structure of the claw capsule. This study elucidates different methods used to evaluate the hooves of healthy and sick animals through a micrometric analysis and nano-scale analyses. We would like to emphasise that the described techniques can be applied to study other species.

Background: The formation of concrements in human pineal gland (PG) is a physiological process and, according to many researchers, is associated with the involution of PG structures. The majority of scientific publications concern progressive calcification of PG, leaving out studies on the destruction of already formed calcified concrements. Our study fills the gap in knowledge about calcified zones destruction in PG in normal aging and neuropathological conditions, which has not been addressed until now. Purpose: Our objective is to gain insight into human PG tissue impairment in both normal aging and neurodegenerative conditions. X-ray phase-contrast tomography (XPCT) allowed us to study PG tissue degeneration at high spatial resolution and, for the first time, to examine the damaged PG concrements in detail. Our research finding could potentially enhance the understanding of the PG involvement in the process of aging as well as in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD). Methods: The research was carried out on human PG autopsy material in normal aging, VD, and AD conditions. Laboratory-based micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) was used to collect and evaluate samples of native, uncut, and unstained PG with different degrees of pineal calcification. The detailed high-resolution 3D images of the selected PGs were produced using synchrotron-based XPCT. Histology and immunohistochemistry of soft PG tissue confirmed XPCT results. Results: We performed via micro-CT the evaluation of the morphometric parameters of PG such as total sample volume, calcified concrements volume, and percentage of concrements in the total volume of the sample.XPCT imaging revealed high-resolution details of age-related PGalteration.In particular,we noted signs of moderate degradation of concrements in some PGs from elderly donors. In addition, our analysis revealed noticeable degenerative change in both concrements and soft tissue of PGs with neuropathology. In particular, we observed a hollow core and separated layers as well as deep ragged cracks in PG concrements of AD and VD samples. In parenchyma of some samples,we detected wide pinealocyte-free fluid-filled areas adjacent to the calcified zones. Conclusion: The present work provides the basis for future scientific research focused on the dynamic nature of PG calcium deposits and PG soft tissue in normal aging and neurodegenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]