O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a resistência às uniões bráquete-resina-esmalte, bráquete-resina-níquel-cromo, bráquete-resina-cobre-alumínio e bráquete-resina-porcelana utilizando o Sistema Adesivo Universal EnForce e a resina Concise Ortodôntico, através de ensaios de cisalhamento. Para tanto, foram confeccionados corpos de prova nas ligas de níquel-cromo, cobre-alumínio, porcelana, e como grupo controle foram utilizados 20 pré-molares. Estes receberam condicionamento com ácido fosfórico a 35%, enquanto os corpos de prova de Ni-Cr, Cu-Al e porcelana receberam condicionamento de superfície com jateamento; logo após bráquetes metálicos foram cimentados utilizando os Sistemas Adesivos Concise Ortodôntico e o Sistema Adesivo EnForce. Em seguida à colagem de todos os acessórios, os corpos de prova foram armazenados em ambiente úmido a uma temperatura de \'37GRAUS\' durante 1 hora. Concluído este tempo, todos os grupos foram submetidos aos respectivos ensaios de cisalhamento na máquina de ensaios Kratos, a uma velocidade de 5 mm/min, aplicada por meio de uma haste metálica. Os resultados obtidos permitiram as seguintes conclusões: O sistema adesivo EnForce apresentou uma força de união superior ao sistema adesivo Concise, para todos os substratos e condições empregados neste estudo, entretanto sem evidenciar significância estatística. Nos grupos ligas metálicas níquel-cromo, cobre-alumínio e porcelana, o jateamento com partículas de óxido de alumínio de 50\'mü\'m proporcionou um condicionamento mecânico eficiente, produzindo resultados similares em relação aos obtidos nos grupos esmalte onde foi efetuado condicionamento de superfície com ataque ácido. / The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the shear bond strength of bracket-resin-enamel, bracket-resin-Ni-Cr, bracket-resin-Cu-Al, and bracket-resin-porcelain using EnForce Universal Adhesive System and Concise Orthodontic Resin. Ni-Cr, Cu-Al alloys and Porcelain surfaces were sandblasted with 50m aluminium oxide and surfaces of enamel group were etched with phosforic acid, and brackets were immediately bonded with Orthodontic Concise Resin, and EnForce Universal Adhesive System. All specimens were stored under humidity at 37º C for one hour. The shear bond strentgh was performed with a kratos testing machine at a cross-head speed of 0,5mm per minute. The results showed that the sanblasting produced stronger bonds to Porcelain, and Ni -Cr, Cu-Al alloys. EnForce Universal Adhesive System provided stronger bonds than Concise Orthodontic Resin, for all specimens and conditions used in this study. The bond strengths obtained with sandblasting, intermediate application of silano or primer to porcelain and alloys were comparable to those obtained with conventionally etched human teeth with Concise Orthodontic Resin.

A study was made of three groups of materials used in dentistryq i. e. denture base acrylics, "Gel-type" tissue conditioners and epimine resins. Conventional denture base acrylic made by curing a dough of methyl methacrylate and poly(methyl methacrylate) beads is considerably weaker than homogeneous poly(methyl methacrylate). The reasons for this were revealed by a comparison of their fracture mechanics and morphology. Phase inhomogenuity was found in denture base acrylic, the interstitial phase having lower Mv and Young's modulus than the bead phase. A viscoelastic and autoradiographic study of the denture base acrylic revealed that the two phases were interpenetrating polymer networks. It was found possible to improve the strength of denture base acrylic by the addition of methacrylic acid thus improving the 19 v of the interstitial polymer. The combination of methacrylic acid and cross-linking agent also facilitated the control of phase stiffness. Improving the molecular weight and matching the phase stiffness produces a conventional denture base material of comparable strength to homogeneous poly(methyl methacrylate)o A study of the effects on "Gel-type" tissue conditioners of an oral environment revealed the reasons for their loss of compliance during clinical use. The alcohol desorption and water absorption characteristics of the gels were studied. prom such studies and a knowledge of their chemical composition conclusions were drawn regarding the best ccr. positions for tissue conditioner gels intended for long service in the mouth. Two epimine ccnpounds, an impression rubber and a temporary crown and bridge material were studied. Their physical properties and chemical composition were determined. A car. parison of known long term behaviour of analogous resins; canbined with the determined physical properties of the epimine resins studiedt revealed some of the clinical limitations of such systems.

Orientador: Estevão Tomomitsu Kimpara / Banca: Mauro Antonio de Arruda Notelo / Banca: Marco Antônio Bottino / Resumo: O propósito deste estudo foi avaliar a rugosidade superficial entre materiais de revestimento estético indiretos (Vita VMK95, Solidex, Artglass, Targis). Para tanto, confeccionaram-se 10 corpos-de-prova nas dimensões de 6mm de comprimento por 6mm de diâmetro de cada material. Uma das superfícies planas recebeu acabamento e polimento, conforme recomendações do fabricante. As amostras concluídas foram submetidas a mensuração, através do rugosímetro Hommel Tester T500. Os valores médios de rugosidade máxima entre os materiais em questão, foram 5,731Jm, 5,151Jm, 6,83 1.1m e 3, 721Jm, respectivamente. A seguir foram submetidos a análise de variância (ANOVA), ao nível de 5%, sendo detectado significância. Concluiu-se que o material Sofidex não apresentou diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos, enquanto o Targis apresenta significância estatística em relação ao Artglass e a cerâmica Vita vmk95 / Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate surface rugosity among indirect esthetic materials (Vita VMK 95, Solidex, Artglass, Targis). Ten samples of each material in the cilindric shape with dimension 6 x 6 mm were manufactured. The surface were submitted to finishing and polishing, according to manufacturer's recommendations. The samples were submitted to measuremenst, using the Hommel Tester T500 device. The average values of maxim surface rugosity among the materiais ín question, were 5, 73pm; 5, 15pm; 6, 83 j.Jm e 3, 72 j.Jm, respectively. Sample were also subjectted to variance analysis- ANOVA (5%), had detected significance. Concluded that the material Solidex did not present significant statistical differences among groups, while Targis presented significant statistical differences in relation to the Artglass and the ceramic Vita vmk95 / Mestre

Orientador: Alvaro Della Bona / Banca: Marco Antonio Bottino / Banca: Mário Alexandre Coelho Sinhoreti / Resumo: O objetivo foi avaliar (1) a influência da microestrutura e composição de cerâmicas a base de alumina e infiltrada por vidro (IA- In-Ceram Alumina, Vita) e com reforço de zircônia (IZ- In-Ceram Zircônia, Vita) no comportamento mecânico quanto à resistência a flexão e fadiga; e (2) o efeito das cargas cíclicas na resistência (σ), crescimento subcrítico de trincas (CST) e tempo de vida (TV) desses materiais cerâmicos. Noventa corpos-de-prova (CP) (1.2 x 4 x 20 mm3) de cada material foram fabricados de acordo com ISO 6872 e instruções do fabricante. Os CP de IA e IZ foram divididos em 6 grupos (n=15), submetidos a: 1) flexão em três pontos em saliva artificial a 37°C (IA3P e IZ3P); e 2) fadiga cíclica em ambiente seco e úmido (IAFS, IAFU, IZFS, IZFU). A resistência inicial (σc) e o número de ciclos nos quais cada CP fraturou foram obtidos a partir do ensaio de flexão (3P) e da fadiga cíclica, respectivamente; e avaliados pela análise estatística de Weibull. O CST foi calculado a partir da velocidade da trinca em função da intensidade máxima de estresse. Para estimar o TV foi utilizado o diagrama de Wöhler (DW). Os valores de σc (MPa) da IA variaram de 340 a 560, e do IZ de 410 a 660. O módulo de Weibull (m) foi 8 para ambas IA e IZ, e a resistência característica (σ0) foi 550 MPa para IZ e 466 MPa para IA. O CST no IZ foi maior na presença de umidade. Baseados na σc e nos dados de fadiga, calculados com uma tensão máxima de 150 MPa, foi estimado em média, um TV de: IZFS= 1.57 x 108; IZFU= 1.70 x 107; IAFS= 1.75 x 106; e IAFU= 8.70 x 105 ciclos. Os CP de IZ apresentaram maiores valores de σc devido a presença de zircônia na sua composição e microestrutura. A partir do DW estimou-se que os materiais IA e IZ, têm uma probabilidade de falha de apenas 5% após 20 anos (10220000 ciclos), se a máxima tensão aplicada em meio úmido não exceder a 316MPa para IZ, e 264MPa para IA / Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate (1) the influence of the microstructure and chemical composition on the flexural strength and fatigue of glass-infiltrated alumina-based (IA- In-Ceram Alumina) and zirconia-reinforced (IZ- In-Ceram Zirconia) ceramics; and (2) the effect of the cyclic loading on the strength (σ), subcritical crack growth (SCG) and lifetime (Lt) of these framework ceramics. Ninety specimens (sp)(1.2 x 4 x 20 mm3) were fabricated according to the ISO 6872 standard and manufacturer instructions. IA and IZ sp were divided into 6 groups (n=15) and submitted to: 1) 3-point bending test in artificial saliva at 37ºC (IA3P e IZ3P); 2) cyclic fatigue test under dry and wet conditions (IAFD, IAFW, IZFD, IZFW). The initial strength (σ) and the number of cycles until fracture were obtained from the 3-point bending and cyclic fatigue test, respectively; and evaluated using the Weibull distribution. The SCG was obtained from the velocity of crack propagation (v) with the stress intensity factor. The Lt was described using the Wöhler diagram (WD). The σ values (MPa) ranged from 340 to 560 and from 410 to 660 for IA and IZ, respectively. The Weibull moduli (m= 8) was found similar for both ceramics, and the characteristic mechanical strength (σ0) of IA and IZ was 550 MPa and 466 MPa, respectively. Based on the σ and the calculated fatigue data, using a maximum stress of 150 MPa, an average Lt was estimated as follows: IZFD=, 1.57 x 108; IZFW= 1.70 x 107; IAFD= 1.75 x 106; and IAFW= 8.70 x 105 cycles.. SCG was greater for IZ sp when they were tested in water; the presence of zirconia in the IZ resulted in greater mean σ and σ0 values for IZ than for IA. The WD estimated a probability of failure of only 5% after 20 years (10220000 cycles) for IA and IZ if the maximum applied stress in wet conditions does not exceed to 316 MPa and 264 MPa, respectively / Mestre

Orientador: Maria Filomena Rocha Lima Huhtala / Co-orientador: Marcelo Giannini. / Banca: Ana Paula Martins Gomes / Banca: João Maurício Ferraz da Silva / Resumo: O tratamento com plasma não térmico pode modificar a superfície da dentina e melhorar a ligação entre os dentes e resinas compostas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência do tratamento do plasma não térmico (PNT) na resistência adesiva de um sistema adesivo autocondicionante aplicado em diferentes espessuras de dentina humana, bem como observar mudanças na micromorfologia das interfaces dentina/resina em MEV. Molares humanos foram divididos em dois grupos (n = 30) de acordo com a espessura da camada de dentina: superficial (S) (2 mm de espessura) e profunda (P) (1 mm de espessura). Cada grupo foi dividido em três subgrupos (n = 10) de acordo com o tratamento de superfície da dentina: grupo SPA (2 mm dentina + plasma + adesivo); Grupo SAP (2 mm dentina + adesivo + plasma); Grupo SA (2mm de dentina + adesivo); PPA (1 mm dentina + plasma + adesivo); Grupo PAP (1 mm dentina + adesivo + plasma) e grupo PA (1 mm dentina + adesivo). Foi confeccionada uma restauração em resina composta e as amostras armazenadas (48 h). Palitos de dentina/resina com área adesiva de aproximadamente 1 mm² foram obtidos e submetidos ao teste de microtração. O padrão de fraturas foi analisado por microscopia óptica. Os dados de resistência foram analisados pelos testes estatísticos ANOVA dois fatores e Tukey (5%). As análises das interfaces adesivas em MEV foram realizadas em amostras selecionadas. Os resultados mostraram uma diferença significativa na resistência adesiva entre a dentina superficial e profunda; independentemente do tratamento de superfície, a dentina superficial apresentou maiores valores de resistência adesiva. Entre os grupos tratados com e sem plasma, a resistência adesiva foi maior quando o plasma foi aplicado na superfície da dentina; no entanto a aplicação de plasma antes ou depois do o adesivo não foi estatisticamente diferente. O PNT aumentou a resistência adesiva da dentina humana S e P / Abstract: Treatment with non-thermal plasma can modify dentin surface and improve bond between teeth and composite resin. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of non-thermal plasma (NTP) treatment on dentin bond strength of a self-etching adhesive system to different thicknesses of human dentin as well as to observe SEM micromorphology changes of the resin/dentin interfaces. Human molars were divided into two groups (n = 30) according to dentin layer thickness: superficial (S) (2 mm thick) and deep (D) (1 mm thick). Each group was divided into three subgroups (n = 10) according to dentin surface treatment: SPA group (2 mm dentin + plasma + adhesive); SAP group (2 mm dentin + adhesive + plasma); Group SA (2 mm dentin + adhesive); PPA (1 mm dentin + plasma + adhesive); PAP group (1 mm dentin + adhesive + plasma) and PA group (1 mm dentin + adhesive). A composite resin restoration was built up and specimens stored (48 h). Teeth sticks with adhesive area of approximately 1 mm² were obtained and submitted to microtensile test. The pattern of fractures was analyzed with optical microscopy. Bond strength data was analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey (5%) statistical tests. Resin/dentin interfaces SEM analysis was conducted on selected specimens. The results showed a significant difference in bond strength between superficial and deep dentin; regardless surface treatment superficial dentin showed higher bond strength. Among the groups treated with and without plasma, bond strength was higher when plasma was applied on dentin surface; however plasma application before or after the adhesive was not statistically different. NTP increased the bond strength of S and D human dentin / Mestre

Orientador: Luiz Felipe Valandro / Banca: Renata Marques de Melo Marinho / Banca: Antonio Olavo Cardoso Jorge / Banca: Marina Amaral / Banca: Rodrigo Othavio de Assuncão e Souza / Resumo: O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito de diferentes métodos de remoção do excesso de cimento e do polimento na formação de biofilme e micromorfologia na região de margem dente/restauração. A partir de dentes bovinos, foram obtidos 96 blocos de dentina (4 mm x 8 mm x 2 mm) que foram moldados e reproduzidos em gesso tipo IV, sobre os quais foram produzidos 96 blocos prensados de cerâmica (Vita PM9, Vita Zahnfabrik; 4 mm x 8 mm x 2 mm) pela técnica de cera perdida. Os blocos de dentina e seus respectivos blocos cerâmicos foram cimentados com um cimento resinoso auto-adesivo (RelyX U200, 3M ESPE) e o excesso de cimento foi removido utilizando diferentes técnicas: MBr: microbrush e fotoativação, MBr-Pol: microbrush, fotoativação e polimento, Pi: pincel e fotoativação, Pi-Pol: pincel, fotoativação e polimento, Foto- Expl: 5 s de fotoativação inicial, explorador e fotoativação final, Foto-Expl- Pol: 5 s de fotoativação inicial, explorador, fotoativação final e polimento, Foto-Bi: 5 s de fotoativação inicial, bisturi e fotoativação final, Foto-Bi-Pol: 5s de fotoativação inicial, bisturi, fotoativação final e polimento. Após 24 h, a rugosidade da região de margem das amostras foi analisada utilizando um rugosímetro (Mitutoyo SJ-400 Tóquio, Japão; três medições em cada amostra). Análise micromorfológica da região foi obtida por microscópio estereoscópico e MEV. Em seguida, as amostras foram contaminadas em caldo de sacarose com suspensão padronizada com Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus e Candida albicans e incubados por um período de 48 h. As amostras foram analisadas quantitativamente para aderência bacteriana na região da margem por microscopia de varredura confocal a laser e contagem das unidades formadoras de colônias (UFC/mL), e analisadas qualitativamente usando MEV. Os dados de rugosidade superficial (Ra) foram submetidos à análise de variância (2- way), teste de Tukey.. / Abstract This study evaluated the effects of excess cement removal techniques, with or without posterior polishing, on the biofilm formation and micromorphology in the marginal region of the tooth/restoration. From bovine teeth, 96 dentin blocks (4 x 8 x 2 mm) were produced, molded and reproduced in type IV gypsum, on which 96 pressed ceramic blocks (Vita PM9 4 mm x 8 mm x 2 mm, Vita Zahnfabrik) were produces via lost wax technique. The dentin blocks and their respective ceramic blocks were cemented with a self-adhesive resin-cement (RelyX U200, 3M ESPE) and cement excess was removed using different techniques, followed by polishing with silicone tips or, in some cases, not polished at all: MBr: microbrush and photoactivation, MBr-Pol: MBr + polishing, Pi: brush and photoactivation, Pi-Pol: PI + polishing, Photo-Expl: 5 s initial photoactivation, explorer and final curing, Photo-Expl-Pol: Photo-Expl + polishing, Photo-Bi: 5 s initial photoactivation, scalpel and final curing, Photo-Bi-Pol: Photo-Bi + polishing. After 24 hours, the samples marginal region roughness was analyzed using a profilometer (Mitutoyo SJ-400 Tokyo, Japan; three measurements on each sample). Micromorphological analyses of the region were performed by stereoscopic microscope and SEM. Then the samples were contaminated with sucrose broth standardized suspension with Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans and incubated for a period of 48 hours. The samples were quantitatively analyzed for bacterial adherence in the marginal region by confocal laser scanning microscopy and counting of colony forming units (CFU/ml), and qualitatively analyzed using SEM. Roughness data (Ra) were submitted to 2-way ANOVA, Tukey test (5%) and Student's-t tests. CFU, Biomass and bio thickness data were analyzed by Kruskal Wallis', Mann-Whitney's e Dunn's tests. The removing technique statistically influenced the roughness (Ra; p ˂ 0.05), when comparing polished and unpolished... / Doutor

Doctor of Philosophy(PhD) / Objectives As the outer cover of teeth structure, enamel is the hardest, stiffest and one of the most durable load-bearing tissues of the human body. Also, enamel is an elegantly designed natural biocomposite. From a material science point of view, scientists are interested in the structure and function of the nature material. How does nature design the material to meet its functional needs? From a dental clinic point of view, dental practitioners are keen to know the properties of enamel and compare it with different dental materials. What kind of dental materials can best simulate enamel as a restoration in the oral cavity? The research presented in this thesis on the mechanical behaviour of enamel in respect of its structural and compositional characteristics will attempt to provide answers or indications to the above questions. Theoretical analysis, as well as experimental investigations of both man-made and natural composites materials, has shown that hierarchical microstructure and organic matrix glues the inorganic particles together and plays an important role in regulating the mechanical properties of the composite. Bearing this finding in mind, in the current investigations, we assume the hierarchical microstructure and trace protein remnants in enamel regulate the mechanical behaviour of the natural biocomposite to meet its functional needs as a load bearing tissue with superb anti-fatigue and wear resistant properties. One of the important reasons that dental hard tissues haven’t been thoroughly investigated is due to the limited sample volume. Fortunately, with the development of nanoindentation technique and equipment, it is now possible to explore the mechanical properties of small volume samples. The application of nanoindentation on dental hard tissues has been documented. However, most investigations have concentrated on only reporting the basic mechanical properties such as elastic modulus and hardness. Very few of them have taken the role of microstructure and composition of these natural biocomposites into their considerations. The main aim of this investigation is to interpret how microstructural and compositional features of enamel regulate its mechanical behaviour. To achieve this goal, the analytical methods considering nanoindentation data need to be expanded so that more information not only elastic modulus and hardness but also stress-strain relationship, energy absorption ability, and creep behaviour may be evaluated with this technique. These new methods will also be of benefit to dental material evaluation and selection. Materials and methods Based on the Oliver-Pharr method1 for the analysis of nanoindentation data, Hertzian contact theory2 and Tabor’s theory3, a spherical nanoindentation method for measuring the stress-strain relationship was developed. Furthermore, nanoindentation energy absorption analysis method and nanoindentation creep test were developed to measure the inelastic property of enamel. With the above methods, sound enamel samples were investigated and compared with various dental materials, including dental ceramics and dental alloys. • Firstly, using a Berkovich indenter and three spherical indenters with 5, 10 and 20 µm nominal radius, the elastic modulus, hardness and stress-strain relationship of different samples were investigated and compared. • Secondly, mechanical properties of enamel in respect to its microstructure were investigated intensively using different indenters by sectioning teeth at different angles. • Thirdly, inelastic behaviour of enamel such as energy absorption and creep deformation were observed and compared with a fully sintered dense hydroxyapatite (HAP) disk to illustrate the roles of protein remnants in regulating the mechanical behaviour of enamel. • Fourthly, to confirm the functions of protein remnants in controlling mechanical behaviour of enamel, enamel samples were treated under different environments such as burning (300°C exposure for 5 min), alcohol dehydration and rehydration to change the properties of proteins before the nanoindentation tests. • Lastly, micro-Raman spectroscopy was employed to measure and compare the indentation residual stresses in enamel and HAP disk to evaluate the role of both hierarchical microstructure and protein remnants in redistributing the stresses and reinforcing the mechanical response of enamel to deformation. Results and significance Nanoindentation is an attractive method for measuring the mechanical behaviour of small specimen volumes. Using this technique, the mechanical properties of enamel were investigated at different orientations and compared with dental restorative materials. From the present study, the following results were found and conclusions were drawn.  Although some newly developed dental ceramics have similar elastic modulus to enamel, the hardness of these ceramic products is still much higher than enamel; in contrast, despite the higher elastic modulus, dental metallic alloys have very similar hardness as enamel. Furthermore, enamel has similar stress-strain relationships and creep behaviour to that of dental metallic alloys. SEM also showed enamel has an inelastic deformation pattern around indentation impressions. All of these responses indicated that enamel behaves more like a metallic material rather than a ceramic.  Elastic modulus of enamel is influenced by highly oriented rod units and HAP crystallites. As a result, it was found to be a function of contact area. This provides a basis to understand the different results reported in the literature from macro-scale and micro-scale tests. Anisotropic properties of enamel, which arise from the rod units, are well reflected in the stress-strain curves. The top surface (perpendicular to the rod axis) is stiffer and has higher stress-strain response than an adjacent cross section surface because of the greater influence of the prism sheaths in the latter behaviour.  Enamel showed much higher energy absorption capacity and considerably more creep deformation behaviour than HAP, a ceramic material with similar mineral composition. This is argued to be due to the existence of minor protein remnants in enamel. Possible mechanisms include fluid flow within the sheath structure, protein “sacrificial bond” theory, and nano-scale friction within sheaths associated with the degustation of enamel rods.  A simple model with respect of hierarchical microstructure of enamel was developed to illustrate the structural related contact deformation mechanisms of human enamel. Within the contact indentation area, thin protein layers between HAP crystallites bear most of the deformation in the form of shear strain, which is approximately 16 times bigger than contact strain in the case of a Vickers indenter. By replotting energy absorption against mean strain value of a protein layer, data from different indenters on enamel superimposed, validating the model. This model partially explained the non-linear indentation stress-strain relationship, inelastic contact response and large energy absorption ability of enamel and indicated the inelastic characteristics of enamel were related to the thin protein layers between crystallites.  Following different treatments, mechanical properties of enamel changed significantly. By denaturing or destroying the protein remnants, mechanical behaviour, especially inelastic abilities of enamel decreased dramatically, which indicates matrix proteins endow enamel better performance as a load bearing calcified tissue.  Comparison of Raman derived residual maps about indentations in enamel and a sintered homogeneous HAP showed the hierarchical structure influenced the residual stress distribution within enamel. Moreover, less residual stresses were found in enamel and were a consequence of the protein remnants. These are evidence as to how the microstructure meets the functional needs of the enamel tissue. In general, evidence from different approaches indicated that the hierarchical microstructure and small protein remnants regulated the mechanical behaviour of enamel significantly at various hierarchical levels utilising different mechanisms. This investigation has provided some basis for understanding natural biocomposites and assisting with dental clinic materials selection and treatment evaluation procedures. References 1. Oliver WC, Pharr GM. An improved technique for determining hardness and elastic modulus using load and displacement sensing indentation experiments. J Mater Res. 1992;7(6):1564-83. 2. Hertz H. Miscellaneous Papers. London: Jones and Schott, Macmillan; 1863. 3. Tabor D. Hardness of Metals. Oxford: Clarendon Press; 1951.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.

Thesis (M.D.S)--University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 207-231) Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.