Several full porcelain systems are available in the market, among which In - Ceram (Vita Zahnfabrik, Bad Sackingen, Germany), has been introduced to show unique properties including: fine esthetic and high quality strength. In this investigation Flexural Strength of In - Ceram core material has been evaluated by four - point bending test with Instron (Model 1195) machine. Samples were provided in form of ten bars of core material with the dimension of 30 × 6 × 2.5 mm.Results obtained show that the mean value of 538 ± 42 (MPa), of force is required to hit its resistance limit which is higher than similar values in other dental ceramics, within acceptable clinical range.

Background and Aim: ZOE has been used in different fields of dentistry for many years. A locally produced component (Zoliran) has been recently introduced to the marketwith similar characteristic to the original Zonalin. Because of a lower cost involved to use Zoliran cement and its availability, confirm reliability of its physical properties. This investigation was designed to assess the Compressive strength of Zoliran cement in comparison to Zonalin cement as the standard material. Materials and Methods: Five samples with dimension of 4mmx6mm of each cement were provided and stored in distilled water in 370C±10C for a period of 24 hours. The lowest load of force was registered as the reference to which the sample could be broken by(according to the criteria No: 30 of ANSIIADA). The value of compressive strength was then calculated using the following formula (K =4F/πD2 ). Results: The mean compressive strength of five samples was measuredas: 14.33 Mpa for Zoliran cement and 31.83 Mpa for Zonalin cement. The mean compressive strength of Zonalincement was significantly higher than the mean suggested in ANSl/ADA Specification No.30. The mean compressivestrength of Zoliran cement was also lower than the mean value registered in ANSI/ADA SpecificationNo.30. Conclusion: Compressive strength of Zoliran cement was significantlylower than that of Zonalin cement. Further tests are required to compare the other physical properties of this material before it can be clinically recommended.

Strength measurement of rock requires testing that must be carried out on test specimens with particular sizes in order to fulfill testing standards or suggested methods. Often, the coring process breaks up the weaker core pieces, and they are too small to be used in either index tests or conventional strength tests such as point load index (Is) and Brazilian tensile strength (BTS). One of the index tests to indirectly determine the rock strength is the block punch index (BPI) test, which requires flat disc specimens without special treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the applicability of the BPI test for predicting the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), BTS and IS of the sandstones by empirical equations. Also, we have compared the performance of the BPI and IS for predicting the UCS and BTS. It was experimentally shown that BPI is a reliable method for predicting the UCS, BTS and Is of the sandstones under study. Moreover, the results indicate that BPI could be utilized with same importance as Is for predicting the UCS, while predicting the BTS by Is appears to be more reliable than BPI.

Statement of Problem: Evaluation of new adhesives efficacy in bonding orthodontic brackets to enamel has led to different results. The new measuring method, micro-shear bond strength, is preferred as an accurate method due to its ability to reduce confounding factors.Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the micro-shear bond strength of three different adhesive systems for enamel surface preparation before bracket bonding.Materials and Method: In this experimental study, 90 extracted premolars were randomly divided into three groups of 30. Transbond XT was bonded to enamel after enamel surface preparation with acid etch in the first (control) group, Transbond plus self-etch primer in second group, and Adper prompt L-pop self-etch adhesive in third group. Then each group was randomly divided into two subgroups of 15. Micro-shear bond test was performed after 24 hours (T1) and 3-months (T2). Bond failure mode was also evaluated according to Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI). Two way ANOVA and Tukey tests were used for bond strength evaluation in groups, and mode of bond failure was analyzed with Kruskall Wallis and Mann Whitney tests.Results: The highest bond strength was found in acid etch group (29.17 MPa). Difference of bond strength at two intervals was statistically significant in all groups ( p <0.001). Bond strength difference between T1 and T2 was also significant in three groups ( p <0.001). However changes over time in three groups did not reveal any significant differences ( p = 0.091). Bond failure analysis demonstrated significant differences in ARI between groups.Conclusion: Bond strength of acid etch group was the highest and self etch primer showed higher bond strength than self etch adhesive group. Less adhesive remnant was found in self etch group.

The intensive use of groundwater resources has often affected ground water levels in many parts of the world. Therefore, the strategic management of water resources for better planning of water resources seems necessary, In this study SWOT strategy was applied for strategic management of water resources in Abarkouh plain. In order to launch this strategy, we first extracted the weaknesses, strengths, opportunities and threats using group decision making, and then the relative importance and overall value of each factor assessment were determined. The process involved identifying weaknesses and strengths of the study area and opportunities and threats present in the water resources. These parameters were extracted using collaborative decision-making and then the relative importance and final value of each factors in the strategic SWOT analysis matrix were determined. The results of this study showed that the external and internal factors evaluation matrix was 2. 25 and 2. 18, respectively, which indicates overcoming the weakness to power and threats to opportunities. In other words, the condition of the Abarkuh Plain is located in the Weaknesses-Threats (WT) column with a defensive strategy. These results indicate that water resources condition is critical in Abarkuh Plain. To manage this crisis, the best management strategies were extracted from the strategic SWOT analysis matrix including: agricultural well equipment using flow meters, changing irrigation methods (underground, injecting, dripping) changing the crop patterns (pistachio, pomegranate and other low-water products), using non-living windbreaker and greenhouse shading, and finally drinking and sanitation water separating.

Non-wood forest products (NWFPs) and environmental values are preferred to woody products in Zagros forests. This study aimed to plan a utilization policy for NWFPs including Gazu, Mazouj and acorns. Therefore, three villages (Gandoman, Mirhesam and Kokh-e Mamo) in the Armardeh municipality in southwest of the city of Baneh in the Kurdistan province of Iran were investigated. The SWOT analysis technique was applied for planning. Field data were collected via an empirical survey based mainly on face-to-face interviews and questionnaires distributed amongst the ecosystem stakeholders. Respondents were selected among stakeholders of local community (12 individuals of local people and 18 individuals of experts). The results of SWOT and Space Matrix analyses revealed that an aggressive, competitive, defensive and conservative strategy is appropriate for NWFP utilization. Results also showed that the most important strength, weakness, opportunity, and threats concerning the utilization of Gazu included social acceptance from local communities, soil erosion, reduction of rural-urban migration, and air pollution due to dust storm, respectively. For Mazouj, utilization those factors included household’s income, collection by non-local people (resulted in conflicts and tree damages), people motivation for participatory management, and lack of marketing and formal supports, respectively. Finally, livestock feeding, damaging to high forest regeneration, creating alternative livelihoods, and jeopardizing the continuity and sustainability of the forest are m to be of major concern when utilizing acorns. By analyzing the opinions of experts, an aggressive management strategy for the utilization of Gazu and Mazouj and a competitive management strategy for acorn are prescribed by this study.