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This paper describes some fundamental modelling principles that are necessary to assess the impact of HVDC pole-to-ground faults on a railway system. Particular emphasis is given on the appropriate modelling of the HVDC cables of a bipolar system that is operating under Voltage Source Converter (VSC) technology. Moreover, due consideration is given on the appropriate modelling of the earthing configurations that are associated, both with the converters' stations and the HVDC electrodes. This is to ensure the correct distribution of the total fault current, thus accounting for the appropriate conductive and inductive couplings on the interfered railway system. This modelling task is part of the preliminary engineering studies that are carried out to assess the interference impact, which may be raised from the HVDC link between Attica and Crete, on critical and public infrastructures that are located in close proximity to the intended link's on-shore routing. 1 6

In this paper, first a general analysis of the implementation of the CBM Directive in the Netherlands will be discussed, as well as the number of announced CBMs in which a Dutch company is involved. After that, more specific Dutch characteristics will be analyzed, such as the possibility of an inbound triangular merger, minority shareholder protection and the protection of creditors.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of bonding agent on the bonding strength between Co-Cr dental alloy, prepared by selective laser melting (SLM), and feldspathic porcelain. Materials and Methods: The experiments were conducted according to ISO 9693 and the conventional protocols for the production of metal-ceramic dental restorations. After Al2O3 air-particle abrasion, metal substrates of Co-Cr dental alloy specimens were bonded, using bonding agent (25 specimens), with dental porcelain positioned in layers (opaque, dentin, enamel). Control specimens (25) were also produced without bonding agent. Bonding strength was measured using 3-point bending tests, and the results were statistically analyzed using the t-test and Weibull statistics. Elemental (by SEM/EDS) and crystallographic analyses (by XRD) were conducted on the bonding agent, along cross sections of alloy-porcelain interfaces, and on fracture surfaces. Results: Cohesive fracture occurred (on the porcelain side). The application of the bonding agent decreased the average bonding strength (from 42.27 ± 5.85 to 36.25 ± 3.26 MPa, P = 0.00006), attributed to the nonexisting reaction between the TiO2-rich bonding agent and the Co-Cr alloy, but it increased the Weibull modulus (from 7.84 to 12.16), which reflects the reliability of the bond in the tested metal-ceramic specimens. Conclusions: Although the application of bonding agent slightly decreased the bonding strength, all the measured values of the metal-ceramic specimens produced by the SLM technique, with or without the bonding agent, are markedly higher than the minimum value required by ISO 9693 (25 MPa). Moreover, the use of bonding agent favors the increase of the Weibull modulus. © 2019 by the American College of Prosthodontists

Online recorded responses can be used for aggregate dynamic load modelling, taking advantage of the advent of smart grids and the growing installation of phasor measurement units. Although several measurement-based dynamic load models have been proposed in the literature, still most network utilities and system operators take advantage of well-known formulations such as the polynomial and the exponential recovery models. However, these types of load models are only valid for a specific range of operating conditions, thus minimizing their applicability and efficiency. This is mainly due to the fact that the model parameter estimation procedure relies on iterative processes. To this extent, the specific scope of this paper is to present a comprehensive identification procedure for evaluating load models under different loading conditions and further to propose two generic modelling approaches that can be used to derive robust load models that are suitable for dynamic simulations over a wide range. Towards achieving the scope of this paper, Monte Carlo simulations are used to train and validate the data of the loading conditions. Finally, several simulations are performed within the DIgSILENT PowerFactory software to assess the accuracy of the proposed models.

Τις τελευταίες δεκαετίες οι Πηκτάση Αρνητικοί Σταφυλόκοκκοι (Coagulase Negative Staphylococci –CONS) και ειδικά οι ανθεκτικοί στη μεθικιλλίνη (MRCoNS) αποτελούν σημαντικά παθογόνα και οι λοιμώξεις που προκαλούν συνδέονται με χώρους υγειονομικής περίθαλψης. Οι CoNS θεωρούνται πηγή μετάδοσης σε άλλα βακτήρια γενετικού υλικού που διέπει την αντιμικροβιακή αντοχή. Η εκτίμηση του επιπολασμού τους στους ανθρώπους συμβάλλει σημαντικά στην αξιολόγηση του κινδύνου για τη Δημόσια Υγεία. Σκοπός της παρούσας μελέτης ήταν η διερεύνηση της ρινικής φορείας CοNS σε υγιείς φοιτητές Κτηνιατρικής. Κατά την εξέταση ρινικών επιχρισμάτων 81 υγιών φοιτητών του Τμήματος Κτηνιατρικής του ΑΠΘ, απομονώθηκαν 24 στελέχη από 22 (27,16%) φοιτητές εκ των οποίων 54% ήταν Staphylococcushaemolyticus, 45,8% Staphylococcuswarneri, 16,6% Staphylococcusepidermidis, 4,2% Staphylococcuspasteuri και 4,2% Staphylococcus capitis. Όλα τα στελέχη ήταν ανθεκτικά στην πενικιλλίνη, 33,3% ήταν ανθεκτικά στην αμοξυκιλλίνη / κλαβουλανικό οξύ, 29,2% στην ερυθρομυκίνη, 4,2% στην τριμεθοπρίμη / σουλφαμεθοξαζόλη 4,2% στην οξακιλλίνη και 4,2% στη γενταμυκίνη. Το ανθεκτικό στην οξακιλλίνη στέλεχος ανήκε στο είδος S. epidermidis και αποδείχθηκε ότι φέρει το γονίδιο mecA. Η παρούσα μελέτη κατέδειξε ότι το ποσοστό ρινικής φορείας CoNS σε φοιτητές Κτηνιατρικής στην Ελλάδα ήταν χαμηλό. Οι ιδιοκτήτες ζώων ήταν σε σημαντικά χαμηλότερο βαθμό θετικοί στους αρνητικούς στην πηκτάση σταφυλόκοκκους, σε σχέση με τους μη έχοντες κάποιο ζώο συντροφιάς (p-value=0.007), ενώ οι συμμετέχοντες που είχαν επισκεφθεί νοσοκομείο το τελευταίο εξάμηνο, ήταν σε στατιστικά χαμηλότερο ποσοστό θετικοίστους αρνητικούς στην πηκτάση σταφυλόκοκκους σε σχέση με τους υπολοίπους (p-value=0.048). Παρά το γεγονός ότι μόνο ένας φοιτητής βρέθηκε να μεταφέρει ανθεκτικό στη μεθικιλλίνη S. epidermidis, η παρουσία του είναι ένδειξη ότι αυτό το παθογόνο μπορεί να κυκλοφορεί σε κτηνίατρους και προσωπικό κτηνιατρικών μονάδων υγείας. Κατά συνέπεια συστήνονται προγράμματα επιτήρησης στις κτηνιατρικές μονάδες, μιας και τα ανθεκτικά βακτήρια υπάρχουν σε αυτό το περιβάλλον και μπορεί να αποτελέσουν κίνδυνο για τη δημόσια υγεία., During last decades CoNS and especially the methicillin-resistant (MRCoNS) ones have become important pathogens and their infections are usually associated with healthcare settings. CoNS are considered as source of antimicrobial resistance traits for other bacteria and thus the evaluation of their prevalence in the community contributes significantly to the risk assessment in relation to public health. The aim of the present study was the investigationof the nasal carriage and antimicrobial susceptibly of CoNS among healthy veterinary students. From 81 healthy students of the School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, 24 strains were isolated from 22 (27.16%) students. Of them 54% were identified as Staphylococcus haemolyticus, 45.8% as Staphylococcus warneri, 16.6% as Staphylococcus epidermidis, 4.2% as Staphylococcus pasteuri and 4.2% as Staphylococcus capitis. All isolates were resistant to penicillin, 33.3% were resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, 29.2% to erythromycin, 4.2% to oxacillin, 4.2% to gentamycin and 4.2% to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. The resistant to oxacillin isolate belonged to the S. epidermidis species and proved to carry the mecA gene. This study showed that the rate of nasal carriage of CoNS among veterinary students in Greece was low. The analysis of the standardised questionnaire, that was completed for each participating student during sampling, showed that pet owners tested positive for the coagulase-negative staphylococci were at a significantly lower rate (p-value=0.007) compared to non-pet owners. Moreover, among the participants who had visited a hospital over the last six months, the percentage of positive results in coagulase-negative staphylococci was significantly lower compared to that of the other participants (p-value=0.048). Although only one student found to carry methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis, its presence is evidence that this pathogen may circulate among veterinarians and the personnel of veterinary health establishments. Surveillance programs should also be performed in veterinary units because the emergence resistant bacteria in this environment may represent a risk to public health.

PURPOSE. The aim of the present study was to record the metal-ceramic bond strength of a feldspathic dental porcelain and a Co-Cr alloy, using the Direct Metal Laser Sintering technique (DMLS) for the fabrication of metal substrates. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Ten metal substrates were fabricated with powder of a dental Co-Cr alloy using DMLS technique (test group) in dimensions according to ISO 9693. Another ten substrates were fabricated with a casing dental Co-Cr alloy using classic casting technique (control group) for comparison. Another three substrates were fabricated using each technique to record the Modulus of Elasticity (E) of the used alloys. All substrates were examined to record external and internal porosity. Feldspathic porcelain was applied on the substrates. Specimens were tested using the three-point bending test. The failure mode was determined using optical and scanning electron microscopy. The statistical analysis was performed using t-test. RESULTS. Substrates prepared using DMLS technique did not show internal porosity as compared to those produced using the casting technique. The E of control and test group was 222 ± 5.13 GPa and 227 ± 3 GPa, respectively. The bond strength was 51.87 ± 7.50 MPa for test group and 54.60 ± 6.20 MPa for control group. No statistically significant differences between the two groups were recorded. The mode of failure was mainly cohesive for all specimens. CONCLUSION. Specimens produced by the DMLS technique cover the lowest acceptable metalceramic bond strength of 25 MPa specified in ISO 9693 and present satisfactory bond strength for clinical use. © 2018 The Korean Academy of Prosthodontics.

The effect of incorporation of nanofillers (montmorillonite, silica, hydroxyapatite) and bioactive glass (BG) microparticles into a silicone elastomer matrix, on its thermomechanical properties and bioactivity was investigated. The obtained samples were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis, as well as by hardness, tensile, and tear testing, whereas their bioactivity was evaluated by immersion of specimens into simulated body fluid solution and by cell culture experiments (fibroblasts and osteoblasts). Montmorillonites and especially Cloisite 20A have been shown the most efficient reinforcement for improving mechanical properties of silicone rubber composites. On the other hand, BG and silica hybrids exhibited significant bioactive properties. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:2560–2570, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers

Background. Hu-antigen R (HuR) is a posttranscriptional regulator of several target mRNAs, implicated in carcinogenesis. This review aims to present the current evidence regarding the biological role and potential clinical significance of HuR in head and neck carcinomas. Methods. The existing literature concerning HuR expression and function in head and neck carcinomas is critically presented and summarised. Results. HuR is expressed in the majority of the examined samples, showing higher cytoplasmic levels in malignant or premalignant cases. Moreover, HuR modulates several genes implicated in biological processes important for malignant transformation, growth, and invasiveness. HuR seems to be an adverse prognosticator in patients with OSCCs, whereas a correlation with a more aggressive phenotype is reported in several types of carcinomas. Conclusions. A consistent role of HuR in the carcinogenesis and progression of head and neck carcinomas is suggested; nevertheless, further studies are warranted to expand the present information. © 2018 Georgia Levidou et al.

Cancer cells acquire unique secretome compositions that contribute to tumor development and metastasis. The aim of our study was to elucidate the biological processes involved in cervical cancer, by performing a proteomic analysis of the secretome from the following informative cervical cell lines: SiHa (HPV16+), HeLa (HPV18+), C33A (HPV-), and HCK1T (normal). Proteins were analyzed by 2D gel electrophoresis coupled to MALDI-TOF-MS. Enrichment of secreted proteins with characteristic profiles for each cell line was followed by the identification of differentially expressed proteins. Particularly, transforming growth factor-beta-induced protein ig-h3 (Beta ig-h3) and peroxiredoxin-2 (PRDX2) overexpression in the secretome of cancer cell lines was detected and confirmed by Western blot. Bioinformatics analysis identified the transcription factor NRF2 as a regulator of differentially expressed proteins in the cervical cancer secretome. NRF2 levels were measured by both Western blot and Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) in the total cell extract of the four cell lines. NRF2 was upregulated in SiHa and C33A compared to HCK1T. In conclusion, the secreted proteins identified in cervical cancer cell lines indicate that aberrant NRF2-mediated oxidative stress response (OSR) is a prominent feature of cervical carcinogenesis. © 2017 Georgia Kontostathi et al.

A Needs Assessment Tool was developed previously to help clinicians identify the supportive/palliative needs of people with interstitial lung disease (ILD) (NAT:ILD). This letter presents barriers and facilitators to clinical implementation. Data from: i) a focus group of respiratory clinicians; ii) an expert consensus group (respiratory and palliative clinicians, academics, patients, carers), were analysed using Framework Analysis. Barriers related to resources and service reconfiguration, and facilitators to clinical need, structure, objectiveness, flexibility and benefits of an “aide-memoire”. Identified training needs included communication skills and local service knowledge. The NAT:ILD was seen as useful, necessary and practical in everyday practice.

This DPhil thesis analyses the Takeover Bid Directive in the light of EU Law and examines the extent to which this Directive facilitates the exercise of the fundamental freedom of establishment and the free movement of capital in the internal market. Since the Directive is based on the EC Treaty chapter on freedom of establishment (Articles 43 and 44(2)(g) EC Treaty), it should in principle contribute to cross frontier corporate mobility in the internal market through takeover bids; this was the aim of the Commission in its various proposals. Takeover bids and the EC Treaty provisions on freedom of establishment are closely related. The Directive forms part of the EU company law harmonization programme whose weaknesses and limits are also explored. However, the Takeover Bid Directive is an EU company law instrument with strong links to EU capital market law. The initial aims of the EU legislature were to establish an internal market for companies and to achieve market integration in the field of EU company law. However, the Takeover Bid Directive is a compromise and watered down version of a proposal which the Commission envisaged would lead to a more effective pan-European takeover regime than that which actually proved possible. The need for compromise was the result of the very different legal and policy approaches of the Member States in the field of takeover regulation. Some provisions of the Directive are obligatory for all Member States. These provisions include the mandatory bid rule, the squeeze-out right, and the sell-out right. All these obligatory provisions of the Directive are in their present form open to criticism. The two key provisions of the Directive have been made optional for Member States. These are the non-frustration rule, requiring the board to obtain the prior authorization of the general meeting of shareholders before taking any action which could result in the frustration of the bid; and the breakthrough rule, requiring that any restrictions on the transfer of securities or voting rights provided for in the articles of association of the offeree company or in contractual agreements between the offeree company and the holders of its securities or in contractual agreements between holders of the offeree company’s securities shall not apply vis-à-vis the offeror during the time allowed for acceptance of the bid. Nevertheless, Member States, which opt out, are obliged to allow individual companies to opt in. Moreover, a reciprocity rule was also adopted, which allows Member States to permit those companies, which apply these provisions, to opt out again if they are the target of a bidder, which does not itself apply the same takeover provisions. Additionally, the non-frustration and the breakthrough rule are not fully comprehensive and even when a company applies them, it might still be able to evade their application since some corporate and financial structures remain outside the Directive’s scope. Finally, this thesis discusses the extent to which obstacles to cross border takeovers addressed by the Directive, or indeed left intact by the Directive, are to be regarded as restrictions on the right of establishment stricto sensu, or simply as obstacles in practice to making a successful takeover bid. More specifically, it scrutinizes the horizontal direct effect of the EC fundamental freedoms and seeks to analyze the extent to which conduct of the board and articles in the corporate constitution might be said to constitute restrictions on the freedom of establishment and on the free movement of capital.

It has been reported that beta amyloid induces production of radical oxygen species and oxidative stress in neuronal cells, which in turn upregulates b-secretase (BACE-1) expression and beta amyloid levels, thereby propagating oxidative stress and increasing neuronal injury. A series of resveratrol derivatives, known to be inhibitors of oxidative stress-induced neuronal cell death (oxytosis) were biologically evaluated against BACE-1 using homogeneous timeresolved fluorescence (TRF) assay. Correlation between oxytosis inhibitory and BACE-1 inhibitory activity of resveratrol derivatives was statistically significant, supporting the notion that BACE-1 may act as pivotal mediator of neuronal cell oxytosis. Four of the biologically evaluated resveratrol analogs demonstrated considerably higher activity than resveratrol in either assay. The discovery of some ‘‘hits’’ led us to initiate detailed docking studies associated with Molecular Dynamics in order to provide a plausible explanation for the experimental results and understand their molecular basis of action.

Porous scaffolds based on nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp) and chitosan (CS), are among the composite materials that hold great potential in tissue engineering applications. The aim of this work was to develop porous chitosan-based scaffolds with high nHAp content (75% w/w) having increased mechanical properties that can be successfully machined into complex three-dimensional shapes. The scaffolds were prepared and characterized using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and μCT imaging. nHAp was prepared utilizing a biomimetic procedure employing hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimine), PEI, that affords stable nanoparticle dispersions in water, which were used in combination with CS, or N-acetylated CS, for the development of composite porous 3D scaffolds. For comparison, scaffolds using commercially available micron-sized hydroxyapatite particles (mHAp) were also prepared. Morphological analysis of scaffolds revealed an open interconnected highly porous structure with pores dimensions ranging from ∼200 μm to 700 μm, volume fractions of 79-83%, and surface/volume ratios of 25-30 mm-1. In scaffolds consisting of commercial HAp, agglomerated particles are clearly observed, while when nHAp nanoparticles were used excellent dispersion is attained. The mechanical properties of the scaffolds (Young modulus under compression and compressive strength) are markedly improved by the use of nHAp and, even more, by the use of N-acetylated CS. The enhancement in mechanical strength is attributed to the nanoparticles' excellent dispersion, and furthermore for the N-acetylated CS based scaffolds to its ability to form an extended hydrogen bonding network between adjacent polymer chains. The mechanical properties were proved sufficient enough for the production of 3D bio-implants of complex geometry employing a computer numerical control precision milling machine. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd.

Inhibition of group IIA secreted phospholipase A2 (GIIA sPLA2) has been an important objective for medicinal chemists. We have previously shown that inhibitors incorporating the 2-oxoamide functionality may inhibit human and mouse GIIA sPLA2s. Herein, the development of new potent inhibitors by molecular docking calculations using the structure of the known inhibitor 7 as scaffold, are described. Synthesis and biological evaluation of the new compounds revealed that the long chain 2-oxoamide based on (S)-valine GK241 led to improved activity (IC50 = 143 nM and 68 nM against human and mouse GIIA sPLA2, respectively). In addition, molecular dynamics simulations were employed to shed light on GK241 potent and selective inhibitory activity

This paper examines a model of a serial flow line with two workstations and an intermediate buffer. Each workstation consists of multiple unreliable parallel machines which are not necessarily identical, viz., the processing times, failure times and repair times of the parallel machines at each workstation are assumed to be exponentially distributed with non-identical mean rates. The system under consideration is solved via exact Markovian analysis. More specifically, a recursive algorithm that generates the transition matrix for any value of the intermediate buffer capacity is developed and all possible transition equations are derived and solved analytically. Once the transition equations are solved the performance measures of the model under consideration can be easily evaluated. This model may be used as a decomposition block for solving larger flow lines with parallel unreliable machines at each workstation.

Net-Metering is an alternative mechanism to Feedin-Tariffs (FiT) for the promotion of small scale Photovoltaics (PV) generation, especially in the residential sector. Regarding the EU countries net-metering applications are relatively limited, but due to the interest of many parties, net-metering is expected to hold an active role in the coming years. This work focuses on the economic evaluation of a series of Net-Metering policies from a prosumer bill saving perspective in Greece. In addition to using the four-months billing period approach already existing in Greece, this study also considers scenarios referring to hourlybased netting. The hourly excess electricity is compensated with the system marginal price. This approach aids on the detailed assessment of the PV generation capacity on an hourly basis. Also, it allows the prosumer to form a specific load management strategy. The results show that even an hourly netting policy can be attractive to investors under certain conditions, thus creating a win-win situation for both DSO's and investors

This study examines the key elements that underlie collaborative forms of governance in infrastructure project delivery. Data are obtained from interviews conducted with senior managers involved in the delivery of collaborative projects in Greece. The findings suggest that issues concerning inequality between partners, ownership of the delivery through collaborative governance and the time needed to take decisions and solve problems may hinder collaboration. The findings contribute to extant literature by showing that the challenges of adopting collaborative governance practices in Greece’s transitional economy may be related to under-developed systems that are not only unable to support the full exploitation of the practice, but also fail adequately to leverage emerging innovation. In terms of practical implications, the study contributes to an understanding of how stakeholders involved in public–private partnership projects view collaborative governance in project delivery, along with the conditions and difficulties that are present, and potential outcomes governance. © 2018 ICE Publishing. All Rights Reserved.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the color and structural changes of a maxillofacial silicone colored with 2 different pigments, after photoaging and immersion in disinfectants. Methods: Ninety-six cylindrical specimens were fabricated and divided into 3 equal groups. The specimens of the first group consisted of unpigmented silicone (Multisil Epithetik), those of the second group consisted of unpigmented silicone, colored with red functional liquid pigment (Cosmesil Reactive 0.2% wt). The specimens of the third group were fabricated using unpigmented silicone colored with red powder pigment Cosmesil Dry at 0.2% wt. Specimens of each group were divided into 4 equal subgroups (immersed in soap solution, ethanol 95° or distilled water or placed in a photoaging apparatus for 174 hours). Structural changes were examined by infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) before and after aging. Color changes (ΔE*) were measured using the CIE L*a*b* system. Two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test for post hoc comparison were used at a = 0.05. Results: Infrared spectroscopy showed no structural changes after immersion in solutions and photoaging, for all the materials tested. No statistically significant differences for ΔE* among the tested groups were found. Conclusions: It can be concluded that no structural changes of pigmented and unpigmented silicone elastomers were observed among all aging procedures. Recorded color changes for the materials tested were within the limits of clinical acceptability after all aging procedures. Immersion in distilled water presented the best color stability, whereas photoaging, the poorest, for all materials. © 2015 Wichtig Publishing.

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are a well-known class of supermolecules that have been widely used to protect drugs against conjugation and metabolic inactivation as well as to enhance the aqueous solubility and hence to ameliorate the oral bioavailability of sparingly soluble drug molecules. The hepatoprotectant drug silibinin can be incorporated into CDs, and here we elucidate the interaction between the drug and the host at the molecular level. The complexation product of silibinin with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) is characterized by Differential Scanning Calorimetry, mass spectrometry, solid and liquid high-resolution NMR spectroscopy. The chemical shift changes using (13)C CP/MAS on the complexing of the guest with the host provided significant information on the molecular interactions, and they were in agreement with the 2D NOESY results. These results point out that in both solid and liquid forms, the drug is engulfed and interacts with HP-β-CD in identical manner. Molecular dynamics calculations have been performed to examine the thermodynamic characteristics associated with the silibinin-HP-β-CD interactions and to study the stability of the complex. To approximate the physiological conditions, the aqueous solubility and dissolution characteristics of the complex at pH states simulating those of the upper gastrointestinal tract have been applied. To evaluate the antiproliferative activity of silibinin-HP-β-CD complex comparatively to silibinin in MCF-7 human cancer cells, MTT assays have been performed

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of accelerated light aging on bond strength of a silicone elastomer to three types of denture resin. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 single lap joint specimens were fabricated with auto-, heat-, and photopolymerized (n = 20) resins. An addition-type silicone elastomer (Episil-E) was bonded to resins treated with the same primer (A330-G). Thirty specimens served as controls and were tested after 24 hours, and the remaining were aged under accelerated exposure to daylight for 546 hours (irradiance 765 W/m2). Lap shear joint tests were performed to evaluate bond strength at 50 mm/min crosshead speed. Two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test were carried out to detect statistical significance (p < 0.05). Results: ANOVA showed that the main effect of light aging was the most important factor determining the shear bond strength. The mean bond strength values ranged from 0.096 to 0.136 MPa. The highest values were recorded for auto- (0.131 MPa) and photopolymerized (0.136 MPa) resins after aging. Conclusions: Accelerated light aging for 546 hours affects the bond strength of an addition-type silicone elastomer to three different denture resins. The bond strength significantly increased after aging for photo- and autopolymerized resins. All the bonds failed adhesively. © 2014 by the American College of Prosthodontists.

Il progetto LIFE08 ENV/IT/00428 SOILPRO (http://www.soilpro.eu) si pone l’obiettivo di contribuire ad arrestare i principali fenomeni di degradazione del suolo, in linea con la Strategia Tematica Europea per la Protezione del Suolo, supportando le autorità locali nell’azione di identificazione e monitoraggio delle aree a rischio. Il monitoraggio dei processi di degradazione in atto e la valutazione delle diverse misure di protezione sarà effettuato attraverso lo sviluppo di un software (SMS – Soil Monitoring System), costituito da una piattaforma Web-GIS e sviluppato sulla base dei dati posseduti e delle conoscenze acquisite dai diversi partners. Il sistema verrà in un primo momento applicato sull’intero territorio delle Regioni Sicilia e Peloponneso e successivamente testato nelle due aree pilota del progetto: settore sud-occidentale della Sicilia e prefettura di Corinto. L’utilizzo dell’SMS verrà in seguito promosso anche negli altri stati membri dell’Unione Europea. La conoscenza del tipo, dell’intensità e della localizzazione dei processi di degradazione, consentirà una migliore definizione e applicazione delle misure di contrasto, finalizzate al mantenimento dei suoli in buone condizioni agronomiche e ambientali. È inoltre previsto di contribuire all’emanazione di politiche di protezione, volte alla corretta applicazione delle misure di contrasto e alla formazione dei tecnici, delle autorità locali e degli imprenditori agricoli circa le pratiche conservative del suolo. Si procederà quindi alla valutazione dell’efficacia delle misure applicate e, in linea con gli obiettivi dei progetti LIFE (Politiche per l’Ambiente e il Governo del Territorio), all’incremento della consapevolezza della collettività circa i rischi connessi alla degradazione del suolo.