Reducing aviation emissions is important as they contribute to air pollution and climate change. Several alternative aviation fuels that may reduce life cycle emissions have been proposed. Comparative life cycle assessments (LCAs) of fuels are useful for inspecting individual fuels, but systemwide analysis remains difficult. Thus, systematic properties like fleet composition, performance, or emissions and changes to them under alternative fuels can only be partially addressed in LCAs. By integrating the geospatial fuel and emission model, AviTeam, with LCA, we can assess the mitigation potential of a fleetwide use of alternative aviation fuels on 210 000 shorter haul flights. In an optimistic case, liquid hydrogen (LH2) and power-to-liquid fuels, when produced with renewable electricity, may reduce emissions by about 950 GgCO2eq when assessed with the GWP100 metric and including non-CO2 impacts for all flights considered. Mitigation potentials range from 44% on shorter flights to 56% on longer flights. Alternative aviation fuels\' mitigation potential is limited because of short-lived climate forcings and additional fuel demand to accommodate LH2 fuel. Our results highlight the importance of integrating system models into LCAs and are of value to researchers and decision-makers engaged in climate change mitigation in the aviation and transport sectors.

Diabetes mellitus (DM), due to its long-term hyperglycemia, leads to the accumulation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), especially in the vessel walls. Skin autofluorescence (SAF) is a non-invasive tool that measures AGEs. DM patients have a rich dietary source in AGEs, associated with high oxidative stress and long-term inflammation. AGEs represent a cardiovascular (CV) risk factor, and they are linked with CV events. Our objective was to assess whether SAF predicts future CV events (CVE) by examining its association with other CV risk factors in patients with type 2 DM (T2DM). Additionally, we assessed the strengths and limitations of SAF as a predictive tool for CVE. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses methodology, we conducted a systematic review with CRD42024507397 protocol, focused on AGEs, T2DM, SAF, and CV risk. We identified seven studies from 2014 to 2024 that predominantly used the AGE Reader Diagnostic Optic tool. The collective number of patients involved is 8934, with an average age of 63. So, SAF is a valuable, non-invasive marker for evaluating CV risk in T2DM patients. It stands out as a CV risk factor associated independently with CVE. SAF levels are influenced by prolonged hyperglycemia, lifestyle, aging, and other chronic diseases such as depression, and it can be used as a predictive tool for CVE.

When a radiotracer is injected into a patient\'s body as part of a nuclear medicine investigation, the entire body is exposed to the ionizing radiation emitted, which can cause biological damage. Therefore, it is important to predict the internal radiation dose to properly balance the advantages of radiological examinations. Currently, various Monte Carlo tools, such as MCNP, Geant4, and GATE, are available to estimate internal radiation dosimetry-related quantities, such as S values (S) and specific absorbed fractions (SAF). Such codes make physics easier for physicists who are experienced with computer programming; however, programming and/or simulation inputs remain a time-consuming and intensive task. In this study, we present a newly developed Geant4-based code for internal dosimetry calculations, namely \"DoseCalcs\". To assess the performance of the geometrical methods and computational capabilities of our developed tool, we used the GDML, TEXT, STL, and C++ methods to model the ORNL adult phantom, and a voxel-based structure to construct the ICRP adult male. SAFs in the ORNL and ICRP adult male phantoms for eight discrete mono-energetic photons with energies ranging from 0.01 to 2 MeV are calculated with DoseCalcs and compared to ORNL and OpenDose reference data. The two phantoms showed good agreement with both references, which indicates the accuracy of DoseCalcs for subsequent use in estimating internal dosimetry quantities using a variety of geometrical methods.

In this work we used the InterDosi code to estimate photon specific absorbed fractions (SAFs) for some organs of the Zubal adult male voxelized phantom. Chemical compositions and densities of ICRP 110 adult male organs were attributed to those of the studied voxelized phantom. The SAFs of monoenergetic photons with energies ranging from 0.01 to 2 MeV, were calculated for three target regions, namely kidneys, liver, and spleen, which were the radiation source regions too. The obtained SAFs were compared to recent results obtained with the GATE code. In the GATE study, chemical compositions and densities of different organs were obtained from the ICRU report number 44. The inter-comparisons between the two studies show reasonably similar results, as 80% of the calculated SAFs are consistent within 2.5% discrepancy. This demonstrates the usefulness and applicability of the InterDosi code for internal dose calculations in a voxel-based phantom. We completed this work by studying the alpha SAFs in some organs for energies emitted by 213Bi used in targeted alpha-therapy and an analytical formula was derived for rapid alpha self-irradiation calculation in soft tissues.

Background. Pediatric endodontics is a field with constant evolution, resulting in the shifting of paradigms from the use of conventional hand files to rotary files for biomechanical preparation in primary teeth. Biomechanical preparation plays a crucial role in the success of root canal treatment. Primary teeth need special attention since they differ from permanent teeth in root canal morphology. Cleaning and shaping of the canals damage the root dentin, leading to dentinal cracks. Newer techniques for root canal preparation, including Ni-Ti rotary files and SAF system, have been developed for use in pediatric endodontics to overcome the drawbacks of conventional methods. The present study compared dentinal defects formed by rotary systems in primary teeth. Methods. Eighty primary teeth were included. The teeth were decoronated with a diamond disc. All the roots were inspected for any pre-existing cracks or craze lines under transmitted light under a stereomicroscope. The specimens were then divided into four groups (n=20): group 1: control, group 2: hand files (HF), group 3: ProTaper files, and group IV: SAF files. The samples were instrumented according to the group they were assigned to. Results. The HF and SAF groups exhibited fewer microcracks. Dentinal microcracks were observed in roots prepared with rotary ProTaper files. There were significant differences between HF/SAF and rotary files (P <0.05). Conclusion. Stainless steel hand K-files and SAF instruments resulted in fewer dentinal damage than the ProTaper Universal files. SAF exhibited satisfactory results with minimal or no crack formation.

The green microalga Haematococcus pluvialis has been widely studied due to its capacity to accumulate great amounts of astaxanthin, a high-value carotenoid with biological activities. In the present work, two green compressed fluid-based processes, pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and supercritical antisolvent fractionation (SAF), are integrated to obtain an astaxanthin-enriched extract from this microalga. PLE was carried out using pressurized ethanol as solvent, for 20 min, at 10 MPa, and 50 °C as extraction temperature. Subsequently, the obtained extract was processed by SAF to further purify the carotenoid fraction. The SAF process was optimized using a 3-level factorial experimental design and considering three experimental variables: (i) CO2 pressure (10-30 MPa), (ii) percentage of water in the PLE extract (20-50%), and (iii) PLE extract/supercritical-CO2 flow rate ratio (0.0125-0.05). Total carotenoid content was evaluated in both extracts and raffinates. Best results were obtained at 30 MPa, 0.05 feed/SC-CO2 mass flow rate, and 20% (v/v) of water in the feed solution, achieving values of 120.3 mg g-1 carotenoids in extract (in the SAF extract fraction), which were significantly higher than those obtained in the original PLE extract. In parallel, a new fast two-dimensional comprehensive liquid chromatography (LC×LC) method was optimized to get the full carotenoid profile of these extracts in less than 25 min. This is the first time that the use of a C30 column is reported in an on-line LC×LC system. Graphical abstract.

Lavandula stoechas subsp. luisieri is a Spanish subspecies from the Lamiaceae family. Its essential oil has been traditionally used for several medical applications though little is known about other extracts. Similar to many other studies aiming to obtain traditional plant extracts to be used in different applications, this work evaluated the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Lavandula luisieri extracts and the correlation with their composition. Traditional hydrodistillation and ethanolic maceration were used to obtain the essential oil and the maceration extract, respectively. A green and sustainable methodology was applied to the maceration extract that was under a Supercritical Antisolvent Fractionation process to obtain a fine solid enriched in rosmarinic acid and the terpenes oleanolic and ursolic acids. Antimicrobial activities of all extracts and pure identified compounds (rosmarinic and ursolic acids) were evaluated against five bacterial strains; Listeria monocytogenes, Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella Typhimurium and Escherichia coli and were compared with the pure compounds identified, rosmarinic and ursolic acids. All strains were sensitive against L. luisieri essential oil. The solid product obtained from the supercritical process was concentrated in the identified actives compared to the maceration extract, which resulted in higher antimicrobial and DPPH scavenging activities. The supercritical sustainable process provided L. luisieri compounds, with retention of their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, in a powder exemptof organic solvents with potential application in the clinical, food or cosmetic fields.

UNASSIGNED: To compare the formation of dentinal defects using stainless-steel hand K-files (HFs), rotary files, reciprocating files, and Self-Adjusting File (SAF), when used for oval root canals.
UNASSIGNED: One hundred and forty extracted human mandibular premolar with single root and oval canal were selected for this study. Oval canals were confirmed by exposing to mesio-distal and bucco-lingual radiographs. Teeth with open apices or anatomic irregularities were excluded. All selected teeth were de-coronated perpendicular to the long axis of the tooth, leaving roots segments approximately of 16 mm in length. Twenty teeth were left unprepared (control), and the remaining 120 teeth were divided into 6 groups (n = 20) and instrumented using HF (size 40/0.02), Revo-S (RS; size 40/0.06), ProTaper NEXT (PTN; size 40/0.06), WaveOne (WO; size 40/0.09), RECIPROC (RC; size 40/0.06), and the SAF (2 mm). Roots were then sectioned 3, 6, and 9 mm from the apex, and observed under stereomicroscope, for presence of dentinal defects. \"No defect\" was defined as root dentin that presented with no visible microcracks or fractures. \"Defect\" was defined by microcracks or fractures in the root dentin.
UNASSIGNED: The control, HF, and SAF did not exhibit any dentinal defects. In roots instrumented by RS, PTN, WO, and RC files exhibited microcracks (incomplete or complete) in 40%, 30%, 55%, and 50%, respectively.
UNASSIGNED: The motor-driven root canal instrumentation with rotary and reciprocating files may create microcracks in radicular dentine, whereas the stainless-steel hand file instrumentation, and the SAF produce minimal or less cracks.

OBJECTIVE: The focus of this study was to find a correlation between the forces and vibrations during root canal shaping. This can be used to predict the fracture of the self-adjusting file (SAF) in root canal shaping.
METHODS: Forty J-shaped resin blocks were used in this study. Simulated root canals of resin blocks were prepared with the SAF. Force and vibration during root canal shaping were measured by dynamometer and accelerometer respectively. The recorded time domain signal of force and vibration were transformed to frequency domain signals. Frequency domain signals had been used for correlation study between force and vibration amplitude. The root mean square (RMS) value of force and vibration signature for new file and file just before failure were statistically compared using t-test at 95% confidence interval (CI).
RESULTS: Vibrations generated during root canal shaping exhibited positive linear correlation (r = 0.9173) with force exerted by the SAF on the root canal. It means vibration has strong correlation with force. The RMS values of force and vibration increase significantly (P < 0.05) just before the fracture.
CONCLUSIONS: From force and vibration analysis of SAF it was concluded that the vibration is well associated with force applied by the SAF on root canal. Therefore, the trend of force variation was reflected in the vibration signature. The sudden increment in vibration was the symptom of bulge formation and the end of useful life of the SAF.

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium genome encodes 13 fimbrial operons. Most of the fimbriae encoded by these operons are not produced under laboratory conditions but are likely to be synthesized in vivo We used an in vivo expression technology (IVET) strategy to identify four fimbrial operons, agf, saf, sti, and stc that are expressed in the spleen. When any three of these operons were deleted, the strain retained wild-type virulence. However, when all four operons were deleted, the resulting strain was completely attenuated, indicating that these four fimbriae play functionally redundant roles critical for virulence. In mice, oral doses of as low as 1 × 105 CFU of the strain with four fimbrial operons deleted provided 100% protection against challenge with 1 × 109 CFU of wild-type S Typhimurium. We also examined the possible effect of these fimbriae on the ability of a Salmonella vaccine strain to deliver a guest antigen. We modified one of our established attenuated vaccine strains, χ9088, to delete three fimbrial operons while the fourth operon was constitutively expressed. Each derivative was modified to express the Streptococcus pneumoniae antigen PspA. Strains that constitutively expressed saf or stc elicited a strong Th1 response with significantly greater levels of anti-PspA serum IgG and greater protective efficacy than strains carrying saf or stc deletions. The isogenic strain in which all four operons were deleted generated the lowest anti-PspA levels and did not protect against challenge with virulent S. pneumoniae Our results indicate that these fimbriae play important roles, as yet not understood, in Salmonella virulence and immunogenicity.IMPORTANCESalmonella enterica is the leading cause of bacterial food-borne infection in the United States. S. Typhimurium is capable of producing up to 13 distinct surface structures called fimbriae that presumably mediate its adherence to surfaces. The roles of most of these fimbriae in disease are unknown. Identifying fimbriae produced during infection will provide important insights into how these bacterial structures contribute to disease and potentially induce protective immunity to Salmonella infection. We identified four fimbriae that are produced during infection. Deletion of all four of these fimbriae results in a significant reduction in virulence. We explored ways in which the expression of these fimbriae may be exploited for use in recombinant Salmonella vaccine strains and found that production of Saf and Stc fimbriae are important for generating a strong immune response against a vectored antigen. This work provides new insight into the role of fimbriae in disease and their potential for improving the efficacy of Salmonella-based vaccines.