Yes / Healthcare applications are known to have a considerable environmental impact and the use of bio-based polymers has emerged as a powerful approach to reduce the carbon footprint in the sector. This research aims to explore the suitability of using a new sustainable polyester blend (Floreon™) as a scaffold directed to aid in musculoskeletal applications. Musculoskeletal problems arise from a wide range of diseases and injuries related to bones and joints. Specifically, bone injuries may result from trauma, cancer, or long-term infections and they are currently considered a major global problem in both developed and developing countries. In this work we have manufactured a series of 3D-printed constructs from a novel biopolymer blend using fused deposition modelling (FDM), and we have modified these materials using a bioceramic (wollastonite, 15% w/w). We have evaluated their performance in vitro using human dermal fibroblasts and rat mesenchymal stromal cells. The new sustainable blend is biocompatible, showing no differences in cell metabolic activity when compared to PLA controls for periods 1-18 days. FloreonTM blend has proven to be a promising material to be used in bone tissue regeneration as it shows an impact strength in the same range of that shown by native bone (just under 10 kJ/m2) and supports an improvement in osteogenic activity when modified with wollastonite. / We would like to acknowledge the Medical Research Council in the UK (MRC) for funding this research throughout a MRC Proximity to Discovery award (P2D) with grant number MC_PC_16084. We would also like to acknowledge CONACYT for funding DH RamosRodriguez’s work.

L’objectif de cette recherche était d’évaluer les dynamiques de retour à court et à long terme des propriétés physico-chimiques et microbiologiques des sols incendiés et d’étudier le devenir des communautés végétales brûlées. Pour l’étude du sol nous avons analysé les propriétés physiques, chimiques et microbiologiques de 25 échantillons de sol prélevés dans la Forêt de Fénouane (Wilaya de Saida, Algérie) le long d’une chonoséquence de 2, 4, 8, 13 et 20 ans après le dernier feu. Cette étude a permis de montrer la vulnérabilité des sols forestiers de l’étage semi-aride de l’Atlas tellien aux fréquences d’incendies supérieures à 1 feu tous les 20 ans. Pour l’étude de l’effet du feu sur la composition des pinèdes à Pinus halepensis Mill.de la forêt de Fénouane (Algérie) on a utilisé les mêmes placettes et chronoséquence que celle choisie pour l’étude du sol. Des relevés floristiques ont été réalisés selon la méthode sigmatiste en fonction du dernier feu. La méthode comparative a montré une reconstitution progressive des pinèdes sans grande variation dans leur composition floristique. Ce sont pratiquement les mêmes espèces qui existaient avant le feu qui réapparaissent après. Il ressort de l’étude phytoécologique que la forêt de Fénouane est très fragile et le peu d’espèces végétales qu’elle renferme pourrait diminuer pour atteindre un niveau critique à cause de l’aridité climatique et édaphique accentuée par les incendies et le surpâturage. / Within this research was to evaluate dynamic return to short and long-term of the physicochemical and microbiological properties of the burnt grounds and to study to become to it burned vegetable communities. For the study of the ground we analyzed the physical properties, chemical and microbiological of 25 samples of ground taken in the Forest of Fénouane (Wilaya of Saida, Algeria) along a chono-sequence of 2,4,8,13 and 20 years after last. This study made it possible to show the vulnerability of the forest grounds of the semi-arid stage of the Tellian Atlas at the frequencies of fires higher than 1 fire every 20 years. For the study of the effect of fire on the composition of the pine forests with Pinus halepensis Mill.de the forest of Fénouane (Algeria) one used the same small squares and chrono-sequence that selected for the study of the ground. Floristic statements were carried out according to the method sigmatist according to the last fire. The comparative method showed a progressive reconstitution of the pine forests without much variation in their floristic composition. In fact practically the same species existed before fire which reappears afterwards. It arises from the phyto-ecological study that the forest of Fénouane is very fragile and the little of plant species which it contains could decrease to reach a critical level because of the climatic and edaphic aridity accentuated by the fires and the overgrazing.

Le mélange de polymères offre une voie pratique et économique pour élaborer de nouveaux matériaux qui peuvent avoir des propriétés que chacun des polymères ne possède pas nécessairement. L’élaboration de mélanges de polymères à base de PP a souvent pour objet d’obtenir des matériaux avec une résistance au choc élevée, une rigidité suffisante et une processabilité adéquate. Le polycarbonate (PC) est mélangé avec le PP en raison de ses propriétés exceptionnelles (rigidité élevée et résistance au choc excellente) par rapport à d’autres polymères techniques. Le PC se disperse mal dans le PP car ils sont immiscibles entre eux et leur rapport de viscosité très élevé. La clé pour obtenir des mélanges PP/PC avec une résistance au choc élevée et une rigidité suffisante consiste à les compatbiliser et à diminuer le rapport de viscosité de manière efficace. De nouveaux agents compatibilisants ont été développés pour renforcer les interactions entre le PC et le PP et contrôler la morphologie des mélanges. Les mélanges PP/PC obtenus ont une très résistance au choc et une rigidité suffisante. La performance des agents compatibilisants ainsi que les mécanismes d’amélioration de la résistance au choc ont été étudiés. L’évolution de la morphologie des mélanges PP/PC ainsi que la relation entre la composition et la microstructure ont été simulées avec l’aide des théories de dynamiques à l’échelle moléculaire et mésoscopique / Polymer blending provides a practical and economic way of preparing new materials with combinations of properties not available in a single polymer. In order to improve the toughness of polypropylene while retaining its rigidity as much as possible, a new concept “rigid–rigid polymer toughening” was developed. Polycarbonate (PC) was selected to blend with PP in this study because of the advantages it provides over many other conventional engineering polymers in terms of high strength and toughness. The key to obtaining materials with high toughness and balanced rigidity relies on effectively compatibilizing this polymer pair and reducing the viscosity ratio. In this study, novel compatibilizers for the PP/PC blend were prepared or chosen to promote interactions between PP and PC and control the morphology of the blend. Some of the compatibilizers took the role of both compatibilizer and toughener. The performance of compatibilizers and toughening mechanism of blends were studied in detail. The morphology evolution of PP/PC blends and the relationship between the composition and microstructure were simulated based on molecular dynamics and mesodyn theories

The development of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resins for use in rotational molding would provide a medium performance material, thus opening doors to new markets for the rotational molding industry. Unfortunately, ABS resins have shown serious problems during the rotational molding process, namely discoloration, bridging, and poor impact strength. It is believed that these effects are due to degradation of the carbon-carbon double bond in the butadiene, through attack by either oxygen or heat. Previous efforts have shown some success in addressing these issues. However, additional improvements are necessary to make ABS resins commercially viable to rotational molders. This study, fourth in a series of similar projects conducted though Brigham Young University, was focused on remediation of the ABS difficulties via two different approaches. First, a survey of several additives was performed with the intent of investigating four different strategies: increased protection from oxygen, decreased butadiene concentration, increased butadiene concentration, and promotion of flow. The best formulation was achieved when 15 wt % of a benzoate ester (XP-2280 available though ChemPoint) was blended into MAGNUM 342 EZ, an ABS resin (The Dow Chemical Company). This formulation showed the best balance between increased impact strength and improvement of cosmetic properties. Second, optimization of several rotational molding processing parameters was executed. These included particle size distribution of the resin, drying of the resin, internal mold atmosphere, and oven temperature. It was found that using coarse particle sizes (ground at 20-mesh rather than the industry standard of 35-mesh) increased the impact strength by about 19%. None of the other parameters proved to have a significant effect upon the system, except for the use of a nitrogen atmosphere, which lowered the impact strength. Final properties testing of this best formulation at the optimal processing conditions showed increased impact strength from 2 ft-lbs (the previous best value) to 8 ft-lbs. There was also a marginal decrease in surface hardness (95 to 78 on the Rockwell R scale) and yield tensile strength (3,900 psi to 3,300 psi). Larger differences were observed in flexural modulus (200,000 psi to 110,000 psi) and heat distortion temperature (95°C to 61°C). Therefore, these formulation and processing changes show a trade-off where stiffness and thermal stability (i.e. flexural modulus and heat distortion temperature) can be sacrificed for an increase in toughness and aesthetics, made manifest by increased impact strength, elimination of bridging, and eradication of discoloration.

La présente thèse questionne la famille en lien avec des tueries de masse : le génocide des Tutsi du Rwanda. Le sujet a été développé sur deux grands axes. Un point d’histoire a présenté les déterminants socio-historiques qui ont favorisé l’extermination des Tutsi rwandais. Puis une analyse littéraire a établi une corrélation entre l’idée de famille et cette violence extrême, à travers un corpus d’écrivains francophones et de rescapés de cet événement. Ce qui a décloisonné l’étude du génocide contre les Tutsi au Rwanda du seul point de vue historique pour en faire un sujet littéraire. Dans ce travail de recherche, notre propos a insisté sur la situation des familles qui ont résisté et sur celles qui ont été décimées face au génocide ambiant. Et a informé sur une tragédie qui a fragilisé les liens de filiation au sein des membres d’un même ménage et rompue les alliances, la fraternité entre familles voisines. Cette étude a également souligné les configurations possibles de l’institution familiale après le génocide. Elle a montré qu’avec les massacres qui ont déstructuré les ménages, rompu les liens de filiations, les survivants pour amorcer une résilience, recomposent de nouvelles fratries, de nouvelles familles. / This thesis question the notion of family in connection with mass Killing : the genocide of the Tutsi of Rwanda. It was developed on two main axes. A point of history presented the socio-historical determinants which favorised the extermination of the Rwandan Tutsi. Then a literary analysis established a correlation between the idea of family and this extreme violence, through a corpus of French-speaking writers and survivors of this event. What opened up the study of the Tutsi génocide from the only historic point of view to make a literary subject. In this research work, our subject insisted on the situation of the families which resisted and on those who were decimated in front of ambient genocide. And informed about a tragedy which weakened the links of filiation within the members of the same household and broke the relationship, the brotherhood between nearby families. This study also presented the possible configurations of the family institution after the genocide. It showed that with the massacres which deconstructed the household the survivors to begin an impact strength, recompose of new sibships, new families,

Antimony trioxide (Sb203) and halogenated additives are used together in flameretarded formulations due to their synergistic retardant properties. A study has been made to determine the effects of adding different grades of Sb203 (dSD particle sizes 0.11 um, 0.52um and 1.31 um) into ABS polymer either alone or with commercial brominated materials (BTBPE, TBBA, DBDPO) and an experimental bromine grade (sDBDPO). The Sb20 3 was added at 4wt% loadings and the bromines at 20wt% loadings. The results consider the influence of the additives on processing, mechanical, morphological and flame retardant properties. All compounds were produced using a twin-screw co-rotating extruder and then an injection moulder was used to mould notched impact (falling weight testing), flexural, LOI and UL-94 flame test bars. Samples of all the compounded formulations were titrated to determine Sb20 3 and Br contents. Fracture surface, morphology, size and dispersion analysis was carried out using both SEM and TEM equipment. Osmium tetroxide (OS04) staining was used to determine relative locations of filler particles and polybutadiene phase. Additions of the different antimony trioxide grades showed that the 0.52um and 1.31 um grades lowered impact energy absorption (-25 to -30%) when added at 4wt% loading. The use of a sub-micron size grade (0.1 um) did not significantly lower impact properties (-3%) and had similarly small effects on the flexural modulus and flexural strength. Additions of the brominated materials had much greater effects causing large reductions in impact properties (-20 to :70%). The presence of the bromines generally increased flexural modulus and lowered flexural strength with the exception of TB BA, which increased both modulus and strength. Compounds containing both 1.31 um Sb203 and bromines suffered a further reduction in impact energies, with the bromine properties dominating. Using the 0.1 um Sb20 3 grade again improved impact and flexural properties compared to the 1.31 um grade. The 0.1 um grade resulted in improvements in fire resistance as measured by the UL-94 properties when used with all bromine grades.

O Brasil, à semelhança de outros países, está envelhecendo rapidamente. Os indivíduos com mais de 60 anos compõem hoje o segmento que mais cresce em termos proporcionais, mostrando um incremento da ordem de 500%, em 40 anos. A estimativa para o ano de 2020 é de que o Brasil tenha em torno de 32 milhões de indivíduos idosos, e desta população, uma parcela significativa será parcial ou totalmente desdentada, necessitando de aparelhos protéticos. Apesar da Odontologia apresentar avanços científicos notáveis na reabilitação da saúde bucal, muitos ainda usarão estes aparelhos. Sabe-se que o uso contínuo de próteses pode propiciar o desenvolvimento da estomatite protética, cuja etiologia é multifatorial, destacando-se principalmente a má higiene bucal e da prótese, e geralmente associada à presença de Candida albicans. Desta forma, há necessidade de se propor um método de desinfecção, que se mostre eficaz, que seja seguro quanto à toxicidade, que represente baixo risco ocupacional, que seja de fácil manuseio e que não interfira nas propriedades dos materiais utilizados na confecção destes aparelhos. Portanto, a proposição deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência de dois métodos de desinfecção, nas propriedades das resinas acrílicas empregadas na confecção das próteses.As propriedades avaliadas foram: resistência e módulo de flexão, resistência ao impacto Izod, microdureza Knoop, rugosidade, massa específica e grau de inchamento, grau de conversão do monômero, temperatura de transição vítrea, sorção e solubilidade. Os corpos de prova foram confeccionados de acordo com os requisitos de cada ensaio, tanto para os grupos controle (sem tratamento), quanto para os tratados (submetidos a um dos processos de desinfecção). Os tratamentos de desinfecção consistiram de: a) irradiação com energia de microondas na potência de 840 W, durante 1 minuto; b) imersão em ácido peracético durante 5 minutos. A eficácia da desinfecção foi avaliada através de ensaios microbiológicos que consistiram em verificar o crescimento no meio de cultura e na superfície do corpo de prova de Candida albicans, após a desinfecção dos corpos de prova, previamente contaminados com uma cepa conhecida do fungo (ATCC 10231). Como as resinas acrílicas são materiais muito utilizados em todas as áreas de atuação da Odontologia, o conhecimento das suas propriedades é de interesse do cirurgião-dentista. As resinas acrílicas tipo 1 (de termopolimerização), tipo 2 (quimicamente ativada) e tipo 5 (ativada por microondas) foram avaliadas neste trabalho. Os resultados mostraram que as resinas acrílicas tipo 1 e tipo 5 apresentam valores semelhantes em todas as propriedades analisadas. A resina acrílica tipo 2 apresentou valores inferiores àqueles encontrados nas tipo 1 e 5. O ciclo de polimerização com melhores resultados foi aquele proposto pelo respectivo fabricante daresina acrílica. A presença de fibras de nylon e de corante não influenciou as propriedades da resina acrílica tipo 5. Das técnicas de desinfecção, a imersão em ácido peracético apresentou os melhores resultados para todas as propriedades avaliadas ao longo do tempo de 20 meses. Por outro lado a irradiação de microondas, a longo prazo, apresentou os piores resultados para todas as propriedades avaliadas. Ambas as técnicas de desinfecção foram eficazes do ponto de vista microbiológico. Mas, para o uso prolongado, a técnica de desinfecção com ácido peracético pode ser recomendada com toda a segurança, no que diz respeito às propriedades avaliadas neste trabalho. / Brazil, similar to other countries, is aging quickly. The individuals with more than 60 years old compose today the segment that more grows in proportional terms, showing an increment of about 500% in 40 years. The estimate for 2020 is that Brazil has around 32 million elderly and a significant parcel of them will be partial or totally toothless, needing prosthetic equipments. In spite of notable scientific advance in the rehabilitation of the oral health, many people still will use these equipments. The continuous use of the prosthesis can propitiate the development of denture stomatitis, whose etiology is multifactorial, being generally, associated to the presence of fungus Candida albicans. Bad oral hygiene and prosthesis is still distinguished as factor of risk. Therefore, it very necessary for the elderly a efficient, safe and easy handling method of disinfection with low occupational risk and that doesn’t intervene with the properties of the materials used in the confection of these prosthetic equipments. The aim of this work is to evaluate the influence of two disinfection methods on the properties of acrylic resin used in the confection of dental prosthesis. Samples had been confectioned in accordance with the requirements of each test for the control groups (without treatment), as for the treated (submitted to one of the disinfection process). The evaluated properties had been resistance and module of flexure, Izod impact, Knoop microhardness, rugosity, specific mass and degree of swelling, degree of conversion of monomer, glass transition temperature, sorption and solubility. The treatments of disinfection had consisted of: a) irradiation with energy of microwaves, in the power of 840 W, during 1 min, or b) immersion in peracetic acid during 5 min. The effectiveness of the disinfection was evaluated by means of microbiological tests, in which was verified the occurrence of growth of Candida albicans through of culture and sample surface. For that, the samples were previously contaminated with one type of fungus (known as ATCC 10231) and, after, submitted to one of the two considered processes of disinfection. The work was studied the behavior of three commercial acrylic resins of dental use: acrylic resins of thermal polymerization, self-polymerization and polymerization for energy of microwaves (type 1, 2 and 5 respectively) from two different suppliers The results had shown that the acrylic resins of type 1 and type 5 presented similar values in all the analyzed properties. The acrylic resins of type 2 had also similar values in all the properties, but statistically lower than ones of type 1 and 5. The best polymerization cycle, which did not modify the resin properties, was that one considered by the respective manufacturer of the acrylic resin. The nylon fiber presence and colouring did not influence the properties of the acrylic resin of type 5. The first irradiation with microwaves significantlyincreased the evaluated properties and the first immersion in peracetic acid did not modify these properties, in comparison to the control groups. After 20 months, the immersion in peracetic acid did not modify the properties of the material, while the microwave irradiation showed alterations in some properties. Both disinfection techniques had been efficient of the microbiological point of view. On the basis of these results, can be concluded that the microwave irradiation after the polymerization of the material (first cycle), can be recommended, since it increased all the values of the evaluated properties, specially to the conversion degree monomer/polymer. Nevertheless, for prolonged use, the disinfection by means of the immersion in peracetic acid must be recommended, it is efficient for elimination of fungal microorganism and security, characterized for the maintenance of the properties of the acrylic resin evaluated in this work.

O Brasil, à semelhança de outros países, está envelhecendo rapidamente. Os indivíduos com mais de 60 anos compõem hoje o segmento que mais cresce em termos proporcionais, mostrando um incremento da ordem de 500%, em 40 anos. A estimativa para o ano de 2020 é de que o Brasil tenha em torno de 32 milhões de indivíduos idosos, e desta população, uma parcela significativa será parcial ou totalmente desdentada, necessitando de aparelhos protéticos. Apesar da Odontologia apresentar avanços científicos notáveis na reabilitação da saúde bucal, muitos ainda usarão estes aparelhos. Sabe-se que o uso contínuo de próteses pode propiciar o desenvolvimento da estomatite protética, cuja etiologia é multifatorial, destacando-se principalmente a má higiene bucal e da prótese, e geralmente associada à presença de Candida albicans. Desta forma, há necessidade de se propor um método de desinfecção, que se mostre eficaz, que seja seguro quanto à toxicidade, que represente baixo risco ocupacional, que seja de fácil manuseio e que não interfira nas propriedades dos materiais utilizados na confecção destes aparelhos. Portanto, a proposição deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência de dois métodos de desinfecção, nas propriedades das resinas acrílicas empregadas na confecção das próteses.As propriedades avaliadas foram: resistência e módulo de flexão, resistência ao impacto Izod, microdureza Knoop, rugosidade, massa específica e grau de inchamento, grau de conversão do monômero, temperatura de transição vítrea, sorção e solubilidade. Os corpos de prova foram confeccionados de acordo com os requisitos de cada ensaio, tanto para os grupos controle (sem tratamento), quanto para os tratados (submetidos a um dos processos de desinfecção). Os tratamentos de desinfecção consistiram de: a) irradiação com energia de microondas na potência de 840 W, durante 1 minuto; b) imersão em ácido peracético durante 5 minutos. A eficácia da desinfecção foi avaliada através de ensaios microbiológicos que consistiram em verificar o crescimento no meio de cultura e na superfície do corpo de prova de Candida albicans, após a desinfecção dos corpos de prova, previamente contaminados com uma cepa conhecida do fungo (ATCC 10231). Como as resinas acrílicas são materiais muito utilizados em todas as áreas de atuação da Odontologia, o conhecimento das suas propriedades é de interesse do cirurgião-dentista. As resinas acrílicas tipo 1 (de termopolimerização), tipo 2 (quimicamente ativada) e tipo 5 (ativada por microondas) foram avaliadas neste trabalho. Os resultados mostraram que as resinas acrílicas tipo 1 e tipo 5 apresentam valores semelhantes em todas as propriedades analisadas. A resina acrílica tipo 2 apresentou valores inferiores àqueles encontrados nas tipo 1 e 5. O ciclo de polimerização com melhores resultados foi aquele proposto pelo respectivo fabricante daresina acrílica. A presença de fibras de nylon e de corante não influenciou as propriedades da resina acrílica tipo 5. Das técnicas de desinfecção, a imersão em ácido peracético apresentou os melhores resultados para todas as propriedades avaliadas ao longo do tempo de 20 meses. Por outro lado a irradiação de microondas, a longo prazo, apresentou os piores resultados para todas as propriedades avaliadas. Ambas as técnicas de desinfecção foram eficazes do ponto de vista microbiológico. Mas, para o uso prolongado, a técnica de desinfecção com ácido peracético pode ser recomendada com toda a segurança, no que diz respeito às propriedades avaliadas neste trabalho. / Brazil, similar to other countries, is aging quickly. The individuals with more than 60 years old compose today the segment that more grows in proportional terms, showing an increment of about 500% in 40 years. The estimate for 2020 is that Brazil has around 32 million elderly and a significant parcel of them will be partial or totally toothless, needing prosthetic equipments. In spite of notable scientific advance in the rehabilitation of the oral health, many people still will use these equipments. The continuous use of the prosthesis can propitiate the development of denture stomatitis, whose etiology is multifactorial, being generally, associated to the presence of fungus Candida albicans. Bad oral hygiene and prosthesis is still distinguished as factor of risk. Therefore, it very necessary for the elderly a efficient, safe and easy handling method of disinfection with low occupational risk and that doesn’t intervene with the properties of the materials used in the confection of these prosthetic equipments. The aim of this work is to evaluate the influence of two disinfection methods on the properties of acrylic resin used in the confection of dental prosthesis. Samples had been confectioned in accordance with the requirements of each test for the control groups (without treatment), as for the treated (submitted to one of the disinfection process). The evaluated properties had been resistance and module of flexure, Izod impact, Knoop microhardness, rugosity, specific mass and degree of swelling, degree of conversion of monomer, glass transition temperature, sorption and solubility. The treatments of disinfection had consisted of: a) irradiation with energy of microwaves, in the power of 840 W, during 1 min, or b) immersion in peracetic acid during 5 min. The effectiveness of the disinfection was evaluated by means of microbiological tests, in which was verified the occurrence of growth of Candida albicans through of culture and sample surface. For that, the samples were previously contaminated with one type of fungus (known as ATCC 10231) and, after, submitted to one of the two considered processes of disinfection. The work was studied the behavior of three commercial acrylic resins of dental use: acrylic resins of thermal polymerization, self-polymerization and polymerization for energy of microwaves (type 1, 2 and 5 respectively) from two different suppliers The results had shown that the acrylic resins of type 1 and type 5 presented similar values in all the analyzed properties. The acrylic resins of type 2 had also similar values in all the properties, but statistically lower than ones of type 1 and 5. The best polymerization cycle, which did not modify the resin properties, was that one considered by the respective manufacturer of the acrylic resin. The nylon fiber presence and colouring did not influence the properties of the acrylic resin of type 5. The first irradiation with microwaves significantlyincreased the evaluated properties and the first immersion in peracetic acid did not modify these properties, in comparison to the control groups. After 20 months, the immersion in peracetic acid did not modify the properties of the material, while the microwave irradiation showed alterations in some properties. Both disinfection techniques had been efficient of the microbiological point of view. On the basis of these results, can be concluded that the microwave irradiation after the polymerization of the material (first cycle), can be recommended, since it increased all the values of the evaluated properties, specially to the conversion degree monomer/polymer. Nevertheless, for prolonged use, the disinfection by means of the immersion in peracetic acid must be recommended, it is efficient for elimination of fungal microorganism and security, characterized for the maintenance of the properties of the acrylic resin evaluated in this work.

O Brasil, à semelhança de outros países, está envelhecendo rapidamente. Os indivíduos com mais de 60 anos compõem hoje o segmento que mais cresce em termos proporcionais, mostrando um incremento da ordem de 500%, em 40 anos. A estimativa para o ano de 2020 é de que o Brasil tenha em torno de 32 milhões de indivíduos idosos, e desta população, uma parcela significativa será parcial ou totalmente desdentada, necessitando de aparelhos protéticos. Apesar da Odontologia apresentar avanços científicos notáveis na reabilitação da saúde bucal, muitos ainda usarão estes aparelhos. Sabe-se que o uso contínuo de próteses pode propiciar o desenvolvimento da estomatite protética, cuja etiologia é multifatorial, destacando-se principalmente a má higiene bucal e da prótese, e geralmente associada à presença de Candida albicans. Desta forma, há necessidade de se propor um método de desinfecção, que se mostre eficaz, que seja seguro quanto à toxicidade, que represente baixo risco ocupacional, que seja de fácil manuseio e que não interfira nas propriedades dos materiais utilizados na confecção destes aparelhos. Portanto, a proposição deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência de dois métodos de desinfecção, nas propriedades das resinas acrílicas empregadas na confecção das próteses.As propriedades avaliadas foram: resistência e módulo de flexão, resistência ao impacto Izod, microdureza Knoop, rugosidade, massa específica e grau de inchamento, grau de conversão do monômero, temperatura de transição vítrea, sorção e solubilidade. Os corpos de prova foram confeccionados de acordo com os requisitos de cada ensaio, tanto para os grupos controle (sem tratamento), quanto para os tratados (submetidos a um dos processos de desinfecção). Os tratamentos de desinfecção consistiram de: a) irradiação com energia de microondas na potência de 840 W, durante 1 minuto; b) imersão em ácido peracético durante 5 minutos. A eficácia da desinfecção foi avaliada através de ensaios microbiológicos que consistiram em verificar o crescimento no meio de cultura e na superfície do corpo de prova de Candida albicans, após a desinfecção dos corpos de prova, previamente contaminados com uma cepa conhecida do fungo (ATCC 10231). Como as resinas acrílicas são materiais muito utilizados em todas as áreas de atuação da Odontologia, o conhecimento das suas propriedades é de interesse do cirurgião-dentista. As resinas acrílicas tipo 1 (de termopolimerização), tipo 2 (quimicamente ativada) e tipo 5 (ativada por microondas) foram avaliadas neste trabalho. Os resultados mostraram que as resinas acrílicas tipo 1 e tipo 5 apresentam valores semelhantes em todas as propriedades analisadas. A resina acrílica tipo 2 apresentou valores inferiores àqueles encontrados nas tipo 1 e 5. O ciclo de polimerização com melhores resultados foi aquele proposto pelo respectivo fabricante daresina acrílica. A presença de fibras de nylon e de corante não influenciou as propriedades da resina acrílica tipo 5. Das técnicas de desinfecção, a imersão em ácido peracético apresentou os melhores resultados para todas as propriedades avaliadas ao longo do tempo de 20 meses. Por outro lado a irradiação de microondas, a longo prazo, apresentou os piores resultados para todas as propriedades avaliadas. Ambas as técnicas de desinfecção foram eficazes do ponto de vista microbiológico. Mas, para o uso prolongado, a técnica de desinfecção com ácido peracético pode ser recomendada com toda a segurança, no que diz respeito às propriedades avaliadas neste trabalho. / Brazil, similar to other countries, is aging quickly. The individuals with more than 60 years old compose today the segment that more grows in proportional terms, showing an increment of about 500% in 40 years. The estimate for 2020 is that Brazil has around 32 million elderly and a significant parcel of them will be partial or totally toothless, needing prosthetic equipments. In spite of notable scientific advance in the rehabilitation of the oral health, many people still will use these equipments. The continuous use of the prosthesis can propitiate the development of denture stomatitis, whose etiology is multifactorial, being generally, associated to the presence of fungus Candida albicans. Bad oral hygiene and prosthesis is still distinguished as factor of risk. Therefore, it very necessary for the elderly a efficient, safe and easy handling method of disinfection with low occupational risk and that doesn’t intervene with the properties of the materials used in the confection of these prosthetic equipments. The aim of this work is to evaluate the influence of two disinfection methods on the properties of acrylic resin used in the confection of dental prosthesis. Samples had been confectioned in accordance with the requirements of each test for the control groups (without treatment), as for the treated (submitted to one of the disinfection process). The evaluated properties had been resistance and module of flexure, Izod impact, Knoop microhardness, rugosity, specific mass and degree of swelling, degree of conversion of monomer, glass transition temperature, sorption and solubility. The treatments of disinfection had consisted of: a) irradiation with energy of microwaves, in the power of 840 W, during 1 min, or b) immersion in peracetic acid during 5 min. The effectiveness of the disinfection was evaluated by means of microbiological tests, in which was verified the occurrence of growth of Candida albicans through of culture and sample surface. For that, the samples were previously contaminated with one type of fungus (known as ATCC 10231) and, after, submitted to one of the two considered processes of disinfection. The work was studied the behavior of three commercial acrylic resins of dental use: acrylic resins of thermal polymerization, self-polymerization and polymerization for energy of microwaves (type 1, 2 and 5 respectively) from two different suppliers The results had shown that the acrylic resins of type 1 and type 5 presented similar values in all the analyzed properties. The acrylic resins of type 2 had also similar values in all the properties, but statistically lower than ones of type 1 and 5. The best polymerization cycle, which did not modify the resin properties, was that one considered by the respective manufacturer of the acrylic resin. The nylon fiber presence and colouring did not influence the properties of the acrylic resin of type 5. The first irradiation with microwaves significantlyincreased the evaluated properties and the first immersion in peracetic acid did not modify these properties, in comparison to the control groups. After 20 months, the immersion in peracetic acid did not modify the properties of the material, while the microwave irradiation showed alterations in some properties. Both disinfection techniques had been efficient of the microbiological point of view. On the basis of these results, can be concluded that the microwave irradiation after the polymerization of the material (first cycle), can be recommended, since it increased all the values of the evaluated properties, specially to the conversion degree monomer/polymer. Nevertheless, for prolonged use, the disinfection by means of the immersion in peracetic acid must be recommended, it is efficient for elimination of fungal microorganism and security, characterized for the maintenance of the properties of the acrylic resin evaluated in this work.

In this article the correlation between the average molar mass and the melt flow rate (MFR) is achieved. Based on the example of Polyoxymethylene (POM) it is shown that a high average molar mass is associated with a low MFR (high viscosity). On the basis of this dependency, the mechanical properties of static and dynamic tensile strength, elastic modulus, hardness and notched impact strength are investigated. It was found that the characteristic values of static tensile strength, elastic modulus and hard-ness increase with increasing MFR (decreasing viscosity). On the other hand the dynamic long-term properties and notched impact strengths decrease with increasing MFR. / Im Beitrag wird der Zusammenhang zwischen der mittleren molaren Masse und des Schmelzfließindex (MFR) hergestellt. Dabei wird am Beispiel von Polyoxymethylen (POM) ersichtlich, dass eine hohe mittlere molare Masse mit einem geringen MFR (hochviskos) einhergeht. Basierend auf dieser Abhängigkeit werden die mechanischen Eigenschaften statische und dynamische Zugfestigkeit, E-Modul, Härte sowie Kerbschlagzähigkeit untersucht. Dabei konnte festgestellt werden, dass die Kenngrößen statische Zugfestigkeit, E-Modul und Härte mit steigendem MFR (abnehmende Viskosität) zunehmen. Die dynamischen Langzeiteigenschaften und Kerbschlagzähigkeiten sinken hingegen mit zunehmendem MFR.