An integrated customer knowledge management framework for academic libraries

The ability of academic libraries to produce timely and effective responses to various environmental changes constitutes a major challenge for them to enhance their survival rate and maintain growth in competitive environments. This article provides a conceptual model as an analytical tool for both improving current services as well as creating innovative services through appropriate management of client knowledge in academic libraries. Through an exploratory qualitative case study and from reviewing the current literature in knowledge management, a theoretical framework is proposed for managing customer knowledge. The proposed framework is expected to improve existing library services and create new innovative services in academic libraries. © 2012 by The University of Chicago. All rights reserved

A comparison of 2% Lidocaine and Epinephrine with 3% Mepivacaine in inferior alveolar nerve block

The purpose of this study was evaluation of anesthesia success rate of 3% mepivacaine compared with 2% lidocaine 1/80000 epinephrine in inferior alveolar nerve block in thirty voluntary students. All of the subjects were healthy and had not received any medicament. They pariticipated for two appointments and each time randomly received an inferior alveolar nerve injection with one of the anesthetic solutions. Before anesthesia the first molar, second premolar, and canine teeth were tested with electric pulp tester (EPT). After injection, when subjects felt numbness in inferior lip, the time for starting of anesthesia was recorded according to schedule time from 3 to 49 minutes after lip numbness. When teeth had no response to EPT in maximal output, the pupal anesthesia was achieved. The t paired test was used for data analysis. Results showed that although subjects felt numbness in their lips, anesthetic success was defined only 76.6% in molars, 73.3% in premolars, and 66.7% in canine teeth after injection of mepivacaine. Success was defined 66.7% & 76.7% in molars and premolars and 53.3% in canine teeth when 2% lidocaine 1/80000 epinephrine was administered. No statistically significant difference was found in onset, success or failure rate between both anesthetic solutions in lidocaine group, however, premolar and molar teeth showed significant differences with canine teeth. Keywords: Inferior alveolar nerve block, Lidocaine, Mepivacain

Evaluation of cytotoxicity, antimicrobial activity and physicochemical properties of a calcium aluminate-based endodontic material

A calcium aluminate-based endodontic material, EndoBinder, has been developed in order to reduce MTA negative characteristics, preserving its biological properties and clinical applications. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity, antimicrobial activity, pH, solubility and water sorption of EndoBinder and to compare them with those of white MTA (WMTA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cytotoxicity was assessed through a multiparametric analysis employing 3T3 cells. Antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212), Staphylococcus aureus. (ATCC 25923) and Candida albicans (ATCC 10556) was determined by the agar diffusion method. pH was measured at periods of 3, 24, 72 and 168 hours. Solubility and water sorption evaluation were performed following ISO requirements. Data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey`s test with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: EndoBinder and WMTA were non-cytotoxic in all tested periods and with the different cell viability parameters. There was no statistical differences between both materials (P>.05). All tested materials were inhibitory by direct contact against all microbial strains tested. EndoBinder and WMTA presented alkaline pH in all tested times with higher values of pH for WMTA (P<.05). Both materials showed values complying with the solubility minimum requirements. However, EndoBinder showed lower solubility than WMTA (P<.05). No statistical differences were observed regarding water sorption (P>.05). CONCLUSION: Under these experimental conditions, we concluded that the calcium aluminate-based endodontic material EndoBinder demonstrated suitable biological and physicochemical properties, so it can be suggested as a material of choice in root resorption, perforations and root-end filling

European Society of Endodontology position statement: Management of deep caries and the exposed pulp

This position statement on the management of deep caries and the exposed pulp represents the consensus of an expert committee, convened by the European Society of Endodontology (ESE). Preserving the pulp in a healthy state with sustained vitality, preventing apical periodontitis and developing minimally invasive biologically based therapies are key themes within contemporary clinical endodontics. The aim of this statement was to summarize current best evidence on the diagnosis and classification of deep caries and caries‐induced pulpal disease, as well as indicating appropriate clinical management strategies for avoiding and treating pulp exposure in permanent teeth with deep or extremely deep caries. In presenting these findings, areas of controversy, low‐quality evidence and uncertainties are highlighted, prior to recommendations for each area of interest. A recently published review article provides more detailed information and was the basis for this position statement (Bjørndal et al. 2019, International Endodontic Journal, doi:10.1111/iej.13128). The intention of this position statement is to provide the practitioner with relevant clinical guidance in this rapidly developing area. An update will be provided within 5 years as further evidence emerges

Physical properties and biological effects of mineral trioxide aggregate mixed with methylcellulose and calcium chloride

Objectives: Methylcellulose (MC) is a chemical compound derived from cellulose. MTA mixed with MC reduces setting time and increases plasticity. This study assessed the influence of MC as an anti-washout ingredient and CaCl2 as a setting time accelerator on the physical and biological properties of MTA. Material and Methods: Test materials were divided into 3 groups; Group 1(control): distilled water; Group 2: 1% MC/CaCl2; Group 3: 2% MC/CaCl2. Compressive strength, pH, flowability and cell viability were tested. The gene expression of bone sialoprotein (BSP) was detected by RT-PCR and real­ time PCR. The expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and mineralization behavior were evaluated using an ALP staining and an alizarin red staining. Results: Compressive strength, pH, and cell viability of MTA mixed with MC/CaCl2 were not significantly different compared to the control group. The flowability of MTA with MC/CaCI2 has decreased significantly when compared to the control (