Experimental Approach Research Articles

Formulation of colloidal astringent solution using green tea and neem oil

This thesis explores the formulation of a novel colloidal astringent solution utilizing the synergistic properties of green tea and neem oil in skincare applications. Astringents play a crucial role in skincare, offering benefits such as pore tightening, oil control, and skin texture refinement. Green tea and neem oil, renowned for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, present promising ingredients for enhancing skin health. The study begins with a comprehensive literature review, examining previous research on astringents, green tea, and neem oil. This review elucidates the individual properties and skincare benefits of these ingredients, providing a foundation for their integration into a colloidal solution. Relevant formulation techniques for colloidal solutions and astringents are also reviewed, informing the experimental approach. Experimental design focuses on formulating a colloidal astringent solution using green tea extract and neem oil, with the aim of harnessing their collective potency. Physicochemical properties of the solution, including pH, viscosity, particle size, and stability, are characterized to evaluate its suitability for skincare applications. Stability studies over time provide insights into the shelf-life and efficacy of the formulation. Results demonstrate the successful formulation of a colloidal astringent solution with optimized properties, showcasing the potential synergy between green tea and neem oil. Analysis of experimental findings highlights the formulation's efficacy in addressing common skincare concerns, such as pore refinement, oil control, and inflammation reduction. The study contributes to the growing body of knowledge in natural skincare formulations, offering insights into the development of innovative products that marry tradition with modern science. In conclusion, the formulation of a colloidal astringent solution using green tea and neem oil represents a promising approach to skincare, leveraging the therapeutic benefits of natural ingredients. Future research may explore clinical applications and further optimization of the formulation to maximize its efficacy and safety in diverse skincare routines.

Thermal Transport Phenomena in PEGDA-Based Nanocomposite Hydrogels Using Atomistic and Experimental Techniques.

Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel is a very peculiar, fascinating material with good chemical stability and biocompatibility. However, the poor thermal transport phenomenon in PEGDA, limits its performance in cartilage replacement and developing therapies for treating burns. In this article, a combined experimental and atomistic approach was adopted to investigate the thermal transport phenomena in PEGDA hydrogel with different weight concentrations of boron nitride nanoplatelets as a function of water content. The incorporation of boron nitride nanofillers helps in enhancing the thermal conductivity of PEGDA hydrogels, and the reinforcement effect was more dominating at lower water content. Experimental investigation was complemented with molecular dynamics-based studies to capture the effect of defective (bicrystalline) boron nitride nanosheets on the interfacial thermal conductance in PEGDA hydrogels. It can be concluded from the simulations that defective nanosheets are superior reinforcement for enhancing the thermal transport in PEGDA hydrogels, and this is independent of the water content. These biocompatible boron nitride nanoparticle (BNNP)-incorporated PEGDA hydrogels with enhanced thermal conductivity are promising materials in addressing locally overheating tissues such as cartilage replacement. They may have comprehensive utility for biomedical applications such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, biosensors, and burn therapy.

Investigation of the Stability Mechanism of Stimulus-Responsive Wormlike Micelle-CO2 Foams in the Oil Phase.

Foam flooding is an important tool for reservoir development. This study aims to further investigate the interaction between stimulus-responsive wormlike micelle (WLM)-CO2 foams and crude oil. We performed micromorphology experiments as our major studies and used molecular dynamics simulations as an auxiliary tool for interfacial analysis. We utilized foam generation, liquid separation, and defoaming as the entry points of experimental research and energy as the quantitative assessment index to investigate the dynamic process of the action of different oil contents and oil phase types in a DOAPA@NaSal-H+ foam system. We also examined the role of NaSal in the generation and development of the foam system. Results indicated that the law of crude oil's effect on foam could be summarized as "low contents are beneficial and high contents are harmful." In addition, although the DOAPA@NaSal-H+ foam system has high compatibility for saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons, it is highly suitable for application in reservoir environments with relatively high asphaltene and resin contents. Through combined experimental and simulation approaches, we clarified the law governing the stability of the DOAPA@NaSal-H+ foam system in different oil-containing environments, identified the key role of NaSal, and provided a reference for the targeted application of the DOAPA@NaSal-H+ foam system in different oil reservoirs.

Do climate disasters make farmers more willing to cooperate? Evidence from rural communities in southern China

PurposeThis article aims to explore the impact of climate disasters on small-scale farmers’ willingness to cooperate and explore the mediating effect of social capital.Design/methodology/approachThe study investigates farmers’ willingness to cooperate through a framed field approach and surveys the information of individuals and villages, including climate disasters and social capital, using a structured questionnaire from rural communities in Jiangxi and Sichuan, China.FindingsThe results show that climate disasters and social capital are significant and positive determinants of farmers’ willingness to cooperate. In specific types of climate disasters, drought is positively associated with farmers’ cooperation willingness. Moreover, the mediation effect of drought on farmers’ willingness to cooperate through social capital has been demonstrated to be significant although negative, whereas the mediation effect of flood on farmers’ willingness to cooperate through social capital is significant and positive.Originality/valueFirst, given the limited studies focusing on the impact of climate disasters on small-scale farmers’ willingness to cooperate, the authors complement the existing literature through a framed field experiment approach by designing a scenario that every farmer may encounter in their production activities. Second, the study figures out the roles of drought and flood as different kinds of climate disasters in farmers’ decision-making of cooperation and sheds light on the positive impact of climate disasters on small-scale farmers. Finally, this paper provides empirical evidence of social capital as a potential channel through which climate disasters could possibly affect farmers’ willingness to cooperate.

Transient and elusive intermediate states in self‐assembly processes: An overview

AbstractThe transient and elusive intermediate states are the keys in self‐assembly processes, which are common phenomena shaping the structure, properties, and functionalities of assembled materials across many scientific domains. However, the understanding about the intermediate states of self‐assembly process is always challenging and limited. In this review, we focus on these states by combining theoretical and experimental approaches. By examining a wide variety of self‐assembly systems that span from biological to metal–organic nanostructures, this review uncovers the wealth of intermediate states of self‐assembled materials. In addition to combining the current knowledge, it will identify challenges and provide a new insight into the opportunities for future research.

Leaders’ experiences of embedding a simulation-based education programme in a teaching hospital: an interview study informed by normalisation process theory

There is limited research on the experiences of people in working to embed, integrate and sustain simulation programmes. This interview-based study explored leaders’ experiences of normalising a simulation-based education programme in a teaching hospital. Fourteen known simulation leaders across Australia and North America were interviewed. Semi-structured interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis sensitised by normalisation process theory, an implementation science theory which defines ‘normal’ as something being embedded, integrated and sustained. We used a combined social and experiential constructivist approach. Four themes were generated from the data: (1) Leadership, (2) business startup mindset, (3) poor understanding of simulation undermines normalisation and (4) tension of competing objectives. These themes were interlinked and represented how leaders experienced the process of normalising simulation. There was a focus on the relationships that influence decision-making of simulation leaders and organisational buy-in, such that what started as a discrete programme becomes part of normal hospital operations. The discourse of ‘survival’ was strong, and this indicated that simulation being normal or embedded and sustained was still more a goal than a reality. The concept of being like a ‘business startup’ was regarded as significant as was the feature of leadership and how simulation leaders influenced organisational change. Participants spoke of trying to normalise simulation for patient safety, but there was also a strong sense that they needed to be agile and innovative and that this status is implied when simulation is not yet ‘normal’. Leadership, change management and entrepreneurship in addition to implementation science may all contribute towards understanding how to embed, integrate and sustain simulation in teaching hospitals without losing responsiveness. Further research on how all stakeholders view simulation as a normal part of a teaching hospital is warranted, including simulation participants, quality and safety teams and hospital executives. This study has highlighted that a shared understanding of the purpose and breadth of simulation is a prerequisite for embedding and sustaining simulation. An approach of marketing simulation beyond simulation-based education as a patient safety and systems improvement mindset, not just a technique nor technology, may assist towards simulation being sustainably embedded within teaching hospitals.

Stability in plant-pollinator communities across organizational levels: present, gaps, and future

Abstract The study of ecological stability continues to fill the pages of scientific journals almost seven decades after the first ecologists initiated this line of research. The many advances in this field have focused on understanding the stability of populations, communities or functions within single guilds or trophic levels, with less research conducted across multiple trophic levels and considering the different interactions that relate species to each other. Here, we review the recent literature on the multiple dimensions of ecological stability specifically within plant-pollinator communities. We then focus on one of stability´s dimensions, temporal invariability, and adapt an existing partitioning framework that bridges invariability and synchrony measures across spatial scales and organizational levels to accommodate interactions between plants and their pollinators. Finally, we use this framework to analyze temporal invariability in plant reproductive success, partitioning it on invariability and synchrony components across plant and pollinator populations and communities, as well as their interactions, using a well-resolved dataset that encompasses data for two years. Our review of the literature points to several significant gaps in our current knowledge, with simulation studies clearly overrepresented in the literature as opposed to experimental or empirical approaches. Our quantitative approach to partitioning invariability shows similar patterns of decreasing temporal invariability across increasing organizational levels driven by asynchronous dynamics amongst populations and communities, which overall stabilize ecosystem functioning (plant reproductive success). This study represents a first step towards a better comprehension of temporal invariability in ecosystem functions defined by interactions between species and provides a blueprint for the type of spatially replicated multi-year data that needs to be collected in the future to further our understanding of ecological stability within multi-trophic communities.

Identification of volatile and non-volatile migrants released during sous vide cooking by UPLC-IMS-QTOF and DI-SPME-GC-MS using a design of experiments approach

The rise of new culinary advances combined with science has made it possible to find new optimum methods of cooking, such as vacuum cooking (Sous Vide), that allow achieving pleasant textures, preserving the genuine nature of the food and also its original flavour. Sous Vide involves the direct contact of plastic materials with food during cooking, causing the possible release of chemical compounds that may alter the properties of the food and pose a risk to human health. In this work, the migration kinetics that takes place during this cooking process have been estimated thanks to a design of experiments (DoE). DoE has been applied to 4 samples of vacuum cooking bags containing 3 food simulants (ethanol 10%, acetic acid 3% and isooctane) under typical cooking conditions of the culinary technique. The study also allowed the identification of the main volatile and non-volatile migrants that can be transferred from this particular packaging. Twenty-nine non-volatile species were identified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to a quadrupole-time-of-flight ion-mobility separation mass spectrometer (UPLC-IMS-QTOF) and sixty-four volatile species were identified by solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS). Furthermore, a comprehensive literature analysis was conducted to explore the applications, origins, and potential toxicity of these compounds.

Pseudotyped virus infection of multiplexed ACE2 libraries reveals SARS-CoV-2 variant shifts in receptor usage.

Pairwise compatibility between virus and host proteins can dictate the outcome of infection. During transmission, both inter- and intraspecies variabilities in receptor protein sequences can impact cell susceptibility. Many viruses possess mutable viral entry proteins and the patterns of host compatibility can shift as the viral protein sequence changes. This combinatorial sequence space between virus and host is poorly understood, as traditional experimental approaches lack the throughput to simultaneously test all possible combinations of protein sequences. Here, we created a pseudotyped virus infection assay where a multiplexed target-cell library of host receptor variants can be assayed simultaneously using a DNA barcode sequencing readout. We applied this assay to test a panel of 30 ACE2 orthologs or human sequence mutants for infectability by the original SARS-CoV-2 spike protein or the Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron BA1 variant spikes. We compared these results to an analysis of the structural shifts that occurred for each variant spike's interface with human ACE2. Mutated residues were directly involved in the largest shifts, although there were also widespread indirect effects altering interface structure. The N501Y substitution in spike conferred a large structural shift for interaction with ACE2, which was partially recreated by indirect distal substitutions in Delta, which does not harbor N501Y. The structural shifts from N501Y greatly influenced the set of animal orthologs the variant spike was capable of interacting with. Out of the thirteen non-human orthologs, ten exhibited unique patterns of variant-specific compatibility, demonstrating that spike sequence changes during human transmission can toggle ACE2 compatibility and potential susceptibility of other animal species, and cumulatively increase overall compatibilities as new variants emerge. These experiments provide a blueprint for similar large-scale assessments of protein compatibility during entry by diverse viruses. This dataset demonstrates the complex compatibility relationships that occur between variable interacting host and virus proteins.

Bayesian Optimization for Efficient Prediction of Gas Uptake in Nanoporous Materials.

The discovery and optimization of novel nanoporous materials (NPMs) such as Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are crucial for addressing global challenges. Traditional experimental approaches for optimizing these materials are time-consuming and resource-intensive. This research paper presents a strategy using Bayesian optimization (BO) to efficiently navigate the NPMs for gas storage. For a MOF dataset drawn from 19 different sources, we present a quantitative evaluation of BO. In our study, we employed machine learning (ML) techniques to conduct regression analysis on many models. Following this, we identified the three ML models that exhibited the highest accuracy, which were subsequently chosen as surrogates in our investigation, includingthe conventional Gaussian Process (GP) model. We found that GP with expected improvement (EI) as the acquisition function but without a gamma prior which is standard in Bayesian Optimization python library outperforms other surrogate models. Additionally, it should be noted that while the machine learning model that exhibits superior performance in predicting the target variable may be considered the best choice, it may not necessarily serve as the most suitable surrogate model for BO. This observation has significant importance and warrants further investigation. This comprehensive framework accelerates the pace of materials discovery.

Experimental Approach for Reliability Analysis of Medium-Power Zener Diodes under DC Switching Surge Degradation

This study investigated the reliability of Zener diodes subjected to a gradually increasing DC switching surge amplitude with delay internals between surges to avoid thermal degradation from different manufacturers with similar specifications. The analysis involved applying occasional 3 ms direct current (DC) switching surges with a gradual increasing surge voltage, followed by a constant current test to verify device functionality for three different selected manufacturer 5.1 V Zener diodes. This experimental approach was used to identify the maximum surge current that each Zener diode could handle before failing to clamp the surge voltage at the specified Zener reference voltage. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in the maximum average surge current between different manufacturers. The maximum average surge current findings just before failure were 1.98 A, 3.18 A, and 3.33 A, respectively, and associated 95% confidence interval ranges can be used as a reliable metric to compare Zener diode population reliability against occasional DC switching surges. The findings revealed variations in the DC switching surge current handling capabilities between Zener diodes from different manufacturers with similar electrical specifications. The statistically measured maximum average surge current just before device failure can be considered an effective metric to compare the reliability of Zener diodes against DC switching surge degradation.

Performance Monitoring and the Incentives for Exertion of Effort

This paper investigates the impact of monitoring intensity on individuals’ motivation to exert effort. Using an experimental approach, we designed a test comprising six problems, with varied levels of monitoring and success criteria, to evaluate performance as an indicator of effort. The results reveal a nonlinear relationship between the stringency of monitoring criteria and worker performance. Interestingly, we found that optimal performance is attained when participants are required to answer correctly only one of the six problems. This study enhances our understanding of performance monitoring strategies and their effects in modern work settings.

Combining Computational Fluid Dynamics and Experimental Data to Understand Fish Schooling Behavior.

Understanding the flow physics behind fish schooling poses significant challenges due to the difficulties in directly measuring hydrodynamic performance and the three-dimensional, chaotic, and complex flow structures generated by collective moving organisms. Numerous previous simulations and experiments have utilized computational, mechanical, or robotic models to represent live fish. And existing studies of live fish schools have contributed significantly to dissecting the complexities of fish schooling. But the scarcity of combined approaches that include both computational and experimental studies, ideally of the same fish schools, has limited our ability to understand the physical factors that are involved in fish collective behavior. This underscores the necessity of developing new approaches to working directly with live fish schools. An integrated method that combines experiments on live fish schools with computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations represents an innovative method of studying the hydrodynamics of fish schooling. CFD techniques can deliver accurate performance measurements and high-fidelity flow characteristics for comprehensive analysis. Concurrently, experimental approaches can capture the precise locomotor kinematics of fish and offer additional flow information through particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements, potentially enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of CFD studies via advanced data assimilation techniques. The flow patterns observed in PIV experiments with fish schools and the complex hydrodynamic interactions revealed by integrated analyses highlight the complexity of fish schooling, prompting a reevaluation of the classic Weihs model of school dynamics. The synergy between CFD models and experimental data grants us comprehensive insights into the flow dynamics of fish schools, facilitating the evaluation of their functional significance and enabling comparative studies of schooling behavior. In addition, we consider the challenges in developing integrated analytical methods and suggest promising directions for future research.

New oxadiazol‐5‐ones derivatives and their performance as angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

AbstractAngiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors are widely used in treating arterial hypertension, acting on the renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system and controlling blood pressure. We present a novel, greener, and faster methodology to assess the 1,2,4‐oxadiazol‐5‐one ring and perform molecular modifications to obtain angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors using this heterocyclic core. Molecular docking simulations indicate that the tested compounds exhibited an affinity for the ACE binding site, with scores comparable to the commercial inhibitor lisinopril. However, in vitro assays revealed that the compounds were ineffective in inhibiting ACE activity. The lack of inhibition may be related to the compounds' more apolar nature. These results emphasize the importance of integrating computational and experimental approaches in developing new drugs, providing valuable insights for planning future studies to optimize the activity of synthesized compounds.

Performance improvement of set of worm gears used in soot blower through profile modification

The present design of a set of worm gears used in a soot blower produced by a certain manufacturer has an efficiency of 68.8%. A soot blower is one of the most critical components in industrial applications for removing the large amounts of soot generated by boilers and is required to be operational 24×7. The energy consumption of the soot blower depends on its working efficiency and ultimately the design of its set of worm gears. This paper focuses mainly on the design and analysis of available industrial worm-gear sets used in soot blowers. The theoretical, experimental, and finite-element analysis approaches are validated for the stability of the worm gear set under typical input conditions. This paper also describes an analytical design of experiments (DOE) approach to identify the most significant factor for performance (efficiency) improvement and suggests some design improvements for the worm gear set using the profile modification approach. These ensure the efficiency improvement of the current industrial design of the set of worm gears used in a soot blower. The analytical DOE approach helped identify that the number of worm wheel teeth (Z2) and gear module (m) are the two most significant factors affecting performance. Accordingly, based on the improved design, the final efficiency increased from 68.8% to 74.6% (∼8.5% increment), resulting in lower power consumption during industrial application.

An alternative experimental configuration to generate wrench zone above a viscous layer

Analogue modelling of wrench tectonics typically utilizes a rigid basement with a velocity discontinuity under a brittle or brittle-viscous cover, such as in Riedel experiments, which confines fault localization in the overlaying model. However, such a set-up is hardly compatible with modeling brittle-ductile systems such as the upper and lower crust or a brittle sedimentary cover overlying a viscous evaporitic layer. To achieve a more realistic experimental approach, Bruno Vendeville designed an alternative experimental set-up decoupling the basement from the brittle overburden with a viscous layer in which the basement is not involved. In this configuration, strike-slip movement is driven laterally rather than from the base up, facilitated by “weak zones” that preferentially localize the deformation during shortening and enable sliding between compartments. This original approach provides greater flexibility for modeling complex strike-slip settings, allowing for more freedom for strike-slip structures to form and evolve through time.Although the experiments described in this work were conducted in the late 1990s, the co-authors have chosen to revisit and adapt this earlier work for this Special Issue to underscore Bruno’s influence on another aspect of salt tectonics and his pioneering foresight in the field of analogue modelling.

Study on the Mechanism of Carbon Dioxide Miscible Fracturing Fluid Huff and Puff in Enhanced Oil Recovery

Carbon dioxide (CO2) miscible fracturing huff-and-puff technology now plays a pivotal role in enhancing crude oil recovery rates, particularly in reservoirs with challenging physical properties, strong water sensitivity, high injection pressure, and complex water-injection dynamics. In this study, the oil-increasing mechanism and huff-and-puff effect of CO2 miscible fracturing fluid are investigated through a comprehensive experimental approach. Specifically, experiments on PVT gas injection expansion, minimum miscible pressure, and CO2 miscible fracturing fluid huff and puff are conducted on the G fault block reservoir of the J Oilfield. The experimental findings demonstrate that injecting CO2 into reservoirs leads to an expansion in oil volume, a reduction in viscosity, and an increase in saturation pressure. Crude oil extraction is further enhanced by the addition of solubilizers and viscosity reducers. The use of solubilizers not only increases oil recovery rates but also reduces the minimum miscible pressure required for effective CO2 dispersion. We also found that shut-in times, permeability, and the huff-and-puff method used all have considerable impacts on huff-and-puff recovery rates. This study offers valuable technical insights, supporting the application of CO2 miscible fracturing huff-and-puff technology to enhance oil recovery rates in low-permeability reservoirs.

Cytotoxic Staphylococcus aureus PSMα3 inhibits the aggregation of human insulin in vitro.

Phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs) are extracellular short amphipathic peptides secreted by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). They play an essential role in the bacterial lifecycle, biofilm formation, and stabilisation. From the PSM family, PSMα3 has been of special interest recently due to its cytotoxicity and highly stable α-helical conformation, which also remains in its amyloid fibrils. In particular, PSMα3 fibrils were shown to be composed of self-associating "sheets" of α-helices oriented perpendicular to the fibril axis, mimicking the architecture of canonical cross-β fibrils. Therefore, they were called cross-α-fibrils. PSMα3 was synthesised and verified for identity with wild-type sequences (S. aureus). Then, using several experimental techniques, we evaluated its propensity for in vitro aggregation. According to our findings, synthetic PSMα3 (which lacks the N-terminal formyl groups found in bacteria) does not form amyloid fibrils and maintains α-helical conformation in a soluble monomeric form for several days of incubation. We also evaluated the influence of PSMα3 on human insulin fibrillation in vitro, using a variety of experimental approaches in combination with computational molecular studies. First, it was shown that PSMα3 drastically inhibits the fibrillation of human insulin. The anti-fibrillation effect of PSMα3 was concentration-dependent and required a concentration ratio of PSMα3: insulin equal to or above 1 : 100. Molecular modelling revealed that PSMα3 most likely inhibits the production of insulin primary nuclei by competing for residues involved in its dimerization.

Effects of Niobium Addition on the Mechanical Properties and Corrosion Resistance of Microalloyed Steels: A Review

Steel structures are prone to corrosion, a chemical reaction between steel and the atmosphere that gradually weakens the material. Over time, this reaction can significantly reduce the structural integrity and lifespan of steel elements. Without intervention, corrosion can cause structures to fail, leading to financial, environmental, and potential human losses. Enhancing steel’s corrosion resistance is crucial, and one method involves adding niobium (Nb). Niobium microalloyed steels are known for their increased strength, and some research indicates that Nb may also improve corrosion resistance by making the grain structure of the steel finer. However, the complete potential of Nb in corrosion prevention remains underexplored, with significant research gaps across various scales, from microstructural impacts on durability to macroscopic effects on mechanical properties. The research community has utilized numerous experimental approaches to test corrosion resistance under different conditions, but there is a lack of comprehensive studies that aggregate and analyze these findings. This paper seeks to fill that void by reviewing the impact of Nb on the strength and corrosion resistance of structural steels, examining how steel beams’ ultimate capacity degrades over time and identifying key areas where further research is needed to understand Nb’s role in mitigating corrosion.

Dietary and homeostatic controls of Zn isotopes in rats: A controlled-feeding experiment and modelling approach.

The stable isotope composition of zinc (δ66Zn), which is an essential trace metal for many biological processes in vertebrates, is increasingly used in ecological, archeological, and paleontological studies to assess diet and trophic level discrimination among vertebrates. However, the limited understanding of dietary controls and isotopic fractionation processes on Zn isotope variability in animal tissues and biofluids limits precise dietary reconstructions. The current study systematically investigates the dietary effects on Zn isotope composition in consumers using a combined controlled-feeding experiment and box-modelling approach. For this purpose, 21 rats were fed one of seven distinct animal- and plant-based diets and a total of 148 samples including soft and hard tissue, biofluid, and excreta samples of these individuals were measured for δ66Zn. Relatively constant Zn isotope fractionation is observed across the different dietary groups for each tissue type, implying that diet is the main factor controlling consumer tissue δ66Zn values, independent of diet composition. Furthermore, a systematic δ66Zn diet-enamel fractionation is reported for the first time, enabling diet reconstruction based on δ66Zn values from tooth enamel. In addition, we investigated the dynamics of Zn isotope variability in the body using a box-modelling approach, providing a model of Zn isotope homeostasis and inferring residence times, while also further supporting the hypothesis that δ66Zn values of vertebrate tissues are primarily determined by that of the diet. Altogether this provides a solid foundation for refined (paleo)dietary reconstruction using Zn isotopes of vertebrate tissues.