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Introduction: Dead Sea Salt, rich in minerals and ionic compositions and low in Sodium Chloride (NaCl) has many reported unique properties that set it apart from other salts. Objectives: To evaluate the composition of Dead Sea Salt and assess its in vitro cytotoxicity, and efficacy against oral bacterial leukotoxins, oral endotoxins and oral glucan sucrase. Methods: The cytotoxicity was evaluated in an established cell line (solution at 5000 µg/mL of culture medium) using positive and negative control groups. The effect on oral bacterial leukotoxin (LtxA) and different concentrations of lipopolysaccharide and glucan sucrase was established at 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, and 96 hours using the HPLC method (high-performance liquid chromatography). Results: The most predominant elements detected were the water of crystallization (H2O, water that is found in the crystalline framework of salt and which is not directly bonded ), magnesium chloride (MgCl2), potassium chloride (KCl), sodium chloride (NaCl), calcium chloride (CaCl2), bromide (Br -) and sulfates (SO4). In vitro, Dead Sea Salt presented no cytotoxicity and was highly effective against leukotoxin, endotoxin, and glucan sucrase enzyme. Conclusion and clinical significance: We believe that rinsing with Dead Sea Salt has the potential to contribute to the prevention of periodontal, peri-implant and dental disease and merits clinical research.

We consider a probabilistic approach to the joint inversion of multiphysics data based on Gramian constraints. The multiphysics geophysical survey represents the most effective technique for geophysical exploration because different physical data reflect distinct physical properties of the various components of the geological system. By joint inversion of the multiphysics data, one can produce enhanced subsurface images of the physical properties distribution, which improves our ability to explore natural resources. One powerful method of joint inversion is based on Gramian constraints. This technique enforces the relationships between different model parameters during the inversion process. We demonstrate that the Gramian can be interpreted as a determinant of the covariance matrix between different physical models representing the subsurface geology in the framework of the probabilistic approach to inversion theory. This interpretation opens the way to use all the power of the modern probability theory and statistics in developing novel methods for joint inversion of the multiphysics data. We apply the developed joint inversion methodology to inversion of gravity gradiometry and magnetic data in the Nordkapp Basin, Barents Sea to image salt diapirs.

Peptide biomaterials have drawn great attention in recent decades owing to their tunability and biocompatibility. Coiled-coils specifically have become a well-studied scaffold with a clear sequence-to-structure relationship. As such, the Chmielewski lab has extensively studied peptide assemblies based on the GCN4 leucine zipper. First, we present the peptide TriCross, where nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) and di-histidine ligands are installed at the N- and C-terminus, respectively, and a bipyridine ligand installed at a central, solvent exposed position. Through strategic placement of these metal-binding ligands, TriCross assembled into a three-dimensional (3D) mesh in the presence of zinc ions and dissembled following mild ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) treatment. These properties created a 3D network capable of encapsulating cells for extended periods of time (>1 week) and releasing cells upon metal-chelation. Next, we describe a stabilized nanotube and enhanced crystal assembly through a heterocoiled-coil assembly. Nanotubes composed of the coiled-coil peptide TriNL that assembled likely through ionic interactions rapidly degraded in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). To improve stability, a peptide with metal-binding ligands, p2L, was introduced through thermal annealing of the two peptides. Low levels of p2L (up to 10:1 TriNL:p2L) retained nanotube morphology while simultaneously introducing NTA and di-histidine ligands. Upon addition of metal, metal-ligand interactions were established within the nanotube and increased stability of the material. Higher levels of p2L (2:1 TriNL:p2L) led to hexagonal crystals similar to p2L but now without the use of metal ions. These crystals expanded the scope of protein inclusion by removing the requirement for His-tags on proteins to be incorporated within the material. Finally, a self-replicating and self-assembling coiled-coil peptide is reported. The coiled-coil TriNL was cysteine modified (N20C) to create a peptide capable of native chemical ligation. At low concentrations, the N20C FL peptide acted as a template for the cysteine and thioester fragments while high concentrations led to fibrillar structures. The size of the fibrils was controlled through the addition of preassembled seeds into the native chemical ligation system.

This study examined the microbial diversity and community assembly of oral microbiota in periodontal health and disease and after nonsurgical periodontal treatment. The V4 region of 16S rRNA gene from DNA of 238 saliva and subgingival samples of 21 healthy and 48 diseased subjects was amplified and sequenced. Among 1979 OTUs identified, 28 were overabundant in diseased plaque. Six of these taxa were also overabundant in diseased saliva. Twelve OTUs were overabundant in healthy plaque. There was a trend for disease-associated taxa to decrease and health-associated taxa to increase after treatment with notable variations among individual sites. Network analysis revealed modularity of the microbial communities and identified several health- and disease-specific modules. Ecological drift was a major factor that governed community turnovers in both plaque and saliva. Dispersal limitation and homogeneous selection affected the community assembly in plaque, with the additional contribution of homogenizing dispersal for plaque within individuals. Homogeneous selection and dispersal limitation played important roles, respectively, in healthy saliva and diseased pre-treatment saliva between individuals. Our results revealed distinctions in both taxa and assembly processes of oral microbiota between periodontal health and disease. Furthermore, the community assembly analysis has identified potentially effective approaches for managing periodontitis.

In simulations of (magnetized-)fluid dynamics in physics and astrophysics, the visualization techniques are so frequently applied to analyse data that they have become a fundamental part of the research. Data produced is often a multi-dimensional set with several physical quantities, that are usually complex to manage and analyse. JETGET is a visualization and analysis tool we developed for accessing data stored in Hierarchical Data Format (HDF) and ASCII files. Although JETGET has been optimized to handle data output from jet simulations using the Zeus code from NCSA, it is also capable of analysing other data output from simulations using other codes. JETGET can select variables from the data files, render both two- and three-dimensional graphics and analyse and plot important physical quantities. Graphics can be saved in encapsulated Postscript, JPEG, VRML or saved into an MPEG for later visualization and/or presentations. An example of use of JETGET in analysing a 3-dimensional simulation of jets emanating from accretion disks surrounding a protostar is shown. The strength of JETGET in extracting the physics underlying such phenomena is demonstrated as well as its capabilities in visualizing the 3-dimensional features of the simulated magneto-hydrodynamic jets. The JETGET tool is written in Interactive Data Language (IDL) and uses a graphical user interface to manipulate the data. The tool was developed on a LINUX platform and can be run on any platform that supports IDL. JETGET can be downloaded (including more information about its utilities) from http://www.capca.ucalgary.ca/software., Comment: The paper (and JETGET software) can be downloaded from http://www.capca.ucalgary.ca/software/jetget.html - Submitted to Journal of Computational Physics

This Thesis has been devoted to the study of the Environmental Management Systems in Danish waste incineration plants. It is made with the cooperation of one waste incineration plant (Nordforbrænding). Besides it, collaboration of other three plants supports the research (Amagerforbrænding, Roskilde Forbrænding and Vestforbrænding). Two different analyses have been developed. On one side, analysis of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) in the three incineration plants mentioned which have an EMS implemented, and on the other, an analysis of one waste incineration plant which has not any EMS (Nordforbrænding). First of all, conclusions and findings obtained among literature are discussed in order to establish a framework and evaluate which are the remarkable aspects to consider concerning Environmental Management Systems. The first analysis is focused on the implementation of EMS in three different plants. It includes the analysis of the organizational aspects: organization strategy, departments, communication, organizational solutions, routines, etc. In addition, focus areas of EMS and identification of main aspects are included. These three plants are compared and contrasted in order to find out which are the differences and similarities. Later, experiences and knowledge obtained are used by Nordforbrænding. Secondly, an evaluation and assessment of the present situation of Nordforbrænding is developed. Main environmental aspects and organizational structures are identified by carrying out an Initial Environmental Review. A method for ranking and scoring the environmental aspects is elaborated. Finally, transference of knowledge is made from the three plants to Nordforbrænding. Experiences and organizational matters are adapted to Nordforbrænding and some alternatives are proposed in order to conclude how EMS could be implemented in Norforbrænding. Besides it, a Spanish comparison is made to obtain an example of another country. Outgoing