The complex channel networks of bone structure
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
Cite
@article{arxiv.q-bio/0412042,
title = {The complex channel networks of bone structure},
author = {Luciano da Fontoura Costa and Matheus Palhares Viana and Marcelo E. Beletti},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:q-bio/0412042},
year = {2007}
}
Comments
3 pages, 1 figure, The following article has been submitted to Applied Physics Letters. If it is published, it will be found online at http://apl.aip.org/