Energy efficiency in medium-scale airports: Two Mexican airports as case of study.

Reducing energy consumption in the operation of airports has been identified as one of the approaches to achieve the commitments of the countries in reducing their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The first step in this approach is the development of an energy diagnostic. However, multiple practical aspects remain unresolved when applying the existing methodologies to perform energy diagnostics, especially in the case of small and medium-scale airports. Seeking to address these issues, this work presents energy diagnostics of two Mexican international airports so that it can be used to carry out energy diagnostics in other airports with similar characteristics. Emphasis is given to identifying and prioritizing, from a sustainable point of view, the strategies to reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions. The Ciudad del Carmen Airport (CME) is located in a nearshore region with high ambient temperatures (27 °C) and humidities. It was found that in 2019, the CME airport consumed 123 MWh with an average of 577 Wh per passenger, with the HVAC system being the primary energy consumer. Critical strategies for the CME airport include photovoltaic systems and HVAC renovation. In contrast, the Puebla airport (PBC) is located in a region with comfortable ambient conditions (16 °C). In 2019, the PBC airport consumed 61.31 MWh/year and 442 Wh per passenger. The main strategies for PBC include expanding its photovoltaic energy generation system, employee awareness programs, and renewing the vehicle fleet with electric vehicles.

Neuromodulation and memory: exploring ethical ramifications in memory modification treatment via implantable neurotechnologies.

Invasive implantable neurotechnologies capable of simultaneously altering and recording neural activity are no longer the exclusive province of science fiction but a looming reality that will revolutionize medical practice. These advancements, particularly in their memory-altering capabilities, herald a vast array of opportunities for addressing the complex landscape of neurodegenerative and psychiatric conditions linked to memory impairments. However, the panoply of ethical implications arising from such a novel neurotechnology remains relatively unexplored by the neuroethics literature. This study examines and contrasts the potential ethical implications of memory modification treatment via implantable neurotechnologies. The study contends that undesired side effects resulting from memory modulation can lead to significant identity harms, disrupting the coherence of self-narratives and impinging on our authenticity. To evince the practical impact of this moral argument, the study conducts a practical ethical assessment of how employing implantable neurotechnologies to modulate memory may jeopardize (i) our moral responsiveness to events and core system of values and (ii) the emotional component associated with the altered memory. From a first-person standpoint, changes to the way we reasonably feel and react to past events and future intentions may be deemed ethically problematic as these profound changes can yield significant moral disruptions and negatively impact our personal lives and interpersonal relationships. In addition, the study discusses further ethical conundrums from a third-person perspective as these disruptions can inhibit social activism against structural injustices, thereby hindering societal progress. Thus, taking into account this societal dimension is paramount when evaluating the ethical permissibility of memory modification procedures.

(E)-1-Benzyl-idene-2,2-diphenyl-hydrazine.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C(19)H(16)N(2), contains two independent mol-ecules, both of which show an E configuration with respect to the C=N bond. The dihedral angles between the phenyl rings bonded to the hydrazine group are 81.00 (10) and 88.34 (8)° in the two mol-ecules. Inter-molecular C-H⋯π inter-actions are observed in the crystal structure.

The effect of a 3% hydroxyapatite paste prophylaxis after different root-scaling procedures in periodontics / Efeito da profilaxia com pasta de hidroxiapatita 3% após diferentes procedimentos de raspagem radicular na periodontia

Abstract Introduction Root-scaling procedures on the root surface show to increase root surface roughness during instrumentation. The use of a prophylactic paste reduces the roughness. Objetive This study evaluated the influence of prophylaxis paste on the surface roughness of root dentin after hand instruments (HI), ultrasonic scalers (US) and rotational instruments (RI) were applied to root surfaces. Material and method Fifty bovine roots were prepared and randomly divided into 10 groups (n=5) in which instrumentation with HI, US, or RI was carried out with or without prophylaxis using either conventional or 3% hydroxyapatite paste; additionally, a control group without treatment was included. The Ra and Rz roughness values were measured using a perfilometer. The morphological aspects of the root surfaces were analysed qualitatively by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data were analysed using two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test (α = 0.05). Result The scaling method and the prophylaxis procedure significantly influenced (p < 0.05) root surface roughness. Treatment with US and prophylaxis with 3% hydroxyapatite paste resulted in lower values ​​of Ra (0.14 µm ± 0.02 µm) and Rz (0.89 µm ± 0.18 µm) compared to the other groups. SEM analysis showed smoother and more homogeneous surfaces in the groups with prophylaxis compared to the groups without prophylaxis. There were no substantial differences between the results of applying different pastes. Conclusion The prophylaxis procedure performed with the experimental paste containing 3% hydroxyapatite reduced the roughness of root surfaces treated with HI, US and RI at the same level as the conventional prophylactic paste.

Resumo Introdução Procedimentos de raspagem na superfície radicular aumentam a rugosidade superficial durante a instrumentação. O uso de pasta profilática pode reduzir a rugosidade. Objetivo Este estudo avaliou a influência da profilaxia com pasta na rugosidade superficial da dentina radicular após instrumentação manual (IH), ultrassom (US) e instrumentos rotatórios (IR) aplicados em superfícies radiculares. Material e método Cinquenta raízes bovinas foram preparadas e divididas aleatoriamente em 10 grupos (n = 5) nos quais a instrumentação com HI, US ou RI foi realizada com ou sem profilaxia usando pasta convencional ou hidroxiapatita a 3%; adicionalmente, um grupo controle sem tratamento foi incluído. As rugosidades de Ra e Rz foram medidas por um perfilômetro. Os aspectos morfológicos das superfícies radiculares foram analisados ​​qualitativamente por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Os dados foram analisados ​​por meio de ANOVA de dois fatores, seguido pelo teste de Tukey (α = 0,05). Resultado O método de raspagem e o procedimento de profilaxia influenciaram significativamente (p <0,05) a rugosidade da superfície radicular. O tratamento com US e a profilaxia com pasta de hidroxiapatita ao 3% resultaram em menores valores de Ra (0,14 µm ± 0,02 µm) e Rz (0,89 µm ± 0,18 µm) em relação aos demais grupos. A análise por MEV mostrou superfícies mais lisas e mais homogêneas nos grupos com profilaxia em comparação aos grupos sem profilaxia. Não houve diferenças substanciais entre os resultados da aplicação das diferentes pastas. Conclusão O procedimento de profilaxia realizado com a pasta experimental contendo 3% de hidroxiapatita reduziu a rugosidade das superfícies radiculares tratadas com HI, US e RI no mesmo nível da pasta profilática convencional.

La responsabilidad de validar el conocimiento científico y promover la formación en investigación en odontología / The responsibility of validating scientific knowledge and promoting dental research education

Este editorial analiza algunas de las implicaciones de validar casi exclusivamente el trabajo investigativo y las revistas académicas arbitradas mediante sistemas de evaluación de revistas (índices), como Publindex en Colombia. Se reconoce la contribución que estos sistemas han hecho para mejorar la calidad de publicaciones y artículos pero enfatiza la necesidad de involucrar las comunidades académicas para determinar el valor del conocimiento y los procesos para generarlo. Se reflexiona también sobre el contexto de la investigación odontológica, las estrategias que Universitas Odontologica ha empleado para cumplir su misión y visión, y sus desafíos como revista institucional pequeña en odontología.

Biomonitorization of cadmium, chromium, manganese, nickel and lead in whole blood, urine, axillary hair and saliva in an occupationally exposed population.

Heavy metal contamination from occupational origin is a cause for concern because of its potential accumulation in the environment and in living organisms leading to long term toxic effects. This study was aimed to assess Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni and Pb levels in whole blood, urine, axillary hair and saliva from 178 individuals with occupational exposure to heavy metals. Levels of metal compounds were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. We collected information on occupation, lifestyle habits and food intake by questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analyses for metal ion concentration in whole blood, urine, axillary hair and saliva were adjusted for age, gender, smoking and alcohol consumption, lifetime workplace exposure, residence area and food habits. Overall, blood and urine median concentrations found for the five metals analyzed do not exceed biological exposure indexes, so that they are very similar to a non-occupationally exposed population. Toxicokinetic differences may account for the lack of correlations found for metal levels in hair and saliva with those in blood or urine. For those heavy metals showing higher median levels in blood with respect to hair (Cd, Mn and Pb) indicating lesser hair incorporation from blood, the lifetime working experience was inversely correlated with their hair levels. The longer the lifetime working experience in industrial environments, the higher the Mn and Ni concentration in saliva. Axillary hair and saliva may be used as additional and/or alternative samples to blood or urine for biomonitoring hair Mn, and saliva Ni in subjects with occupational exposure.

Phantom, a new subclass of Mutator DNA transposons found in insect viruses and widely distributed in animals.

Transposons of the Mutator (Mu) superfamily have been shown to play a critical role in the evolution of plant genomes. However, the identification of Mutator transposons in other eukaryotes has been quite limited. Here we describe a previously uncharacterized group of DNA transposons designated Phantom identified in the genomes of a wide range of eukaryotic taxa, including many animals, and provide evidence for its inclusion within the Mutator superfamily. Interestingly three Phantom proteins were also identified in two insect viruses and phylogenetic analysis suggests horizontal movement from insect to virus, providing a new line of evidence for the role of viruses in the horizontal transfer of DNA transposons in animals. Many of the Phantom transposases are predicted to harbor a FLYWCH domain in the amino terminus, which displays a WRKY-GCM1 fold characteristic of the DNA binding domain (DBD) of Mutator transposases and of several transcription factors. While some Phantom elements have terminal inverted repeats similar in length and structure to Mutator elements, some display subterminal inverted repeats (sub-TIRs) and others have more complex termini reminiscent of so-called Foldback (FB) transposons. The structural plasticity of Phantom and the distant relationship of its encoded protein to known transposases may have impeded the discovery of this group of transposons and it suggests that structure in itself is not a reliable character for transposon classification.

BFA-sensitive and insensitive exocytic pathways in Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites: their relationship to pathogenesis.

Entamoeba histolytica manifests its pathogenicity through several cellular processes triggered by external stimuli that activate signal transduction pathways. The intense secretory activity resulting from stimulation is not correlated with a typical endoplasmic reticulum (ER) or Golgi organization, and little is known in this parasite about endocytic/exocytic pathways. The interactions of trophozoites with fibronectin (FN) and cultured mammalian cells, which elicit secretory activities, were chosen to study mechanisms that regulate cytoplamic traffic. Results showed that Brefeldin A (BFA) induced redistribution of the vesicular network recognized by antibodies against amoebic proteins PDI and ERD2. Furthermore, BFA diminished traffic to the plasma membrane of the beta1 integrin-like FN receptor and the heavy subunit of the Gal/GalNAc lectin, required for adhesion to FN and target cells, respectively. However, BFA did not prevent thiol-proteinase secretion or inhibit the traffic of de novo synthesized proteinases. These data suggest that two distinct transport systems occur in E. histolytica, one similar to classical membrane protein transport and another independent of BFA and inducible by external stimuli. Actin-myosin contractility of the cortical cytoskeleton seems necessary for the final release of exported proteinases and the proper function of the surface proteins involved in adhesion.

Tipos de perfil de tejidos blandos que más gustan a una muestra de población colombiana / Types of soft-tissues profile preferences by a sample of colombian people

ANTECEDENTE: La relativa influencia del tipo de perfil, la forma del dorso nasal, la dimensión del tercio inferior y la posición del mentón en la preferencia de un perfil, son aspectos que han generado controversia.OBJETIVO Y METODOS: Para obtener mayor información al respecto, se realizó un estudio descriptivo en el que se elaboraron 18 perfiles que representaban diferentes características, combinando dos tipos de nariz con tres tipos de perfil, dos dimensiones de tercio inferior y dos posiciones del mentón. Cada perfil fue valorado y clasificado por un grupo de 80 personas organizadoas en cuatro grupos diferentes por afinidad.