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This paper summarizes the history of the study of bone surface depressions near the contact surfaces of the sacroiliac joint, or grooves located below the linea terminalis, known in the literature as "scars of parturition" or "pelvic scars". Since the beginning of the 20th century, the "sulcus praeauricularis" has been confused with the "sulcus paraglenoidalis" without a satisfactory explanation of their aetiology. Any groove in the preauricular area of the pelvic bone has been referred to as an indicator of female sex and used in sex estimation in a way that does not respect the nature of sex differences. Novotný (1979) included bone structures, which were described by various authors in both females and males, in his method of holistic evaluation. He proposed a three-step categorization for the evaluation of the bone surface of the pelvic preauricular area (three sub-characteristics scored independently) in order to distinguish the sulcus praeauricularis as a female trait from other structures that may occur in both sexes. However, Novotný's work did not become widely known. Testing of the Novotný method was performed in four groups of individuals of known sex without knowledge of the reproductive history of the females (Novotný 1981; Bruzek 2002; Mikesova 2008) and included a total of 852 pelvic bones (457 male and 395 female). The results showed that female morphology, which is characterized by the presence of various forms of sulcus praeauricularis, occurred in a total of 270 of 395 females (68.3%). Female morphology was found in only 5 of 457 males (1.1%). Male morphology was observed in 419 of 457 males (91.7%), but also in 11.1% of females (44 of 395). Indeterminate or ambiguous morphology was found in 33 of 457 males (7.2%) and 81 of 395 females (20.5%). The application of the Novotný method showed that of the total 275 specimens with female morphology, 98.2% were females and only 1.8% were males. It is therefore appropriate to use this reliable method to estimate the sex of skeletal samples. To test the relationship between morphology and obstetric history in females it is necessary to use a sample with known parity.

In oral surgery, tissue loss may occur in some cases, resulting in bone exposure and subsequent wound infection and possible scar formation during secondary healing. In this study, Terudermis® Artificial Dermis (AD-T), a dermal defect graft made from processed bovine dermis collagen and gelatin sponge (GS) were used as dressings on 100-mm2 wounds with exposed bone on the heads of rats. For the control group, the wound was left exposed. The wound-healing efficacy of the treatment was compared macroscopically and histologically among the three groups at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after surgery. Complete wound healing was achieved faster in the AD-T group than in the GS group, and osteoblasts appeared on the bone surface, indicating accelerated bone remodeling. Furthermore, in the AD-T group, there was an increased production of newly formed blood vessels, fibroblasts and osteoblasts positive for anti-cortactin antibodies, which are believed to contribute to wound healing. Our findings suggest that AD-T is better than GS as a wound dressing material.

Space missions provide the opportunity to investigate the influence of gravity on the dynamic remodelling processes in bone. Mice were examined following space flight and subsequent recovery to determine the effects on bone compartment-specific microstructure and composition. The resulting bone loss following microgravity recovered only in trabecular bone, while in cortical bone the tissue mineral density was restored after only one week on Earth. Detection of TRAP-positive bone surface cells in the trabecular compartment indicated increased resorption following space flight. In cortical bone, a persistent reduced viability of osteocytes suggested an impaired sensitivity to mechanical stresses. A compartment-dependent structural recovery from microgravity-induced bone loss was shown, with a direct osteocytic contribution to persistent low bone volume in the cortical region even after a recovery period. Trabecular recovery was not accompanied by changes in osteocyte characteristics. These post-space-flight findings will contribute to the understanding of compositional changes that compromise bone quality caused by unloading, immobilisation, or disuse.

Correct alignment of the limb after knee replacement implantation has been a commonly pursued goal since the beginning of this procedure. The mechanical alignment aims to maintain the axis of the limb at 180o ± 3o, and for this it uses the standard instrumentation and the necessary tendon releases until achieving a symmetrical separation between femur and tibia and similar in flexion and extension. Kinematic alignment is based on the high frequency of the constitutional varus and to achieve this it is recommended to resect the damaged bone surface without altering the preoperative axis of the limb and without adding soft tissue release. There is no consensus on what type of alignment is best for the function and results of arthroplasty. It is recognized that kinematic alignment has its limitations, and it is possible that a hybrid technique such as the so-called functional alignment is the best option, but there is no uniform recommendation guideline in the literature.

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of reducing the bone to cast distance on the resistance of the pin to cyclic loading in equine transfixation pin casts. Study Design Eleven pairs of cadaveric equine third metacarpal bones were prepared and one 6.3/8.0 mm transfixation pin was placed in standard fashion 10 mm proximal to the distal physeal scar into each bone. One metacarpus of each pair was tested with a distance of 10 mm (10 mm group) and the contralateral metacarpus with a distance of 20 mm (20 mm group) between the outer cortex of the bone and the fixation of the pin. Eight pairs were tested using a simplified test set-up in which the pins were fastened at both ends to polyoxymethylene-copolymer sleeves. The pins of the remaining three pairs of bones were incorporated into a fibreglass cast. All specimens were tested under cyclic loading until failure of the pin in axial compression. Results All pins failed uni- or bilaterally at clinically relevant load levels. Pins of the 10 mm group endured significantly (p Conclusion The distance between the bone surface and the cast at the location of pin insertion has a significant effect on resistance of the pins to cyclic loading. Therefore, the amount of padding applied underneath an equine transfixation pin cast can have an influence on the overall stability and durability of the construct.

Osteoblasts are the only cells that can give rise to bones in vertebrates. Thus, one of the most important functions of these metabolically active cells is mineralized matrix production. Because osteoblasts have a limited lifespan, they must be constantly replenished by preosteoblasts, their immediate precursors. Because disruption of the regulation of bone-forming osteoblasts results in a variety of bone diseases, a better understanding of the origin of these cells by defining the mechanisms of bone development, remodeling, and regeneration is central to the development of novel therapeutic approaches. In recent years, substantial new insights into the origin of osteoblasts-largely owing to rapid technological advances in murine lineage-tracing approaches and other single-cell technologies-have been obtained. Collectively, these findings indicate that osteoblasts involved in bone formation under various physiological, pathological, and therapeutic conditions can be obtained from numerous sources. The origins of osteoblasts include, but are not limited to, chondrocytes in the growth plate, stromal cells in the bone marrow, quiescent bone-lining cells on the bone surface, and specialized fibroblasts in the craniofacial structures, such as sutures and periodontal ligaments. Because osteoblasts can be generated from local cellular sources, bones can flexibly respond to regenerative and anabolic cues. However, whether osteoblasts derived from different cellular sources have distinct functions remains to be investigated. Currently, we are at the initial stage to aptly unravel the incredible diversity of the origins of bone-forming osteoblasts. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Objective Textural differences between entheses reflect biomechanical activities of the musculoskeletal system. Methods used to measure these surfaces have limitations. Here, the surface metrology of roughness of articular and entheseal surfaces of the knee are investigated with an optical profiler. Methods Osteological specimens of six femora and seven tibiae were prepared from cadavers. Measurements were obtained to surrogate body mass. Specimens were molded with polyvinylsiloxane and casts prepared with resin, which were scanned using a white light optical profiler. Scans were processed by a computer program. Each scan produced 32 variables, categorized into 6 groups for each location. Results The distribution of data was mostly normal. ANOVA identified Ssk significant (p-value 0.002); post hoc Tukey testing indicated significance between femoral PCL and tibial ACL entheses groups (p-value 0.007), and between tibial ACL and tibial entheses groups (p-value 0.002) suggesting the ability to differentiate anterior and posterior cruciate ligament entheses. Sku was found significant with a T-test between articular and entheseal surfaces. Correlation coefficients were significant between surface metrology parameters and measurements related to body mass. Conclusions This study distinguished differences between entheses of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments, with the Ssk parameter most useful. Differences in articular and entheseal surfaces were found with the Sku parameter most useful. Correlations indicated a relationship between body mass and surface metrology parameters. Lastly, these findings suggest this method can be used for further investigation of spondyloarthropathies. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Although the number of postoperative maxillary cyst (POMC) cases has declined recently, a few reports of refractory cases have also been reported. The indications for endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for POMC removal are broadening and attempts to prevent postoperative recurrence at the cyst opening site have been widely investigated. Here, we have advocated our original pedunculated mucoperiosteal flap (CLAP flap; covered lateral and posterior wall flap of the maxillary sinus), where the bony area exposed intraoperatively is covered, to prevent postoperative recurrence. We have also presented the method for creating the CLAP flap. We classified the POMC as being medial, lateral, or anterior superior type and performed ESS. We introduced the CLAP flap after 2015 for the lateral type and some of the medial types of POMCs. We examined the cyst opening rate using computed tomography, age, sex, cyst position, and a follow-up period in four patients (five sides) who did not undergo flap surgery, but who were managed in our hospital in 2015, and in eight patients (nine sides) who underwent the CLAP flap technique in our hospital. In the group with the CLAP flap, the cyst opening rate was significantly higher (P

Common genetic variants at the RIN3 locus on chromosome 14q32 predispose to Paget’s disease of bone (PDB) but the mechanisms by which they do so are unknown. Here, we analysed the skeletal phenotype of female mice with targeted inactivation of the mouse Rin3 gene (Rin3−/−) as compared with wild-type littermates. The Rin3−/− mice had higher trabecular bone volume (BV/TV%) compared with wild type. Mean ± standard deviation values at the distal femur at 8 weeks were 9.0 ± 2.5 vs. 7.0 ± 1.5 (p = 0.002) and at 52 weeks were 15.8 ± 9.5 vs. 8.5 ± 4.2 (p = 0.002). No differences were observed in femoral cortical bone parameters with the exception of marrow diameter which was significantly smaller in 52-week-old Rin3−/− mice compared to wild type: (0.43 mm ± 0.1 vs. 0.57 mm ± 0.2 (p = 0.001). Bone histomorphometry showed a lower osteoclast surface / bone surface (Oc.S/BS%) at 8 weeks in Rin3−/− mice compared to wild type (24.1 ± 4.7 vs. 29.7 ± 6.6; p = 0.025) but there were no significant differences in markers of bone formation at this time. At 52 weeks, Oc.S/BS did not differ between genotypes but single labelled perimeter (SL.Pm/B.Pm (%)) was significantly higher in Rin3−/− mice (24.4 ± 6.4 vs. 16.5 ± 3.8, p = 0.003). We conclude that Rin3 negatively regulates trabecular bone mass in mice by inhibiting osteoclastic bone resorption and favouring bone formation. Our observations also suggest that the variants that predispose to PDB in humans probably do so by causing a gain-in-function of RIN3.

This study aimed to compare and verify the osseointegration performance of a novel implant (NI) in vivo, which could provide a useful scientific basis for the further development of NIs. Thirty-two NIs treated with hydrofluoric acid and anodization and sixteen control implants (CIs) were placed in the mandibles of 8 beagles. Micro-CT showed that the trabecular number (Tb.N) significantly increased and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) significantly decreased in the NIs at 2 weeks. Significant differences were found in the trabecular thickness, Tb.N, Tb.Sp, bone surface/bone volume ratio, and bone volume/total volume ratio between the two groups from the 2nd–4th weeks. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in the bone volume density at 2, 4, 8, or 12 weeks or bone-implant contact at 2 or 4 weeks, but the BIC in the CIs was higher than that in the NIs at the 8th and 12th weeks. Meanwhile, the histological staining showed a similar osseointegration process between the two groups over time. Overall, the NIs could be used as new potential implants after further improvement.

Cytotoxic and pro-inflammatory effects of mini-screws subject to corrosion in oral cells culture. To analysis the products of corrosion of three different commercial orthodontic mini-screws and evaluate the cytotoxicity and pro-inflammatory effects in culture with human gingival fibroblast cells (HGFs) and human osteoblast-like bone surface cells (HBCs). An experimental in vitro study was carried out with 3 different type of mini-screws: Vector-Tas®, Forestadent ORTHOEasy®, Bio-Ray® (n = 30/gp). The samples were subjected to accelerated corrosion for 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours, which were observed with a stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope. The corrosion products were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma with mass spectrometry. The direct and indirect cytotoxicity was tested in culture with HGFs and HBCs, cell viability was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The pro-inflammatory effect was determined by the expression of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) with the ELISA test. The data were subjected to Shapiro-Wilks normality tests, paired t-tests and Tukey's post hoc ANOVA. The mini-screw topography showed significant morphological changes after corrosion. The main ions after corrosion were Al, Ti, and Fe. Corrosion products by direct and indirect contact with cells slightly reduced (P < 0.05) cell viability, considered non-cytotoxic. The expression of PGE2 was not increased by the presence of the corrosion products even in a previous pro-inflammatory state. The corrosion products were not cytotoxic and did not induce a pro-inflammatory state in culture with HGFs and HBCs.

Objective The purpose of this work was to compare measurements of talar cartilage thickness and cartilage and bone surface geometry from clinically feasible magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) against high-accuracy laser scan models. Measurement of talar bone and cartilage geometry from MRI would provide useful information for evaluating cartilage changes, selecting osteochondral graft sources or creating patient-specific joint models. Design Three-dimensional (3D) bone and cartilage models of 7 cadaver tali were created using (1) manual segmentation of high-resolution volumetric sequence 3T MR images and (2) laser scans. Talar cartilage thickness was compared between the laser scan– and MRI-based models for the dorsal, medial, and lateral surfaces. The laser scan– and MRI-based cartilage and bone surface models were compared using model-to-model distance. Results Average cartilage thickness within the dorsal, medial, and lateral surfaces were 0.89 to 1.05 mm measured with laser scanning, and 1.10 to 1.22 mm measured with MRI. MRI-based thickness was 0.16 to 0.32 mm higher on average in each region. The average absolute surface-to-surface differences between laser scan– and MRI-based bone and cartilage models ranged from 0.16 to 0.22 mm for bone (MRI bone models smaller than laser scan models) and 0.35 to 0.38 mm for cartilage (MRI bone models larger than laser scan models). Conclusions This study demonstrated that cartilage and bone 3D modeling and measurement of average cartilage thickness on the dorsal, medial, and lateral talar surfaces using MRI were feasible and provided similar model geometry and thickness values to ground-truth laser scan–based measurements.

Background/aim The success of treatment of bone fracture and defects are based on a proper contact and compression between the bone fracture fragments. Intraoperative manipulations such as bone compression or distractions are generally done in order to achieve this. However, none of the bone plates currently in routine use allow these manipulations after fixation to the bone, requiring refixation and repeated drilling, and screwing operations. Based on this shortcoming, we designed a novel adjustable bone plate (ABP) system which allows bone shortening and lengthening even after fixation to the bone surface. The aim of the paper is to clarify the unique properties of the novel bone plate. Materials and methods In this paper, the new generation adjustable bone plate applicability, design, indication, and new characteristics in addition to conventional bone plates with review of the literature were discussed and surgical technique was demonstrated in a saw bone model. Results This novel design allows for compression and distraction at the fracture ends post fixation as well as bone segment transfers. Conclusions The potential of the new generation ABP plate for use in bone compression, distraction, and the segmental bone transfer is a promising invention for clinical applications in the future.

This study aimed to compare the reliability of two gap assessment methods (component and bone surface gap measurement vs. planned gap balance) and identify the contributors to component gaps other than planned gaps. The prospectively collected data for 122 consecutive primary total knee arthroplasties (TKAs; 114 patients). After femoral planning for gap balancing, the medial and lateral planned gaps were calculated (planned gap). The established medial extension and flexion gaps (MEG and MFG, respectively) and lateral extension and flexion gaps (LEG and LFG, respectively) were measured with and without the TKA components (bone surface and component gaps) at 0° and 90° flexion. The intraclass and Pearson correlation coefficients for each gap measurement method were assessed using planned gap values, and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify the contributors to component gaps. Compared with the bone surface gap measurement, the component gap measurement showed higher reliability and stronger correlation with the planned gap balance for each gap. The changes in the medial posterior femoral offset contributed to the MEG and LEG, whereas those in the joint line height contributed to the LEG. The changes in the hip–knee–ankle angle and lateral posterior femoral offset contributed to the LFG. Component gap measurements of the established gap more accurately and reliably reflect the planned gap balance than do bone surface gap measurements. The established gaps are affected by several factors other than femoral planning.

Zooarchaeological analyses from late Middle Palaeolithic (LMP) and early Upper Palaeolithic (EUP) contexts allow to examine changes in subsistence that are key in the debate about Neanderthal and anatomically modern human socio-organisational changes. However, the effects of syn-/post-depositional processes in the modification and preservation of faunal remains are sometimes overlooked. Moreover, the quantification units chosen have implications into the way in which inferences can be made from highly fragmented assemblages. To illustrate these issues, this paper addresses the analysis of the faunal assemblages assigned to the LMP and EUP documented in Cova Gran (south-eastern Pre-Pyrenees, Iberian Peninsula). We discuss the suitability of different quantification units, taxonomical composition, skeletal part representation, age at death, the state of preservation, breakage patterns, bone surface modifications, and spatial distribution of the bone assemblages from the S1B (LMP) and 497D (EUP) levels documented in Cova Gran. The important role played by syn-/post-depositional processes is discussed to assess the resolution that zooarchaeological assemblages could offer to analyse subsistence patterns and occupation dynamics in similar geo-sedimentary environments. We investigate how the spatial distribution of the remains permits observations regarding stratigraphic and contextual resolution that might overcome the limitations imposed by aggressive post-depositional processes, which bias the statistical data that can be tested in these types of assemblages. Our results suggest patterns of continuity and discontinuity in human subsistence behaviour affecting the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition. The results from Cova Gran provide information to facilitate discussion on the role of zooarchaeological studies in the analysis of the lifestyle of late Neanderthals and early modern humans in the Iberian south-eastern Pre-Pyrenees.

Computer-aided surgery has been widely used in treatment of hemifacial microsomia and matured in recent decades. These techniques include the computer-aided design, virtual surgical planning, modeling surgery, rapid prototyping techniques, intraoperative navigation and so on. The purpose of this article is to summarize the current application of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing technology in the treatment for hemifacial microsomia during the last 5 years, as well as the views and discussions on some topics, and finally introduce a method of our team. Our effort is that using the holes predrilled in cutting guides, the pre-bent titanium plates are easily placed. Avoiding potential bone autorotation caused by unfitness between conventional titanium plates and bone surface, which keeps the bone fixation precisely in line with the preoperative virtual plan and reduce the movement of bone segments due to the undesirable stress of the plates.

Precise localization of cystic bone lesions is crucial for osteolytic bone tumor surgery. Recently, there is a move toward ultrasound imaging over plain radiographs (X-rays) for intra-operative navigation due to the radiation-free and cost-effectiveness of the modality. In this process, the intra-operative bone model reconstructed from the segmented ultrasound image is registered with the pre-operative bone model. Deep learning approaches have recently shown remarkable success in bone surface segmentation from ultrasound images. However, to train deep learning models effectively with limited dataset size, data augmentation is essential. This study investigates the applicability of the generative approach for data augmentation as well as identifies standard data augmentation approaches for bone surface segmentation from ultrasound images. The generative approach we used in our work is based on Pix2Pix image-to-image translation network. We have proposed a multiple-snapshot approach, which mitigates the uni-modal deterministic output issue in the Pix2Pix network without using any complex architecture and training process. We also identified standard data augmentation approaches necessary for ultrasound bone surface segmentation through experiments. We have evaluated our networks using 800 ultrasound images from trained regions (humerus bone) and 1200 ultrasound images from untrained regions (tibia and femur bones) using four different augmentation approaches. The results show that the generative augmentation approach has a positive impact on accuracy in both trained (+ 4.88%) and untrained regions (+ 25.84%) compared to using only standard augmentations. Moreover, compared to standard augmentation approaches, the addition of the generative augmentation approach also showed a similar trend in both trained (+ 8.74%) and untrained (+ 11.55%) regions. Generative approaches are very beneficial for data augmentation, where limited dataset size is prevalent, such as ultrasound bone segmentation. The proposed multiple-snapshot Pix2Pix approach has the potential to generate multimodal images, which enlarges the dataset considerably.

Objective Both clinical and X-ray findings have been used for postoperative assessment of the donor site following secondary alveolar bone grafting in our department. However, this approach requires that patients be exposed to X-ray irradiation several times at the donor site and the cleft site. Furthermore, the findings do not depict bone healing status in detail and thus offer little information to help in deciding the required duration of postoperative movement restriction. Therefore, we sought to determine the utility of ultrasound in addition to X-ray for evaluating bone surface healing at the donor site. Methods Subjects were 17 patients (9 boys and 8 girls; median weight of harvested bone, 7.5 g) who underwent alveolar bone grafting using tibial grafts. All cases were evaluated on X-ray and ultrasound images. Results Agreement between the X-ray and ultrasound assessments was 88.2 % (15/17) at postoperative month 3 and 70.6 % (12/17) at postoperative month 6. No significant differences were observed, but the time required for healing tended to be longer when the weight of harvested bone was larger. Conclusions Ultrasound was a useful modality in postoperative assessment, and the combined use of ultrasound and X-ray examination was found to enable reduced exposure to X-ray irradiation and close observation of the bone surface. Also, movement restriction of ≥1 month appeared necessary, and the time to healing was longer for a larger weight of harvested bone.

Purpose Cubitus varus is a common triplane deformity in adults associated with supracondylar humeral fractures experienced as a child and consists of varus, extension, and internal rotation components. When corrective osteotomy is indicated, these three components should be measured precisely. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of radiographic and physical measurements of cubitus varus deformities in adults compared to values measured on three-dimensional (3-D) bone surface models of the adult bilateral humerus. Methods Three-dimensional bilateral humerus models were developed using bilateral humerus CT images of 20 adult patients with cubitus varus. The varus, internal rotation, and extension components of the deformity were assessed by superimposing the 3-D bone model onto a mirror-image model of the contralateral normal humerus. Values obtained from the radiographic and physical measurements were compared with those from the 3D model. The reliability of each measurement was assessed by calculating correlation coefficients (CCs). Results Radiographic measurements of the varus and extension components showed good reliability (CC = 0.796 and 0.791, respectively). Physical measurement of the varus component, however, showed only moderate reliability (CC= 0.539), while physical measurement of the extension and internal rotation components exhibited poor reliability (CC = 0.164 and 0.466, respectively). Conclusion Varus and extension components of cubitus varus in adults can be reliably measured using conventional methods, whereas the internal rotation component cannot. Thus, 3-D methods with which to quantify the rotational component preoperatively might be needed when the correction of a rotational deformity is considered.

Amaç: Capparis spinosa (C. Spinosa) antioksidan, antienflamatuar, antialerjik, antiviral ve antikanserojenik özelliği gösteren flavanoit molekülü içerir. Bu çalışmanın amacı sıçanlarda palatinal bölgede oluşturulan yara modelinde C. spinosanın yara iyileşmesi üzerindeki etkisinin değerlendirilmesidir. Yöntem: Çalışmada 60 adet erkek Wistar sıçan kullanıldı. Başlangıçta iyileşme referansı olarak (0 gün) altı hayvan sakrifiye edildi. Sıçanlar C. spinosa, Klorheksidin (Klx) ve Kontrol (K) grubu olarak üç gruba ayrıldı. Tüm gruptaki denekler rastgele seçilerek altışar sıçandan oluşan dokuz alt grup oluşturuldu. Anestezi altına sıçanların damaklarının tam ortasında punch ile 3 mm çapında sirküler eksizyonel yara yüzeyleri oluşturuldu. Mukoperiosteal kısım keskin diseksiyonla uzaklaştırıldı ve açık kemik yüzeyindeki alan sekonder iyileşmeye bırakıldı. C. Spinosa, 1 ml/gün olacak şeklide gavaj yoluyla lokal olarak uygulandı. Sıçanlar yedinci, 14. ve 21. günlerde sakrifiye edildi ve yara bölgesinin fotoğrafları çekildi. Her bir fotoğraf özel bir programa aktarılarak defekt bölgesindeki yara alanı ölçüldü. Histolojik kesitler alınarak enflamatuar hücre varlığı, epitelizasyon ve iyileşme düzeylerine bakıldı. Bulgular: Epitelyal marjinler arasındaki ortalama yara alanı, tüm gruplarda zamanla önemli ölçüde azaldı (p

Balma del Gai (Moia, Barcelona) is an Epipalaeolithic archaeological site that provides one of the most significant archaeological records of hunter-gatherers living in the northeast of Iberia during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition. Its faunal record evidences a very diverse spectrum of hunted species and particularly an increase in the number of certain small prey that were exploited, such as rabbits and land snails. This study focuses on avian remains, which are also represented, albeit in lower numbers. Zooarchaeological and taphonomic analyses of the birds show a high diversity of taxa in the assemblage, with a predominance of specimens belonging to Perdicinae. Bone surface modifications show clear evidence of the anthropogenic origin of the sample, indicating an interest in birds as food. However, some taxa, mainly raptors, were also exploited to acquire wing feathers and claws for ornamental purposes. Our results, in conjunction with those from other sites from the same region and period, will contribute to establishing the role of avians within the broad-spectrum economy of the last hunter-gatherers from Iberia.

An automatic markerless knee tracking and registration algorithm has been proposed in the literature to avoid the marker insertion required by conventional computer-assisted knee surgery, resulting in a shorter and less invasive surgical workflow. However, such an algorithm considers intact femur geometry only. The bone surface modification is inevitable due to intra-operative intervention. The mismatched correspondences will degrade the reliability of registered target pose. To solve this problem, this work proposed a supervised deep neural network to automatically restore the surface of processed bone. The network was trained on a synthetic dataset that consists of real depth captures of a model leg and simulated realistic femur cutting. According to the evaluation on both synthetic data and real-time captures, the registration quality can be effectively improved by surface reconstruction. The improvement in tracking accuracy is only evident over test data, indicating the need for future enhancement of the dataset and network.