Understanding the oxidation behaviour of Co-based superalloys is crucial for the deployment of such alloys in high-temperature structural applications. This study explores the oxidation behaviour of four cast Co-based superalloys with varying C (0.25 or 0.5 wt%) and Si (1 or 4 wt%) contents at 800°C, 1000°C, and 1200°C for up to 100 h. Alloys with higher Si content generally exhibited lower isothermal mass gains than the low-Si variants, although the benefit depended on temperature and was accompanied by differences in the scale loss during cooling. At 800°C, an oxidation-associated Laves phase formed within surface-breaking interdendritic oxidation channels in the high-Si alloys (associated with M 12 C), consistent with reduced short-circuit transport along these pathways and the lower measured rates of isothermal mass gain. At 1000°C, Laves formation persisted but occurred as coarser particles and did not produce a measurable separation in mass gain. Notably, the high-Si alloys exhibited increased oxide spallation during cooling from this temperature. At 1200°C, the high-Si alloys developed a more continuous silica subscale at the alloy-oxide interface, consistent with a modest reduction in isothermal mass gain relative to the low-Si alloys. For alloys with equivalent Si content, reduced C improved mass-gain behaviour at 800°C and 1200°C, consistent with a reduced extent of interdendritic network (greater interdendritic spacing), whereas at 1000°C all alloys exhibited broadly similar mass gains. These findings demonstrate that Si and C influence oxidation through coupled effects on scale constitution, microstructurally controlled transport and oxide-scale integrity, providing guidance for the design of next-generation high-temperature alloys. • 4 wt% Si alloys showed superior oxidation resistance to 1 wt% Si counterparts • Oxidation at 800°C formed Laves phase; oxidation at 1200°C gave a silica sub-scale • Quantified oxide scale thickness at 800°C supports the proposed mechanism • 4 wt% Si alloys showed shallower oxidised channel depths at all test temperatures

Presently, we investigated hypothesized roles and mechanisms of cell type-specific, selective activation of different vascular NOX (NADPH oxidase) isoforms in obesity and metabolic syndrome. Expression of NOX1 (NOX isoform 1) was significantly upregulated in wild-type mice fed a high-fat diet. Global knockout of NOX1 (NOX1-/y), rather than of NOX2 (NOX isoform 2)/NOX4 (NOX isoform 4), markedly abrogated high-fat feeding-induced body weight/fat mass gain, preadipocyte differentiation, fatty liver, glucose intolerance, and insulin/leptin resistance. Intriguingly, endothelial-specific NOX1 knockout (Cdh5cre-cre-inducible NOX1flox/flox knockout/floxed mice [NOX1CKO]), rather than vascular smooth muscle-specific NOX1 knockout (Myh11cre-NOX1CKO), substantially alleviated obesity and metabolic syndrome. Consistently, endothelial-specific NOX1 knockin mice (Cdh5cre-cre-inducible NOX1flox/flox knockin/floxed) fed a high-fat diet displayed exaggerated metabolic disorders. Endothelial cell-specific knockout/knockin of NOX1 was confirmed using endothelial cell washout experiments. Food/water intakes were not different from corresponding controls in high-fat-fed NOX1-/y, Cdh5cre-NOX1CKO, or Cdh5cre-cre-inducible NOX1flox/flox knockin/floxed mice, indicating no difference in energy intake. Instead, spontaneous activity, exercise capacity, mitochondrial oxygen consumption/ATP production, skeletal muscle mitochondrial function (reactive oxygen species production and swelling activity), and mitochondrial cristae structure were all substantially improved in NOX1-/y or Cdh5cre-NOX1CKO mice, indicating augmented energy expenditure attributed to preserved skeletal muscle mitochondrial function. Supportively, Cdh5cre-cre-inducible NOX1flox/flox knockin/floxed mice displayed deteriorated exercise capacity and skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction. Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation was restored in high-fat-fed NOX1-/y or Cdh5cre-NOX1CKO mice, confirming improved endothelial function. RNA-sequencing identified 4 genes (Cntnap4 [contactin-associated protein-like 4], Sgsm1, Tll2, and Syt9) and 7 genes (Odf3l2, Col9a1 [collagen type IX alpha 1 chain], Cldn23, Atp5g2, Nkx6-3, Ntsr2, and Zfp69) significantly downregulated/upregulated in high-fat-fed Cdh5cre-NOX1CKO mice, among which Cntnap4 and Col9a1 linked to muscular disorders. Importantly, we observed marked upregulation of NOX1 in isolated coronary arteries from human patients with obesity. Taken together, our data for the first time establish a novel and paradigm-shifting concept that endothelial NOX1 drives systematic metabolic phenotypes, via impairment in skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction with novel genetic signatures. Tissue-specific targeting of endothelial NOX1 and novel candidate genes may prove to be robustly effective in treating obesity and metabolic syndrome.

ABSTRACT Presuming that doping of protective (Cr,Ta,Ti)O 2 with cations of +5 or higher valence further improves the oxidation resistance of Ta–Mo–Cr–Ti–Al, the effect of 3 at.% of Re or W in otherwise equimolar Ta–Mo–Cr–Ti–Al is investigated in oxidation tests performed at 1000°C in air. Both minor additions indeed decrease the parabolic mass gain (72 h), which for W also manifests in reduced thickness of oxide layers and zone of internal corrosion that persists for at least 100 h. Besides the hypothesised doping, other factors that may explain the effect of Re or W are discussed. A general finding of the analytical work is the identification of (Ti,Ta)O 2 with Mo inclusions underneath the inward growing (Cr,Ta,Ti)O 2 layer.

An analytical model for 3D island growth in Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) was derived from geometric and statistical principles. The model: (i) accounts for a random island distribution and spontaneous nucleation; (ii) expresses surface coverage, deposited mass, mass gain per cycle and surface roughness in closed-form equations; (iii) is expandable to alternative island shapes or processes beyond ALD, including variants of chemical vapor deposition. A Monte-Carlo simulation enabled visualization of the deposit morphology at distinct features of the derived analytical curve corresponding to various growth stages: separate island growth, onset of coalescence, peak mass gain per cycle and convergence to a continuous film. The model can fit experimentally measured signals in- or ex-situ relating to mass uptake or surface roughness during the nucleation process. The fit to literature data of HfO 2 , Al 2 O 3 and ZrO 2 island growth on H-terminated Si showcased the insights that the model gives, such as estimation of island size, island nucleation density and spontaneous island nucleation rate. The model serves as a valuable tool to guide process design and optimization, whether the goal is to obtain specific nanoparticle morphologies, as for fields of catalysis or optics, or thin continuous films, for areas of semiconductor and coating technologies.

To evaluate the physicochemical properties of a novel strontium silicate-based root canal sealer (C-Root SP) in comparison with a calcium silicate-based sealer (TotalFill BC) and an epoxy resin-based sealer (AH Plus). Setting time, net mass change (apparent solubility behavior), pH changes, and surface characteristics were assessed based on ISO 6876 and ANSI/ADA Specification No. 57, with minor methodological modifications. Net mass change and pH were evaluated over 28 days. Surface morphology and elemental composition were analyzed after dry and aqueous aging in deionized water using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Data were analyzed using one-way and repeated-measures ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc test (α = 0.05). AH Plus exhibited the longest initial and final setting times (10.93 ± 0.65 h and 37.33 ± 0.13 h), whereas TotalFill BC showed the shortest (7.98 ± 0.32 h and 30.18 ± 0.20 h); C-Root SP demonstrated intermediate values (9.35 ± 0.38 h and 32.75 ± 0.57 h) (p < 0.001). C-Root SP exhibited positive net mass change values (indicative of net mass loss), ranging from 5.32 ± 4.72% at 24 h to 6.83 ± 5.55% at 28 days, significantly higher than AH Plus and TotalFill BC (p < 0.001), which showed negative values indicative of apparent mass gain. All sealers demonstrated alkaline conditions, with C-Root SP maintaining the highest apparent pH values throughout the evaluation period (p < 0.001). Surface and compositional changes were observed in the bioceramic sealers following aqueous aging, with increased detectable strontium content in C-Root SP. C-Root SP exhibited physicochemical behavior consistent with a strontium-modified calcium silicate-based sealer, characterized by hydration-driven hydroxyl ion release resulting in apparent alkalinity and ion exchange-associated behavior, and dynamic surface changes consistent with those reported for bioceramic materials. Strontium incorporation may influence hydration-mediated physicochemical behavior; however, further in vitro and in vivo studies are required to determine its clinical relevance.

Upcycled geopolymer concrete incorporating GFRP waste powder: Sulfate resistance and machine learning-based strength prediction

Sarcopenia is a significant age-related hurdle in older adults due to immobilization, prolonged bed rest, loss of resilience, and diminished quality of life. Despite its high prevalence, there are no FDA-approved drugs for sarcopenia to date, underscoring the critical need to explore novel therapeutics. Here, we explore an active immunization strategy to suppress the activity of negative regulators of muscle growth, specifically myostatin and activin A. Importantly, our primary objective was to determine whether long-term MSTN/Act A inhibition can enhance muscle performance independently of hypertrophy, under conditions of impaired GH/IGF-1 signaling. Using a long-lived growth hormone (GH)-deficient murine model, we investigated whether myostatin and activin A immunization improves muscle strength, independently of changes in muscle mass. We showed that, while in the presence of GH, this immunization increases lean mass and grip strength improvement. Notably, in the GH-deficient mice, grip strength is independent of muscle mass gain. Myostatin inhibition modulated transcriptomic shift in the gastrocnemius muscle, allowing for remodeling of the skeletal muscle and an increase in energy expenditure. Consistent with these findings, aged mice subjected to the same immunization schedule exhibited improved grip strength, along with alterations in lipid metabolism within the gastrocnemius muscle. Altogether, these results suggest that this inhibition strategy alters the contractility of the skeletal muscle, allowing for enhanced performance and offering a promising therapeutic strategy for muscle wasting.

In the current work, a NiCrAlY/Cr₃C₂/h-BN composite coating applied on ASTM SA213-T22 boiler steel by plasma spray (APS) is examined for its hot cyclic oxidation behavior. In order to improve boiler steel components' resistance to oxidation in high-temperature oxidative conditions, a coating was created. 50 cycles of cyclic oxidation tests were conducted in static air at 700 °C. Each cycle consisted of an hour of heating and cooling to room temperature in order to replicate actual service conditions. The oxidation kinetics were ascertained by thermogravimetric measurements, and X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) investigations were used to describe the oxide scale shape and composition. Diffusion-controlled oxide development was demonstrated by the NiCrAlY/Cr₃C₂/h-BN-coated specimen, which showed an oxidation rate 8.7 times lower than that of the untreated T22 substrate and a parabolic rate law. According to surface analysis, a thick, adherent, multi-layered oxide scale made up of NiO, CrO₃, and AlO₃ formed, effectively limiting the flow of oxygen. As a solid lubricant and diffusion barrier, hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) reduced thermal stresses and inhibited the onset of cracks during cyclic exposure, further improving oxidation resistance. Oxides loaded with silicon and boron also helped to increase adhesion and scale stability under extended heat cycling. The development of continuous and protective oxide layers that preserved structural integrity and reduced mass gain during high-temperature exposure was the fundamental reason why the NiCrAlY/Cr₃C₂/h-BN coating showed higher cycle oxidation resistance at 700 °C overall.

In this work, the effect of various types of heat treatment, steam and air oxidation on the structure, phase composition, and corrosion properties of the zirconium alloy E110 with a CrN coating deposited by the reactive magnetron sputtering method was investigated. It was found that at a temperature of 800 ◦ C , the coating retains a dense and homogeneous structure with high adhesion, whereas at 1100 ◦ C , partial delamination and cracking of the layer are observed due to thermal stresses. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the main phases are represented by α -Zr and CrN. After heat treatment, slight changes in diffraction peak intensity were observed, and weak reflections that may correspond to metallic chromium were detected. Oxidation experiments in an air atmosphere at 700 ◦ C showed that the CrN coating significantly reduces mass gain and oxidation rate compared to the uncoated alloy. Steam corrosion tests at 1100 ◦ C confirmed that the CrN coating effectively prevents oxygen diffusion, preserving the structure and integrity of the layer. According to the results of electrochemical tests in 3.5 wt.% NaCl, the corrosion current density decreased from 3.63 µA/cm 2 to 1.03 µA/cm 2 , and the corrosion rate decreased from 0.0053 mm/year to 0.0000185 mm/year . The obtained data indicate that optimal heat treatment at 800 ◦ C followed by steam oxidation ensures the formation of a durable, heat-resistant, and corrosion-resistant CrN coating that effectively protects the zirconium alloy E110 from aggressive&nbsp;environments.

Polypyrrole (pPy) is a promising conductive polymer, yet its electrochemical performance and structural stability strongly depend on synthesis conditions. Recent work has demonstrated enhanced charge capacity in pPy films formed by oxidative molecular layer deposition (oMLD) at 150 °C; however, lower growth temperatures are of interest to enhance the oMLD growth rate. Here, we investigate how lower growth temperatures spanning 100–150 °C impact the growth rate, structure, and properties of pPy thin films. In situ quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) revealed that lower growth temperatures yield higher mass gain per cycle but lead to nonuniform growth and incorporation of residual by-products. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis confirmed that films deposited at elevated temperatures exhibit cleaner chemistry, smoother morphology, and exceptional thermal stability, with negligible mass loss up to 600 °C. Electrochemical analysis demonstrated that films formed at higher temperatures deliver higher specific capacity (up to 343 mA h/g at steady state) and improved cycling stability compared to low-temperature films. All films retained their electrochemical properties following postdeposition vacuum anneal at 250 °C, while heating to 50 °C during cyclic voltammetry measurements boosted charge capacity and stability. These findings establish growth temperature as a key parameter for tailoring pPy properties and demonstrate that oMLD pPy grown at 150 °C can produce structurally and electrochemically robust films for next-generation energy storage and electronic applications.

Mouse models of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) are valuable tools for identifying novel molecular mechanisms that drive progression from MASLD to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). However, generating a clinically relevant MASLD/MASH mouse model with obesity and peripheral metabolic dysfunction remains a challenge. In this study, we fed two different MASH-inducing diets to male mice with pre-existing high-fat (HF) diet-induced obesity. While a HF diet containing 40% Kcal from fat (mostly corn-oil shortening), 2% cholesterol, and 22% fructose reduced adiposity in these mice, a high-fat diet with 60% Kcal from fat (mostly lard), containing 2% cholesterol and supplemented with 10% fructose in the drinking water (HFC+Fr diet) promoted body weight and fat mass gain. Of note, 24 weeks of the HFC+Fr diet induced obesity, metabolic dysfunction, and liver steatosis in male and female mice, and promoted MASH with fibrosis in male mice. Furthermore, the HFC+Fr diet increased the expression of hepatocyte peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (Pparg), but the knockout of Pparg in hepatocytes (PpargΔHep) reduced the development of MASH and fibrosis in male mice. In addition, the expression of key hepatic genes involved in methionine metabolism was downregulated by the HFC+Fr diet and upregulated by PpargΔHep only in male mice. Overall, the HFC+Fr diet is obesogenic and promotes MASLD in both male and female mice. However, the HFC+Fr diet promotes MASH in a sex- and hepatocyte Pparg-specific manner, which may be associated with downregulation of hepatic methionine metabolism.

Weight/fat mass gain to support resumption of normal menses can be an important treatment goal for female athletes with amenorrhoea (AMEN) or oligomenorrhoea (OLIGO) related to relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs). However, targets based on body mass index (BMI) or per cent expected body weight (%EBW) may be less applicable in athletes, who typically have greater lean mass compared with the general population. Our aim was to determine if dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-derived %fat Z-score can detect menstrual status in female athletes and if a %fat Z-score cut-off of <-1.0 is a better indicator than standard BMI (in those >20 years) or %EBW (in those ≤20 years) thresholds. 388 female athletes (age 15-30 years, Tier ≥2) with DXA scans were classified as AMEN (n=159), OLIGO (n=84) or naturally menstruating (NM, n=145) using clinical records. We compared %fat Z-score and BMI or %EBW values across menstrual groups and calculated sensitivity and specificity for predicting AMEN and the combined OLIGO and AMEN groups (OLIGO/AMEN) using traditional BMI or %EBW risk cut-offs versus a risk cut-off of <-1.0 for %fat Z-score. %fat Z-score was superior to traditional BMI or %EBW thresholds in discriminating between menstrual status groups. Using a %fat Z-score cut-off <-1.0 improved sensitivity (p<0.0001) for predicting AMEN (68.9%) and OLIGO/AMEN (57.7%) compared with the sensitivity of traditional BMI or %EBW cut-offs for AMEN (29.3%) and OLIGO/AMEN (25.9%). However, %fat Z-score <-1.0 did not improve specificity for predicting AMEN (75.4%) nor OLIGO/AMEN (79.9%) compared with the specificity of traditional BMI or %EBW cut-offs for AMEN (83.9%; p=0.0078) and OLIGO/AMEN (85.2%; p=0.14). When attempting to resume normal menstruation, achieving a %fat Z-score ≥-1.0, rather than using BMI or %EBW targets, may be a better goal for athletes with REDs-related amenorrhoea or oligomenorrhoea.

This study compared the physicochemical and biological properties of Bio-C Repair (BR), a new putty-type calcium silicate-based material, with ProRoot MTA (P) and Super-Bond (SB). Discs of the three materials were prepared. Human periodontal ligament cells were seeded onto the discs, and metabolic activity was assessed by MTT assay on days 7 and 28; cells without discs served as the negative control (NC). Moreover, the pH and calcium ion concentration of the eluate, the mass change, and the water sorption were investigated. On day 7, BR showed significantly lower cell activity than P and NC. However, by day 28, BR activity increased significantly, with no significant difference relative to other groups, whereas P activity was significantly suppressed relative to SB and NC. Physiochemically, BR maintained a significantly higher alkalinity (pH ~11.0) and greater calcium ion release than P throughout the 28 days. Furthermore, BR exhibited significant mass gain (15.7%) and the highest water sorption (15.4%), whereas P showed mass loss (-1.1%). Although the high pH of BR initially suppressed cell activity, it demonstrated favorable cytocompatibility by day 28. BR showed a significantly improved long-term cellular response compared to P, suggesting it is a promising alternative as a root-end filling material.

Obesity and aging are converging health challenges, contributing to morbidity in older populations. However, the specific contribution of age to susceptibility to obesity is unclear. This study examined the impact of age on susceptibility to diet-induced obesity (DIO) and calorie restriction (CR) in male mice. Young (2-3 months) and old (17-24 months) lean C57BL/6J male mice were fed a standard chow diet (CD) or a high-fat diet (HFD) for 28 days, then underwent 18 days of CR. We monitored body weight, body composition, energy intake and expenditure, glucose tolerance, and gene expression in metabolically relevant tissues. HFD-fed old mice exhibited more fat mass gain but, surprisingly, protection from glucose intolerance. In comparison, young controls exhibited resistance to DIO due to reduced calorie storage efficiency. Gene expression analysis suggested reduced plasticity and lipid turnover in visceral adipose tissue but increased subcutaneous adipose tissue plasticity in old mice. The increased energy storage did not protect old mice from body weight loss following CR. Old mice exhibit increased susceptibility to DIO due to near optimal efficiency storing calories as fat. This susceptibility correlates with increased energy storage efficiency and the absence of energy demanding anabolic processes, like lean mass accrual, exhibited by young mice. Despite increased predisposition to obesity, lifelong leanness confers resilient glycemic control to old mice, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy body weight and dietary habits throughout life to mitigate age-related metabolic risks.

Statins are widely used to manage lipid disorders and reduce cardiovascular risk in humans. Rosuvastatin, one of the most effective statins, decreases cholesterol biosynthesis and exerts pleiotropic effects. However, recent studies indicate potential reproductive toxicity associated with statin use in animal and human studies. This study aimed to evaluate the reproductive parameters and fertility in adult female Swiss mice exposed to relevant doses of rosuvastatin. Female mice were divided into three experimental groups: control (0.9 % saline solution), 1.5 mg/kg of rosuvastatin, and 5.5 mg/kg of rosuvastatin. The treatments were administered via gavage from postnatal day (PND) 80 to PND 110, and the reproductive and developmental parameters, as well as the general health status of the animals, were assessed. There was a reduction in total serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels, a reduced total number of antral follicles, and an increased ovarian follicular atresia, as confirmed by increased cleaved caspase-9 and caspase-3 immunostaining in the granulosa cells of antral follicles, in the rosuvastatin-treated females. However, no adverse effects were observed in body mass gain and the hepatic markers of non-pregnant females. The treatment with rosuvastatin preceding gestation reduced pregnancy rate and increased post-implantation losses, resorptions, and fetal mortality, especially at the lower dose. In summary, the exposure to rosuvastatin during adulthood may compromise follicular dynamics and reduce female reproductive performance. These outcomes reinforce the need for caution in the use of statins by women of reproductive age.

Growth and immune development-fundamental parts of any organism's ontogeny-depend critically on nutrient availability, particularly on essential amino acids that support protein synthesis and physiological processes. However, environmental variation can reduce prey diversity and nutrient quality, producing suboptimal diets that lack essential amino acids, potentially constraining development. In this study, we experimentally supplemented great tit (Parus major) nestlings from forest and suburban environments with methionine, leucine, or tap water (control) from day 4 to day 7 post-hatching and investigated the effects on growth and baseline innate immune function across each habitat. We assessed nestlings' growth using body mass, tarsus length, and wing length and baseline innate immune function by quantifying complement activity (measured as lysis) and natural antibody titers (measured as agglutination). Supplementation significantly increased body mass gain in forest nestlings, particularly in smaller individuals, suggesting enhanced protein synthesis efficiency, although its effects on tarsus and wing length were limited. Methionine significantly improved lysis activity, suggesting enhanced innate immune function, whereas agglutination was not notably affected. In contrast, suburban nestlings showed limited responses to supplementation, suggesting broader nutritional constraints beyond individual amino acid deficiencies. Habitat and initial body mass significantly influenced growth rate, but their effects depended on the treatment. These findings highlight the complex, condition-dependent effects of amino acid supplementation on nestling development and emphasize the importance of considering habitat-specific nutritional limitations when assessing avian developmental plasticity.

Subcutaneous and visceral adipose depots employ distinct expansion strategies in response to dietary cues, yet the molecular regulators underlying these depot-specific adaptations remain poorly understood. Through integrated proteomic profiling of human subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues from paired obese/non-obese donors and temporal transcriptomic analysis of mouse adipose stem and progenitor cells (ASPCs) during dietary transitions, we identified Glypican 3 (Gpc3) as an obesity-responsive gene exhibiting reciprocal expression patterns between depots. ASPC-specific Gpc3 deletion in mice amplified high-fat diet-induced weight and fat mass gain, with a selective enhancement of expansion in inguinal white adipose tissue (WAT) without affecting epididymal WAT. Mechanistically, Gpc3 loss biased ASPC fate toward adipogenesis over proliferation through depot-specific modulation of canonical Wnt signaling. These findings establish Gpc3 as a regulator for regional adipose plasticity, offering a molecular target for reprogramming pathological fat distribution in obesity and related metabolic disorders.

Parental energy allocation impacts the fitness of offspring and parents alike and should provide insight into the sources of variation in life history traits. Nevertheless, few studies have simultaneously assessed multiple sources of variation in maternal energy allocation and how allocation might vary over a female's lifetime. We used 20 years of cross-sectional (females sampled once) and longitudinal (same female sampled more than once) data on 222 known-age grey seals (Halichoerus grypus), a long-lived capital breeder and 324 of their offspring to examine the influence on maternal energy allocation during lactation of the following variables: maternal postpartum mass (MPPM), total maternal mass loss (TMML), relative maternal mass loss (RMML = TMML:MPPM), mass transfer efficiency, lactation duration and pup birth and weaning mass. Mixed-effect general linear models were used to examine the influence of predictors on response variables, with maternal identity and study year included as random effects. Our findings indicate that during the 17-day lactation period, females expended about 37% (73 kg) of their MPPM to support their own metabolism requirements and milk production. Maternal age and MPPM had significant effects on multiple aspects of maternal energy allocation, including TMML, lactation duration, pup birth mass and pup weaning mass. Heavier females lost more body mass over lactation than lighter females. Maternal allocation increased throughout early life, plateaued in slow-growing prime-age females, and then declined in older females. Parity also affected maternal allocation, but the effect was limited to young females, with influences on pup birth mass, proportional pup mass gain and pup weaning mass. Females that lactated longer had greater RMML and produced pups with greater weaning mass. The effect of pup sex differed depending on MPPM, with lighter females experiencing greater TMML when nursing female pups than male pups and heavier females experiencing the reverse. Despite the substantial loss of body mass during lactation, 33 females measured in two consecutive years generally recovered fully from this energy expenditure, with no evidence of reduced allocation in the next year compared with the previous year. Prenatal allocation (pup birth mass) was a quadratic function of maternal age, increasing parity and pup sex, with female pups born lighter than males. Postnatal allocation (offspring weaning mass) also varied with maternal age, parity and pup sex, but TMML, lactation duration and pup birth mass were also influential.

High temperature oxidation behavior of low-density AlCuFeNiTi-based high entropy alloy

This study investigated how fabrication method (milling versus 3D printing) affects the water sorption and solubility of PMMA dental materials, and how surface characteristics affect hydrolytic stability. Fifty-six PMMA samples were divided into three groups fabricated from CAD/CAM milled discs (Group A: I-III) and four groups from 3D-printed resin (Group B: IV-VII), each subjected to distinct postprocessing protocols. Water sorption (wsp) and solubility (wsl) were measured after immersion in distilled water at 37 °C for 24, 48, and 72 h, and 7 and 14 days. Surface topography and nanoroughness were assessed using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Statistical descriptive analyses were followed by correlation analyses. Milled PMMA demonstrated significantly lower water sorption and negative solubility (mass loss), indicating material dissolution. In contrast, 3D-printed PMMA showed higher water sorption and positive solubility (mass gain), reflecting water incorporation and polymer swelling. The kinetic profiles differed: milled PMMA displayed a monophasic absorption curve, while 3D-printed PMMA exhibited a biphasic pattern with accelerated water uptake after 72 h. AFM analysis revealed that 3D-printed surfaces had significantly greater nanoroughness than milled surfaces. Strong positive correlations were observed between surface roughness parameters (Sa, Sy) and water sorption capacity. The fabrication method was found to influence the hydrolytic stability of PMMA dental materials. Milled PMMA demonstrated superior stability, with lower water uptake, smoother surfaces, and lower leaching solubility. In contrast, 3D-printed PMMA exhibited increased surface roughness and water sorption, attributed to its layered microstructure and nanoporosity. Surface topography emerged as a strong predictor of wsl, related to hydrolytic degradation. For clinical applications, milled PMMA is recommended for long-term use requiring durability, whereas 3D-printed PMMA may be appropriate for short-term applications with optimised postprocessing.