The exhibition, Drink from the River, is the culmination of a creative journey that has run parallel to a very personal process of introspection, confrontation with the negative-self, and, ultimately, catharsis. The catalyst for this journey was my engagement with African art. / acase@tulane.edu

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o desempenho clínico das facetas cerâmicas reforçadas com dissilicato de lítio, comparando dois métodos de processamento, as facetas produzidas por fresagem, CEREC inLab pelo sistema CAD/CAM (IPS e.max CAD), e a técnica prensada com pastilhas injetáveis (IPS e.max PRESS), em um período de 6 e 12 meses de avaliação, avaliar a estabilidade de cor após 12 meses e o nível de satisfação do paciente após o tratamento. Os pacientes foram selecionados de acordo com os critérios de inclusão e exclusão, com um mínimo de 2 e máximo de 6 facetas por paciente, totalizando 178. O estudo foi do tipo boca dividida, e as facetas foram confeccionadas de acordo com as técnicas de processamentos, em dois grupos: - CAD: Impressões digitais com scanner inEos Blue, dos modelos preparados e com enceramento, seguido da fresagem dos blocos IPS e.max CAD (Ivoclar, Liechtenstein); - PRESS: Facetas IPS e.max Press (Ivoclar, Liechtenstein). com a utilização de pastilhas injetáveis, seguindo as normas do fabricante. As facetas foram pontuadas a partir dos critérios da USPHS modificado (United States Public Health Service), para os critérios: adaptação marginal, alteração de cor, descoloração marginal, fratura da restauração, fratura do dente, desgaste da restauração e do dente antagonista, presença de cáries e sensibilidade pós-operatória. Para análise da estabilidade da cor foi utilizado o espectrofotômetro Vita Easyshade, realizando a medição inicial e após 12 meses. Todos pacientes responderam um questionário de satisfação utilizando a escala VAS (Visual Analogue Scale), antes e após finalizado o tratamento. O teste estatístico foi realizado utilizando a Análise de Variância a dois critérios de medidas repetidas, com nível de significância de 5%, utilizando o software estatístico STATISTICA 10.0 e o SIGMAPLOT 12.0. E para análise da cor os dados foram submetidos ao teste de normalidade de Shapiro-Wilk, e o teste de soma não paramétrico de Mann-Whitney- Wilcoxon (MWW) para comparar as distribuições de resultados entre dois grupos (nível de significância de 5%). Nos resultados foram observados que para o critério de adaptação marginal, houve diferença estatística em relação ao tempo (p=0,017) independente do método de processamento, apresentando as médias no baseline para CAD 1,056 e para PRESS 1,067 e após 6 e 12 meses, para CAD 1,089 e para PRESS 1,078. Não houve diferenças intra-grupos e entre os grupos no início e após 6 e 12 meses, bem como nenhuma interação entre o tempo e os grupos para os outros critérios avaliados. Sobre a estabilidade de cor não houve diferença significativa para os grupos CAD e PRESS utilizando o método Easyshade (P=0,833). Foi observado que o segundo quartil do CAD 1,70 e do PRESS 1,76, foram praticamente coincidentes. Em relação ao nível de satisfação da escala VAS, antes do tratamento a média foi de 7,06 e após o tratamento das facetas a média foi para 9,5. O desempenho clínico das facetas de dissilicato de lítio foram semelhantes, independente do método de processamento, apresentaram estabilidade de cor após 12 meses de avaliação e houve um aumento do nível de satisfação do paciente. / The purpose of this research was to evaluate the clinical performance of the laminated ceramic veneers reinforced with lithium disilicate, comparing two different methods, manufactured by CAD/CAM technology, CEREC inLab (IPS e.max CAD), comparing with those veneers produced by the heat-pressed method (IPS e.max Press), in a period of 6 and 12 months, color stability after 12 months and the level of patient satisfaction after treatment. Patients were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, with a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 6 veneers per patient, totaling 178 veneers. A split-mouth study was made according to the processing techniques, two groups: - CAD: Images obtained with inEos Blue scanner, of the prepared and waxed models, followed by milling of IPS e.max CAD blocks (Ivoclar, Liechtenstein); - PRESS: Manufacturing of lithium disilicate ceramic veneers IPS e.max PRESS (Ivoclar, Liechtenstein) with the use of heat-pressed, following the standards and the manufacturer\'s instructions. The veneers were scored according to the criteria of USPHS (United States Public Health Service): marginal adaptation, color change, marginal discoloration, restoration fracture, tooth fracture, wear restoration, antagonist wear, presence of caries and postoperative sensitivity. For the analysis of the color stability, the Vita Easyshade spectrophotometer was used, initial measurement and after 12 months. All patients answered a satisfaction questionnaire using the VAS scale (Visual Analogue Scale), before and after the treatment. The statistical test was performed using the Variance Analysis of two repeated measures criteria, with a significance level of 5%, using statistical software STATISTICA 10.0 and SIGMAPLOT 12.0. Color analysis, the data were submitted to the Shapiro-Wilk normality test, and the Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon non-parametric sum test (MWW) was used to compare the distribution of results between two groups (significance level 5%). In the results was observed that for the marginal adaptation criterion, there was a statistical difference in relation to time (p = 0.017) independent of the processing method, baseline means for CAD 1.056 and for PRESS 1.067 and after 6 and 12 months, for CAD 1.089 and for PRESS 1.078. There were no intragroup differences and between groups at baseline and after 6 and 12 months, as well as no interaction between time and groups for the other evaluated criteria. Color stability there was no significant difference for the CAD and PRESS groups using the Easyshade method (P = 0.833). It was observed that the second quartile of CAD 1.70 and PRESS 1,76 were practically coincident. Level of satisfaction of the VAS scale, it was observed that before the treatment the mean was 7.06 and after treatment of the veneers the mean was 9.5. The clinical performance of the lithium disilicate veneers were similar, regardless of the processing method, showed color stability after 12 months of evaluation and there was an increase in the level of patient satisfaction.

"This study, "Surface Textures of Unglazed Pottery," will record and evaluate a series of experiments performed that can be achieved on unglazed ceramic ware....The problem will be limited to experiments using a red clay from Horatio, Arkansas, a buff clay from Trenton, New Jersey, and a tan clay from Athens, Texas. The specimens will be fired at the temperature of 1643 degrees Fahrenheit...Experiments performed with the three clays will fall into three categories: (1) textures resulting from introduction of foreign matter into the clay (2) textures resulting from surface treatments of green ware and (3) textures resulting from surface treatments of bisque-fired ware. The experiments will be described and the fired clay specimens -- tiles 2"x2"x1/4" will be evaluated according to aesthetic and practical standards. Plates showing fired clay tiles resulting from the experiments will accompany the text [in volume 2]."-- leaf 1.

I grow up in in Hong Kong, a city where "reality" is more important than imagination, most of us learn to go after something that is practical and look for a job that will lead to a stable life style, without imagining what they could become, and who they could be. I left my country when I was 16 years old and landed to the United States when I was 17 by myself, as a high school senior, where I started a new life and Art. For the first time in my life, I realize what I was created to do and who I really am; I then become an undergraduate to complete a degree in art, focus in ceramics. Four years of college, I spend about 14hours per day in the studio; practicing, learning and studying my art and myself, this constantly left me amazed with who I can be; a workaholic who dislike giving up. This allows me to master the behavior of as long as you try hard and ask a harder question to yourself about what is known, you can always overcome things that are unknown to you. And furthermore allows me to understand we are not constrained by rules and regulations, the process of discovering a question is something that ultimately lead me to understand life which not to define it or describe it, is to feel it. What initiated my pursuit of clay is it helps me feel, clay response to how we treat them in a physical way that no other material will. As a result, I completed a Masters of Art degree in Ceramics and it provided me an understand of the "weights" of materials, through the characteristics of materials; I am able to feel and express the qualities of balance, weight, and connection. Sure, I am not saying everyone feel the same way, but I am sure we all ask those question sometime, what is the balance in life? The weight of existence? Connection between us? I like my work to be a metaphor of expressing the importance of those complex questions during the pursuit of what is known, what is unknown, and to feel the need of understand and ask harder question.

Presently, my practice is multi-disciplinary and includes ceramics, sculpture, metals, design, and social practice — the work explores cultural identity, immigration, and cultural imagery using found objects and vernacular architectural references. Many of which are rooted in a post-colonial Anglo Caribbean history, but have grown to include new environments, narratives, and histories that parallel the latter.

This in vitro study evaluated the bond and compression strength of cemented leucite reinforced glass ceramics in bovine tooth enamel, comparing three etching times with hydrofluoric acid 10% of the ceramic surface (20, 60 and 90 seconds) and two adhesive treatments (adhesive system + silane and universal adhesive system). For the bond strength test, 120 ceramic cylinders (2mm diameter x 2mm length; n=20) were etched and cemented (80m thick) in enamel with a dual resin cement, varying the adhesive treatment, obtaining the groups: UEXC20s, UEXC60s, UEXC90s, USBU20s, USBU60s, USBU90s. After 24 hours, the shear bond strength test was performed on a universal test machine (0.5mm/min, 50kgf). For the compression test, 30 ceramic plates (5x5mm with 1mm thick, n=5) were etched, received the same adhesive treatments and were cemented (80m) in enamel, obtaining the following groups: CEXC20s, CEXC60s, CEXC90s, CSBU20s, CSBU60s, CSBU90s. After 24 hours of cementation, the compression test (0.5mm/min, 500kgf) was performed. Statistical analysis was performed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey test (=.05). For the shear bond strength test significant differences were found among the adhesives (p<.05). For the etching times there were no differences (p=.059). However, there was a significant interaction between the adhesives and the etching times (p=.021). At 60 seconds, the Silane + ExciTE F DSC Adhesive presented the highest bond strength values (47.53±16.70Mpa). And at 20 seconds, the Universal adhesive presented the lowest bond strength values (27.72±10.76Mpa). For the compression test there were no significant differences between the adhesives (p=.571) and between the times (p=.154). The group that presented the highest values of compression force was the Universal adhesive at 60 seconds (1757.89±200.47N). The lowest values were also the Universal adhesive, but at 90 seconds (1213.30±546.34N). The study concluded that the silane associated with the ExciTE F DSC adhesive showed the highest bond strength values at the etching time of 60 seconds with 10% hydrofluoric acid, without compromising the compressive strength of the leucite reinforced ceramic. / Este estudo in vitro avaliou a resistência de união e compressão da cerâmica reforçada por cimentada em esmalte de dentes bovinos, comparando-se três tempos de condicionamento com ácido fluorídrico 10% da superfície cerâmica (20, 60 e 90 segundos) e dois tratamentos adesivos (sistema adesivo + silano e sistema adesivo universal). Para o teste de resistência de união (U), 120 cilindros cerâmicos (2mm diâmetro x 2mm comprimento; n=20) foram condicionados e cimentados (80 m de espessura) em esmalte, com cimento resinoso dual, variando-se o tratamento adesivo, obtendo-se os grupos: UEXC20s, UEXC60s, UEXC90s, USBU20s, USBU60s, USBU90s. Após 24h, foi realizado o teste de cisalhamento (0,5mm/min, 50kgf). Para o teste de compressão (C), 30 placas cerâmicas (5x5mm com 1mm de espessura; n=5) foram condicionadas, receberam os mesmos tratamentos adesivos e foram cimentadas (80m) em esmalte, obtendo-se os grupos: CEXC20s, CEXC60s, CEXC90s, CSBU20s, CSBU60s, CSBU90s. Após 24h da cimentação, foi realizado o teste de compressão (0,5mm/min, 500kgf). Foi realizada a análise estatística por meio de ANOVA dois critérios e teste de Tukey (P < 0,05). Para o teste de cisalhamento diferenças significativas foram encontradas entre os adesivos (p<0,05). Para os tempos de condicionamento não houve diferenças significativas (p=0,059). No entanto, houve interação significativa entre os adesivos e os tempos de condicionamento (p=0,021). No tempo de 60 segundos, o silano + adesivo ExciTE F DSC apresentou os maiores valores de resistência de união (47,53±16,70Mpa). E no tempo de 20 segundos, o adesivo Universal apresentou os menores valores de resistência de união (27,72±10,76Mpa). Para o teste de compressão não houve diferenças significativas entre os adesivos (p=0,571) e entre os tempos (p=0,154). O grupo que apresentou maiores valores de força de compressão foi o adesivo Universal no tempo de 60 segundos (1757,89±200,47N). Já os menores valores, foi também o adesivo Universal, mas no tempo de 90 segundos (1213,30±546,34N). Pode-se concluir que, o Silano associado ao adesivo ExciTE F DSC, mostrou os maiores valores de resistência de união no tempo de condicionamento de 60 segundos com ácido fluorídrico a 10%, sem comprometer a resistência a compressão da cerâmica reforçada por leucita.

The Etruscan civilization was rich in local and interregional trade. Its exchange networks were vital in establishing relationships with other societies, importing exotic materials and goods, as well as disseminating and assimilating information. However, there is little understanding of the participation of smaller inland settlements in the act of exchange. This research answers questions pertaining to the purpose of trade within these self-sustaining communities, the reliability of identifying geographic locations of the clay used in ancient ceramics through the use of non-destructive X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry without sampling current regional clay sources, and the materiality of the ceramics being exchanged in order to establish major forms of production for each settlement. The analyses of trace elements contained within the ceramic materials previously excavated from two remote Etruscan sites (La Piana and Cetamura) can provide a greater understanding of both the trade practices of the Etruscan culture and the reliability of the sourcing methods. Over 100 ceramics ranging from storage containers, bricks and roofing tiles, amphorae, loom weights, and tableware (including red and black gloss) from Cetamura and La Piana were selected to represent a sample base for local and non-local crafted ceramics. The artifacts were analyzed non-destructively using a Bruker Tracer III-SD portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (pXRF), which has been shown to be highly successful in other archaeological studies. Six trace elements (rubidium, strontium, yttrium, zirconium, niobium and thorium) of each artifact were recorded and analyzed using principal component analysis to create a comparable data set. The results confirm that while these Etruscan settlements were self-sustaining, they were still participating in long-distance exchanges.

Abstract not available

Abstract not available

This study documents the evolution of a unique body of ceramic work which straddles the areas of science and art. The author establishes the framework and context for the development of a range of ceramics incorporating crystalline glazes and forms. A personal aesthetic sensibility for the work is defined with reference to ceramics in general and specifically to the historical and contemporary development of glazes within this genre. The study articulates the stages of contemplation, design and development in the creation of a unique body of work which is cognisant of the decorative qualities of crystalline glazes. The forms are simple and uncomplicated, and the work is concerned with the pinnacle of the craft of ceramics at every level. / Doctor of Creative Arts (DCA)