No description available.

Bakgrund: Diabetesprevalensen i världen ökar ständigt, en förklaring kan vara försämrade levnadsvanor vilka ofta leder till övervikt och fetma, kända riskfaktorer för diabetes typ 2. Diabetes typ 2 kan ofta regleras med livsstilsförändringar. En samtalsmetod som visat positiva effekter på förändring av levnadsvanor är motiverande samtal (MI). Behandling som involverar korta interventioner har visat positiva effekter vilket kan vara användbart inom den ofta tidspressade hälso och sjukvården. Syfte: Att kartlägga och beskriva effekter av interventioner baserade på motiverande samtal (MI) vid vård av personer med diabetes typ 2. Metod: Litteraturöversikt, där nio vetenskapliga artiklar med kvantitativ ansats granskades. Databaserna Cinahl with full text, MEDLINE, PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus och Google Scholar användes. Resultat: Fysiologiska effekter, kost, psykologiska effekter och egenvård var de områden som framkom. Viss effekt av MI kunde visas över tid i flera områden, som bland annat HbA1c, vikt, kunskap och förståelse om diabetes, följsamhet till fysisk aktivitet, känsla av kontroll och egenvård. Dock saknades signifikanta skillnader mellan grupperna i flera av studierna. Konklusion: Resultaten i litteraturöversikten är inte entydiga. Motiverande samtal kan vara en möjlig samtalsmetod att använda i sjuksköterskans möte med personer med diabetes typ 2 för att öka möjligheten att sköta om sin egen hälsa för att minska komplikationsrisker. Ytterligare forskning av hög kvalitet behövs inom området. / Background: The prevalence of diabetes continues to rise worldwide, and oneexplanation being the decrease in positive lifestyle habits which often lead to weight gain and obesity, well known risk factors for diabetes type 2. Diabetes type 2 can be more easily managed by lifestyle changes. One counselling approach which has been found to have positive effect on lifestyle changes is Motivational Interviewing (MI).Treatment that involve short interventions have shown to have positive effects and may be useful in an often time poor environment such as the healthcare system. Objective: To map out and describe the effects of interventions based on motivational interviewing (MI) done in treatment of people with diabetes type 2. Methodology: Literature review of nine quantitative scientific articles. The databases Cinahl with full text, MEDLINE, PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus and Google Scholar was used. Results: Physiological effects, diet, psychological effects and personal care were addressed. An effect of MI over time was found on several areas such as HbA1c, weight, knowledge about and understanding of diabetes type 2, compliance to physical activity, locus of control as well as personal self-care. However a lack of significant differences were found between groups in several studies. Conclusion: The results of the literature review are inconsistent. Motivational interviewing may be a possible counselling approach to apply in the nursing setting together with people with diabetes type 2, as a way to improve health behaviours such and decrease the risk of complications.

Bakgrund: Rökning skapar både ett fysiskt och ett psykologiskt beroende vilket gör vanan svår att bryta. En del av sjuksköterskans ansvarsområde är att arbeta hälsofrämjande och att använda sig av kunskapsbaserade metoder. En av dessa är Motivational Interviewing (MI) som är en patientcentrerad samtalsmetod som kan användas inom omvårdnad i syfte att hjälpa patienter till hälsofrämjande livsstilsförändringar. Inga tydliga riktlinjer finns dock för metodens effektivitet vid rökavvänjning. Syfte: Att undersöka forskningsresultat som stödjer eller avfärdar MI som rökavvänjningsmetod. Design: En litteraturöversikt användes i denna uppsats. Resultat: Resultatet sammanställdes utifrån den vetenskapliga litteraturen. Stöd framkom gällande rökstopp, minskat bruk av cigaretter, motivation, minskat röksug samt kostnadseffektivitet vid återfallsprevention. Avfärdande resultat framkom gällande rökstopp och kostnadseffektivitet vid rökstopp. Slutsats: Resultaten indikerar att metoden kan användas framgångsrikt om den anpassas efter de förutsättningar som ges gällande exempelvis patientens rökvanor och aktuella motivation. Mer forskning behövs dock. / Background: Smoking creates a physiological and psychological dependence which makes the habit difficult to break. Nurses are responsible, as part of their professional duty, to work with lifestyle prevention using evidence-based methods. One of them is Motivational Interviewing, MI, a patient-centered technique, which aims to help patients with health-promoting lifestyle changes. There are no clear guidelines regarding this method's efficiency on smoking cessation. Aim: To study the research findings that support or reject MI on smoking cessation. Design: A literature review was used to perform this study. Results: The results were extracted from the scientific literature. Support were found in relation to smoking cessation, reduced smoking, motivation, reduced temptation to smoke and cost-effectiveness on relapse prevention. However, rejection emerged regarding smoking cessation and cost-effectiveness on smoking cessation. Conclusion: The results indicate that the method can be successfully used if adjusted for the conditions given, for example the patient´s smoking history and current motivation. Further research is needed.

A tumorigênese do cólon é considerada como um processo complexo que ocorre em múltiplos passos, através de uma série de mutações gênicas capazes de promover a evolução de uma lesão precursora até um adenocarcinoma invasivo e metastático. O desenvolvimento e progressão do câncer e a reversão da tumorigenicidade são acompanhados por complexas mudanças no padrão da expressão gênica. Microarrays de cDNAs fornecem um poderoso instrumento para se estudar esses complexos fenômenos. O propósito deste estudo foi o de determinar a expressão diferencial de genes em tumores coloretais em comparação aos seus tecidos normais. Nós também investigamos a possível variabilidade da expressão gênica entre misturas de tumores coloretais microdissecados. Essas amostras foram analisadas usando o sistema Gene Discovery Array Human System (Incyte Genomics) que consiste de duas membranas de nylon com clones de cDNA fixados em duplicatas, em uma densidade de 36,864 clones por filtros ou 18,376 clones de cDNA individuais. Nossos resultados mostraram vários clones diferencialmente expressos entre os tecidos tumorais e normais analisados. Os resultados obtidos com membranas GDA foram comparados através de um programa de computador na linguagem UNIX aos dados publicados por Alon et al., 1999, que trabalharam com o sistema \"Affymetrix Oligonucleotide Array\" com complementariedade para mais que 6,500 genes humanos. Os resultados encontrados nessas análises foram contrastados com os presentes nas bibliotecas de SAGE, através do instrumento \"Northern Virtual\" presente na página \"Sagenet.org\" . Alguns dos genes diferencialmente expressos encontrados neste estudo foram analisados pela técnica de RT-PCR semiquantitativa em tumores coloretais individuais. / Colon tumorigenesis is considered a complex multistep process that occurs through a series of gene mutations, leading from precursor lesions to invasive and metastatic adenocarcinoma. Toe development and progression of cancer and the reversal of tumorigenicity are accompanied by complex changes in patterns of gene expression. Microarrays of cDNA provide a powerful tool for studying these complex phenomena. The purpose of the present study is to determine differential gene expression in colon tumors as compared with normal tissue. We also investigated the possible variability of the gene expression among pools of micro dissected colon tumors. These samples were analyzed using the Gene Discovery Array Human system (Incyte Genomics) that consists of two nylon membranes in a double spotted pattern at a density of 36,864 per spots per filter or 18,376 individual cDNA clones. Our results showed several differentially expressed clones between normal and tumor tissue analyzed. Our results were compared by software analysis to the patterns was found by Alon et al., 1999 using affymetrix oligonucleotide array complementary to more than 6,500 human genes tumor. We analyzed ours data against SAGE library by \"Northern Virtual\" tools (\"Sagenet.org\" homepage). Some genes founded in these analyses were tested in RT-PCR semi-quantitative analysis.

A tumorigênese do cólon é considerada como um processo complexo que ocorre em múltiplos passos, através de uma série de mutações gênicas capazes de promover a evolução de uma lesão precursora até um adenocarcinoma invasivo e metastático. O desenvolvimento e progressão do câncer e a reversão da tumorigenicidade são acompanhados por complexas mudanças no padrão da expressão gênica. Microarrays de cDNAs fornecem um poderoso instrumento para se estudar esses complexos fenômenos. O propósito deste estudo foi o de determinar a expressão diferencial de genes em tumores coloretais em comparação aos seus tecidos normais. Nós também investigamos a possível variabilidade da expressão gênica entre misturas de tumores coloretais microdissecados. Essas amostras foram analisadas usando o sistema Gene Discovery Array Human System (Incyte Genomics) que consiste de duas membranas de nylon com clones de cDNA fixados em duplicatas, em uma densidade de 36,864 clones por filtros ou 18,376 clones de cDNA individuais. Nossos resultados mostraram vários clones diferencialmente expressos entre os tecidos tumorais e normais analisados. Os resultados obtidos com membranas GDA foram comparados através de um programa de computador na linguagem UNIX aos dados publicados por Alon et al., 1999, que trabalharam com o sistema \"Affymetrix Oligonucleotide Array\" com complementariedade para mais que 6,500 genes humanos. Os resultados encontrados nessas análises foram contrastados com os presentes nas bibliotecas de SAGE, através do instrumento \"Northern Virtual\" presente na página \"Sagenet.org\" . Alguns dos genes diferencialmente expressos encontrados neste estudo foram analisados pela técnica de RT-PCR semiquantitativa em tumores coloretais individuais. / Colon tumorigenesis is considered a complex multistep process that occurs through a series of gene mutations, leading from precursor lesions to invasive and metastatic adenocarcinoma. Toe development and progression of cancer and the reversal of tumorigenicity are accompanied by complex changes in patterns of gene expression. Microarrays of cDNA provide a powerful tool for studying these complex phenomena. The purpose of the present study is to determine differential gene expression in colon tumors as compared with normal tissue. We also investigated the possible variability of the gene expression among pools of micro dissected colon tumors. These samples were analyzed using the Gene Discovery Array Human system (Incyte Genomics) that consists of two nylon membranes in a double spotted pattern at a density of 36,864 per spots per filter or 18,376 individual cDNA clones. Our results showed several differentially expressed clones between normal and tumor tissue analyzed. Our results were compared by software analysis to the patterns was found by Alon et al., 1999 using affymetrix oligonucleotide array complementary to more than 6,500 human genes tumor. We analyzed ours data against SAGE library by \"Northern Virtual\" tools (\"Sagenet.org\" homepage). Some genes founded in these analyses were tested in RT-PCR semi-quantitative analysis.

Eating disorders are characterised as a sustaining disorder of eating and mainly affects young women. Previous research has found that lack of motivation and ambivalence complicates the recovery. From a caring perspective, motivation to change is important for recovery. The aim of the literature review was to illustrate motivational interviewing in the care of people with eating disorders. The study was performed as a literature review through structured searching with critical review of previous research. The literature review found associations between motivational interviewing and improved motivation in people with eating disorders. Motivational interviewing resulted in increased readiness for change and increased commitment in treatment. Motivational interviewing made it possible with openness, honesty and understanding between the nurse and the person with eating disorders; a therapeutic alliance was established. The study found that the therapeutic alliance entailed a mutual cooperation, in which the person found support to develop own resources for recovery. Research on motivational interviewing in the care of people with eating disorders is limited which leads to gaps in knowledge and indicates that further research is motivated. The study indicates that nurses need depth knowledge about eating disorders and motivational interviewing.

Background: MI has been successful in strengthen patient oriented treatment and helpingpatients in need for lifestyle change. However, the method has not been establishedeverywhere and there is still inexperience and unawareness surrounding it. Aim: The aim was to describe nurses' experience of working with Motivational Interviewing( and target what they think are the advantages and obstacles when working with it. Method: A total of seven articles about nurses’ experience of using MI were included in this literature review with thematic content analysis. The articles were analyzed from a care taking perspective. Results: The analysis identified two themes: Advantages with MI and Obstacles with MIWithin these two themes, a total of six under themes or categories have been found. In the first theme: positive results and patient communications. In the second theme: knowledge limitations, time factors, support and disinterest. Conclusion: MI is a simple method to learn and helps the communication between nurse and patient. The main reasons for nurses not using MI are lack of knowledge in the method, them feeling insecure in using it and believing it will take longer time to practice. There are also problems with nurses being uninterested in using MI and management or colleagues not supporting the method, despite the evidence of its success. / Bakgrund: MI har visat sig vara en framgångsrik metod för att stärka den personcentrerade vården och behandla patienter i behov av livsstilsförändringar. Samtidigt har inte metoden etablerat sig överallt och det finns en okunskap om den. Syfte: Syftet med föreliggande studie var att beskriva sjuksköterskors upplevelser av att använda motiverande samtal inom omvårdnad och vad de anser är metodens fördelar och hinder. Metod: Studien är en litteraturstudie med tematisk innehållsanalys. Sammanlagt har sju artiklar analyserats utifrån ett vårdgivarperspektiv. Resultat: Två teman identifierades i analysen fördelar med MI och hinder för att använda MI I dessa teman har totalt sex underteman tagits fram, där positiva resultat och utvecklande patient kommunikation återfinns i det första temat och Brist på kunskap och erfarenhet, tidsfaktorn, uppmuntran och stöttning samt ointresse finns i det andra. Slutsatser: MI är en enkel metod som gynnar vården och patientkommunikationen men som skapar en viss osäkerhet hos utövaren då den skiljer sig mot många sjuksköterskorsutbildning. Huvudanledningarna till att MI inte används genomgående är att sjuksköterskorna inte kan metoden fullt ut, känner sig osäkra på den och tror att den tar längre tid att använda. Det finns också de som väljer bort MI då ledning och kollegor inte uppmuntrar till användning.

Objectives: To determine whether treatment of demineralized enamel white spot lesions with CPP-ACP paste, CPP-ACFP paste or microabrasion technique decreases lesion depth in vitro. Additionally, to determine whether treatment of demineralized enamel white spot lesions with microabrasion technique in combination with CPP-ACP paste or CPP-ACFP paste decreases lesion depth greater than any of the three techniques alone. Background: White spot lesions (WSLs) after the removal of orthodontic appliances remain a problem for clinicians and patients. Previous studies suggest that application of casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) and casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate (CPP-ACFP) may promote enamel remineralization. Recently, microabrasion of enamel was proposed as another treatment modality of white spot lesions. A review of literature showed that there was no comprehensive in vitro study that combined microabrasion, casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate and casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate for treatment of WSLs. Methods: A total of one hundred and twelve bovine incisor teeth were randomly assigned to seven treatment groups: 1. Control 1 (demineralization control), 2. Control 2 (remineralization solution control), 3. CPP-ACP paste, 4. CPP-ACFP paste, 5. Microabrasion, 6. Microabrasion with CPP- ACP paste, and 7. Microabrasion with CPP-ACFP paste. Teeth in all groups were placed in demineralizing solution for 96 hours to produce artificial caries-like lesions. At the end of the 96 hr period, teeth in Control 1 group were sectioned to establish adequate amount of demineralization. The rest of samples were treated with assigned regimen once a day for 10 days and stored in remineralization solution. At the end of ten days, teeth were sectioned with a hard tissue microtome and observed under polarized microscopy to analyze enamel lesion depth. One-way ANOVA at α=0.05 was performed to assess difference in lesion depth between groups followed with post hoc Tukey's test. Results: Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between groups (pConclusions: Based on the results from this study, we can conclude that: (1) treatment of WSLs with CPP-ACP paste, CPP-ACFP paste or microabrasion decreases lesion depth in vitro; (2) microabrasion in combination with CPP-ACP paste or CPP-ACFP paste did not decrease lesion depth greater than that observed with either paste technique alone; (3) both CPP-ACP and CPP-ACFP pastes in combination with microabrasion treatments showed greater decrease in lesion depth than microabrasion alone.

In this thesis we have presented a thorough study on the optical and sensoristic properties of SRSN Mu-disks, in an isolated configuration and when coupled to a passive Si3N4 waveguide placed underneath. The whole structure of the device have been previously simulated in order to study the behavior of the supported WGM when subject to a geometrical variation (i.e.: radius, thickness, shape of the edge of the isolated Mu-disk): the obtained results granted the realization of Mu-resonators with Q factor exceeding 104. The coupled structure have been then simulated with the main goal of maximizing the WGM intensity transmitted at the end of the WG. This task has been fulfilled through a careful optimization of the geometrical parameters (i.e.: X-Gap and Z-Gap). The subsequent step, involving the fabrication process of the sample - realized in the Centro Nacional de Microelectronica (CNM) of Bellaterra - has been carried out using standard CMOS compatible process. The deposition and the implantation of the Si3N4 has been performed by means of LPCVD technique, while for the SiO2 deposition the PECVD. Finally the optical elements has been defined by means of a two level photolithographic mask. On the produced samples we have performed a superficial analysis (SEM, AFM) with the aim of evaluate the presence of geometrical imperfections and estimation of the superficial roughness. Furthermore the EFTEM analysis revealed the absence of Si-nc inside the active layer. Using the Cut-back technique, low losses under 1 dB/cm have been found in both VIS and IR spectral range in the passive WG of different width. On the other hand, applying the SES technique on an Si-rich WG structure we have been able to extract the losses value of active material in a wide and continuous range of wavelength, defined inside the PL spectrum. As a result of a careful optimization of the active SRSN in terms of PL intensities and optical losses, we have been able to produce bright and high Q isolated Mu-disks, achieving maximum values about 1.4x104 in a wide spectral range in the VIS and emitting up to few nW on a single resonance. The reported Q values are the best ever reported in circular Si-based light emitting Mu-cavities and are just limited by the spectral resolution of our experimental setup. The coupled structures demonstrated Q values up to 1.48x103, which are susceptible to be greatly improved through optimization of the fabrication process. Through a prof of concept , we have demonstrated that these structures are very sensible to the surrounding material and are able to detect refractive index changes with sensitivities of 51.79 nm/RIU and minimum measured refractive index change of 1.15x10-3 RIU. / En esta tesis, realizada en el departament d' Electrònica de la Universitat de Barcelona se ha presentado un estudio detallado the las propiedades ópticas y sensoras de estructuras resonantes tipo micro-disco fabricados íntegramente en nitruro de silicio enriquecido con silicio (SRSN). El estudio se ha llevado a cabo bien en estructuras aisladas o en una configuración acoplada con una guía de onda passiva situada debajo de la cavidad. La totalidad de la estructura ha sido simulada con el fin de estudiar el comportamiento de los modos resonantes WGM soportados cuando se cambian las condiciones de contorno geómetricas y del material. Los resultado obtenidos han permitido la realización de estructuras resonantes con factores de calidad superiores a 104. El objetivo de las simulaciones ha sido el de maximizar la intensidad transmitida de los modos soportados (WGM) al final de la guía de onda. Este hito ha sido cumplido gracias a la optimización de los parámetros geómetricos relativos (el X-gap y el Z-gap). Una vez producidas las muestras, se procedió a la realización de un análisis de superficie (SEM, AFM) para evaluar la rugosidad efectiva de las estructuras y las eventuales imperfecciones geométricas. Como resultado de la optimización del material activo en términos de intensidad de fotoluminiscencia y pérdidas ópticas, se consiguieron realizar cavidades resonantes de alta emisión luminosa y buenos factores de calidad. En un nuevo montaje experimental de u-PL desarrollado íntegramente para el estudio de estos dispositivos, se obtuvieron valores máximos de Q = 1.4x104 en un rango espectral ancho en el visible. La potencia emitida en cada resonancia ha sido medida y cuantificada en un valor de nW. Este valor permite la utilización de detectores de silicio integrados. Con el fin de evaluar la sensitividad del dispositivo, se han llevado a cabo medidas de u-PL cambiando el entorno del microdisco y monitorizando el desplazamiento espectral que sufre una determinada resonancia. El resultado de estas medidas muestra un desplazamiento de 1.37 nm como consecuencia de un índice de refracción de An = 0.0038 RIU (refractive index unit).

Αντικείμενο της παρούσας διατριβής αποτελεί η διερεύνηση των μηχανικών παραμέτρων του βραχώδους υλικού και η εφαρμογή αυτών στην εκτίμηση της αντοχής και παραμορφωσιμότητας της βραχομάζας. Προς την κατεύθυνση αυτή, έγινε οριοθέτηση της μηχανικής συμπεριφοράς του βραχώδους υλικού, διατύπωση συσχετίσεων μεταξύ των φυσικών και μηχανικών παραμέτρων του καθώς και ημιποσοτική εκτίμηση της επίδρασης της ορυκτολογικής σύστασης στη διαφοροποίηση της συμπεριφοράς τους. Η επεξεργασία των αποτελεσμάτων της έρευνας έγινε μέσω ενός «Σχεσιακού Συστήματος Διαχείρισης Φυσικών και Μηχανικών Παραμέτρων Γεωλογικών Υλικών» που σχεδιάστηκε και δημιουργήθηκε στα πλαίσια της Διατριβής. Η έρευνα εστιάστηκε σε ιζηματογενή πετρώματα, χημικά (ασβεστόλιθους) και κλαστικά (ψαμμίτες και ιλυόλιθοι του φλύσχη) που συναντώνται εκτεταμένα στη Δυτική Ελλάδα καθώς επίσης και σε μεταμορφωμένα πετρώματα (μάρμαρα). Η δειγματοληψία των ιζηματογενών πετρωμάτων επικεντρώθηκε στους σχηματισμούς που απαρτίζουν τις γεωτεκτονικές ζώνες των Εξωτερικών Ελληνίδων, οι οποίες καλύπτουν το δυτικό ήμισυ του Ελλαδικού χώρου και φιλοξενούν πλήθος τεχνικών έργων. Για τα μεταμορφωμένα, δείγματα μαρμάρων λήφθηκαν από λατομεία της Βόρειας Ελλάδας που περιλαμβάνονται στις ζώνες των Εσωτερικών Ελληνίδων. Συνολικά, στα πλαίσια της έρευνας λήφθηκαν βραχώδη τεμάχη από 62 θέσεις δειγματοληψίας από τα οποία διαμορφώθηκαν και εξετάστηκαν ως προς τις φυσικές, δυναμικές και μηχανικές τους ιδιότητες 519 δείγματα βραχώδους υλικού. Ειδικότερα πρόκειται για 33 θέσεις δειγματοληψίας σε ασβεστολιθικούς σχηματισμούς (271 δοκίμια), 22 θέσεις σε σχηματισμούς του φλύσχη (152 δοκίμια ψαμμίτη και 24 δοκίμια ιλυόλιθου) και 7 θέσεις σε μάρμαρα (72 δοκίμια). Για κάθε θέση δειγματοληψίας διαμορφώθηκαν, με εργαστηριακό αδαμαντοτρύπανο, αδαμαντοτροχό και συσκευή λείανσης, έξι δοκίμια για τον εργαστηριακό προσδιορισμό των φυσικών, των δυναμικών και των μηχανικών παραμέτρων του βραχώδους υλικού. Οι εργαστηριακές δοκιμές πραγματοποιήθηκαν σύμφωνα με τις προδιαγραφές της ISRM (1981), του ΥΠΕΧΩΔΕ (Ε102-84) καθώς και της ASTM (D 2664 – 86, D 2938 – 86, D 2845 – 90, D 3967 – 92, D 3148 – 93). Έτσι, συνολικά εκτελέστηκαν: • 476 δοκιμές προσδιορισμού του πορώδους n (%), ξηρής πυκνότητας ρd (kN/m3), κορεσμένης πυκνότητας ρsat (kN/m3), λόγου κενών e και δείκτη κενών Iv (%). • 249 δοκιμές προσδιορισμού της ταχύτητας διάδοσης των υπερήχων Vp και Vs (m/sec). • 336 δοκιμές προσδιορισμού της σκληρότητας SHV. • 120 δοκιμές προσδιορισμού του δείκτη σημειακής φόρτισης Is(50) (MPa). • 67 δοκιμές προσδιορισμού της αντοχής σε μοναξονική θλίψη σc (MPa) από τις οποίες οι 58 έγιναν με σύγχρονη μέτρηση των αξονικών και πλευρικών παραμορφώσεων για τον προσδιορισμό του μέτρου ελαστικότητας Ε και του λόγου Poisson ν. • 75 δοκιμές προσδιορισμού της αντοχής σε εφελκυσμό σt (MPa). • 62 τριαξονικές δοκιμές. Κατά την αξιολόγηση των αποτελεσμάτων των εργαστηριακών δοκιμών κρίθηκε σκόπιμη η προετοιμασία και παρατήρηση στο μικροσκόπιο 20 λεπτών τομών που προήλθαν από διαφορετικά δείγματα με σκοπό την καλύτερη πληροφόρηση σχετικά με την ορυκτολογική σύσταση και τη δομή των βραχωδών υλικών που εξετάστηκαν. Μετά το πέρας των εργαστηριακών δοκιμών τα αποτελέσματα αυτών συγκεντρώθηκαν και αξιολογήθηκαν. Ακολούθησε στατιστική επεξεργασία από την οποία προέκυψαν ιστογράμματα διακύμανσης των τιμών της κάθε παραμέτρου και οριοθετήθηκε η συμπεριφορά των βραχωδών υλικών που εξετάστηκαν. Επιπλέον, μεταξύ των διαφόρων παραμέτρων του βραχώδους υλικού σχεδιάστηκαν τα αντίστοιχα διαγράμματα συσχέτισης και προτάθηκαν εμπειρικές σχέσεις που συνδέουν αυτές. Επίσης, πολύ σημαντικές ποιοτικές και ημιποσοτικές εκτιμήσεις προέκυψαν από τη συσχέτιση των παραμέτρων αντοχής με την ορυκτολογική σύσταση των βραχωδών υλικών. Μετά την ολοκλήρωση των εργαστηριακών δοκιμών στα πλαίσια της παρούσας διατριβής οι παράμετροι αντοχής (αντοχή σε μοναξονική θλίψη και σταθερά mi) που υπολογίστηκαν για το βραχώδες υλικό χρησιμοποιήθηκαν για την εκτίμηση κυρίως της αντοχής της βραχομάζας. Για το σκοπό αυτό εκτιμήθηκε ο Γεωλογικός δείκτης Αντοχής, GSI, σε 32 συνολικά θέσεις και προσδιορίστηκαν με τη χρήση του προγράμματος Roclab οι παράμετροι αντοχής της βραχομάζας για τις θέσεις αυτές. Στη συνέχεια και για να διερευνηθεί η επίδραση της διακύμανσης των παραμέτρων του βραχώδους υλικού στη συμπεριφορά της βραχομάζας υπολογίστηκαν οι παράμετροι αντοχής και παραμορφωσιμότητάς της με βάση τις προτεινόμενες από τη βιβλιογραφία τιμές του mi και όχι αυτές που υπολογίστηκαν εργαστηριακά. Από τη σύγκριση των δύο αποτελεσμάτων προέκυψαν χρήσιμα συμπεράσματα σχετικά με τη σημασία των εργαστηριακών δοκιμών αλλά και τη σημαντική επίδραση που έχουν οι ακριβείς τιμές των παραμέτρων του βραχώδους υλικού στην εκτίμηση της αντοχής της βραχομάζας. / The aim of this thesis is the determination of the mechanical properties of intact rock and their application to the estimation of the strength and deformability of the rock mass. There has been made an attempt to set up the boundaries in rock material behavior and to formulate empirical correlations between rock material parameters. In the frame of the current research a data base has been developed in order to file all laboratory testing results that had been conducted before in Greece by the Laboratory of Engineering Geology in University of Patras as well as the Central Public Works Laboratory. There has been recorded a total number of 5885 entries which correspond to an equal amount of rock specimens subjected to laboratory tests of their physical and/or mechanical properties. The research was focused on triaxial tests of clastic and chemical sedimentary rock specimens as well as marble rock specimens. Clastic and chemical sedimentary rocks are known to be the most widespread rock formations in Western Greece and a lot of major constructions have been made on or within these formations. Block samples were collected from 62 different sites in Greece, in order to be investigated through laboratory testing procedures. After the cutting of the samples laboratory tests were conducted in 519 cylindrical specimens. From these sites 33 were in limestones (271 specimens), 22 in flysch formations (152 sandstone specimens and 24 siltstone specimens) and 7 in marbles (72 specimens). Laboratory core drill and saw machines were used to cut the samples and end faces were ground in order to provide cylindrical specimens in size, shape and ends geometries according to testing requirements. The execution of laboratory tests was in accordance with ISRM suggested methods (1981, 1986) and ASTM standards (D 2664 – 86, D 2938 – 86, D 2845 – 90, D 3967 – 92, D 3148 – 93). More specifically the following laboratory tests were conducted: • 476 tests for porosity n (%), ρd (kN/m3), ρsat (kN/m3), e and Iv. • 249 tests for sound velocities (Vp and Vs). • 336 SHV tests. • 120 point load tests. • 67 uniaxial compressive tests with determination of modulus of deformation E and Poisson ratio, ν (in 58 UCS tests). • 75 brazilian tests. • 62 triaxial tests for rock material constant mi determination. During the evaluation of the results of laboratory testing, 20 thin sections have been made corresponding to different samples, in order to provide all the information as far as the mineralogy and structure of the samples are concerned. Statistical analyses were used in order to evaluate the test results. The strength and deformability of the rock mass corresponding to 32 selected sites were estimated. The Geological Strength Index, GSI and the Disturbance Factor, D were estimated in each site and used as input parameters. The values of mi, also used as input parameters, were those estimated by triaxial testing in the laboratory. Additionally, in order to evaluate the impact of the mechanical parameters of intact rock to the estimation of the strength and deformability of the rock mass, rock mass parameters were estimated using the mi values proposed by relevant bibliographical references. As a result of the comparison between the two methods,the remarkable usefulness of the laboratory testing, as a means of preliminary design as well as the considerable impact of the mechanical parameters of the rock material to the strength and deformability of the rock mass have been pointed out.