Microscopic Level Research Articles

Fascial plane blocks: from microanatomy to clinical applications.

In the last 20 years, advancements in the understanding of fasciae have significantly transformed anaesthesia and surgery. Fascial plane blocks (FPBs) have gained popularity due to their validated safety profile and relative ease. They are used in various clinical settings for surgical and nonsurgical indications. Growing evidence suggests a link between the microscopic anatomy of fasciae and their mechanism of action. As a result, knowledge of these aspects is urgently needed to better optimise pain management. The purpose of this review is to summarise the different microscopic aspects of deep/muscular fascia to expand our understanding in the performance of FPBs. There is ample evidence to support the role of FPBs in pain management. However, the exact mechanism of action remains unclear. Fasciae are composed of various structural elements and display complex anatomical characteristics at the microscopic level. They include various cell types embedded within an extracellular matrix abundant in collagens and hyaluronan. Increasingly, numerous studies demonstrated their innervation that contributes to their sensory functions and their role in proprioception, motor coordination and pain perception. Lastly, the diversity of the cellular and extracellular matrix, with their viscoelastic properties, is essential to understanding the FPBs' mechanism of action. Physicians must be aware of the role of fascial microscopic anatomy and better understand their properties to perform FPBs in a conscious manner and enhance pain management.

Effect of flowing water on the ettringite-induced healing of concrete cracks by electrodeposition: Experiments and molecular dynamics simulations

The electrodeposition method (EDM) has been regarded as a new technique for healing concrete microcracks in recent years due to its advantages of excellent remediation in aqueous environments. However, a flowing water environment may influence the effectiveness of the EDM. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of flowing water on the synthesis of ettringite by the EDM to heal concrete cracks was investigated through experiments and molecular dynamics simulations. The experiment results showed that the impermeability coefficient of concrete decreased from 6.41 to 5.36 and 5.18 as the flow rate increased from 0 to 1 m/d and 3 m/d after 7d. The healing products on the surface developed from a cotton-like floc structure to a gel-like morphology. At the microscopic level, with the increase in flow rate, the ettringite changed from the disordered distribution of reticulation to the orderly growth of clusters in the form of long rods. Meanwhile, the phase compositions of healing products transformed from ettringite to gypsum and calcium carbonate. In addition, combined with the molecular dynamics simulations by LAMMPS, the increase in flow rate changed the crystal characteristics of the synthesized ettringite, both the decrease in length-to-diameter ratio and crystallinity, as well as the increase in specific surface area, d-spacing, and crystallite size.

Corrosion-resistant superhydrophobic composite coating with mechanochemical durability

It is important to improve the corrosion resistance of magnesium alloy for expanding its application field. Poor durability seriously restricts the practical application of superhydrophobic anti-corrosion coatings. Here, a durable superhydrophobic anti-corrosion coating was prepared on AZ31 Mg substrate via a facile one-step spraying approach. The microscale glass fibers (GF) and nanoscale hydrophobic SiO2 particles were integrated into the epoxy resin (ER) to construct superhydrophobic composite coating (ER/GF-SiO2). Benefitting from the air cushion and physical barrier effect of superhydrophobic coating, the ER/GF-SiO2 coating exhibits good reinforced protectives properties. Compared with the AZ31, the corrosion current density of superhydrophobic coating decreased by three orders of magnitude and the low-frequency impedance modulus decreased by one order of magnitude. The ER/GF-SiO2 coating still maintained a high protective efficiency (89.44 %) after immersion in 3.5 wt% NaCl solutions for 13 d. The ER/GF-SiO2 coating shown good mechanochemical durability. The superhydrophobicity can be maintained after 40 m of sandpaper abrasion, 30 min of water impact, 20 min of sand impact, and 80 cycles tape-peeling. Furthermore, the high bond strength of the coating-substrate was verified by energetic analysis of molecular dynamics simulation at a microscopic level. The facile and effective preparation process provides an effective strategy for large-scale industrial production of durable superhydrophobic coating.

Comparing contribution of bony and cartilaginous endplate changes to intervertebral disc degeneration.

To compare the degenerative features of cartilaginous endplate with bony endplate in association with intervertebral degeneration in local population at radiographic, macroscopic and microscopic level in human motion segments. This cross-sectional descriptive study examined 59 lumbar spine motion segments from adult male cadavers at the Department of Anatomy, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, between May and September, 2022. Radiographic assessment observed bony endplate (BEP) for the presence of sclerosis & osteophytes and degeneration scores from 1-8 were assigned. Macroscopic assessment was done to evaluate BEP, cartilaginous endplate (CEP) and IVD, and scores ranged from 1to 28 for BEP, 1-4 for CEP and 1-64 for IVD were assigned. Microscopic assessment revealed degeneration scores of CEP ranged from 1-42 and 1-30 for IVD. Segments with BEP defects were also identified on radiographs & macroscopy. Significant correlations were observed between the total degeneration scores of BEP with IVD and CEP scores (r=0.88 and r=0.909, respectively, p<0.001). Similarly, the total degeneration scores of the CEP is also significantly correlated with total IVD (r=0.86, p<0.001). Additionally, the samples with BEP defects were having higher IVD degeneration scores (p<0.001). This study, for the first time identifies that there exists a critical association of bony and cartilaginous endplate with intervertebral disc degeneration individually in the same tissue sections using multi-dimension assessment methods. Degeneration in any of the components of VEP is consonantly associated with IVD degeneration. The BEP & CEP, though, they are unique structures but are interlinked with each other structurally and functionally.

Salt removal from coal flotation product filter cakes using counter-current and displacement washing

Water reuse is a common practice to alleviate water scarcity concerns and mitigate their environmental footprint in coal processing facilities. Nevertheless, water reuse leads to the accumulation of various organic and inorganic substances, including salt and residual reagents in the processing water, potentially leading to the retention of soluble impurities within the coal product. Residual impurities may result in a reduction in the quality of coal products. Salt and moisture retention has become a common issue on-site, but there lacks a proper solution currently. To resolve this industrial problem, investigations were carried out for the effects of washing on removing inorganic impurities from the cake during filtration. Filter cakes were prepared from flocculated metallurgical coal in process water. Two washing methods were trialled namely counter-current washing and displacement washing. Regarding washing efficiency, counter-current washing tended to produce cakes with higher specific resistance, which caused longer filtration time. Displacement washing, however, showed increased filtration time, though to a lesser extent. In addition, washing with different washing liquid ratios for multiple wash cycles showed that the filtration time, specific cake resistance, and medium resistance increased with the number of wash cycles. The analysis of the filtrate indicated that utilising a strategy of displacement washing with a washing ratio of 1:20 yielded the most effective removal of salt. The filter cakes were analysed using the μCT imaging technique to gain insights into the pore structure of the cake at a microscopic level. There was a significant change in the cake structure, where the pore profile was more evenly distributed and smaller when the cake was washed by displacement washing.

3D Face Reconstruction Based on ResNet Feature Extraction and CBAM

In view of the scarcity, high cost and lack of diversity of three-dimensional (3D) face datasets, this paper designs an end-to-end self-supervised learning 3D face reconstruction network, which uses single 2D face image as input. The model bypasses the 3D face datasets and only uses the 2D face datasets for training to achieve high-precision 3D face reconstruction without any 3D face prior. First, the improved ResNet50 feature extraction module is introduced to extract and characterize the input image by deep convolutional network. Then, a lightweight convolutional block attention module is added to the face prediction subnetwork. On the one hand, channel attention extracts different information included in the image, and on the other hand spatial attention finds the location of the information. So, the serialized attention operation could accurately find the features required for different parameter predictions, further improving face reconstruction parameters’ prediction accuracy. Finally, training, ablation and comparison experiments were conducted on CelebFaces Attributes, basel face model and Photoface datasets, and the combined loss function of pixel loss and perception loss was selected. The pixel loss function was calculated at the pixel microscopic level, and the perception loss function was calculated at the image macroscopic convolution level. The combination of the two could complement each other. Compared with the historical optimal results of the same network structure, the scale-invariant depth error and mean angle deviation of the proposed algorithm are improved by 5.2% and 8.2%, respectively. Experimental results strongly prove the effectiveness of the algorithm.

Evaluation of the freeze-thaw resistance of concrete incorporating waste rubber and waste glass

In this paper, a systematic evaluation of the freeze-thaw (F-T) resistance of concrete containing waste rubber (WR) and/or waste glass (WG) was performed. Fine aggregates were replaced separately with crumb rubber (CR), glass powder (GP) and a mixture of both, and substitution rates varied from 0 to 15 % by volume. All mixtures were subjected to 25, 50, 75 and 100 F-T cycles, respectively. After reaching the desired number of F-T cycles, changes in the appearance, mass, dynamic modulus, degree of internal damage, and compressive strength of the degraded mixtures relative to the pre-freeze-thaw (Pre-F-T) condition were observed or measured. Results indicated that compared with plain concrete, rubberized concrete had superior F-T resistance but lower Pre-F-T strength. Although glass concrete may be less impressive than rubberized concrete in F-T resistance, it offered better mechanical strength and a denser microstructure. However, the incorporation of GP failed to mitigate the apparent damage and mass loss of concrete in F-T environments. Besides, the long-term F-T durability of glass concrete may be questioned, as evidenced by a sharp deterioration in nearly all of its parameters during 75–100 F-T cycles. For the combined mixtures, 15 % CR and 10 % GP have been proved to be a reasonable combination for maximizing the F-T resistance of concrete. Finally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to reveal the mechanisms of CR and GP action in F-T environments at the microscopic level. In summary, CR and GP are materials worth considering in concrete preparation to improve its F-T resistance.

Topological Programmability of Isomerizable Polymers.

Topology isomerizable networks (TINs) can be programmed into numerous polymers exhibiting unique and spatially defined (thermo-) mechanical properties. However, capturing the dynamics in topological transformations and revealing the intrinsic mechanisms of mechanical property modulation at the microscopic level is a significant challenge. Here, we use a combination of coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations and reaction kinetic theory to reveal the impact of dynamic bond exchange reactions on the topology of branched chains. We find that, the grafted units follow a geometric distribution with a converged uniformity, which depends solely on the average grafted units of branched chains. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the topological structure can lead to spontaneous modulation of mechanical properties. The theoretical framework provides a research paradigm for studying the topology and mechanical properties of TINs.

Laboratory evaluation of performances and thermo-oxidative aging characteristics of high-viscosity modified asphalt

High construction temperatures and complex application conditions make the high-viscosity modified asphalt (HVMA) susceptible to aging. This work presents a comprehensive investigation of the performances and thermo-oxidative aging characteristics of HVMA. Fistly, an instant high-viscosity modifier (HVM) was synthesized and then optimized by entropy weight method. The modification mechanism and high- and low-temperature performances of HVMAs were investigated by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), temperature sweep, and low temperature creep tests. Besides, thermo-oxidative aging characteristics were evaluated by the frequency sweep, multiple stress creep recovery (MSCR) and fluorescence microscopy (FM) tests. Results shows that the recommended formulation of instant HVMA (HVMA-I) was 12 % instant HVM and 0.2 % stabilizer. Grafting and cross-linking reactions involved in HVMA-I, thus ensuring the excellent high- and low-temperature performances. The thermo-oxidative aging of HVMA consisted of the modifier degradation and the binder oxidation. Short-term aging produced a marginal effect as a fluctuating change direction for complex modulus. Long-term aging had pronounced effects on the performances of HVMA. At the macroscopic level, the complex modulus was increased and the nonrecoverable creep compliance was decreased; at the microscopic level, the fluorescence area was reduced and phase network was degraded.

Understanding the unique corrosion phenomenon of Sanxingdui embrittled gold masks using scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM): Intergranular corrosion of Au-Ag-Pb ternary alloy

The study investigated the rare corrosion of embrittled gold masks excavated from the Sanxingdui archaeological site, attributing the embrittlement to preferential corrosion of intergranular Pb-containing phases through morphological studies using metallographic microscopy and SEM-EDS. Scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) technology was used to quantitatively analyze simulated Au-Ag-Pb alloy samples to compare the electrochemical properties of different phases at the microscopic level. The results revealed an electrochemical activity order of Au-Ag < Au2Pb < AuPb2+PbxOy, which explains the varying levels of retention for different components in gold masks and provides a reference for subsequent conservation strategy.

Dynamic antifouling strategies of soft corals: Disrupting the flow field by tentacles

As permanently attached organism, soft corals can prevent fouling organisms from attaching to them through its anti-fouling mechanisms. In this paper, the antifouling mechanism of soft coral tentacles was revealed through the combination of numerical simulation and laboratory experiment. The results indicated that the interaction between tentacle structures and fluid medium affects the distribution and adhesion of bacteria. At the microscopic level, the boundary layer of low normal flow velocity forms a "water film" near the tentacles, preventing bacteria from approaching the tentacle surface. From the macro perspective, coral tentacles can disrupt the flow field through vortex streets, disrupt water flow stability, and make it difficult for bacteria to attach. The new discovery of bacterial movement and attachment behavior in the flow around a circular cylinder provides theoretical guidance for the design of antifouling surfaces.

Unveiling the placental secrets: Exploring histopathological changes and TROP2 expression in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

IntroductionGestational cholestasis, also known as intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) or obstetric cholestasis, is a liver disease that can manifest in late pregnancy. Trophoblast cell surface antigen (TROP2) is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein identified in placental trophoblast cells that plays a critical role in trophoblast invasion of the decidua upon implantation into the placenta. Our study aims to investigate the role of TROP2 in pregnancy cholestasis. Materials and methodsStudy groups: Group 1 (control group) (n = 10): consists of healthy normal pregnant women without any disease, Group 2 (cholestasis group) (n = 10): consists of pregnant women diagnosed with cholestasis. After routine histological follow-up, hematoxylin and eosin staining and TROP2 immunostaining were performed and scored. ResultsIn the cholestasis group, in contrast to the control group, thrombus structures were observed in the intervillous space. In the cholestasis group compared to the control group, villus mesenchymal connective tissue cells, capillary endothelium and trophoblasts around the villus showed significantly stronger anti-TROP2 staining (p < 0.05). DiscussionCholestasis, a condition that may manifest during pregnancy, may be associated not only with observable pathological changes in placental tissues at the light microscopic level, but also with an increase in TROP2 expression. Given the critical role of TROP2 in trophoblast invasion during placental implantation, we hypothesize that TROP2 may serve as a key marker of the cholestatic processes occurring during pregnancy.

Unveiling the impact of self-assembly on ultrafiltration: Insights from salvianolic acid B

This study explored the influence of self-assembly on the ultrafiltration (UF) rejection of salvianolic acid B (SaB), a model polyphenolic compound. Employing a combined approach of experimental analysis and molecular dynamics simulations (MDS), we demonstrated pH-dependent self-assembly of SaB at both macroscopic and microscopic levels. At lower pH, larger self-assemblies formed, exhibiting enhanced adsorption onto the membrane surface due to electrostatic attraction. This pH-dependent behavior significantly impacted rejection rates through size exclusion and adsorption mechanisms, leading to a decrease in SaB rejection from 100 % to 31 % as the solution pH increased from 2.4 to 5.6. These findings transcend the specific case of SaB, offering valuable insights into the broader role of self-assembly in UF processes. This knowledge holds potential applications in optimizing separation processes across diverse fields such as food, pharmaceuticals, and environmental science.

New Insights on Blood Evidence from the Turin Shroud Consistent with Jesus Christ’s Tortures

After a critical revision of the main results obtained on the hematic material of the Holy Shroud in Turin, this paper presents various news of both a macroscopic and microscopic nature. At a macroscopic level, news regarding the directions and position of blood and the probable presence of pulmonary fluid are discussed. Also, the bloodstains on the left arm are examined to try to distinguish different kinds of hematic fluid. At a microscopic level, three different types of blood are evidenced. Hypotheses have been formulated to distinguish pre-mortem and post-mortem blood and to distinguish erythrocytes on the basis of their different sizes. The presence of fibrin, earthy material, creatinine typical of a tortured person, and the stacking of erythrocytes is also discussed along with their Beta-activity and fluorescence. Finally, the physical conditions relating to Jesus are discussed from a medical point of view which could explain all the news of the hematic material taken from the HST and are consistent with the tortures of Jesus Christ described in the Holy Bible.

Extra domain A-containing fibronectin in pulmonary hypertension and treatment effects of a function-blocking antibody.

Pulmonary vascular and right ventricular (RV) remodelling processes are important for development and progression of pulmonary hypertension (PH). The current study analysed the functional role of the extra domain A-containing fibronectin (ED-A+ Fn) for the development of PH by comparing ED-A+ Fn knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice as well as the effects of an antibody-based therapeutic approach in a model of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PH, which will be validated in a model of Sugen 5416/hypoxia-induced PH. PH was induced using MCT (PH mice). Sixty-nine mice were divided into the following groups: sham-treated controls (WT: n = 7; KO: n = 7), PH mice without specific treatment (WT: n = 12; KO: n = 10), PH mice treated with a dual endothelin receptor antagonist (macitentan; WT: n = 6; KO: n = 11), WT PH mice treated with the F8 antibody, specifically recognizing ED-A+ Fn, (n = 8), and WT PH mice treated with an antibody of irrelevant antigen specificity (KSF, n = 8). Compared to controls, WT_PH mice showed a significant elevation of the RV systolic pressure (P = 0.04) and RV functional impairment including increased basal RV (P = 0.016) diameter or tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (P = 0.008). In contrast, KO PH did not show such effects compared to controls (P = n.s.). In WT_PH mice treated with F8, haemodynamic and echocardiographic parameters were significantly improved compared to untreated WT_PH mice or those treated with the KSF antibody (P < 0.05). On the microscopic level, KO_PH mice showed significantly less tissue damage compared to the WT_PH mice (P = 0.008). Furthermore, lung tissue damage could significantly be reduced after F8 treatment (P = 0.04). Additionally, these findings could be verified in the Sugen 5416/hypoxia mouse model, in which F8 significantly improved echocardiographic, haemodynamic, and histologic parameters. ED-A+ Fn is of crucial importance for PH pathogenesis representing a promising therapeutic target in PH. We here show a novel therapeutic approach using antibody-mediated functional blockade of ED-A+ Fn capable of attenuating and partially reversing PH-associated tissue remodelling.

Interfacial Engineering of Fluorescent Carbon Dots with Metal Oxides for Real-Time Visualization of Oxygen Vacancy Dynamics.

Oxygen vacancy (Vo), as one of the most common surface defects, significantly influence the physiochemical properties of metal oxides. However, it remains a challenge for existing techniques to visualize the evolution of Vo during redox process due to its heterogeneous distribution, small size, and dynamic nature. Herein, the real-time monitoring of such microscopic interfacial events is reported by advantage of the high-contrast fluorescence response of carbon dots (H-CDs) to Vo. The green emissive H-CDs possess a unique disc-shaped structure and exceptional hydrophilicity, allowing their tight adhesion to the surfaces of Vo-rich MgO by simple mixing. Subsequently, a water involved interfacial reaction occurred between H-CDs and Vo, resulting in gradual quenching of the original green emission and simultaneously emergence of bright red fluorescence. Moreover, the spatiotemporal diffusion dynamics and reaction kinetics are investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy, revealing the time-dependent reorganization and structural heterogeneity at the interface. The finding provides a new toolbox for in situ imaging of Vo-triggered phenomena at a microscopic level, which will be helpful in promoting the rational design of oxide materials.

Theoretical study on the synergistic mechanism of Fe–Mn in sodium-ion batteries

This article conducts first-principles calculations to initially explore the construction of two configurations, NaFeO2 (NFO) and NaMnO2 (NMO), and studies the mixing enthalpies under different Fe–Mn ratios. The results indicate that NaFe3/8Mn5/8O2 (NFMO) exhibits the most thermodynamically stable structure. Subsequent calculations on the mixing enthalpies and volume changes during the sodium extraction process for NFO, NMO, and NFMO configurations are presented, along with the partial density of states (PDOS) and Bader charges of transition metals (TM) and oxygen. These calculations reveal the synergistic mechanism of Fe and Mn. Fe and Mn can engage in more complex electron exchanges during sodium extraction, optimizing the internal electron density distribution and overall charge balance, thereby stabilizing the crystal structure and reducing the migration of Fe3+ to the sodium layers during deep sodium extraction. The interaction between Fe’s 3d electrons and Mn’s 3d electrons through the shared oxygen atoms’ 2p orbitals occurs in the Fe–Mn–O network. This interaction can lead to a rebalancing of the electron density around Mn³⁺ atoms, mitigating the asymmetric electron density distribution caused by the d4 configuration of the lone Mn³⁺ and suppressing the Jahn-Teller effect of Mn3+. Moreover, the synergistic effects between Fe and Mn can provide a more balanced charge distribution, reducing extreme changes to the charge state of oxygen atoms and decreasing the irreversible oxygen release caused by anionic redox reactions during deep sodium extraction, thereby enhancing the material’s stability. This in-depth study of the interaction mechanism at the microscopic level when co-doping Fe and Mn offers valuable insights for the rational design and development of high-performance cathode materials.

FFT-based homogenisation for efficient concurrent multiscale modelling of thin plate structures

AbstractThis paper presents a novel approach to concurrent multiscale analysis, where structures are formulated at both microscopic and macro levels for simulation purposes. The proposed method employs a plate model to formulate structures at both scales, and homogenisation is performed using the FFT-based approach, offering higher efficiency compared to conventional methods. Additionally, the macroscopic tangent operator of the microscopic model is derived through an algorithmically consistent process within the FFT-based framework, incorporating the application of Lippman–Schwinger equations as outlined in this work. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through case studies in real simulations, revealing comparable results to traditional multiscale schemes in addressing multiscale thin plate structures. Importantly, the method significantly reduces computing time and memory usage, attributed to the efficiency of plate modelling and the FFT-based homogenisation strategy.

The Longevity Med Summit: insights on healthspan from cell to society.

In recent years, there has been a paradigm shift with regards to ageing, challenging its traditional perception as an inevitable and natural process. Researchers have collectively identified hallmarks of ageing, nine of which were initially proposed in 2013 and expanded in 2023 to include disabled macroautophagy, chronic inflammation, and dysbiosis, enhancing our understanding of the ageing process at microscopic, cellular, and system-wide levels. Strategies to manipulate these hallmarks present opportunities for slowing, preventing, or reversing age-related diseases, thereby promoting longevity. The interdependence of these hallmarks underscores the necessity of a comprehensive, systems-based approach to address the complex processes contributing to ageing. As a primary risk factor for various diseases, ageing diminishes healthspan, leading to extended periods of compromised health and multiple age-related conditions towards the end of life. The significant gap between healthspan and lifespan holds substantial economic and societal implications. The inaugural Longevity Med Summit (4-5 May 2023, Cascais, Portugal) provided an international forum to discuss the academic and industry landscape of healthy longevity research, preventive medicine and clinical practice to enhance healthspan.

Multi‐Interfacial Heterostructure Design of Carbon Fiber/Silicone Rubber‐Oriented Composites for Microwave Absorption and Thermal Management

AbstractIn order to ensure the operation and longevity of electronic devices, the design of multifunctional composites integrating microwave absorption (MA) and thermal conduction has become the key to solving the problem. However, the superior MA properties and thermal conductivity are usually incompatible in the blend system. In this study, a modified carbon fiber/silicone rubber‐oriented structure is designed based on the multiscale design concept of heterostructures with multiple interfaces. The forward deposition‐reverse growth mechanism is utilized at the microscopic level to construct multi‐interfacial heterogeneous structures on the surface of 1D carbon fibers (CFs). The magneto‐electric coupling network of the multi‐interfacial heterostructure induces interfacial polarization and enhances MA properties and heat transfer. Subsequently, the structural design of the modified CFs is carried out on a macroscopic scale using the ice template method. The directionally aligned modified CFs/silicone rubber aerogel composites are obtained by backfilling with silicone rubber (SR). The samples achieved an effective absorption bandwidth of 4.41 GHz and a maximum reflection loss of −42.29 dB with ultra‐thin thickness (1.3 mm). The thermal conductivity of the sample is improved to 200% compared to pure silicone rubber. The composites with directional alignment have promising applications in lightweight and flexible electronic packaging.