Material properties assignment to finite element models of bone structures: a new method

Finite element analysis (FEA) is widely adopted to investigate the mechanical behaviour of bone structures. Computed tomography (CT) data are frequently used to generate FE models of bone. If properly calibrated, CT images are capable of providing accurate information about the bone morphology and tissue density. The aim of this work was to develop a special program able to read a CT data set as well as the FEA mesh generated from it, and to assign to each element of the mesh the material properties derived from the bone tissue density at the element location. The program was tested on phantom data sets and was adopted to evaluate the effects of the discrete description of the bone material properties. A three-dimensional FE model was generated automatically from a 16 bit CT data set of a distal femur acquired in vivo. The strain energy density (SED) was evaluated for each model element for increasing model complexity (number of different material cards assigned to the model). The computed SED were strongly dependent on the material mapping strategy.

Theoretical characterization of the structural and hole transport dynamics in liquid-crystalline phthalocyanine stacks

We present a joint molecular dynamics (MD)/kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) study aimed at the atomistic description of charge transport in stacks of liquid-crystalline tetraalkoxy-substituted, metal-free phthalocyanines. The molecular dynamics simulations reproduce the major structural features of the mesophases, in particular, a phase transition around 340 K between the rectangular and hexagonal phases. Charge transport simulations based on a Monte Carlo algorithm show an increase by 2 orders of magnitude in the hole mobility when accounting for the rotational and translational dynamics. The results point to the formation of dynamical structural defects along the columns.

Nematics with quenched disorder: what is left when long range order Is disrupted?

It is now generally accepted that even low amounts of quenched disorder disrupt long-range order in anisotropic systems with continuous symmetry. However, very little is known on the key item of the nature of the residual order, if any, and particularly if this has quasi-long-range or truly-short-range character. Here we address this problem both experimentally for the nematic 6CB in dilute aerosils and with computer simulations. We find that the residual order is short ranged and scales with disorder density in agreement with the Imry-Ma argument.

Topological defects in schlieren textures of biaxial and uniaxial nematics

Monte Carlo and theoretical studies of thin 3D films of biaxial and uniaxial nematics with tangential boundary conditions show distinct differences in structure and evolution of topological defects. In the uniaxial films, defects of strength k=+/-1 are point defects that bear no bulk singularity and disappear by annihilation with each other. In the biaxial films, k=+/-1 defects are true singular bulk disclinations that split into pairs of k=+/-1/2 lines; the latter disappear by annihilation processes of the type +1/2-1/2=0. These observed differences are of relevance for the current debate on the existence of biaxial phases.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver and insulin resistance: a cause-effect relationship?

The role of insulin resistance in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is suggested by laboratory data (hyperinsulinemia and decreased sensitivity to endogenous and exogenous insulin). The clinical association with features of the metabolic syndrome, particularly in the most aggressive stages of the disease, further confirms a causative role. Fat accumulation in the liver may stem either from genetic defects, primarily responsible for insulin resistance, or excessive calorie intake and visceral obesity, and is mediated by adipocytokines (leptin, adiponectin, tumour necrosis factor-alpha). Progression of fatty liver to steatohepatitis may be the result of an imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, triggering the formation of reactive oxygen species and intrahepatic lipid peroxidation. This process may also be promoted or accelerated by pro-oxidant xenobiotics or environmental factors. Insulin resistance provides a target for specific treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver, and insulin-sensitising agents (metformin or thiazolidinediones) as well as lifestyle changes to reduce visceral adiposity are the most promising therapeutic options. Future trials need to be performed in order to test the long-term effectiveness of these treatments on the basis of clinically relevant histological outcomes.