Twelve new species of Ophiuroid (brittle stars) are described, using both morphological and DNA evidence, from four seamounts (Atlantis, Melville, Coral and Walters Shoal) in the Area Beyond National Jurisdiction (High Seas) of the SW Indian Ocean, one in each of the genera: Ophiocreas (Euryalidae), Ophiopyrgus, Amphiophiura, Glaciacantha, Ophiuroglypha, Stegophiura (Ophiopyrgidae), Ophiectodia, Ophiosabine, Ophiacantha, Ophiolimna (Ophiacanthidae), Ophiomyxa (Ophiomyxidae) and Ophionereis (Ophionereididae). In addition, we resurrect several synonymised genus and species-level taxa, including the genera Ophiopyrgoides for a clade of Ophiopyrgus that includes O. trispinosus (type), O. saccharatus, and O. depressus; Ophiectodia for the clade containing Ophiacantha enopla (type), O. imago and O. opulenta; Ophiodiplax for Ophiacantha antarctica, and the subgenus Ophiotriton for the Ophionereis species O. semoni (type), O. dubia, O. amoyensis, O. andamanensis, O. hexactis, O. intermedia, O. thryptica, O. tigris, O. vivipara and O. sexradia. Resurrected species include: Astrothamnus papillatus and Gorgonocephalus pectinatus from South Africa; and Ophiomyces peresi for North Atlantic/Mediterranean specimens of O. grandis, and Ophiotreta rufescens for North Atlantic specimens of O. valenciennesi. The following species are transferred to different genera: Asterostegus (Astroceras spinigerum); Ophiocreas (Asteroschema lissum); Ophiopyrgus (Amphiophiura solida, A. latro, A. bakeri, A. liberata and A. spatulifera); Ophiomastus (O. biocal); Glaciacantha (Ophiocten cryptum and O. banzarei); Stegophiura (Amphiophiura lapidaria); and Amphiophiura (Stegophiura sculpta, S. vivipara, Ophioplinthus inflatus). Finally, we make two species-level synonymies: Amphiophiura pertusa is synonymised with Ophiopyrgus latro and Ophiacantha veterna with Opiectodia enopla. The biogeography of the fauna of each seamount depends on the location and summit depth. The remote Atlantis Seamount has a widespread bathyal seamount fauna, Coral Seamount has a temperate Southern Ocean bathyal fauna, and Walters Shoal has a continental SE African/Madagascar shelf and upper bathyal fauna, and a mixed temperate/tropical Indo-Pacific mid-bathyal fauna.

Saltwater crocodile (SC; Crocodylus porosus) bone, an underutilized by-product, can be converted into high-value bio-calcium (Biocal), serving as a potential source of calcium and minerals. This study aimed to produce SC bone Biocal as functional gel enhancer for fish bologna development and to increase calcium intake. The resulting bone powder was evaluated for physicochemical, microbiological, and molecular properties. Additionally, the textural, physicochemical, structural, and sensorial properties of the formulated fish bologna incorporating Biocal at varying levels (0-10% w/w) were also evaluated. Biocal, obtained as a fine white powder, had a 16.83% yield. Mineral analysis showed 26.25% calcium and 13.72% phosphorus, with no harmful metals or pathogens detected. X-ray diffraction confirmed hydroxyapatite with 69.92% crystallinity, while calcium bioavailability was measured at 22.30%. Amino acid analysis indicated high levels of glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, essential for collagen support. The findings confirmed that SC bone Biocal is beneficial and safe for food fortification. Incorporating SC Biocal (2-10% w/w) significantly affected the fish bologna characteristics (p < 0.05). As the Biocal level increased, the gel strength, hardness, and shear force also increased. The addition of 6% (w/w) Biocal significantly improved the textural property, without a detrimental effect on the sensory attributes of the bologna gel (p < 0.05). SDS-PAGE analysis showed TGase-enhanced myosin heavy chain (MHC) cross-linking, particularly in combination with Biocal. Moreover, the enriched Biocal-bologna gel exhibited a finer and denser microstructure. Thus, SC Biocal, particularly at 6% (w/w), can serve as a functional gel enhancer in surimi-based products, without compromising organoleptic quality.

The ability of the cement to release calcium ions, which participate in the remineralization of dentin by forming apatite which improves root canal sealing with time, is of particular importance. Five recently introduced calcium-silicate commercial dental cements were investigated with a view to the influence of the physicochemical characteristics on the possibility of releasing calcium ions in an aqueous medium. Two hybrid calcium-silicate cements in the form of a paste-like ready mix (BioCal[®] Cap and TheraCal LC) and three calcium-silicate cements consisting of two components-powder and liquid (Harvard MTA Universal, Rootdent, and BioFactor) were subjected to powder XRD, SEM, and EDS for detailed examination. The cements were immersed in water for 28 days and the phase composition and morphology of the cements before and after soaking were studied. The total calcium release for each cement was determined by ICP-OES. BioFactor and BioCal[®] Cap release the highest amount of calcium ions, while the lowest release is registered with Rootdent and TheraCal LC. The PDT treatment of BioFactor does not influence substantially the calcium release. The impact of the elemental and phase composition on the calcium release and calcium carbonate formation was discussed. A reciprocal relation between the aluminum content and the quantity of the released calcium has been found.

Testing the biocompatibility of commercially available dental materials is a major challenge in dental material science. In the present study, the biocompatibility of four commercially available dental materials Mineral Trioxide Aggregate, Biodentine, Harvard BioCal-CAP and Oxford ActiveCal PC was investigated. The biocompatibility analysis was performed on zebrafish embryos and larvae using standard toxicity tests such as survivability and hatching rates. Comparative toxicity analysis of toxicity was performed by measuring apoptosis using acridine orange dye and whole mount immunofluorescence methods on zebrafish larvae exposed to the dental materials at different dilutions. Toxicity analysis showed a significant decrease in survival and hatching rates with increasing concentration of exposed materials. The results of the apoptosis assay with acridine orange showed greater biocompatibility of Biodentine, Oxford ActiveCal PC, Harvard BioCal-CAP and Biodentine compared to MTA, which was concentration dependent. Consequently, this study has shown that showed resin-modified calcium silicates are more biocompatible than traditional calcium silicates.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of conversion, cytotoxicity, solubility and pH of photopolymerizable calciumbased cements submitted to preheating. The degree of conversion was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared, cytotoxicity by the MTT test and solubility through loss of mass. The data were subjected to statistical tests (ANOVA / Tukey's, p<0.05). The photopolymerizable materials showed a low degree of conversion, regardless of preheating. All materials caused a reduction in cell viability at 24 hours and 7 days, with the Dycal (control) being more cytotoxic. Heat had a positive effect on Biocal at 7 days. Dycal is the most soluble material. Heat had no effect on the solubility or pH of the polymerizable materials. It is concluded that photopolymerizable calcium-based cements have a low degree of conversion and are soluble, which results in mild to moderate cytotoxicity.

This article outlines the history, development, and safety aspects of glass and its use in motor vehicles. It traces the manufacture and describes the characteristics of laminated and tempered glass. It further compares the differences in injuries caused by impact with laminated and tempered glass. The development, use, and results of high penetration resistance (HPR) laminated glass for windshields are examined. Head and neck injuries from impact with glass and glazing structures are delineated. Results of studies with laminated and tempered glass are presented. The probability and severity of injuries occurring secondary to partial or full ejection of vehicle occupants are discussed, and the differences between the performance of laminated and tempered glass are highlighted. Current research to quantify head and neck injury parameters caused by glass impact during rollover is described. The biomechanics of head and neck injury assessment and the development of injury prediction parameters and reference values, respectively, are reviewed.

We are demonstrating a cost-effective multichannel capillary electrophoresis system for a high-efficiency double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) fragments analysis. This bench-type high-performance DNA analysis (HDA) system uses fluorescence-type detection with inexpensive solid-state light sources and nonmoving integrated emission collection micro-optics. DNA samples are analyzed simultaneously by using a multiple usage and disposable multicapillary cartridge, which contains integrated capillary channels, optical fibers and an integrated sieving gel reservoir. Using commercially available dsDNA size markers as indicators, the HDA system provides high resolving power in 7 min separations. The system can hold a total of 192 samples in two 96-well polymerase chain reaction (PCR) plates, which can be automatically analyzed within 2.5 h. This affordable system can be used in laboratories to replace slab gel electrophoresis for routine and high-throughput dsDNA analysis.