Dissemin is shutting down on January 1st, 2025

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American Institute of Physics, Applied Physics Letters, 3(88), p. 033903

DOI: 10.1063/1.2166473

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Complex channel networks of bone structure

This paper is available in a repository.
This paper is available in a repository.

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Preprint: archiving allowed
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Postprint: archiving allowed
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Published version: archiving restricted
Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

Bone structure in mammals involves a complex network of channels (Havers and Volkmann channels) required to nourish the bone marrow cells. This work describes how three-dimensional reconstructions of such systems can be obtained and represented in terms of complex networks. Three important findings are reported: (i) the fact that the channel branching density resembles a power law implies the existence of distribution hubs; (ii) the conditional node degree density indicates a clear tendency of connection between nodes with degrees 2 and 4; and (iii) the application of the recently introduced concept of hierarchical clustering coefficient allows the identification of typical scales of channel redistribution. A series of important biological insights is drawn and discussed