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• Epoxy sealer + β-TCP, and Epoxy sealer + NAC showed low cytotoxicity. • Addition of NAC improved the antimicrobial property against E. faecalis. • Incorporating β-TCP or NAC improves the adhesiveness and biocompatibility. This in vitro study was designed to evaluate the biocompatibility, adhesiveness, and antimicrobial activity of epoxy resin-based sealer associated with N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) or beta-tricalcium phosphate nanoparticles (β-TCP) as an experimental retro-filling material. Cytotoxicity was assessed using 2,3-Bis-(Methoxy-4-Nitro-5-Sulphophenyl)-2H-Tetrazolium-5-Carboxanilide (XTT) and Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assays after exposing human periodontal ligament fibroblasts to extracts of the materials for 1, 3, or 7 days. For the adhesive resistance test, root canals (48 single-root teeth) were instrumented with Reciproc #40 files (VDW GmbH, Germany) and obturated. After 7 days, the apices were sectioned and a retrograde cavity prepared and filled with the experimental materials (Mineral trioxide aggregate, Epoxy sealer, Epoxy sealer + NAC, and Epoxy sealer + β-TCP). For the push-out test, one 2-mm thick slice was obtained from the apical third of each specimen. Antimicrobial activity was performed using agar diffusion method. Biofilms were grown in microplates and exposed to the extracts of retro-filled materials, followed by analysis of growth inhibition on agar plates. Epoxy sealer in association with β-TCP or NAC showed better bond strength while Mineral trioxide aggregate allowed for the lowest adhesion. Mineral trioxide aggregate, Epoxy sealer + β-TCP, and Epoxy sealer + NAC showed low cytotoxicity. Epoxy sealer was the most cytotoxic. In antimicrobial activity assays, all materials had no effect on Candida albicans. Addition of NAC improved the antimicrobial property of Epoxy sealer against Enterococcus faecalis compared to unmodified Epoxy sealer (P < 0.05). Incorporating β-TCP or NAC with Epoxy sealer could improve the adhesiveness and biocompatibility for better use in endodontic therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The industrial sector of bottom ash (BA) treatment from municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) in Germany is currently changing. In order to increase the recovery rates of metals or to achieve a higher quality of mineral aggregates derived from BA, new procedures have been either implemented to existing plants or completely new treatment plants have been built recently. Three treatment trains, which are designated as entire sequences of selected processing techniques of BA, are introduced and compared. One treatment train is mainly characterized by usage of a high speed rotation accelerator whereas another is operating completely without crushing. In the third treatment train the BA is processed wet directly after incineration. The consequences for recovered metal fractions and the constitution of remaining mineral aggregates are discussed in the context of legislative and economical frameworks. Today the recycling or disposal options of mineral residues still have a high influence on the configuration and the operation mode of the treatment trains of BA despite of the high value of recovered metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using hydro-acoustic survey techniques (side-scan sonar and multibeam), high-resolution bathymetric and acoustic images (sonographs) of former marine aggregate extractions, from Tromper Wiek (Rugen Island, Baltic German Coast) were obtained. These data, together with ground-truthing (underwater video and seabed sediment samples) are used to describe the present condition of marks generated by mining, in terms of their morphology and superficial grain size distribution. Different features (pits and furrows), generated by different extraction techniques (anchor suction dredging and trailer hopper suction dredging, respectively) were detected at both of the study sites: Tromper Wiek 1 (sandy gravel seabed) and Tromper Wick East (sandy seabed). Regeneration varies, depending upon the material extracted and the mining technique applied. In general, it is rapid during the first years following the extraction, becoming almost undetectable over a longer period of time. However, the marks are still detectable after more than 10 years, since they were generated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]