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Paleolithic decorated caves are home to a priceless heritage, but their preservation depends on hydroclimatic conditions within the cave. In coastal areas, changing sea levels pose a further threat to caves, as the sea floods the karst and obliterates Paleolithic artefacts. In this paper, we study the case of the Cosquer Cave, a half-submerged coastal cave located in southeastern France, home to Upper Paleolithic archeological remains. This is a very special case, where the sea represents both an opportunity and a threat for the preservation of an archeological site. The cave is confined, submerged in its lower part, and embedded in a limestone massif with low permeability in the unsaturated zone. Several times a year, mainly in autumn, winter, and spring, air flows through the karstic massif, most likely below sea level, raising the cave's air pressure above atmospheric pressure. The resulting overpressure lowers the cave water level for weeks, keeping it below sea level and temporarily keeping the lowest wall paintings and engravings emerged. However, the oceanographic conditions that cause a pressurization event have not yet been described, although it is a key understanding to help preserve the natural heritage housed in the Cosquer Cave. Based on nine years of in situ continuous monitoring, we use descriptive statistics to decipher the oceanographic conditions controlling air inflow, air outflow, and absence of air flow through the submerged karst. We show that waves are the engine for the pressurization of the cave. The three main factors controlling air entrance are wave height, wave direction and seawater level. 90 % of air inflows coincide with significant wave heights exceeding 0.8 m. Additionally, air inflows are more efficiently caused by SSW and SW waves, propagating in a direction orthogonal to the cliff than by waves from the SE-SSE direction, propagating along the cliff. The minimum wave height required for air inflow to occur increases with sea-level rise, likely because submerged conduits become less accessible for air input. This study establishes a conceptual model of functioning for the natural hydrosystem of the Cosquer Cave, and provides the basis for further modeling and predictions according to scenarios of climate change and sea-level rise.

This article presents the first quantitative geometric and spatial analysis of engraved ostrich eggshell (EOES) fragments from the Howiesons Poort (HP) technocomplex of the African late Middle Stone Age (MSA), to evaluate whether the EOES demonstrates genuine formal structuring and visuo-spatial organization. By considering their 'non-accidental properties'-such as curvature, parallelism, and co-termination-which remain consistent across different viewpoints, as well as their metric properties, including angular inclinations, based on empirical thresholds, we show that the HP dataset systematically employs salient geometric features. These features are combined and embedded through complex cognitive operations, including the iteration and alignment of parallel lines, rotation of lines generating intersections with variable angular openings, and translation of specific elements nested within organized spatial layouts. These engravings therefore constitute an early material expression of complex graphic representation, attesting to a species-specific human capacity for organizing geometric thought. Overall, the patterns reflect a system of rules through which Homo sapiens in the HP organized visual forms, revealing the cognitive foundations of structured graphic behavior.

British anatomical physiology in the early 19th century evolved from the work of William Harvey, Thomas Willis, and William Hunter, who emphasized cerebral functional localization, integrating physiology and anatomy. This novel perspective was championed by Herbert Mayo (1796-1852). A student of Charles Bell at the Middlesex Hospital in London, Mayo subsequently became a surgeon there in 1818 and later a professor of anatomy and surgery. His experiments on the motor functions of the seventh cranial nerve and sensorimotor functions of the fifth cranial nerve brought him renown. Mayo, inspired by Johann Christian Reil, also conducted the first accurate brainstem dissections, developed innovative tissue preservation methods, and provided detailed descriptions of key fiber tracts. Mayo's 1822-1823 Anatomical and Physiological Commentaries and 1827 A Series of Engravings Intended to Illustrate the Structure of the Brain and Spinal Chord in Man accurately depicted the corona radiata, cerebellar peduncles, and uncinate fascicle. In his 1842 book, The Nervous System and Its Functions, Mayo discussed the localization of higher brain functions. His dissections remained unmatched until Josef Klingler's work in 1934. Despite the quality of his work, Mayo has been largely neglected, possibly because of his tumultuous relationship with Bell and later professional difficulties. Nevertheless, Mayo significantly contributed to white matter anatomy and led the search for cerebral localization, subsequently impacting neurosurgery. This article examines his life and work.

The Fertile Crescent region, spanning from the upper Euphrates to the head of the Gulf of Aqaba, witnessed the earliest transition in the world from hunting and gathering wild foods to farming domesticates. Natufian Epipalaeolithic and Pre-Pottery Neolithic (PPN) communities in this region created distinctive stone tools across the Pleistocene-Holocene transition. Here we present archaeological evidence from the site of Sahout, demonstrating that communities using material culture characteristic of the Natufian and PPN were also present hundreds of kilometres south of the Fertile Crescent, in the much more arid interior of the Arabian Peninsula. Repeated occurrence of distinctive stone tools from 13.5 to 8.7 thousand years ago indicates intimate links to the Levant; showing both the far greater scale of these cultural connections than previously known, and the capacity of Natufian and PPN tool makers to subsist in marginal environments. Obsidian sourcing shows long-distance movement further southward into Arabia. At Sahout, PPN tools are associated with a regional rock art tradition of naturalistic life-sized camel engravings, which overlie representations of curvaceous women. The material culture of these communities suggests that long-term survival in relatively arid environments was based on a combination of local adaptation and a network of long-distance connections.

Surgical fixation techniques for bone fracture healing are well established and effective; however, opportunities remain to improve both functional outcomes and the patient experience. The Biofiligree® concept integrates medicine, engineering, and design by reimagining conventional osteosynthesis plates as both therapeutic and aesthetic devices. Inspired by traditional Portuguese filigree, these plates allow patient participation through personalized geometries, patterns, or engravings and may later be transformed into wearable jewellery after removal, preserving them as symbolic artefacts of recovery. This study introduces and biomechanically evaluates a novel calcaneal fixation plate incorporating the biofiligree geometry concept. A biofiligree plate was designed for calcaneus fracture fixation and manufactured in stainless steel 306L. Experimental testing was conducted on synthetic composite calcaneus bone models to simulate anatomical conditions and compare the new design with a standard commercial plate. The biofiligree plate, 2 mm thick, was fixed using five screws and two percutaneous screws positioned at 45° to compress the fracture line. Results demonstrated comparable biomechanical performance between both systems, with similar strain distributions and fracture stabilization. The biofiligree plate showed stresses around 430 MPa and fracture displacement below 0.7 mm. Fixation stiffness values were 1445 N/mm for intact calcaneus, 1065 N/mm for the commercial plate, and 725 N/mm for the biofiligree plate, indicating adequate support for bone healing.

Root-bone interactions are common in buried skeletal remains, yet their diagnostic value remains largely unexplored because few controlled studies have linked root marks to specific plant types. Consequently, the potential of these marks to provide information about burial environments in archaeological, paleontological, and forensic contexts has been largely overlooked. Here, we present a long-term experimental study documenting root-induced bone modifications under natural field conditions in central Spain. Deer ribs were buried at various depths and for different lengths of time among three widespread Mediterranean trees and shrubs: holm oak (Quercus ilex), olive (Olea europaea), and grapevine (Vitis vinifera). Using optical and scanning electron microscopy, we identified distinct patterns of root engraving on cortical bone surfaces that varied by plant type. Holm oak roots produced sinuous, dendritic grooves; olive roots generated shallow, rectilinear markings; and grapevine roots formed linear-to-circular engravings, which were often associated with localized cracking. Mark intensity increased with burial depth and duration. These findings underscore the diagnostic value of root marks in identifying plant-specific signatures and offer a novel approach to recognizing plant activity in burial environments. This information improves taphonomic interpretations in various fields, including fossil reworking processes and forensic secondary burials.

The Côa Valley Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the world's most extensive example of open-air Paleolithic art, holds crucial data on its over 1,200 engraved rocks in the University of Minho's proprietary 2ArchIS database. This article addresses the need to transition this restricted information into an openly accessible format to benefit the broader scientific community. The work involved transforming the 2ArchIS data into Linked Open Data (LOD). This process began with analyzing the existing data model and content. Subsequently, a series of standards-based artifacts were developed: a Dublin Core Tabular Application Profile (DCTAP), a Resource Description Framework (RDF) Schema (RDFS) vocabulary, a Simple Knowledge Organization System (SKOS) controlled vocabulary, and a Shape Expressions (ShEx) schema for data validation. The data exported from 2ArchIS was transformed into RDF using OpenRefine, validated against the ShEx schema, and finally hosted on a triplestore. The project successfully generated a complete LOD dataset of the Vale do Côa engravings that is openly available. All resulting developmental artifacts, the DCTAP, RDFS and SKOS vocabularies, and the ShEx schema, are openly available for the scientific community's use and reuse. This initiative has significantly broadened access to vital Paleolithic art data by publishing it as Linked Open Data, thereby enhancing its research potential. Future efforts will include creating a user-friendly interface to help non-technical users query the triplestore.

The Turki Mountain Tomb, one of the three most representative Liao Dynasty tombs, has yielded numerous exquisite gold and silver artifacts during excavation that have drawn global attention for their superb craftsmanship and distinctive ethnic and period characteristics. However, their manufacturing technology had seldom been studied. In this paper, alloy composition analysis and surface microscopic observation were performed on the single-eared octagonal gold cup unearthed from the Turki Mountain Tomb, utilizing portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (p-XRF) and an ultra-depth field microscope. The composition results at different base material locations of the gold cup were similar, with gold content ranging from 84% to 88% and silver content ranging from 10% to 13%. The p-XRF spectra at the exact center of the ring foot, as well as the pearl roundel on the abdominal ridge and rim, showed dominant Au with minor Ag content. Therefore, it could be concluded that the material of the gold cup was made of Au-Ag alloy. Microscopic observation preliminarily revealed that the manufacturing process involved casting, engraving, and welding. The single-eared octagonal gold cup exhibited numerous conspicuous shrinkage cavities, and it was inferred that the gold cup was formed using casting technology. After the cup body, ring foot, and finger pad were cast separately, they were welded together to form the complete gold cup. In addition, green solder and insufficient fusion of welding material were found between the weld seam of the cup body and the ring foot. The exterior surface of the gold cup was adorned with patterns, such as fish-toe circle, upward lotus motif, and pearl roundels. The average diameter of the fish-toe circle was 303 μm. By examining the overlapping conditions of engraving, it could be inferred that the proposed engraving sequence was to engrave the fish-toe circle first, followed by the flower patterns. As a representative of the exquisite artifacts from the Turki Mountain Tomb, the research of the composition and manufacturing technology of the gold cup provides reference data for the scientific analysis of Liao Dynasty gold and silver artifacts.

Time-lapse into immunofluorescence (TL into IF) imaging combines the wealth of information acquired during live-cell imaging with ease of access for static immunofluorescence markers. In the field of mechanobiology, connecting live and static imaging to visualize cell biology dynamics is often troublesome. For instance, nuclear blebs are deformations of the nucleus that often rupture spontaneously, leading to changes in the molecular composition of the nucleus and the nuclear bleb. Current techniques to connect cellular dynamics and their downstream effects via live-cell imaging, followed by immunofluorescence, often require third-party analysis programs or stage position measurements to accurately track cells. This protocol simplifies the connection between live and static imaging by utilizing a gridded imaging dish. In our protocol, cells are plated on a dish with an engraved coordinate plane. Individual cells are then matched from when the time-lapse ends to the immunofluorescence images simply by their known coordinate location. Overall, TL into IF offers a straightforward method for connecting dynamic live-cell with static immunofluorescence imaging, in an easy and accessible tool for cell biologists. Key features • This protocol directly links live-cell imaging to immunofluorescence imaging. • The only special equipment required for this protocol is gridded imaging dishes. • This protocol does not require third-party applications.

This review examines the development of denture marking from 1990 to 2025, driven by the growing need for identification in aging societies. Methods have evolved from direct techniques, such as ink and engraving, to indirect ones, including embedded quick response (QR) codes, radiofrequency identification (RFID) tags, and near-field communication (NFC) tags, which improve durability and data capacity. Materials now range from paper and photographs to metals and biocompatible laminates. Recorded information has advanced from basic personal details to encrypted digital data linked to medical records, raising concerns about privacy and ethics. The review emphasizes the need for cost-effective, standardized, and secure marking systems.

Infertility is a growing global issue that affects millions of couples, posing significant challenges to personal and societal well-being. This study explores a novel approach to separating and sorting high-quality sperm using spiral microchannels to enhance assisted reproductive technologies (ART). We developed a spiral microchannel that utilizes inertial microfluidics and Dean flow to effectively separate sperm based on motility and morphology. The microchannel was fabricated using CO2 laser engraving, resulting in a spiral design with a width of 0.35 mm, a total radius of 18.5 mm, and a depth of 0.2 mm. In a series of experiments, semen samples were injected at varying flow rates (ranging from 0.5 to 2 ml/min) to determine the optimal conditions for separating motile sperm from non-motile sperm. The results indicated that increasing the flow rates significantly improved separation efficiency. The formation of Dean's vortices directed motile sperm toward the inner wall of the channel, while immotile sperm and solid particles were directed toward the inner wall. Notably, at a flow rate of 1.3 ml/min, the separation rate improved significantly, demonstrating the effectiveness of this microfluidic approach in yielding a higher quantity of viable sperm with less DNA damage while preserving sperm integrity as quantified by the Sperm Retrieval Index (SRI) with up to 4.5 fold improvement over baselines per World Health Organization standards. This innovative method holds promise as a valuable supplement to conventional ART techniques, offering scalability and reduced processing time. Sperm DNA fragmentation assays at select rates (0.5, 1.3, and 2 mL/min) confirmed the channel's superiority in minimizing damage relative to raw samples, likely attributable to diminished reactive oxygen species exposure. This label-free, scalable method serves as an efficacious adjunct to traditional ART protocols, curtailing processing duration and oxidative stress while enhancing clinical applicability for routine infertility management.

This article presents a highly efficient and cost-effective approach to develop tunable broadband microwave absorber. The proposed absorber consists of non-metallic Expanded Graphite (EG) unit cells fabricated on Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) substrate. The tunability of the absorber is achieved by injecting distilled water into the fluidic channel engraved on the LLDPE substrate. The developed absorber shows a bandwidth of 2.10 GHz of -10 dB with > 90% of absorption with air filled channels and can be tuned by 1.10 GHz with the water filled channels. Rigorous numerical calculations and experimental measurements are carried out to establish the efficiency of the absorber. Prior to fabrication process, simulations of the electric and magnetic fields are carried out for different configurations to figure out the physical origin of the absorption property. Being fabricated on a flexible substrate with non-metallic expanded graphite, the absorber caters the advantages of being ultra-thin, flexible, non-corrosive and free from processing conundrums. Current progression of the unit cells in microwave absorber design in modern state of the art communication systems, stealth technology and electromagnetic shielding circuits, indicates offers strong possibilities for future applications of the developed flexible absorber.

Femtosecond lasers are superior to nanosecond lasers in graphite material manufacturing, due to their advantages in precise micro-nano-scale engraving. However, so far, most of the research studies have focused on monolayer graphene on hetero-substrates (such as silicon and glass). Few studies on laser absorption and propagation between graphene layers in a graphite material have been reported. Here, based on a two-temperature equation model inserted molecular dynamics (TTM-MD) simulation framework, we systematically studied the propagation process of femtosecond laser energy in a graphite material. The results show that, when the pulse energy density increases in the range of 1.6-3.2 J cm-2, the absorption mechanism of the light intensity in the transverse direction (X- and Y-axes) is relative to the depth (Z-axis), and the morphology of the ablation cavity in the irradiated area changes from vertebral to hemispherical. During ablation above 4.8 J cm-2, the energy spreads directly to a fixed layer, and the atoms in the irradiated region start to vaporize and discharge upward, driving the entire graphene layer to sublimate and peel off. Furthermore, we analyzed the gasification products at the graphite surface. As the pulse energy density increases in the range of 1.6-6.4 J cm-2, the main vaporization products were transformed from single-carbon particles, dimers, and trimers to tetramers and pentamers. Eventually, during ablation above 4.8 J cm-2, facilitated by the laser ablation plume, carbon chains comprising a dozen carbon atoms directly detached from the graphene layer and formed long carbon chains above C18. Our results could provide insights for elaborate micro-nano manufacturing of graphite and may stimulate research on laser-induced vapor phase deposition of carbon films such as graphene.

A freestanding manganese oxide nanoparticle–decorated laser-induced graphene electrode (MnOx-LIGE) for sensitive electrochemical detection of the organophosphate insecticide fenitrothion (FT) is reported. The electrode is fabricated via a one-step laser-engraving process on MnCl₂-doped polyimide films, enabling the simultaneous formation of porous graphene and in situ decoration with MnOx nanoparticles. Structural characterization confirms a three-dimensional porous graphene network uniformly decorated with MnOx nanoparticles, providing abundant active sites and accelerated electron transfer. Benefiting from this architecture, the MnOx-LIGE exhibits a wide linear detection range from 100.0 nmol/L to 250.0 µmol/L with a low detection limit of 13.66 nmol/L. Integrated with a portable electrochemical workstation, the sensor demonstrates excellent selectivity and stability. It achieves reliable recoveries of 102.4–104.2% in mango samples, highlighting its potential for rapid on-site monitoring of pesticide residues.

The development of low-power, environmentally friendly gas sensors is critical for next-generation safety and environmental monitoring, yet it is constrained by energy-intensive operation and unsustainable fabrication processes. We present a one-step laser-induced method to fabricate a wood-based resistive methane sensor, where laser irradiation directly converts a natural wood precursor into a 3D conductive laser-induced graphene (LIG) network decorated with in situ-formed SnO2-NiO heterojunction nanoparticles. This integrated SnO2-NiO/LIG nanocomposite features a hierarchical, porous, polycrystalline structure, as characterized by SEM, TEM, Raman, XRD, and XPS. The sensor operates at ambient temperature, has a response time of 50 s, achieves a low theoretical detection limit of 7 ppm, and maintains robust performance under varying humidity of ≤70%. The sensing superiority is attributed to synergistic effects at the n-SnO2/p-NiO heterointerface within the conductive graphene matrix, which facilitates efficient charge separation and transfer upon gas exposure, validated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. This direct laser-engraving, solvent free approach using wood establishes a new paradigm for designing sustainable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly, high-performance nanoarchitecture gas sensors.

Objective.While photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) improves image quality and reduces radiation dose, artifacts induced by cardiac and respiratory motion is still a challenge. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the potential of an image-domain motion-artifact-correction method based on a deep-learning model that incorporates spectral information (material basis images).Approach.We simulated PCCT imaging of five XCAT phantoms, and used these for training two deep neural networks-one with and one without spectral information-to map two motion-corrupted virtual monoenergetic images to corresponding motion-free images. Using images from another simulated XCAT phantom, we calculated the CT number error on five regions of interest and 10 segmented organs. The method was also evaluated visually on clinical cardiac PCCT images. Stretch quantification of endocardial engraved zones was used to calculate regional wall motion and mechanical delay. The results were compared with the motion-free image using a paired t-test.Main results.Out of 45 regions and organs, the CT number accuracy is improved in 41 regions (91%). Among these, the best accuracy is obtained with spectral information in 25 regions (61%). Both models, in particular the one with spectral information, improves visual image quality in simulated and clinical images. The model significantly (P< 0.01) improved estimation of the regional wall motion and assessment of mechanical delay of the left ventricle, but no significant difference was observed between models with and without spectral information.Significance.Our approach, validated on simulated datasets, shows that quantitative cardiac CT imaging can be improved by deep-learning motion correction and that spectral information substantially improves performance.

Over the past two decades, dieback of Pinus sylvestris L. stands has increased across Europe, largely due to mass outbreaks of the bark beetle, in particular, Ips acuminatus Gyll. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). This beetle causes mechanical damage and vectors pathogenic fungi, including ophiostomatoid species that induce blue stain. Ophiostoma clavatum Math.-K&#xe4;&#xe4;rik is the most frequently reported fungal associate, yet its occurrence has not been documented in Ukraine. While ophiostomatoid fungi are well studied in pine pathogenesis, the role of fast-growing co-occurring associates such as Fusarium spp. remains poorly understood. This study aimed to identify the dominant Ophiostoma and Fusarium species associated with I. acuminatus in western Ukraine and to evaluate their pathogenicity and in vitro interactions. Isolates from surface-sterilized beetle abdomens and blue-stained wood were identified as O. clavatum based on morphology and multi-locus molecular markers (ITS, TUB, TEF1-&#x3b1;). Pathogenicity tests showed that O. clavatum acts as a weak phytopathogen, primarily inducing localized lesions. The dominant Fusarium morphotype from blue-stained wood was identified as Fusarium verticillioides (Sac) Nirenberg, which induced severe necrosis and tissue maceration on pine seedlings. In dual culture, F. verticillioides displayed strong asymmetric competitive dominance over O. clavatum, reducing its growth by more than 45%. This study provides the first record of O. clavatum associated with I. acuminatus in Ukraine, extending its known European distribution. The observed pathogenicity and competitive ability of F. verticillioides suggest it may synergistically contribute to Scots pine decline, warranting further investigation into its role within the beetle-fungus complex.

When grinding silicon carbide, surface and subsurface damage have a significant impact on the product's surface quality. One method to control the crack dimensions is laser irradiation on the SiC surface. The effect of this method on the grinding process is analyzed in this study. A series of experiments was carried out based on an orthogonal experimental design, with systematic adjustments made to laser parameters, including pulse energy (current), laser spot spacing, scanning times, and grinding process parameters. During the experiments, the grinding force was monitored by a dynamometer, and the specific grinding energy was calculated accordingly. Pulsed engraving laser modification effectively reduced the hardness of the ceramic surface layer by about 20%. The median and radial crack sizes induced by the laser in the subsurface layer ranged from 20.4 &#x3bc;m to 54.3 &#x3bc;m. This effectively inhibited further propagation of median and radial cracks during the grinding processes. Simultaneously, the tangential grinding force Ft was reduced by 30%. These conclusions were obtained through corresponding experiments that link surface roughness to laser power and grinding parameters. Using laser-induced controllable crack characteristics in the grinding process allow damage from surface and subsurface grinding to be controlled in brittle materials.

Porcine acellular dermal matrix (PADM) is a commonly used xenogeneic wound dressing, but its natural structure is not conducive to cell infiltration and angiogenesis. In this study, we fabricated micro-structured porcine acellular dermal matrix (MPADM) by adopting a microstructural modification strategy, aiming to enhance the application potential of PADM in deep burn wound repair. Adopting laser engraving technology, biomimetic microstructures were constructed on the dermal surface of PADM, and medical silica gel was used to reconstruct the epidermal layer on the epidermal surface, resulting in MPADM. Through multiple methods, the microstructures of MPADM were observed, and its physicochemical properties were verified. Cell experiments confirmed the cytocompatibility of MPADM and the chemotaxis of its microstructures on cell growth. Animal experiments validated its inductive vascularization capacity and wound coverage effect. Regular groove structures were formed on the dermal surface of MPADM, which improved the material's water absorption capacity and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) while maintaining good mechanical strength. The proliferation and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human skin fibroblasts (HSFs) on MPADM showed an obvious aggregation tendency towards the grooves. Animal experiments demonstrated that the MPADM group exhibited faster cell infiltration and growth in the wound bed, enhanced vascularization capacity, and a lower level of inflammatory response. Microstructural modification can effectively improve the physicochemical properties and bioactivity of PADM, and MPADM exhibits great potential in promoting the repair of deep burn wounds. This microstructural modification strategy provides a new perspective for the functionalization of traditional xenogeneic skin materials.