Assessment of elephant claustrum by combined histological analysis and high-resolution micro-CT.

With the deepening of education digitization and the construction of new medical disciplines, the limitations of traditional medical education models in resource integration, teaching collaboration, and cross-regional development have become increasingly prominent. This article focuses on the innovation of the medical education system in the information age, taking the construction of a clinical virtual teaching and research office in pediatrics as a practical sample, systematically exploring the construction logic and implementation path of a new type of grass-roots teaching organization. The study points out that the virtual teaching and research office forms a “four-in-one” logical framework by reconstructing its target positioning, organizational structure, and operational guarantee mechanism: taking medical-educational collaboration as the core goal, following the principles of cross-domain linkage and resource sharing, establishing a multi-level collaboration network, and achieving sustainable operation through institutional innovation and technological empowerment.

The dermal arteries of the finger are organized in discrete units. We hypothesized that the anatomy of the dermal arterial units and the number and complexity of dermal Sucquet-Hoyer canals (SHCs) differ between the tip and center of the pad of the thumb. To test this, digital HREM volume datasets (voxel dimensions of 1-3 μm³) were created from biopsies harvested from the thumb tip and pad of six body donors. They were analyzed using virtual sectioning and three-dimensional (3D) surface and volume models. In the tip samples, two to six arteries entered the dermis via a square of 4 mm2 of the dermo-hypodermal junction. They supplied 1.16 mm2 surface and connected to ∼5.5 SHCs. Conversely, in 50% of pad samples, no dermal artery entered via the dermo-hypodermal junction. In the remaining 50%, one or two arteries supplied an average surface of 2.08 mm2 and fed ∼2.5 SHCs. SHC tortuosity and the number of arterio-arterial bridge anastomoses were similar in the tip and pad. Our results support the concept of discrete dermal arterial units. The differences in the dermal microanatomy between the thumb's tip and pad are of particular significance, since they may reflect distinct functional requirements and different reactions to injury and pathogens.

Advancing the morphometric analysis of early medieval Slavic pottery: A semi-automated 3D toolset for virtual sections

The Bridge of the Lions, with its straps resting on two artificial slopes, serves as a pedestrian walkway for hundreds of Mexico City residents who visit the Chapultepec Forest daily. Ambient seismic noise results let us explain the bridge deterioration, a direct result of the local terrain subsidence. The site frequency, measured in the free field (1.14 Hz), matches the estimate on the bridge straps, indicating that the strap depth does not reach the firm layer. At 1.72 Hz, the bridge vibrates more vertically. This frequency is close to site frequency, suggesting soil-structure interaction effects. Also, the rotating analysis of HVSR functions in the bridge straps revealed a second peak of 1.64 Hz caused by vibration from the Av. Circuito Interior vehicle flow. The spectral analysis of virtual source sections obtained by the seismic Interferometry technique reveals that superficial materials have velocities similar to soft clays in the lake area (Vs < 150 m/s). A second layer of poorly consolidated clays (Vs 350 m/s) with significant lateral variation indicates that subsidence around the bridge is causing significant damage to the structure. According to this study, soil‑structure interaction effects are present, as the bridge foundations likely do not penetrate the most competent deep strata. This suggests that additional inquiry is necessary to assess the static and seismic response of the bridge.

Interbeds of the Deccan traps, ~66 million years old, have long been known to contain cherts with anatomically preserved flowers, fruits and seeds. We studied numerous specimens of Sahnianthus, the iconic flower of Deccan Intertrappean cherts, by micro-CT scanning, as well as traditional cellulose acetate peels and scanning electron microscopy of the in-situ pollen, to reconstruct the original floral and pollen morphology. The flowers were collected, in association with fruits of Enigmocarpon, from the type locality of Mohgaon Kalan in Chhindwara, Pradesh and other locations in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, Central India. Using micro- CT scans to vary the orientation of virtual sections of complete flowers embedded in chert, we show that nine additional, previously described fossil flower genera represent the same plant and are thus synonyms of Sahnianthus. In addition, we suggest that much of the variation observed in the specimens is due to preservation at different developmental stages from bud to maturity. We observed that the epiphyllous stamens are borne in two whorls contrary to prior treatments assuming a single whorl. The number of stamens in each whorl ranges from seven to nine and is equivalent to the number of perianth lobes and ovary locules of the same flower. The pollen is spheroidal and psilate with inconspicuous narrow colpi and a prominent rib-like equatorial thickening of the exine; these features facilitate recognizing the identity of flowers previously assigned to other genera. The combined characters of Sahnianthus, together with fruit and seed characters of Enigmocarpon, are consistent with placement within, or close to, Lythraceae, as previously suggested.

High‐pressure freezing (HPF) is an electron microscopy (EM) preparation technique with superb ultrastructural preservation. Combined with EM tomography it provides virtual EM serial sections with extraordinary spatial resolution. For HPF, cells are usually cultured on a rigid sapphire disc that provides a tight fit in the holding bracket of the HPF apparatus. Since we are using extensible elastic silicone membranes as a growth support to perform cell stretch experiments, we developed a method to clamp the stretched silicone membrane and place it instead of the sapphire disc into the HPF holding bracket. Compared to chemical fixation the HPF immobilised cells showed improved structural preservation, partly even on a molecular level. However, the outstanding quality of HPF immobilised cells on sapphire discs was not achieved. Moreover, regions with obvious freezing artefacts seemed to be more abundant in the HPF silicone membranes, probably caused by lower heat transfer rates of the silicone membrane during the HPF process.Taken together, we have shown that HPF immobilisation can be performed on growth supports different than sapphire discs. Since even stretched membranes can be used with the new method, also other unconventional growth supports should not pose a problem.

Beginning in 2012, the Virtual Projects section of the Journal of the Medical Library Association has provided an opportunity for library leaders and technology experts to share with others how new technologies are being adopted by health sciences libraries. From educational purposes to online tools that enhance library services or access to resources, the Virtual Projects section brings technology use examples to the forefront. The new publication issue for future Virtual Projects sections will be January and the call for submissions and Virtual Projects deadline will now take place in June and July.

The teaching and research section is the fundamental organizational unit for teaching and research in a university, and the virtual teaching and research section (VTRS) is crucial for the exploration of the digital transformation of new basic teaching organization construction in the information age. However, this new type of organization transcends institutional and spatial boundaries, and motivating participants and sustaining their engagement are key challenges in VTRS implementation. The VTRS for database courses (VTRS-DB) proposes an open community-based operating model, founded on the core concepts of openness, dedication, competition, and orderliness. It establishes a hierarchical organizational structure and working group operation mechanism. After two years of practical exploration, a course knowledge graph and a wealth of teaching experiment cases have been developed. A series of distinctive teaching and research methods, such as collaborative course preparation, have been implemented, and the domestic database in the classroom brand activity has been established. The VTRS-DB has incubated several national and provincial level first-class courses and has won national and provincial level teaching achievement awards, achieving significant results.

A detailed analysis of ptychography for three-dimensional (3D) phase reconstructions of thick specimens is performed. We introduce multi-focus ptychography, which incorporates a 4D-STEM defocus series to enhance the quality of 3D reconstructions along the beam direction through a higher overdetermination ratio. This method is compared with established multi-slice ptychography techniques, such as conventional ptychography, regularized ptychography, and multi-mode ptychography. Additionally, we contrast multi-focus ptychography with an alternative method that uses virtual optical sectioning through a reconstructed scattering matrix (S-matrix), which offers more precise 3D structure information compared to conventional ptychography. Our findings from multiple 3D reconstructions based on simulated and experimental data demonstrate that multi-focus ptychography surpasses other techniques, particularly in accurately reconstructing the surfaces and interface regions of thick specimens.

Orthosuchus stormbergi was a small‐bodied crocodyliform, representative of a diverse assemblage of Early Jurassic, early branching crocodylomorph taxa from the upper Elliot Formation of South Africa. The life history of these early branching taxa remains poorly understood, with only sparse investigations into their osteohistology, yet species like Orthosuchus have potential to inform about the macroevolution of growth strategies on the stem leading to crown crocodilians. In order to elucidate the growth patterns of Orthosuchus, we used propagation phase contrast X‐ray synchrotron micro‐computed tomography to virtually image the osteohistology of the postcrania of two specimens, including multiple elements from the type (SAM‐PK‐K409), and the femur of a referred specimen (BP/1/4242). In total, we scanned nine mid‐diaphyseal sections of the humerus, radius, ulna, radiale, femur, tibia, fibula, and a rib. We then compared our results to osteohistological sections of crocodylomorph taxa from the published literature. Our results show that the most predominant bone tissue type in Orthosuchus is lamellar, with a few patches of woven and parallel‐fibred bone. The type specimen contains four to five lines of arrested growth and the hindlimb elements present outer circumferential lamellae, whereas the referred specimen contains six to seven. Both specimens grew at similar rates, reaching adult skeletal body size at year four or five. The sectioned bones, most notably the radius and ulna, are comparatively thick walled and compact. Our virtual osteohistological sections are one of the first for an early branching crocodyliform, and the broad sample of skeletal elements makes Orthosuchus a key anchor point for understanding the plesiomorphic life history traits of the clade.

Exploring the anatomy of Linguatula serrata using micro-computed tomography

In the information age, the traditional teaching and research section of western economics is faced with various development difficulties, and the virtual teaching and research section of the new teaching and research organization mode has unique advantages. Zhanjiang Institute of Science and Technology has carried out the exploration and practice of the virtual teaching and Research section of Western economics, and achieved good results, in order to provide reference for the virtual teaching and research section of various colleges and universities.

Joint Construction of Virtual Teaching and Research Section Across Universities: Creating a New Model for Collaborative Teaching and Research

IntroductionStudies have reported different results of evaluation methods of clinical competency tests. Therefore, this study aimed to design, implement, and evaluate a blended (in-person and virtual) Competency Examination for final-year Nursing Students.MethodsThis interventional study was conducted in two semesters of 2020–2021 using an educational action research method in the nursing and midwifery faculty. Thirteen faculty members and 84 final-year nursing students were included in the study using a census method. Eight programs and related activities were designed and conducted during the examination process. Students completed the Spielberger Anxiety Inventory before the examination, and both faculty members and students completed the Acceptance and Satisfaction questionnaire.FindingsThe results of the analysis of focused group discussions and reflections indicated that the virtual CCE was not capable of adequately assessing clinical skills. Therefore, it was decided that the CCE for final-year nursing students would be conducted using a blended method. The activities required for performing the examination were designed and implemented based on action plans. Anxiety and satisfaction were also evaluated as outcomes of the study. There was no statistically significant difference in overt, covert, and overall anxiety scores between the in-person and virtual sections of the examination (p > 0.05). The mean (SD) acceptance and satisfaction scores for students in virtual, in-person, and blended sections were 25.49 (4.73), 27.60 (4.70), and 25.57 (4.97), respectively, out of 30 points, in which there was a significant increase in the in-person section compared to the other sections. (p = 0.008). The mean acceptance and satisfaction scores for faculty members were 30.31 (4.47) in the virtual, 29.86 (3.94) in the in-person, and 30.00 (4.16) out of 33 in the blended, and there was no significant difference between the three sections (p = 0.864).ConclusionEvaluating nursing students’ clinical competency using a blended method was implemented and solved the problem of students’ graduation. Therefore, it is suggested that the blended method be used instead of traditional in-person or entirely virtual exams in epidemics or based on conditions, facilities, and human resources. Also, the use of patient simulation, virtual reality, and the development of necessary virtual and in-person training infrastructure for students is recommended for future research. Furthermore, considering that the acceptance of traditional in-person exams among students is higher, it is necessary to develop virtual teaching strategies.

The "Three Entries" virtual teaching and research section is an innovative approach aimed at enhancing the quality of higher education in the new era. By utilizing Xi Jinping: The Governance of China as multilingual teaching materials and leveraging information technology, this initiative promotes collaboration across schools, departments, majors, and time zones. The primary challenge addressed by this study is how to improve educational quality while fostering cross-institutional collaboration. The "Three Entries" approach features a clear goal, precise demonstration, material sharing, and collaborative teaching. Several key methods are employed to implement this approach. First, enhancing the top-level design ensures that the initiative's goals and strategies align with the broader vision of higher education institutions. Second, strengthening the construction of platforms facilitates resource sharing and collaboration among various institutions. Third, enriching the content of teaching materials ensures that they are relevant and of high quality. Fourth, the approach emphasizes a teacher-led, student-oriented learning mode that encourages interactive and collaborative learning. Finally, optimizing the synergistic effects of cross-institutional collaboration is crucial for achieving better educational outcomes. The results of implementing the "Three Entries" virtual teaching and research section have been significant. There has been a notable improvement in the quality of education, with students showing increased engagement and motivation. Additionally, enhanced collaboration across departments and majors has created a more dynamic and interactive learning environment. Based on these findings, several recommendations are proposed to strengthen the initiative further. The essential steps are to continuously improve top-level design, expand and enhance the technology platforms, enrich teaching content, develop more interactive learning methods, and optimize cross-institutional collaboration. This innovative approach effectively addresses the fundamental goal of cultivating well-rounded college students, preparing them for the challenges of the future

With the continuous development of information technology, the teaching management of colleges and universities has undergone great changes, giving rise to a new mode of improving the efficiency of teaching management. The construction practice of virtual teaching and research rooms has proven that they have the function of promoting cooperation and communication across schools and regions. It can improve the efficiency of utilizing teaching resources and innovate teaching and research forms to improve teaching quality. This paper takes the practical problems encountered in the construction of teaching and research section of application-oriented undergraduate colleges from these aspects: (1) constructing a highly simulated virtual experimental environment. (2) developing online courses in the field of environmental and ecological engineering, (3) establishing cooperative relationships with other universities, research institutions, and enterprises, (4) strengthening teacher training and further education to enhance their professional competence and teaching ability, (5) utilizing advanced simulation techniques and software tools. (6) organizing academic conferences, publishing papers, and showcasing projects. At the same time, teaching and research achievements can be transformed into practical applications through cooperation with enterprises, technology promotion, and other means, making contributions to social development and environmental protection.

Background Current clinical imaging modalities such as CT and MRI provide resolution adequate to diagnose cardiovascular diseases but cannot depict detailed structural features in the heart across length scales. Hierarchical phase-contrast tomography (HiP-CT) uses fourth-generation synchrotron sources with improved x-ray brilliance and high energies to provide micron-resolution imaging of intact adult organs with unprecedented detail. Purpose To evaluate the capability of HiP-CT to depict the macro- to microanatomy of structurally normal and abnormal adult human hearts ex vivo. Materials and Methods Between February 2021 and September 2023, two adult human donor hearts were obtained, fixed in formalin, and prepared using a mixture of crushed agar in a 70% ethanol solution. One heart was from a 63-year-old White male without known cardiac disease, and the other was from an 87-year-old White female with a history of multiple known cardiovascular pathologies including ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation. Nondestructive ex vivo imaging of these hearts without exogenous contrast agent was performed using HiP-CT at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. Results HiP-CT demonstrated the capacity for high-spatial-resolution, multiscale cardiac imaging ex vivo, revealing histologic-level detail of the myocardium, valves, coronary arteries, and cardiac conduction system across length scales. Virtual sectioning of the cardiac conduction system provided information on fatty infiltration, vascular supply, and pathways between the cardiac nodes and adjacent structures. HiP-CT achieved resolutions ranging from gross (isotropic voxels of approximately 20 µm) to microscopic (approximately 6.4-µm voxel size) to cellular (approximately 2.3-µm voxel size) in scale. The potential for quantitative assessment of features in health and disease was demonstrated. Conclusion HiP-CT provided high-spatial-resolution, three-dimensional images of structurally normal and diseased ex vivo adult human hearts. Whole-heart image volumes were obtained with isotropic voxels of approximately 20 µm, and local regions of interest were obtained with resolution down to 2.3-6.4 µm without the need for sectioning, destructive techniques, or exogenous contrast agents. Published under a CC BY 4.0 license Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Bluemke and Pourmorteza in this issue.

X-ray and neutron scattering have long been used for structural characterization of cellulose in plants. Due to averaging over the illuminated sample volume, these measurements traditionally overlooked the compositional and morphological heterogeneity within the sample. Here, a scanning tomographic imaging method is described, using contrast derived from the X-ray scattering intensity, for virtually sectioning the sample to reveal its internal structure at a resolution of a few micrometres. This method provides a means for retrieving the local scattering signal that corresponds to any voxel within the virtual section, enabling characterization of the local structure using traditional data-analysis methods. This is accomplished through tomographic reconstruction of the spatial distribution of a handful of mathematical components identified by non-negative matrix factorization from the large dataset of X-ray scattering intensity. Joint analysis of multiple datasets, to find similarity between voxels by clustering of the decomposed data, could help elucidate systematic differences between samples, such as those expected from genetic modifications, chemical treatments or fungal decay. The spatial distribution of the microfibril angle can also be analyzed, based on the tomographically reconstructed scattering intensity as a function of the azimuthal angle.

Abstract Background: The composition of the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a major determinant of response to therapy in many solid tumors. To-date, characterization of the TME has been based on limited analysis of thin tissue sections. Here we demonstrate the utility of an end-to-end 3D spatial biology workflow, the 3D I/O Pro™, based on whole tissue imaging, to identify and quantify tumor cells, lymphocytes, and collagen features in human FFPE tissue samples. Methods: Five human colorectal cancer FFPE blocks were deparaffinized, stained with nuclear (TO-PRO-3) and general protein (eosin) dyes, and cleared using a modified iDISCO protocol. Entire samples were imaged at 2 µm/pixel resolution with a hybrid open-top light-sheet microscope, the 3Di™. Regions of interest (ROIs) with a volume of 0.5 mm3 were re-imaged at 0.33 µm/pixel. Cell nuclei and collagen were segmented and 3D spatial relationships between tumor cells, lymphocytes, and collagen fibers were quantified. Analyses were performed within select ROIs using 3Dai™ tools including U-Net, CytoMAP, CT-FIRE, CurveAlign, and custom Python scripts. Results: The ratio of stromal to tumor parenchymal lymphocytes (lymphocyte infiltration ratio) varied from 1.4 up to 9.1 in 3D volumes and 1 to 25 in 2D virtual sections taken throughout all 5 CRC samples. The ratio of the collagen fibers within 100 µm of the tumor border-oriented perpendicular to the tumor-stromal boundary compared to those oriented parallel to the tumor-stromal boundary was 0.37 in a proof-of-concept evaluation of a 2D virtual section with a lymphocyte infiltration ratio of 12. Qualitatively, areas with perpendicular collagen had more lymphocyte infiltration into the tumor parenchyma than areas with parallel collagen orientation. Conclusions: We demonstrated that the 3D I/O Pro™ pipeline can quantify lymphocyte density in tumor parenchyma and stroma and analyze collagen features, including orientation, within 3D ROIs in the TME. This workflow allows us to characterize tumors based on many complex spatial relationships and could have broad applicability in research and development of novel cancer therapies that target tumor fibrosis or other features of the TME. In the future, we plan to correlate features from the 3D TME with response to immunotherapy and use these features to refine histologic definitions of immune spatial phenotypes. Citation Format: Caleb Stoltzfus, Jasmine Wilson, Nathan Grant, Alexandra Alvarsson, Anna DeWitt, David Simmons, Brandy Olin, Bonnie Phillips, Laura A. Dillon, G. Travis Clifton, Nicholas P. Reder. 3D spatial quantification of lymphocyte infiltration and collagen features in the tumor microenvironment using a novel assay: 3D I/O Pro™ [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 2309.