Structural Arrangement Research Articles

A Study On The Variations Of Structures Passing Through The Porta Hepatis Of Liver

Background: The porta hepatis is a deep transverse fissure on the inferior surface of the liver, between the quadrate lobe anteriorly and the caudate process posteriorly. The major structures traversing in it are the portal vein, the hepatic artery and the hepatic duct. There are a lot of variations in the arrangement of structures passing through porta hepatis. Having knowledge of these variations becomes important to help in the existing knowledge so as to avoid complications during surgical and radiological interventions. The present study was carried out to study the arrangement and number of structures passing through porta hepatis and to report any variation thereof. Materials and methods: 40 formalin fixed adult cadaveric livers obtained from the Department of Anatomy, JNIMS, Imphal were studied. Porta hepatis was carefully dissected to observe a) arrangement, b) number of structures (artery, vein and duct) and c) the combination of the above structures. Results: There was consistent arrangement of the structures in porta hepatis with ducts, arteries and veins antero-posteriorly in all the livers studied. The most common finding had the combination of 1 vein, 2 arteries and 1 duct seen in 16 specimens (40%). Maximum number of arteries observed was 4 in 1 specimen (2.5%), vein was 2 in 3 specimens (7.5%) and duct was 2 in 7 specimens (17.5%). Various combinations of structures were observed and the porta hepatis with maximum number of structures passing through had the combination of 2 veins, 3 arteries and 2 ducts seen in 1 specimen (2.5%). Conclusion: The present study highlights the various combinations of the structures at the porta hepatis and will be therefore useful for the radiologists and surgeons dealing with this region.

Analyzing critical core components’ technology opportunities based on multilayer networks from a lifecycle perspective: A case study of offshore wind turbine foundation

Among renewable energy sources, offshore wind power has emerged as an important trend due to its more stable and powerful wind resources. Advances in the fundamental technology of offshore wind turbines are crucial for ensuring the long-term feasibility and reliability of wind power projects. Existing technology opportunity analysis (TOA) studies based on link prediction network analysis seldom consider the technical characteristics of the target component from different perspectives, such as lifecycle. In this study, we propose a framework to analyze technology opportunities for offshore wind turbine foundations. The method consists of four steps: 1) Collect patents related to the target component. 2) Use BERT to automatically layer patents into corresponding lifecycle stages. 3) Build a multilayer network centered on the target component. 4) Use link prediction to recommend technology opportunities throughout the lifecycle and at each stage of the target component. Using offshore wind power foundations as an example, the effectiveness of the method is verified. Our findings indicate that improvements in structural arrangements of foundations and anti-corrosion coatings are future technology opportunities for offshore wind power foundations. Multilayer network analysis based on link prediction from a lifecycle perspective provides a valuable reference for future TOA research and practice. Additionally, it offers enterprises insights into future technology opportunities at various lifecycle stages, presenting a new perspective for optimizing R&D resource allocation and market positioning based on these results.

Enhancing sustainable mineral extraction through corporate social responsibility and green innovation

The objective of this study is to investigate the role of green innovation and corporate social responsibility (CSR) in improving the sustainability performance of mineral extraction firms. The rationale behind exploring said perspective is the extensive use of water, materials, and energy in mineral extraction, which necessitates developing new pathways to condense the use of natural resources. In this study, we used a well-structured questionnaire method to collect primary data from employees working in the mineral extraction sector. We performed exploratory factor analysis (EFA) in SPSS after screening the initial data and then proceeded to confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using AMOS. After verifying the structural arrangements of constructs and ensuring the data meets reliability and validity requirements, we created a structural model in AMOS to test our hypothesis. We performed the mediation analysis using bootstrap methodology, 5000 resamples, and a 95% confidence interval. The results demonstrate that corporate social responsibility to society and the environment does not have a direct impact on sustainability performance. However, corporate social responsibility toward employees and green innovation strengthens the sustainability performance of mineral extraction firms. Additionally, we found that green innovation mediates the relationship between corporate social responsibility and sustainability performance. The study concludes that the role of green innovation in the mineral extraction sector is crucial to promoting sustainability performance via CSR activities. The conclusion of this study portrays promising implications for managerial decision-making and policy development regarding the mineral extraction sector. We suggest that firms seeking to improve sustainability performance through corporate social responsibility must adopt green innovation practices, which serve as a bridge between corporate social responsibility and sustainability performance. Without doing so, the results of corporate social responsibility efforts might not be successful.

The molecular mechanisms by which the NLRP3 inflammasome regulates blood-brain barrier permeability following cryptococcal meningitis

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism underlying the regulation of blood-brain barrier permeability changes during cryptococcal meningitis by NLRP3 and Vimentin. MethodsSprague-Dawley rats were treated with WT Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn) or CPS1-/- Cn. Neuronal apoptosis was assessed using TUNEL staining, and pathological changes were observed using electron microscopy and HE staining. The expressions of NLRP3, Vimentin, and NF-κB in the cerebral cortex and human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) were examined through Western blot and qRT-PCR. siNLRP3 and siVimentin were separately transfected into HBMECs, the expressions of specific factors were assessed. NF-κB and Vimentin levels were detected through immunofluorescence, apoptosis was measured using flow cytometry, and changes in the optical density (OD) of HRP were determined using ELISA. ResultsThe expressions of NLRP3, Vimentin, and NF-κB were upregulated following intervention with WT Cn in vivo and in vitro. Electron microscopy revealed loose nuclear membranes in neurons and increased apoptosis in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus induced by WT Cn, accompanied by a reduction in the OD of HRP in vitro. siNLRP3 decreased the expressions of Vimentin, nuclear NF-κB, and β-Tubulin in HBMECs, while siVimentin downregulated total NLRP3 and nuclear NF-κB levels. Both siNLRP3 and siVimentin reduced cell apoptosis after WT Cn infection. HBMECs displayed a reduced monolayer permeability to HRP and improved cell structure arrangement. ConclusionVimentin and the NLRP3 inflammasome are both implicated in the pathological process of cryptococcal meningitis. An interaction between Vimentin and the NLRP3 inflammasome is evident, likely mediated through the NF-κB signaling pathway.

An Examination of the Transport and Acoustics Properties of B3 Vitamins and Aqueous MgCl2 Salt at Various Temperatures and Concentrations

AbstractForecasting various forms of intermolecular contact and the degree to which the solute and solvent are bonded is highly advantageous when using thermo‐acoustical and volumetric data. Both salts and vitamins are abundant in the human body. A variety of thermo‐acoustical and volumetric properties (viz. velocity [U], density [ρ], adiabatic compressibility [β], surface tension [σ], specific heat ratio [γ], acoustic impedance [Z], relative association [RA], relaxation strength [r], isothermal compressibility [kT], and nonlinearity parameter [B/A]) are investigated in this study. Of the vitamin B3 + H2O and vitamin B3 + H2O + MgCl2 systems have been examined. Through solvation and hydrogen bonding, these characteristics are utilized to describe the interactions between solutes and solvents. Compressibility explains the qualitative intermolecular elastic forces that exist between the molecules of the solvent and the solute. The electrostatic field of ions has formed the basis for discussions on the structural arrangement of molecules in electrolyte solutions. The volumetric and thermoacoustic characteristics exhibit concentration‐dependent changes, suggesting the existence of molecular interactions in both systems. The vitamin B3 molecule shows stronger molecular contact at higher solvent concentrations, although it interacts most molecularly with MgCl2 solvents. This suggests that magnesium molecules are more suited for the attachment of vitamin B3 molecules than are water molecules.

Conjugate Riedel shears in a volcanic caldera: the case of the Laguna del Maule Volcanic Complex, Central Chile

The Andean intra-arc is characterized by large-scale continuous lineaments, often the direct surface expression of tectonic structures. In this study, we analyze the main lineaments around the Laguna del Maule Volcanic Complex, Central Chile (~36° S), to shed light on the main tectonic processes. We show that the lineament directions are consistent with structures based on a theoretical Riedel model and suggest the occurrence of two conjugate Riedel shears crossing Laguna del Maule. This structural arrangement can accommodate deformation related to either a transtensional regime, having a WNW-oriented master fault (Laguna Fea Fault), or a transpressional regime, characterized by NNE-oriented master faults (e.g., Melado Fault). In this context, the NE-striking Troncoso Fault would be a long-lived dextral fault compatible with both regimes. According to the Riedel model, ENE-oriented lineaments are predicted to be tensional structures, whilst NW-oriented structures (e.g., Los Cóndores Fault) would correspond to P-type structures accommodating compressional deformation. This tectonic architecture, characterized by the most intense deformation just at the intersection between shears, has likely promoted magma accumulation and would explain the compositional variability at Laguna del Maule. This study therefore demonstrates the usefulness of oriented lineament maps in interpreting regional tectonics for volcanically active areas.

Structural Properties of Al-Li-Zn Borate Glass Activated with Dysprosium (Dy3+) for Radiation Dosimeter

This study explores the properties of Al-Li-Zn glass doped with dysprosium ions as a potential radiation dosimeter. The glass was prepared using the novel quenching technique, and various characterisations were performed to evaluate its properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the amorphous phases in the glass. UV-vis spectroscopy revealed a noticeable absorption peak in the visible region, characteristic of the dysprosium ions. PL spectra luminous peaks at 348 nm (yellow), 529 nm (green), and 625 nm (orange hue), which corresponded to the 4H15/2 → 6P7/2, 4F9/2 → 6H15/2, 4F9/2 → 6H15/2, and 4F9/2 → 6H13/2 transitions in 1.5 and 2.5 dysprosium ions respectively. Significant decrease in Tg from 257°C in the undoped sample to 101°C in the doped sample, Tm of the doped sample dropped from 862°C to 815°C and Tc of the doped sample dropped from 756°C to 444°C, suggesting a reduced crystallisation threshold. FTIR analysis demonstrated that OH groups displayed peaks within the 2200 to 4000 cm range. Stretching vibrations of BO3 units occurred between 1200 and 1600. Stretching vibrations of BO4 units were observed between 800 and 1200; these show that the presence of Dy3+ and zinc oxide altered the arrangement of the glass structure, causing a transformation from B03 groups to B04 groups. This transformation leads to defects in a stable trap environment suitable for thermoluminescence phenomena. Considering its properties and optical characteristics, the samples with 1.5 and 2.5 mol % of Dy3+ showed remarkable thermoluminescence properties, suggesting its suitable use as a dosimeter to gauge radiation exposure. The glass demonstrates stability and absorption capability, making it worth considering for radiation detection applications.

CryoEM Investigation of Three-Dimentional Structure of the Stx-Converting Bacteriophage ϕ24B

A modified method for culturing, concentrating, and purifying phage ϕ24B preparations was developed. In particular, a new lysogenic phage-producing strain lacking flagella was used, induction conditions were optimized, and purification in a sucrose gradient and concentration by deposition on a Freon 113 cushion were used. Using this method, a preparation of the Stx-converting bacteriophage ϕ24B was obtained, which was suitable for direct analysis by the cryoEM method. Based on cryoEM data for this phage, the first primary three-dimensional reconstruction of its virions was performed. The structure of the phage ϕ24B tail is described. It was shown that the adsorption apparatus of this virus is represented by six thin lateral fibrils and an axial fibril located at the end of the tail. This arrangement of the tail structure is consistent with the previously proposed hypothesis based on analysis of the receptor binding proteins (RBPs) of this bacteriophage.

Impact of Nano-SiO2 on the Compressive Strength of Geopolymer-Solidified Expansive Soil

Expansive soil is widely distributed and often needs to be improved for engineering and construction needs. Using blast furnace slag and fly ash as precursors and NaOH as an alkali activator, a geopolymer was prepared to solidify expansive soil, and the effect of nano-SiO2 on the compressive strength and water stability of the geopolymer-solidified expansive soil was further studied. The effects of alkali addition ratio, nano-SiO2 addition ratio, and curing agent addition ratio on the unconfined compressive strength and water stability of the cured soil were studied through unconfined compressive strength tests, and the curing mechanism was analyzed by electron microscopy scanning. The experimental results showed that the unconfined compressive strength and water stability of geopolymer-stabilized soil first increased and then decreased with an increase in alkali activator dosage. The optimal dosage of alkali activator was found to be 12.5%. Furthermore, it was found that adding nano-SiO2 can further enhance the strength and water stability of solidified soil. When the content of nano-SiO2 was 3%, the unconfined compressive strength was increased by 15%. With an increase in the content of nano-SiO2 doped polymer (GFNS), the unconfined compressive strength and water stability of the solidified soil showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing, reaching a peak at a content of 20%. The cementitious materials, such as hydrated calcium silicate and hydrated calcium silicate aluminate, generated by the reaction between nano-SiO2 and geopolymer played a role in bonding and filling in the solidified soil. Under the joint action of the two, the structural arrangement between the solidified soil particles became more compact, which improved the strength of the solidified soil.

Collaborative design of atmospheric cutterhead opening and disc cutter arrangement

As the core components of the shield machine, the cutterhead body and the cutter directly interact with the soil, which plays a vital role in tunneling efficiency and performance. For the atmospheric cutterhead, the cutterhead opening and the cutter arrangement are mutually restricted, which brings great challenges to the design of the cutterhead. To solve this problem, an innovative collaborative strategy for cutterhead structure and cutter arrangement is proposed in this paper. By constructing a parametric model, we deeply analyzed the relationship between the cutterhead parameters and the cutter size and defined the feasible range of parameter changes. On this basis, we have developed a set of cutter arrangement specifications to ensure the coordinated operation between the cutter holders and between the cutter holder and the gate, avoiding potential interference problems, and calculating the minimum cutter spacing. In addition, the study also takes into account the various loads on the cutter and constructs a load model specifically for the atmospheric cutterhead. By taking an atmospheric cutterhead with a diameter of 15 m as an example, we elaborate on the implementation process of this method, which not only maximizes the cutterhead opening but also effectively controls the unbalanced load. The methodology of this study provides a new perspective and solution for the design of other types of cutterhead.

Atomic scale investigation and cytocompatibility of copper and zinc-loaded phosphate-based glasses prepared by coacervation

Phosphate-based glasses (PBGs) are bioresorbable materials that find application in the field of controlled drug delivery and tissue engineering. The structural arrangements of the phosphate units in PBGs, along with the knowledge of how therapeutic metallic ions are embedded in the phosphate network are important in understanding the degradation and targeted release properties of these materials. Using a combination of Raman spectroscopy, high-energy X-ray diffraction and 31P and 23Na solid-state magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance, the atomic structure of coacervate PBGs in the system P2O5-CaO-Na2O-MOx (M = Cu or Zn) with loadings of 2, 10 and 15 mol % of M2+ have been studied as functions of composition and calcination temperature. After drying at room temperature, the structures of the phosphate network in PBG-Cu and PBG-Zn are quite similar, with that of PBG-Zn exhibiting slightly higher connectivity. Heating at 300 °C causes degradation of the polyphosphate chains, even though Q2 species remain predominant. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrates that Cu in calcined PBGs is present in both oxidation states +1 and +2, with a predominance of the +2 state. Cu and Zn ion release data after 24 h exposure of PBGs in deionized water and cell medium DMEM show that release is proportional to their loadings. Cytotoxicity MTT assays of dissolution products of PBG-Cu/ZnX calcined at 300 °C on human osteosarcoma cells (MG-63) and on human skin cells (HaCaTs) showed good cellular response for all compositions, indicating that PBGs have great potential for both hard and soft tissue regeneration.

Biomimetic Contact Behavior Inspired Tactile Sensing Array with Programmable Microdomes Pattern by Scalable and Consistent Fabrication.

Flexible sensor arrays have attracted extensive attention in human-computer interaction. However, realizing high-performance sensor units with programmable properties, and expanding them to multi-pixel flexible arrays to maintain high sensing consistency is still struggling. Inspired by the contact behavior of octopus antenna, this paper proposes a programmable multistage dome structure-based flexible sensing array with robust sensing stability and high array consistency. The biomimetic multistage dome structure is pressurized to gradually contact the electrode to achieve high sensitivity and a large pressure range. By adjusting the arrangement of the multistage dome structure, the pressure range and sensitivity can be customized. More importantly, this biomimetic structure can be expanded to a multi-pixel sensor array at the wafer level with high consistency through scalable and high-precision imprinting technologies. In the imprinting process, the conductive layer is conformally embedded into the multistage dome structure to improve the stability (maintain stability over 22000 cycles). In addition, the braced isolation structure is designed to effectively improve the anti-crosstalk performance of the sensor array (crosstalk coefficient: 26.62dB). Benefitting from the programmable structural design and high-precision manufacturing process, the sensor array can be customized and is demonstrated to detect human musculation in medical rehabilitation applications.

What Is the Crystallographic Resolution of Structural Models of Proteins Generated with AlphaFold2?

Recent advancements in AI-driven computational modeling, especially AlphaFold2, have revolutionized the prediction of biological macromolecule structures. AlphaFold2 enabled accurate predictions of structural domains and complex arrangements. However, computational models lack a clear metric for accuracy. This study explores whether computational models can match the crystallographic resolution of crystal structures. By comparing distances between atoms in models and crystal structures using t tests, it was found that AlphaFold2 models are comparable to high-resolution crystal structures (1.1 to 1.5 Å). While these models exhibit exceptional quality, their accuracy is lower than the crystal structure with resolutions better than 1 Å.

Advancing Boiling Histotripsy Dose in Ex Vivo And In Vivo Renal Tissues Via Quantitative Histological Analysis and Shear Wave Elastography

ObjectiveIn the context of developing boiling histotripsy (BH) as a potential clinical approach for non-invasive mechanical ablation of kidney tumors, the concept of BH dose (BHD) was quantitatively investigated in porcine and canine kidney models in vivo and ex vivo. MethodsVolumetric lesions were produced in renal tissue using a 1.5-MHz 256-element HIFU-array with various pulsing protocols: pulse duration tp = 1–10 ms, number of pulses per point ppp = 1–15. Two BHD metrics were evaluated: BHD1 = ppp, BHD2 = tp × ppp. Quantitative assessment of lesion completeness was performed by their histological analysis and assignment of damage score to different renal compartments (i.e., cortex, medulla, and sinus). Shear wave elastography (SWE) was used to measure the Young's modulus of renal compartments in vivo vs ex vivo, and before vs after BH treatments. ResultsIn vivo tissue required lower BH doses to achieve identical degree of fractionation as compared to ex vivo. Renal cortex (homogeneous, low in collagen) was equal or higher in stiffness than medulla (anisotropic, collagenous), 5.8–12.2 kPa vs 4.7–9.6 kPa, but required lower BH doses to be fully fractionated. Renal sinus (fatty, irregular, with abundant collagenous structures) was significantly softer ex vivo vs in vivo, 4.9–5.1 kPa vs 9.7–15.2 kPa, but was barely damaged in either case with any tested BH protocols. BHD1 was shown to be relevant for planning the treatment of renal cortex (sufficient BHD1 = 5 pulses in vivo and 10 pulses ex vivo), while none of the tested doses resulted in complete fractionation of medulla or sinus. Post-treatment SWE imaging revealed reduction of tissue stiffness ex vivo by 27–58%, increasing with the applied dose, and complete absence of shear waves within in vivo lesions, both indicative of tissue liquefaction. ConclusionThe results imply that tissue resistance to mechanical fractionation, and hence required BH dose, are not solely determined by tissue stiffness but also depend on its composition and structural arrangement, as well as presence of perfusion. The SWE-derived reduction of tissue stiffness with increasing BH doses correlated with tissue damage score, indicating potential of SWE for post-treatment confirmation of BH lesion completeness.

The Chemistry and Biological Effects of Fused 1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-c]pyrimidines and their Isomeric 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidines

Concerning polycyclic heterocyclic compounds, fused triazolopyrimidines and their substituted analogs have been studied recently from a chemical and biological point of view. Triazolopyrimidines have eight different positional isomers based on their structural arrangement and nitrogen atom positions. The present review concerns synthesizing 1,2,4- triazolo[4,3-c]pyrimidines and 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidines fused with a fivemembered ring containing one heteroatom. The 1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-c]pyrimidines can be prepared by closing the triazole ring on the 4-hydrazinopyrimidine ring, and the 1,2,4- triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidines can be prepared by closing the triazole ring on the 4- iminopyrimidine-3-amine ring. The transformation of 1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-c]pyrimidine to the more thermodynamically stable isomer triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidine derivatives via Dimroth rearrangement under different reaction conditions is also discussed. Moreover, the biological activity of both series is presented.

Bringing Children to the Center of Migration Theory

Migration theory is adult-centric, failing to account for the experiences of children despite their increasingly important participation in migration flows. Using a life-course perspective and findings from research at the intersection of childhood studies and migration, this paper considers whether different migration theories apply to child migration as compared to adult migration. We examine this question using the Mexican Migration Project data to track the cross-border moves of 109,096 individuals relative to their family members. We find that theories from economics best explain migration among young adults, with some participation from older adolescents, while children of all ages are sensitive to educational opportunities and the behavior of their peers and role models. Insights from the cultural turn and feminist theorizing in migration studies explain migration for both groups. We find that adult and child migration is strongly conditioned on migrant networks and family dynamics, including ties to family members in destination and family structure and caretaking arrangements in origin. We argue that child-centered analyses advance migration theory by highlighting the role of age, the life-course, and intergenerational family dynamics as determinants of international migration.

Data-driven bio-mimetic composite design: Direct prediction of stress–strain curves from structures using cGANs

Designing high-performance composites requires integrating tasks, including material selection, structural arrangement, and mechanical property characterization. Accurate prediction of composite mechanical properties requires a comprehensive understanding of their mechanical response, particularly the failure mechanisms under high deformations. As traditional computational methods struggle to exhaustively explore every composite configuration in the vast design space for optimal design search, machine learning offers rapid identification of optimal composite designs. This study presents a cGAN-based deep learning model for predicting stress–strain curves directly from composite structures using an image-to-vector approach. The model incorporates fully connected layers within a U-Net generator for stress–strain curve generation and utilizes a PatchGAN discriminator for realism assessment. This end-to-end mapping from structures to mechanical response effectively eliminates the need for extensive simulations and labor-intensive post-analyses. Phase-field simulations were conducted to model the material failure process, generating stress–strain curves for various composite structures used as ground truth data to train and test the surrogate model. This study incorporates various composite structures in the dataset, including random (RS), layered (LS), chessboard-like (CS), soft-scaffold (SS), and hard-scaffold (HS), enhancing the representation of design diversity. Despite being trained on a limited dataset (approximately 1.5% for each bio-mimetic structure and 10−72% for RS composites), the model achieves highly accurate predictions in stress–strain curves, with MAE loss converging to 0.01 for training and 0.05 for testing after 2 million iterations. High evaluation scores on training data (R2>0.997, MAPE <1.08%) and testing data (R2>0.946, MAPE <5.53%) demonstrate the model’s accuracy in predicting mechanical properties such as Young’s modulus, strength, and toughness across all composite structures. Overall, the study provides a proof of concept for using machine learning to simplify the design process, demonstrating its potential for solving inverse composite design problems.

Study of molecular interaction between benzaldehyde and methanol using microwave dielectric relaxation spectroscopy and radial distribution function

A microwave dielectric relaxation study was conducted for mixtures of benzaldehyde (BZ) and methanol (MeOH) over a frequency range of 200 MHz to 20 GHz at seven different temperatures, ranging from 293.15 K to 323.15 K. The dielectric relaxation parameters, obtained through a fitting process, were used to examine their dependence on concentration and temperature. Thermodynamic parameters, such as Gibbs free energy (ΔG), molar enthalpy of activation (ΔH), and molar entropy of activation (ΔS), were evaluated using the temperature dependence of the dipolar relaxation time. The study provided valuable insights into the molecular interactions and dynamic behavior of the components in the binary mixture system. Additionally, a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation study was conducted on the binary mixture of BZ and MeOH to determine the Radial Distribution Function (RDF) and coordination number for different pairs of molecules and atoms, which revealed information about the binding and arrangement of the local structure.

Structure-guided assembly of an influenza spike nanobicelle vaccine provides pan H1 intranasal protection.

Development of intranasal vaccines for respiratory viruses has gained popularity. However, currently only a live-attenuated influenza vaccine is FDA-approved for intranasal administration. Here, we focused on influenza virus as it circulates seasonally, has pandemic potential, and has vaccine formulations that present hemagglutinin (HA) in different structural arrangements. These display differences have not been correlated with induction of pan-H1 antibodies or shown to provide intranasal protection. Using electron microscopy, biochemistry and animal studies, we identified HA complexes arranged as lipid discs with multiple trimeric HAs displayed along the perimeter, termed spike nanobicelles (SNB). We utilized a structure-guided approach to synthesize in vitro assembled spiked nanobicelles (IA-SNB) from a classical 1934 H1N1 influenza virus. IA-SNBs elicited pan-H1 antibodies and provided protection against antigenically divergent H1N1 viruses via intranasal immunizations. Viral glycoprotein spikes displayed as SNBs could aid in combating antigenic variation and provide innovative intranasal vaccines to aid universal influenza vaccine development.

Biomorphic porous ceramics obtained by infiltration of a Si-based preceramic polymer into poplar wood templates

In this work, a comprehensive and detailed study about the development and characterization of biomorphic porous SiOC/SiC/Si3N4/C-based ceramics was addressed with an integral approach. The materials were obtained using a novel processing route involving the infiltration of a Si-based preceramic polymer into activated poplar wood templates, thermal curing and N2 pyrolysis. The physical, structural, microstructural, and textural properties mostly depended on the degree of infiltration reached and the pyrolysis temperature used. All the developed porous microstructures exhibited the poplar wood´s features. It is worth noting the development of macropores with confined Si3N4 crystals, and particularly in the samples pyrolyzed at 1500 and 1600 °C, one-dimensional Si-based nanostructures, and micro- and mesopores located in cavity walls and within arrangements of the one-dimensional structures, mainly in the materials pyrolyzed at 1400 and 1500 °C. The last materials presented the highest specific surface area values, thus making them potential candidates in catalysts.