Historically, the paper market has consisted of few customers with high demands. However, the market has changed and nowadays it consists of many customer with lower demands, which causes problems in the warehouse process of Braviken Papermill. The main problem is that the utilization rates in the storage bays are low due to the relatively large bays compared to the order quantities. The purpose of this project is to develop a new set of bays that fits the current market and increases the utilization rates. The goal of the new set is to decrease the amount of manual operations and instead use the full potential of the allocation system.    The new set of bays consist of four bay types, dimensioned for 2, 4, 8 and 16 reel stacks respectively. Several experiments are done, and the new set of bays performs better than the current one, in terms of the utilization rates for storage events in the bays. The average utilization rate is significantly higher for the new set compared to the current. A decrease in effective storage space can be compensated by an increased degree of utilization. Also, it is beneficial with more and smaller bays in a market situation like the one of Holmen Paper.

Orientador: Milton Carlos kuga / Resumo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficiência do etanol a 95 % (Rinse-N-Dry [RD]) ou da solução de formamida (Endosolv R [ER]), associados com a microabrasão com micropartículas de vidro (Concepsis Scrub [Cs]), na limpeza da dentina impregnada com o cimento à base de resina epóxi (AH Plus) e seus efeitos sobre a interface adesiva. Quarenta espécimes de dentina foram impregnadas com o cimento endodôntico (AH Plus). Em seguida foram limpos com os seguintes protocolos (n = 10): G1(E), somente RD; G2(ER), somente ER; G3(E + Cs), RD e Cs; G4(ER + Cs), ER e Cs. No G5 (controle) nenhum tratamento foi realizado. Os espécimes foram analisados em SEM, para avaliar a presença de resíduos (500x) e contagem de túbulos de dentinários abertos (1000x). Outros 50 espécimes foram preparados esubmetidos a similares procedimentos e protocolos de limpeza. Após 7 dias, tubos contendo resina composta foram fixados na dentina com um sistema adesivo "condiciona-e-lava" (Scotchbond Multi-porpose; 3M ESPE; 3M; St. Paul; MN, USA) e submetidos ao teste de microcisalhamento. G2 e G4 demonstraram maior persistência de resíduos e menor incidência de túbulos dentinários abertos que G1 e G3(P<0.05) e não houve diferença entre G1 e G3 ou G2 e G4 (P>0.05). A resistência de união do sistema adesivo foi similar entre todos os grupos (P>0.05). A microabrasão imediata interferiu negativamente na ação dos protocolos de limpeza, porém todos mantiveram resíduos sobre a superfície dentinária. Entretanto, após 7 dias... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the cleaning protocol of dentin impregnated with epoxy resin-based sealer (AH Plus) and the effects on the adhesive interface using 95% ethanol (Rinse-N-Dry [RD]) or formamide solution (Endosolv R [ER]) associated with microabrasion with glass microparticles (Concepsis Scrub [Cs]) . Forty dentin specimens were impregnated with endodontic sealer (AH Plus). Specimens were cleansed according to the following protocols (n = 10): G1 (E), only RD; G2 (ER), only ER; G3 (E + Cs), RD and Cs; G4 (ER + Cs), ER and Cs. No treatment was performed in G5 (control). The specimens were subjected to SEM in order to evaluate the residues persistence (500x) and open dentinal tubules counting (2000x). Another 50 specimens were prepared, subjected to similar procedures and cleaning protocols.7 days later, composite-resin-made specimens were performed on dentin using etch-and-rinse adhesive system, then submitted to micro-shear test. G2 and G4 showed higher residues persistence and lower incidence of open dentinal tubules than G1 and G3 (P <0.05). No difference was found between G1 and G3 or G2 and G4 (P> 0.05). Adhesive system bond strength was similar in all groups (P> 0.05). Microabrasion negatively affected the cleaning protocols action, all groups presented residues on the dentin surface. However, 7 days later the protocols did not affect the bond strength of etch-and-rinse adhesive system to dentin previously impregnated with epoxy resin-based sealer. / Doutor

Os tecidos da polpa dentária e vibrissa são dois microambientes celulares que compartilham a mesma origem embrionária. Ambos possuem o seu nicho especifico pós-natal que abrigam células tronco adultas (CTA). O objetivo do trabalho foi investigar a expressão diferencial dos marcadores de células pluripotentes, mesenquimais e neuroepiteliais nas populações de células tronco isoladas das vibrissas (CTV) e polpa de dente (CTPD) de camundongos C57BL-6. Resultados obtidos no presente trabalho, utilizando o método de imunofluorescência, revelaram que as CTA de ambos tecidos expressam um amplo painel de marcadores de pluripotência (Oct4, Nanog e Sox2), mesenquimais (CD73, CD90 e CD105), hematopoiético (CD34), crista neural (CKit), neuronal (Nestina) e epitelial (Integrina &#945;6, LGR5 e LGR6) e indica possível potencial destas células em diversas linhagens celulares. Desta forma, células isoladas destes tecidos podem ser interessantes para serem aplicadas em diversos tratamentos na medicina regenerativa. Portanto, o estudo comparativo da expressão de um amplo painel de marcadores de células tronco em CTV e CTPD pode vir a aumentar o leque de possibilidades de sua utilização na terapia celular. Com isso, as células isoladas de polpa dentária foram submetidas à análise de expressão de marcadores já citados e a outros conhecidamente positivos e específicos para os folículos piloso como Citoqueratina 15 (CK15), LRig1 e Blimp1. Foram realizados ensaios de imunofluorescência, imunohistoquímica, citometria de fluxo e RT-PCR. Os dados obtidos nos permitiram concluir, que as CTA isoladas das ambas as fontes são bastante semelhantes em relação ao seu imunofenótipo, porém as características da sua diferenciação precisam ainda ser analisadas. / The tissues of the dental pulp and vibrissae are two cellular microenvironments that share the same embryonic origin. Both have their postnatal specific niche that keep adult stem cells (ASC). The objective of this study was to investigate the differential expression of pluripotent markers, mesenchymal and neuroepithelial in populations of stem cells isolated from whiskers (WSC) and dental pulp (DPSC) C57BL-6 mice. Results obtained in this study, using immunofluorescence, revealed that the ASC both tissues express a broad panel of pluripotency markers (Oct4, Nanog and Sox2), mesenchymal cells (CD73, CD90 and CD105), hematopoietic (CD34), crest neural (cKIT), neuronal (Nestin) and epithelial (Integrin &#945;6, LGR5 and LGR6) and indicates possible potential of these cells in several cell lines. Thus, isolated cells of these tissues may be interesting for application in various treatments in regenerative medicine. Therefore, the comparative study of the expression of a broad panel of stem cell markers in WSC and DPSC could increase the range of possibilities for their use in cell therapy. Thus, the isolated cells were subjected to the dental pulp marker expression analysis cited above and others known to be positive and specific to hair follicles as Cytokeratin 15 (CK15), and LRig1 Blimp1. Immunofluorescence assays were performed, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and RT-PCR. The data allowed us to conclude that the ASC isolated from both sources are quite similar with respect to their immunophenotype, but the characteristics of differentiation remain to be analyzed.

A partir da década de 1970, os impactos da sociedade de consumo industrial sobre o meio ambiente tornaram-se amplamente reconhecidos e debatidos em diversos setores da sociedade, inserindo-se nas agendas de lideranças mundiais. Central para o debate sobre meio ambiente e crescimento econômico tem sido o papel das empresas que, tendo sido historicamente parte do problema, passaram a incluir o meio ambiente em suas atividades e na gestão de seus negócios. Grandes acidentes envolvendo usinas nucleares e contaminações e outros de menor porte aumentaram a percepção pública quanto aos riscos decorrentes de um processo de produção predatório que ignora os limites da natureza. O objetivo do trabalho é discutir as estratégias de internalização da gestão ambiental à estrutura da empresa Suzano de Papel e Celulose nos últimos 30 anos, com enfoque na gestão hídrica da empresa. Para tanto, adotou-se uma metodologia baseada em análise documental e em um estudo de caso na empresa Suzano de Papel e Celulose. A revisão bibliográfica foi realizada em materiais obtidos na CETESB, na sede da Empresa Suzano e na Associação Brasileira de Papel e Celulose (ABTCPBRACELPA), além de teses e dissertações. Os dados para análise foram levantados em revistas setoriais com foco em gestão ambiental e em papel e celulose e nos relatórios de Sustentabilidade da empresa Suzano dos últimos 10 anos. Nesta etapa buscou-se avançar na compreensão das alternativas tecnológicas do setor de papel e celulose com foco na gestão da água, conhecer os participantes no mercado de papel e celulose e suas iniciativas voltadas ao tema da sustentabilidade. Foram ainda realizadas visitas à fábrica e à sede da empresa Suzano, com realização de entrevistas com a gerência de meio ambiente e qualidade. Os resultados alcançados revelam que três fatores têm sido determinantes para as mudanças na gestão hídrica na empresa, a saber: a legislação, que estabelece padrões de emissão de efluentes hídricos em corpos dágua; a pressão da opinião pública, notadamente a partir de meados da década de 1980 com relação à presença de compostos organoclorados (dioxinas) em efluentes de papel e celulose; e as exigências dos mercados importadores, como, por exemplo, quanto à certificação ambiental dos processos produtivos. Os resultados dessa pesquisa indicam que a empresa Suzano de Papel e Celulose nos últimos 30 anos passou de uma estratégia passiva com relação ao meio ambiente para uma estratégia proativa incorporando as exigências ambientais da legislação e de seus mercados no exterior. Conclui-se, portanto, que o meio ambiente tornou-se elemento-chave de competitividade e permanência no mercado para a empresa Suzano de Papel e Celulose. / Since the 1970s, the impacts of the industrial production on the environment have become highly recognized and debated by ample sectors of society and taken over the agendas of leaders all over the world. Central to the debate between environmental protection and economic growth has been the role played by the business sector in the search for solutions to the environmental crisis by internalizing environmental demands. The aim of this paper is to discuss the strategies adopted by the Companhia Suzano de Papel e Celulose when interiorizing environmental concerns. Emphasis will be given to the industrial management of water resources in the last 30 years. To this effect, a case study method has been adopted. The bibliographic research was carried out through the use of materials, obtained at The State of São Paulo Environmental Agency), at ABTCP-BRACELPA (The Brazilian official Pulp and Paper Organization), and other studies on the pulp and paper sector. The data used in the analysis in environmental management magazines focused on the pulp and paper sector and the companys annual sustainability reports of the last 10 years. The aim was to acquire deeper understanding of the pulp and paper sector technological alternatives for cleaner production. In addition, interviews with the company´s Environment and Quality manager of the Suzano plant were also carried out. The results suggest that the company´s water management strategies have been determined by three key factors: the regulation, which sets the standards for effluent discharges; the pressure of public opinion, in the mid 1980s, particularly public demands for the elimination of the use of chlorine compounds (the dioxins); and the environmental demands of external markets such as those related to the environmental certification of production processes. The results reveal that, in the last 30 years, Companhia Suzano de Papel e Celulose has shifted from a passive strategy towards its environmental impacts to a proactive by interiorizing both the demands of the regulation and the demands of its overseas markets. In conclusion, the environment has become a key element both for the companys competitiveness and survival.

A presente tese teve como objetivo realizar a descrição dos microrganismos que já foram isolados ou detectados em infecções endodônticas de dentes decíduos em pacientes infantis por meio de uma revisão sistemática, além de avaliar a composição bacteriana e a presença de genes de resistência a antibióticos em amostras de saliva (S), biofilme supragengival (SB), dentina (D) e câmara pulpar (RC) de dentes decíduos com infecções endodônticas. No Capítulo 1, realizou-se revisão sistemática em bancos de dados eletrônicos, tendo sido incluídos estudos clínicos que avaliaram presença de microrganismos em dentes decíduos com infecções endodônticas, por meio de análise microbiológica com cultivo ou de métodos moleculares. Foi realizada análise descritiva dos dados. A análise identificou 44 títulos, sendo revisados, na íntegra, 17 artigos. Foram selecionados 8 estudos clínicos, de acordo com os critérios de inclusão determinados. Por meio de busca manual, foram selecionados 2 artigos adicionais, totalizando 11 artigos excluídos desta revisão. Nos oito estudos clínicos incluídos na revisão sistemática, a identificação dos microrganismos envolvidos nas infecções endodônticas foi realizada por meio de várias técnicas como: cultura microbiológica, hibridização DNA-DNA, PCR e suas variações, clonagem, sequenciamento e pirossequenciamento, confirmando a diversidade de microrganismos envolvidos nas infecções endodônticas de dentes decíduos. A análise dos dados sugere que as infecções endodônticas em dentes decíduos são causadas por múltiplas combinações de espécies de micro-organismos, confirmando a sua natureza polibacteriana. No Capítulo 2, amostras de S, SB, D e RC foram coletadas de pacientes infantis com infecções endodônticas. O perfil das comunidades microbianas foram obtidos por meio da análise da região espaçadora intergênica relacionada aos genes 16S e 23S rRNA (PCR-RISA). Determinaram-se e índices de riqueza, dominância, índice de Shannon, índice de Chao-1 (alfa-diversidade) e análise multivariada de conglomerados (método UPGMA e índice de Similaridade de Bray-Curtis) e análise de coordenadas principais (PCoA) (beta-diversidade). Há um baixo grau de agrupamento entre as amostras de S, BS, D e RC, obtidas de um mesmo participante. Se presentes, os agrupamentos acontecem para sítios contíguos, mas com baixo percentual de similaridade. Amostras de um mesmo ecossistema obtidas de diferentes participantes abrigam comunidades bacterianas distintas, com baixa similaridade. Não parece haver uma relação entre a presença de um sinal/sintoma clínico e acréscimo no perfil de similaridade das comunidades bacterianas em RC. Não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os índices de alfa-diversidade (riqueza, dominância, Shannon e Chao-1) entre S, SB, D e RC. O uso prévio de antibióticos não modificou os resultados de alfa diversidade ou de beta diversidade obtidos. No Capítulo 3, verificou-se a distribuição dos genes de resistência bacteriana aos principais grupos de antibióticos em S, SB, D, e RC dentes decíduos em pacientes infantis com infecções endodônticas e também de amostras de saliva dos responsáveis (R) por meio de PCR para os genes cfxA/cfxA2, blaTEM, blaZ, ampC, mecA, mefA, ermB, ermC, tetQ, tetM, tetW, linB, lsaB. Realizou-se análise estatística descritiva e análise multivariada de conglomerados (método UPGMA e índice de Similaridade de Bray-Curtis). Dos pacientes selecionados, 3/8 utilizaram antibiótico previamente à coleta. Nenhum gene de resistência foi observado em todos os ecossistemas de um mesmo participante. Os genes mais frequentemente detectados foram os genes de resistência à tetraciclina tetQ e tetW. Não foram detectados nas amostras os genes ampC, mecA, lnuB e lsaB. A presença simultânea de um gene em dois nichos ocorre em ecossistemas contíguos. Não se observa um comportamento uniforme quanto ao perfil de agrupamento de diferentes amostras de um mesmo participante, e nem entre as amostras de saliva do participante infantil (S) e seu responsável (R). Há múltiplos perfis de distribuição de genes de resistência a agentes antimicrobianos em amostras de ecossistemas bucais contíguos em um mesmo paciente portador de infecção endodôntica. A análise conjunta dos dados permite concluir que cada um dos ecossistemas da cavidade bucal de crianças portadoras de infecções endodônticas avaliado apresenta espécies bacterianas e fatores de virulência distribuídos de forma única e distintas, a partir de uma perspectiva de análise de diversidade. / This thesis aimed assessing information on the bacteria that were isolated/detected in teeth with endodontic infections from infant patients through a sistematic review of the literature. Furthermore, the bacterial composition and the presence of resistance genes to antimicrobial agents was determined in saliva (S), in supragengival biofilm (SB), in dentine (D) and in pulp cavity (RC) samples. In the Chapter 1, a sistematic review was conducted in electronic databasis. Clinical studies that evaluated the presence of microorganims in primary teeth with endodontic infections through culture and molecular methods were included. Fourty-four titles were selected and 17 articles were fully revised. Eight clinical studies were selected for data extraction. Two articles were included following the hand search. According to the data analysis, microbial identification was performed by culture, DNA-DNA hybridization, PCR, cloning and sequencing and next-generation sequencing methods. A high diversity in the microbial components identificated/detected was reported. Endodontic infections in primary teeth are polymicrobial, with a multi-species consortia. In the Chapter 2, the S, SB, D and RC samples were collected from infanti patients with endodontic infections. The ribossomal intergenic spacer analysis (PCR-RISA) for the 16S-23S rRNA genes interspacer region was employed to determine the bacterial fingerprint for each sample. Metrics for alfa and beta diversity were employed, such as richness, dominance, Shannon Index, Chao-1 Index, cluster analysis (UPGMA, Bray-Curtis Index) and principal coordenate analysis (PCoA). There was a low grouping profile for shared samples of S, BS, D and RC from the same participant. When detected, clustering behavior was observed for contiguous sites, with low percentual of similarity between them. Samples from the same site but from different subjects harboured distinct bacterial communities, with low similarity. No clinical sign/symptom was detected as a grouping factor for RC sample from different subjects. No statistical difference was detected for the alfa-diversity indexes among S, SB, D and RC. The previous exposition to antimicrobial agentes has no effect over the alfa- and beta-diversity indexes. In the Chapter 3, the distribution of bacterial genes for antimicrobial resistance in S, SB, D and RC was determined in samples from children with endodontic infections and their relatives (R) by PCR. The presence of the genes cfxA/cfxA2, blaTEM, blaZ, ampC, mecA, mefA, ermB, ermC, tetQ, tetM, tetW, linB, and lsaB was detecte in the samples. Descriptive statistical analysis and multivariate anlysis (cluster analyisis, UPGMA and Bray-Curtis similarity index) were carried out. Three out of 8 patients had antimicrobial agents previously to the apointment. No resistance gene was shared by all envirnments in the same participant. The most frequently detected genes were tetQ and tetW. The genes ampC, mecA, lnuB, and lsaB were not detected in any the samples. The same gene was detected only in two contiguous niches. Clustering analysis revealed no grouping pattern among the samples, despite they were or not from the same participant or his/her relative. Multiple profiles of resistance genes distribution were detected in the oral cavity samples from infant participants. The oral cavity in children with endodontic infection is a complex environment that harbours unique bacterial communities profiles and a distinct distribution of resitance genes to antimicrobial agents, considering an ecological perspective.

One of the main interests in commercial methane production is to maximize the gas yield, and it is thus appealing to use material with relative high methane potential. However, such material often results in process instability whereas ammonia inhibition is common. Removal of ammonia through adsorption is a fairly unexplored method in the field of biogas production, and could prove to be cost-effective.The adsorption capacity of pulp fibres from the paper making industry were investigated through batch adsorption experiments. Additionally, the fibres effect on small scale batch digesters in terms of methane production and cellulase activity was explored. Overall, the adsorption capacity of the pulp fibres was low, whereas Kraft hardwood had the highest adsorption capacity in both an aqueous ammonium solution and digester fluid at 11±3 and 60±20 mg g-1, respectively. The initial total ammonium nitrogen concentration had the highest effect on the adsorption capacity with a positive correlation. The pulp fibres seemingly had no effect on the ammonia inhibited anaerobic digestion systems. However, the cellulase activity was higher after day 5 in the anaerobic digestion systems with a high ammonia concentration.In essence, the overall results showed that the adsorption of the fibres was relatively low and most likely not suitable as a material to prevent ammonia inhibition in an AD.

Driven by intense competition, increasing operational cost and strict environmental regulations, the modern process and energy industry needs to find the best possible way to adapt to maintain profitability. Optimization of control and operation of the industrial systems is essential to satisfy the contradicting objectives of improving product quality and process efficiency while reducing production cost and plant downtime. Use of optimization not only improves the control and monitoring of assets but also offers better coordination among different assets. Thus, it can lead to considerable savings in energy and resource consumption, and consequently offer a reduction in operational costs, by offering better control, diagnostics and decision support. This is one of the main driving forces behind developing new methods, tools and frameworks that can be integrated with the existing industrial automation platforms to benefit from optimal control and operation. The main focus of this dissertation is the use of different process models, soft sensors and optimization techniques to improve the control, diagnostics and decision support for the process and energy industry. A generic architecture for an optimal control, diagnostics and decision support system, referred to here as a learning system, is proposed. The research is centred around an investigation of different components of the proposed learning system. Two very different case studies within the energy-intensive pulp and paper industry and the promising micro-combined heat and power (CHP) industry are selected to demonstrate the learning system. One of the main challenges in this research arises from the marked differences between the case studies in terms of size, functions, quantity and structure of the existing automation systems. Typically, only a few pulp digesters are found in a Kraft pulping mill, but there may be hundreds of units in a micro-CHP fleet. The main argument behind the selection of these two case studies is that if the proposed learning system architecture can be adapted for these significantly different cases, it can be adapted for many other energy and process industrial cases. Within the scope of this thesis, mathematical modelling, model adaptation, model predictive control and diagnostics methods are studied for continuous pulp digesters, whereas mathematical modelling, model adaptation and diagnostics techniques are explored for the micro-CHP fleet. / FUDIPO – FUture DIrections for Process industry Optimization

The aim of this work is to contribute to the process development of the ECF light bleaching sequence Q(OP)D(PO) by providing a better understanding of the bleaching of softwood kraft pulp. There are few published studies on this type of sequence, and more knowledge is needed on how to reduce environmental impact, improve cost-effectiveness and ensure a high pulp quality. Firstly, this research showed that using a pH buffer to stabilize the pH at a near-neutral level during bleaching with chlorine dioxide can lower the formation of adsorbable organically bound halogens (AOX) without altering the bleaching efficiency. A near-neutral pH decreases the formation of strongly chlorinating species so that the AOX content in the bleaching effluents is reduced by up to 30%. The increased pH in the near-neutral pH D stage compared with the reference lowered the chlorine dioxide consumption, resulting in a higher kappa number and viscosity. A lower degradation of hexenuronic acid correlated well with a lower AOX content in the effluents, affirming earlier theories that hexenuronic acid has an important impact on AOX formation. Secondly, this research aimed at studying bleachability in (OO)Q(OP)D(PO). The bleachability was defined as delignifying and brightness gain bleachability, which is suited to ECF light bleaching sequences. The delignifying and brightness gain bleachability were used to evaluate the stages in (OO)Q(OP)D(PO) in regard to the unbleached kappa number. When comparing different stages, it is possible to distinguish the bleaching efficiency in each stage. For this ECF light sequence, the bleachability depends on the purpose of the stage. It was found that in the stages that are mainly delignifying (OO and D), a higher unbleached kappa number is beneficial for the delignifying bleachability, although the brightness gain is not improved. However, in the stages that are mainly brightness increasing (OP and PO), the brightness gain bleachability is improved by a lower unbleached kappa number. Thirdly, the bleaching of the pulp samples in this study with the ECF light sequence was most effective with a kappa number around 32 after cooking. Although an even higher kappa number resulted in a higher yield after cooking, it seemed that this bleaching sequence cannot preserve the yield gain. Kappa number 32 also gave the best results in regard to brightness ceiling and viscosity. On the other hand, kappa number 27 was the most favourable with regard to yellowing and chemical charge. / <p>Examinator: Helena Håkansson, lektor, Karlstads universitet</p>

Orientador: Josimeri Hebling / Resumo: Objetivo: Investigar a citotoxicidade transdentinária da acroleína (ACR) sobre células pulpares e a resistência máxima à tração (RMT) da matriz dentinária e resistência da união (RU) resina-dentina após a biomodificação do colágeno dentinário por esse agente promotor de ligações cruzadas. Métodos: Discos de dentina (0,4 mm de espessura) foram obtidos de molares humanos hígidos e adaptados em câmaras pulpares artificiais. Células MDPC-23 foram semeadas na superfície pulpar desses discos e a superfície oclusal foi condicionada com ácido fosfórico por 15s. Sobre a dentina condicionada foi aplicado (n=9): água deionizada (controle), ACR 0,02%, 0,01%, 0,005%, glutaraldeído 5% (GD) ou peróxido de hidrogênio 3%. Após 60s, a superfície foi lavada e as câmaras foram incubadas por 24h. Foi avaliada a viabilidade das MDPC-23 (alamarBlue) aderidas na parede pulpar dos discos e os extratos foram aplicados em novas MDPC-23 e HDPCs (células da polpa dental humana) cultivadas em placas de cultura. Após 24h, essas células foram avaliadas quanto a viabilidade, atividade de fosfatase alcalina (ensaio da timolftaleína), presença de nódulos de mineralização (Alizarin red) e expressão gênica de ALPL, DSPP, MMP2, MMP9 e IL1B (PCRq). Vinte cinco molares adicionais foram seccionados para obter espécimes de dentina (n=50) que foram completamente desmineralizados com ácido fosfórico por 24h. Os espécimes de matriz dentinária foram tratados por 60s com: água, ACR 0,02%, 0,01%, 0,005% ou GD 5% e submetid... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Objective: To investigate the transdentinal cytotoxicity of acrolein (ACR) on pulp cells, as well as the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the dentin matrix, and the strength of resin-dentin bonds after dentin collagen biomodification with this cross-linker. Methods: Dentin disks (0.4 mm thick) were cut from sound human molars and adapted in artificial pulp chambers. MDPC-23 were seeded on the pulpal side of the disks and the occlusal surface was etched with phosphoric acid for 15s. The etched dentin was treated with (n=9): deionized water (control), 0.02%, 0.01%, 0.005% ACR, 5% glutaraldehyde (GD), or 3% hydrogen peroxide. After 60s, the surface was rinsed, and the chambers were incubated for 24h. The viability of MDPC-23 cells seeded on the disk was assessed (alamarBlue) and the extracts were applied on new MDPC-23 and HDPCs (human dental pulp cells) seeded in culture plates. After 24h, the viability of the cells was investigated as well as the activity of alkaline phosphatase, presence of mineralized nodules (Alizarin red) and ALPL, DSPP, MMP2, MMP9 and IL1b gene expression (qPCR). Additional twenty-five human molars were sectioned to obtain dentin specimens (n=50) which were completely demineralized in 10% phosphoric acid for 24h. The specimens were treated for 60s with: water, 0.02%, 0.01%, 0.005% ACR or 5% GD, and then submitted to a mechanical test to determine the UBS. Finally, flat dentin surfaces prepared in 40 human molars were etched with phosphoric acid and trea... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

The baobab tree represents a major contribution to rural communities of the south-east lowveld of Zimbabwe. The livelihood base of the study area was largely rain-fed subsistence farming whose production has declined due to frequent droughts. Harvesting of baobab tree products; leaves, fruits and bark fibre, has prospered due to poverty. These products are harvested for food, medicinal use, cash and animal harness. A mixed method approach on collection of data was employed through questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, 48-hour dietary recall and Household Food Insecurity Access Prevalence (HFIAP) template. Sixty-eight households from Wengezi and Gudyanga communities participated in this study. All the respondents from the study area indicated they were involved in using baobab products in one way or the other. According to the information collected by the HFIAP template, 76% of the households were moderate to severe food insecure. Baobab bark harvesting was common in the Gudyanga and harvesters were aware of sustainable way of harvesting it. Value-addition on baobab fruit pulp to make ice-lollies and seeds roasted to produce a coffee substitute was practised by youth projects with the help of a non-governmental organisation. Ninety-five percent of the households in the study area were in support of the idea of possible baobab tree commercial cultivation in the community. The support was in anticipation of job opportunities and reduced food insecurity. / Agriculture and  Animal Health / M. Sc. (Agriculture)