Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Introduction: A novel device developed by J. Morita can generate electromagnetic stimulation (EMS) into the root canal. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the anti-biofilm effect of EMS combined with low concentrations of NaOCl against an established biofilm of Enterococcus faecalis in an in vitro human tooth model. Materials and Methods: Single rooted human teeth were standardized and an E. faecalis biofilm was established in the canal. The specimens were subject to six treatment groups: 1) 1.5% NaOCl; 2) 1.5% NaOCl and EMS; 3) 0.25% NaOCl; 4) 0.25% NaOCl and EMS; 5) saline and 6) saline and EMS. Biofilm was collected, plated, and the number of colony forming units (CFU)/mL was used to determine antibacterial activity. Results: The effect of treatment group on bacterial counts were made using one-way ANOVA followed by pair-wise comparisons. Although there was no significant difference between individual groups tested, there was statistically significant difference between the average difference between ‘treatments with EMS’ and ‘treatments without EMS.’ Conclusion: EMS can improve the antibacterial efficacy of NaOCl against an established biofilm of E. faecalis in an in vitro human tooth model

Kartongbruket AB has a supplier of bale pulp which is transitioning to an RFID marking of its bales. Due to this, new perspectives are requested on an RFID implementation regarding the handling of bales. This study focuses on the inbound logistics process and the pulp bale handling process. Furthermore, traceability-related problems are noted due to the fact that the current scanning methodology does not work with sufficient precision. The coexistence between the current barcode reading system and the RFID reading system is also something that is identified as topic which needs to be studied. This study’s choice of the process industry and the cardboard industry is based on a theoretical gap regarding the above-mentioned concepts and problems in this specific industry. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to be helpful to Kartongbruket AB in their upcoming RFID implementation, and to fill the identified theoretical gaps. Method: This is a case study at Kartongbruket AB. Empirics have been collected through semi-structured interviews with relevant internal actors, where the respondents have been identified using a snowball selection method. The study is of a qualitative nature and the theoretical frame of reference has been created through a literature study. Conclusion: This study concludes that RFID can be used in the inbound logistics process to make stock balances more reliable in several potential ways. In addition to this, it can be concluded that an RFID-based system can lead to a centralized traceability system in the pulpbale handling process where internal actors can gain a greater knowledge base in customer complaints cases. The study's presented implementation model may be used as a support for the upcoming RFID implementation. The study also establishes that the merging model is the most suitable coexistence model for Kartongbruket AB when RFID and barcodes are to be run together in the pulp bale handling process.

The pulp and paper industry is currently facing major challenges. Owing to the substitution of fossil-dependent products with recyclable and biodegradable ones, there is an immense demand for fibre-based products. As a result, there is an urgent need to streamline the supply chain. Additionally, consumers are increasingly pressuring businesses within the industry to improve supply chain transparency as the importance of responsible sourcing of forest-based products are gaining increased attention. To mitigate these issues, a high level of transparency and traceability throughout the entire supply chain, incorruptible tracking systems and secure forest certification systems is of utmost importance within the industry. In recent years, a distributed ledger technology, referred to as blockchain has emerged as a promising technology for improving supply chain transparency and traceability owing to its unique characteristics of storing information in a decentralized and immutable manner. However, due to the novelty of this technology within a supply chain context, a comprehensive assessment is crucial in order to understand how the technology could be leveraged. In this regard, this thesis aims to explore the potential of blockchain technology to improve transparency and traceability within the pulp and paper industry. Owing to the inherent explorative nature of this research, a qualitative approach has been adopted. Through semi-structured interviews with different actors within the supply chain of pulp- and paper products, as well as blockchain experts within the field of supply chain management, cross-sections between the two fields are drawn. In addition, based on the expert interviews, a general blueprint for companies considering implementing blockchain technology is developed. The results of the study indicate several potential use-cases where blockchain technology could bring value to the pulp and paper industry. For instance, the results show that the technology could be harnessed to streamline the supply chain, improve the chain of custody of certified products, support sustainability reporting and improve the quality of products. Lastly, as pioneering research within the field, this thesis opens up a series of directions for future research. / Massa- och pappersindustrin står just nu inför stora utmaningar. På grund av utfasningen av fossilbaserade material har efterfrågan på fiberbaserade material ökat drastiskt. Till följd av detta ökar vikten av effektiva försörjningskedjor. Dessutom, i takt med att hållbart skogsbruk får en ökad betydelse i samhället, ökar pressen från konsumenter att öka transparensen gällande råmaterialets  ursprung.  För att tackla dessa utmaningar krävs en hög grad av transparens och spårbarhet genom hela värdekedjan.   Under de senaste åren har en typ av distribuerad databasteknik, även kallad blockkedjeteknik växt fram som ett lovande verktyg för att förbättra transparens och spårbarhet inom försörjningskedjor,  tack vare dess unika egenskaper att lagra information på ett decentraliserat och oföränderligt sätt. Detta är dock en relativt ny teknik och på grund av detta finns det behov av studier där teknikens användningsområden i branschen utforskas innan den implementeras.   I detta avseende syftar denna rapport till att utforska blockkedjeteknikens potential att förbättra transparens och spårbarhet inom massa- och pappersindustrin. På grund av den utforskande karaktären av denna studie har en kvalitativ metod använts. Genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med olika aktörer inom värdekedjan för massa- och pappersprodukter, samt experter inom blockkedjor, dras paralleller mellan de två områdena. Dessutom, baserat på intervjuerna med dessa experter, har en allmän steg för steg-guide tagits fram för att underlätta för företag att utvärdera potentialen av blockkedjor inom specifika användningsområden.  Resultaten av studien indikerar flera potentiella användningsområden där blockkedjeteknik kan medföra ett ökat värde. bland annat visar resultaten att tekniken kan utnyttjas för att effektivisera försörjningskedjan, förbättra spårbarheten standarden för certifierade produkter, underlätta hållbarhetsrapportering och förbättra kvaliteten på produkter. Slutligen, som en banbrytande forskning inom området, öppnar detta examensarbete upp för  framtida forskning.

Digestate produced during anaerobic digestion of food waste is recognised as a good alternative to mineral fertilizer which could also be used to amend soil properties. This has conventionally been applied directly and unprocessed to nearby farms or processed and transported elsewhere. The latter option has gained recognition due to environmental restrictions coupled with soil nutrient management objectives but is an expensive venture. With increasing biogas production and AD plants across Europe, production of digestate has however exceeded its demand. Improving the dewaterability of the digestate has the benefit of reducing the cost and time of processing and handling. The principal aim of this experiment was to enhance the dewaterability of food waste digestate by the addition of pulp fibre to the AD process. In doing so, the study also investigated the effect of co-digestion of food waste and pulp fibre on the performance and stability of the digestion. Source separated food waste was digested at OLR of 3.5 ±0.1 g VS/L*d-1 for 163 days in 3 CSTRs with a working volume of 6L at HRT OF 23-26 days. Soft- and hardwood pulp fibres were added to 2 designated digesters for 104 days and increased stepwise at OLR of 0.5 ±0.1 g VS/L*d-1 PF until 1.5 ±0.1 g VS/L*d-1 PF with the 3rd digester serving as a control. 3 other post-digesters, each with a working volume of 1.41L were operated for 104 days with sludge from the 3 main digesters serving as inoculum and substrate. This was run at HRT of 7 days.  Pulp fibre addition of 1.5 ±0.1 g VS/L*d-1 OLR to 3.5 ±0.1 g VS/L*d-1 food waste increased the total biogas and methane production to 35-40% and 21-32% respectively. Though recording a higher biogas production, the corresponding specific methane production from the fibre addition was 12-8% lower than food waste digestion. Analysis of the digestate from post digestion showed that CST increased linearly from 595 ±13s for food waste digestate to 962 ±19s for pulp fibre addition. The experiment established a positive correlation between CST and organic matter content. Suspended solids increased from 128 ±10 mg/l for FW digestate to 177 ±12 – 237 ±10 mg/l for fibre addition. Addition of kraft pulp fibre types did not enhance the dewaterability of the digestate. However, the total methane production was enhanced by the addition of pulp fibre. / <p>Parts of the thesis is scheduled to be published in a scientific journal</p>

In an effort to elucidate the mechanism by which indomethacin (IN) lessens the stimulatory effect of estradiol (E2) on rabbit splenic red pulp macrophages (RPMs), 39 female New Zealand White rabbits were divided into 10 groups: ovariectomized (OVX) and OVX/ IN at 0.1 and 5.0 mg/kg body weight (bw)/day; sham OVX (SOVX) and SOVX/IN at 0.1 and 5.0 mg/kg bw/day; OVX/25 mg E2 and OVX/25 mg E2/IN at 0.1 and 5.0 mg/kg bw/day; and intact control. Changes in RPM population in response to treatment were measured using a 0-4 histologic grade. Estradiol treatment resulted in increased RPM grade when compared to the OVX groups. Indomethacin addition lowered mean RPM grade in the SOVX/IN 5.0 group when compared to its E2 control group. Indomethacin administration had no significant effect on levels of prostaglandin E 2 in spleen, urine, or blood. Hematocrits were reduced in both OVX and OVX/E2 groups; this decrease was exacerbated by the high IN dose. In summary, the results from this study suggest that the effect of IN on E2-induced RPM activation may be mediated through a nonprostaglandin pathway. The observed hematocrit changes are possibly the result of direct action of IN and E2 on erythrocytes, resulting in their accelerated clearance from the circulation by splenic RPM.

2-Hydroxy-ethyl methacrylate (HEMA) is the major component released from resin-modified glass ionomer cements and dental adhesives. Human tissues mainly affected by HEMA are oral epithelium and dental pulp. We treated human gingival epithelial S-G cells and pulp fibroblasts (HPF) with various concentrations of HEMA, to evaluate its effects on cell growth, cell cycle progression, intracellular glutathione (GSH) level and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. HEMA-induced growth inhibition in HPF and S-G cells in a dose-dependent manner, which may be partially explained by induction of cell cycle perturbation. G2/M phase arrest was noted after exposure of HPF to 5 and 10mM of HEMA, concomitant with glutathione depletion and ROS production. S-phase arrest occurred in S-G cells when treated with 2.5 and 5mM, while at 10mM a sub-G0/G1 peak was noted, indicating the potential induction of apoptosis. GSH depletion was marked in S-G cells only at concentrations of 5 and 10mM, but excessive ROS production was noted at concentration of 1mM and rose with dose increase between 1 and 5mM, then lessened at 10mM. This suggested that the increase of ROS in S-G cells was not mainly caused by GSH depletion. These results helped to define the mechanism of the cytotoxicity caused by HEMA.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Introduction: In order to successfully treat an infected root canal system (RCS), it is required to locate all root canals and have an access path to the apex of each canal. This can be challenging in teeth with pulp canal obliteration (PCO), often leading to increased chair time and increased risk of iatrogenic errors. Guided endodontic access (GEA) combines information from a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan with an intra-oral scan to create a stent. GEA stents with or without fixation pins have been shown to be successful in accurately negotiating a RCS with PCO. Objective: Compare the degree of deviation and difference in 3D offset at the base to apical tip of the drill from the designed access path when a GEA stent with and without pin fixation is used to access tooth #8 with PCO. Materials and Methods: A 3-D printed maxillary model of an anonymous patient had a GEA stent designed using coDiagnonstiX software. The stent extended from tooth #3 to tooth #14 with the guide sleeve over tooth #8. Tooth #8 with no calcification, calcification to the cervical third, and calcification to the middle third of the RCS were designed in the coDiagnostiX software. Tooth #8 will be accessed using a 1.3 mm drill that fits a 1.3 mm sleeve used for both access and pin fixation. 15 of the 30 GEA samples will utilized pin fixation, while the other 15 samples did not utilize pin fixation. Following GEA in all 30 samples a CBCT was taken of each sample. Each post-operative CBCT was aligned with the pre-operative CBCT in the coDiagnostiX software. The coDiagnostiX software was able to calculate the degree of deviation and difference in 3D offset between the base and apical tip of the drill during GEA. Paired t-tests were used to test each group for significant differences in 3D offset between base and tip. Two-way ANOVA was used to evaluate the effects of pin fixation and calcification on the degree of deviation and the deviation of 3D offset of the entry point and tip. Results: There was a significant interaction between use of pin fixation and calcification level on the degree of deviation of GEA. GEA with pin fixation had a significantly larger degree of deviation than GEA without pin fixation with calcification extending to the middle third of the RCS. GEA with and without pin fixation did not have a significant difference when calcification extended to the cervical third of the RCS or no calcification was present. There was a significant interaction between use of pin fixation and calcification level on 3D offset difference. GEA with pin fixation had a significantly larger 3D offset difference than GEA with no pin fixation for calcification in the middle third of the RCS. For GEA with and without pin fixation there was no significant difference when calcification extended to the cervical third of the RCS or no calcification was present. Conclusion: The use of pin fixation did not result in a decrease of degree of deviation or difference in 3D offset during GEA access. It can be concluded that the use of pin fixation is not necessary for GEA of teeth with PCO when a full dentition is present to provide stability and retention of the stent. / 2022-06-21

Brightness reversion, also known as yellowing, is a well-known phenomenon which means that the brightness of paper products decreases during ageing. The name of this phenomenon is based on that paper products usually change in color towards yellow during ageing. Yellowing is considered to occur due to a mixture of chemical and physical factors, which makes it a complex problem for the pulp &amp; paper industry. The majority of the literature and research conducted with respect towards yellowing claims that light and heat is the two main factors that contributes the most to a brightness reversion, depending on the type of pulp and process that is utilized. Smurfit Kappa in Piteå is a manufacturer of the paper grade Kraftliner and has during some occasions noted unstable brightness. Based on previous work at Smurfit Kappa, it is known that the finished liners produced from bleached pulp in a completely chlorine-free process is very sensitive to heat, especially for longer periods of time during storage. It has also been documented that the storage temperature for paper products is of great importance, especially the cooling rate of the paper-rolls from production, which could take around two weeks to reach the ambient temperature. This thesis work, alongside with a literature study as a basis will examining the effect of pH towards yellowing during thermal exposure. Through a factorial experiment it was initially found that the yellowing is favored by higher temperatures in conjunction with lower pH values. In order to obtain a brightness reversion of a paper product within a reasonable timeframe an accelerated aging method was used according to the ISO standard 5630-1. Throughout this thesis is the brightness reversion expressed in the so-called b* value, which indicates the color change from blue to yellow. Further experiments, including ageing methods with moisture, also concluded that an acidic pH results in a more severe yellowing. It was also observed that the pH was decreasing during experiments of pulp storage, this most likely to the chemical phenomena known as acidic hydrolysis. The b*-value seemed to be favorable of the decreased pH, thus could the pulp be stored at pH around 8 instead of 9-10 in order to suppress potential yellowing reactions.  Furthermore, it was found that cooling of the paper resulted in a decrease of the b* value, it is however unclear what causes this phenomenon but a theory could be that chromophoric groups are being deactivated/activated due to the temperature changes and hence making the phenomena reversible. / Eftergulning är ett välkänt fenomen som innebär att ljusheten hos pappersprodukter minskar när dessa åldras. Namnet på detta fenomen grundar sig i att pappersprodukter vanligtvis skiftar i färg mot det gula hållet. Detta anses bero på en blandning av kemiska och fysikaliska faktorer, vilket därmed gör det till ett komplext problem som berör massa &amp; pappersindustrin. Majoriteten av litteraturen och den forskning som utförts inom området gällande eftergulning visar att de två faktorerna ljus och värme påverkar förändringen av ljusheten i högst omfattning, beroende på vilken typ av massa och process som pappret är producerat av. Smurfit Kappa i Piteå är en tillverkare av papperstypen Kraftliner och har under olika perioder noterat ostabila ljushetsvärden på grund av eftergulningen. Frida Sandin konstaterade genom sitt examensarbete hos Smurfit Kappa under 2008 att massan som bleks i en helt klorfri process är extra känslig mot värme, speciellt under längre tidsperioder. Sandin konstaterade även att lagringstemperaturen för pappersprodukter har stor betydelse, speciellt gällande avsvalningsförloppet i de nytillverkade pappersrullarna under papperstillverkning vilka kunde ta ungefär två veckor på sig att nå omgivningens temperatur. Detta arbete fortsätter på Sandins tidigare studier, samt med en litteraturstudie som grund, genom att undersöka pH:s påverkan på papper i samband med varierande temperaturer mer noggrant. Genom ett inledande faktorförsök konstaterades det att eftergulningen gynnas av högre temperaturer i samband med lägre pH värden. För att kunna få en eftergulning på en pappersprodukt inom en rimlig tid så användes en accelererad åldringsmetod, i detta arbete användes främst en metod med en temperatur på 105 °C enligt ISO standarden 5630–1. Eftergulningen inom detta arbete uttrycks i det så kallade b*-värdet vilket indikerar en färgskiftning mellan blått och gult. Ytterligare försök, bland annat i kombination med fukt, konstaterade vidare att ett surt pH starkt missgynnar stabiliteten på eftergulningen för pappersprodukter. Det observerades också att pH-värdet sjönk under experiment där pappersmassa lagrades, detta skedde mest troligt på grund av det kemiska fenomenet som kallas sur hydrolys. b*-värdet tycktes däremot vara gynnsamt av det sänkta pH-värdet. Förslagsvis så borde massan lagras vid pH runt 8 istället för 9–10 för att reducera potentiella eftergulnings-reaktioner. Det konstaterades också att kylning av papperet resulterar i en sänkning av b*-värdet, det är dock oklart vad som får detta att ske men en teori är att det är kromofora grupper som aktiveras/inaktiveras.

Orientador: Gisele Faria / Resumo: As cistatinas são inibidores naturais de cisteíno proteases e desempenham um papel crítico no controle da degradação de proteínas. As cistatinas de plantas, dentre elas a cistatina produzidas de forma recombinante a partir da Citrus sinensis (CsinCPI-2), têm mostrado potencial para serem usadas em diferentes abordagens terapêuticas. Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar a citocompatibilidade e o efeito da fitocistatina CsinCPI-2 sobre a proliferação, migração e diferenciação osteogênica de células da polpa dental humana (hDPCs). Previamente à realização dos ensaios, as hDPCs foram caracterizadas quanto a expressão de marcadores de células tronco mesenquimais por meio de citometria de fluxo. hDPCs expostas à CsinCPI-2 e não expostas (controle) foram avaliadas quanto à viabilidade celular por meio dos ensaios de metiltiazol tetrazólio (MTT) e alamar blue, apoptose por meio de citometria de fluxo, atividade da fosfatase alcalina (ALP) por meio do cálculo da liberação de timolfitaleína, produção de nódulos mineralizados por meio de coloração com vermelho de alizarina, migração celular pelo ensaio de transwell, proliferação por meio de ensaio de incorporação de bromodeoxiuridina (BrdU) e expressão gênica de proteína morfogenética óssea 2 (BMP-2), fator de transcrição osteogênica (RUNX2), fosfatase alcalina (ALP), osteocalcina (OC), sialoproteína óssea (BSP) e proteína da matriz da dentina (DMP-1) por meio da reação da polimerase em cadeia em tempo real quantitativa (qPCR).Os dad... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Cystatins are natural inhibitors of cysteine proteases and play a critical role in controlling protein degradation. Plant cystatins, among them a cystatins recombinantly produced from Citrus sinensis (CsinCPI-2), have shown potential to be used in different therapeutic approaches. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the cytocompatibility and effect of phytocystatin CsinCPI-2 on the proliferation, migration and osteogenic differentiation of human dental pulp cells (hDPCs). Previously to the performing the assays, hDPCs were characterized for the expression of mesenchymal stem cell markers by flow cytometry. hDPCs exposed to CsinCPI-2 and unexposed (control) were evaluated from cell viability by the methylthiazole tetrazolium (MTT) and alamar blue assays, apoptosis by flow cytometry, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity by calculation of thymolphtalein release, production of mineralized nodules by alizarin red staining, migration cells by Transwell assay, proliferation by bromodeoxyridine (BrdU) incorporation assay and gene expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), transcription factor (RUNX2), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OC), bone sialoprotein (BSP) and dentine matrix protein -1 (DMP-1) by quantitative real time PCR (qPCR). The data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Turkey post-test, two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post-test or t-test (α = 0.05). hDPCs used in assays showed positive marking for mesenchymal stem cells (CD105,... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of corn silage hybrids and nonforage fiber sources (NFFS) in high forage diets formulated with high dietary proportion of alfalfa hay (AH) and corn silage (CS) on ruminal fermentation and productive performance by early lactating dairy cows. Eight multiparous Holstein cows (4 ruminally fistulated) averaging 36 ± 6.2 d in milk were used in a duplicated 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Cows were fed 1 of 4 dietary treatments during each of the four 21-d periods. Treatments were: 1) conventional corn silage (CCS)-based diet without NFFS, 2) CCS-based diet with NFFS, 3) brown midrib corn silage (BMRCS)-based diet without NFFS, and 4) BMRCS-based diet with NFFS. Diets were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Sources of NFFS consisted of ground soyhulls and pelleted beet pulp to replace a portion of AH and CS in the diets. In vitro 30-h NDF degradability was greater for BRMCS than CCS (42.3 vs. 31.2%). Neither CS hybrids nor NFFS affected intake of DM and nutrients. Digestibility of N, NDF, and ADF tended to be greater for cows consuming CCS-based diets. Milk yield was not influenced by CS hybrids and NFFS. However, a tendency for an interaction between CS hybrids and NFFS occurred with increasing milk yield due to feeding NFFS with the BMRCS-based diets. Yields of milk fat and 3.5% FCM decreased when feeding the BMRCS-based diet, and there was a tendency for an interaction between CS hybrids and NFFS by further decreased milk fat concentration because of feeding NFFS with BMRCS-based diet. Although feed efficiency (milk/DM intake) was not affected by corn silage hybrids and NFFS, there was an interaction between CS hybrids and NFFS because feed efficiency increased when NFFS was fed only with BMRCS-based diet. Total VFA production and individual molar proportion were not affected by diets. Dietary treatments did not influence ruminal pH profiles except that duration (h/d) of pH < 5.8 decreased when NFFS was fed in CCS-based diet but not in a BMRCS-based diet, causing a tendency for an interaction between CS hybrids and NFFS. Overall measurements in our study reveal that high forage NDF concentration (20% DM on average) may eliminate potentially positive effects of BMRCS. In the high forage diets, NFFS exerted limited effects on productive performance when they replaced AH and CS. Although the high quality AH provided adequate NDF (38.3% DM) for optimal rumen fermentative function, the low NDF concentration of the AH and the overall forage particle size reduced physically effective fiber and milk fat concentration.