Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Ce travail a pour objectif de développer des biocomposites à base de poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalérate) (PHBV) et de farine grignons d'olive (FGO) préparés par mélange fondu. Il s'articule autour de quatre parties. La première partie comprend une étude de la morphologie et des propriétés physiques des échantillons biocomposites PHBV/FGO aux taux de charge de 10, 20 et 30% en masse. Les résultats indiquent que le système PHBV/FGO se caractérise par une séparation de phase dont le nombre et la taille des particules de FGO augmentent avec le taux de charge. De plus, la stabilité thermique et les propriétés barrières vis à vis de la vapeur d'eau et de l'oxygène ont diminué. Par contre, l'incorporation de la FGO dans le PHBV induit une augmentation du module d'Young qui s'accentue avec le taux de charge. La même tendance est également observée avec le module de conservation déterminé par DMA. Dans la seconde partie, l'impact du PHBV-g-MA comme agent compatibilisant dans les biocomposites PHBV/FGO a été évalué en fonction du taux de charge. La caractérisation morphologique du système ternaire a révélé que la présence du PHBV-g-MA dans les biocomposites PHBV/FGO induit une meilleure adhésion interfaciale entre les particules de la FGO et la matrice PHBV en raison des interactions charge-matrice. En conséquence, une nette amélioration des propriétés mécaniques, viscoélastiques et barrières aux gaz (vapeur d'eau et oxygène) est observée. Dans la troisième partie, une modification chimique de la FGO avec le trimethoxy (octadecyl)-silane (TMOS) et son influence sur la morphologie et les propriétés physiques de biocomposites PHBV/FGO: 80/20 ont été étudiées. Les résultats révèlent une dispersion fine et homogène de la FGO traitée au TMOS dans la matrice PHBV avec en apparence moins de microvides en comparaison avec le biocomposite non modifié. Les propriétés physico-mécaniques du biocomposite PHBV/FGO modifiée sont sensiblement améliorées. La dernière partie consacrée à une étude du vieillissement hygrothermique dans l'eau de mer à 25 et 40°C de films de biocomposites PHBV/FGO: 80/20 avant et après modification, révèle que la FGO favorise la cinétique de dégradation du système PHBV/FGO indépendamment du traitement. Toutefois, le biocomposite PHBV/FGO traité avec des organo-silanes se caractérise relativement par une résistance à la dégradation hygrothermique à 25 et 40°C par rapport au reste des échantillons biocomposites. / This work aims to develop a biocomposites based on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalérate) (PHBV) and olive husk flour (OHF) prepared by melt compounding. It's articulated around four parts. The first part includes a study of the morphology and physical properties of the PHBV/OHF biocomposite samples at the loading rates of 10, 20 and 30 wt%. The results indicate that the PHBV/OHF system is characterized by a phase separation whose number and size of OHF particles increases with the loading rate. Moreover, the thermal stability and the barrier properties against water vapor and oxygen have decreased. On the other hand, the incorporation of the OHF in the PHBV matrix induces an increase in the Young's modulus which is accentuated with filler content. The same trend is also observed with the storage modulus determined by DMA. In the second part, the effects of PHBV-g-MA used as the compatibilizer for PHBV/OHF biocomposites were evaluated as a function of the loading rate. The morphological characterization of the ternary system revealed that the presence of PHBV-g-MA in the PHBV/OHF biocomposites induces better interfacial adhesion between the OHF particles and the PHBV matrix due to filler-matrix interactions. Consequently, a significant improvement in the mechanical, viscoelastic and gas barrier properties (water vapor and oxygen) is observed. In the third part, a chemical modification of OHF with trimethoxy(octadecyl)-silane (TMOS) and its influence on the morphology and physical properties of PHBV/OHF: 80/20 biocomposites was studied. The results reveal a fine and homogeneous dispersion of the TMOS-treated OHF in the PHBV matrix with apparently fewer microvides compared to the unmodified biocomposite. The physical and mechanical properties of the modified PHBV/OHF biocomposite are significantly improved. The last part devoted to a study of the hygrothermal aging in sea water at 25 and 40°C of films of biocomposites PHBV/OHF: 80/20 before and after modification reveals that the OHF promotes the degradation kinetics of the PHBV/OHF system regardless of treatment. However, the organo-silane-treated PHBV/OHF biocomposite is relatively characterized by a resistance to hygrothermal degradation at 25 and 40°C compared to the rest of the biocomposite samples.

Background: The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) like other Defence Forces of the world, conducts medical classification on their members. This medical classification has, as one of the components, an Oral Health Fitness (OHF) classification which is done according to North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) standards. The aim of the Oral Health Fitness classification is to standardize dental readiness, assess oral health, prioritize dental care, minimize the number of dental emergencies (DE), and emphasize the importance of good oral health to all active duty and reserve forces. Medical classification is conducted by the South African Military Health Services (SAMHS). Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the dental emergency outcomes of the Oral Health Fitness classification of the SAMHS in Area Military Health Unit Gauteng (AMHU GT), South Africa Objectives: To determine dental emergency rate for the SAMHS, analyse the dental emergencies and to make recommendations regarding dental emergencies to the SAMHS Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective record analyses of members of the SANDF that received an OHF classification of 1 and 2 in AMHU GT in 2009. The AMHU GT members were followed up for a year to determine if they developed dental emergencies. Data analysis included frequency tables, chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. Results: The dental emergency rate for AMHU Gauteng was 307/1000 per year. The type of dental emergencies were: 58.5% dental restorations, 13% extractions and related complications, 4.3% crown and bridge, 3.9% emergency root canals, 9.9% recementations, 3.6% denture related problems while other emergencies were 6.8%. Patients were more likely to experience a dental emergency if they were white, female, of OHF 2 classification and older than fifty years of age. Conversely they were least likely to experience a dental emergency if they were black, male, of OHF 1 classification and in the age group 31-40. Conclusion: The dental emergency rate of 307/1000 per year for the SANDF is high compared to military health units from other countries and it was influenced by race, age and gender. The types of dental emergencies were mainly preventable. / Dissertation (MChD)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Community Dentistry / Unrestricted