Background: Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a promising implant material due to its superior biomechanical strength. However, due to its hydrophobic nature and lack of cellular adhesion properties, it has poor integration with bone tissue. Methods: A fractional CO2 laser was used with various parameters for surface texturing of PEEK substrate to enhance its surface properties. An optical microscope and field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) were used to examine the surface morphology of untextured and laser-textured samples. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) was performed to determine the effect of the laser on the microstructure of PEEK. Surface microroughness, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and wettability were investigated. Results: There were significant increases in microroughness, nanoroughness, surface area ratio, and wettability after laser texturing with no change in the elemental composition. The best results were obtained by using 400 µs laser pulse duration with a dot separation distance of 0.2 mm and a 60° staggered dots pattern. Conclusions: Laser surface texturing of PEEK implant material by fractional CO2 laser is an easy and fast method of introducing patterned topographical features with no need for additional devices. With further investigations, this method of PEEK modification might have the potential to be used in the implant field.
Seventy five adult virgin female Norway rats (60 experimental and 15 controls) were used toevaluate the effect of seeds of three herbs (Fennel, Cumin and Garden cress) on their mammaryglands. Experimental animals were fed with these herbs (each type of herb seeds was given to twentyexperimental rats) for fourteen days. Rats were sacrificed and mammary gland sections wereobtained, stained then morphometrically assessed. Serum prolactin level was performed too.Results revealed that Garden cress seeds are the strongest lactogenic agent among the three. BothFennel and Cumin seeds were shown to be very weak galactagogues.
The present study was undertaken to determine the species of tumbling flower beetles (Coleoptera, Mordellidae) found in Iraq. Specimens have been collected from different localities of Iraq since 1970. Results show that the tumbling flower beetles (Mordellidae) are represented with a total of 13 species belonging to four genera of three tribes, two of these species were described by Dr. Horak (1985,1990) as new species for Iraq Mediimorda maceki HoraK and Mordellistena bolognaHorak; two were previously reported Stenalia escherichi Schilsk and Mordellistena pumila (Gyllenhal) and ten are new records for Iraq. Stenalia araxicola Khnzorian, Stenalia brunneipennis Mulsant, Variimorda
... Show MoreRecently, the theory of Complex Networks gives a modern insight into a variety of applications in our life. Complex Networks are used to form complex phenomena into graph-based models that include nodes and edges connecting them. This representation can be analyzed by using network metrics such as node degree, clustering coefficient, path length, closeness, betweenness, density, and diameter, to mention a few. The topology of the complex interconnections of power grids is considered one of the challenges that can be faced in terms of understanding and analyzing them. Therefore, some countries use Complex Networks concepts to model their power grid networks. In this work, the Iraqi Power Grid network (IPG) has been modeled, visua
... Show MoreCopyright hacking and piracy have increased as the Internet has grown in popularity and access to multimedia material has increased. Security, property protection, and authentication have all been achieved via watermarking techniques. This paper presents a summary of some recent efforts on video watermarking techniques, with an emphasis on studies from 2018 to 2022, as well as the various approaches, achievements, and attacks utilized as testing measures against these watermarking systems. According to the findings of this study, frequency-domain watermarking techniques are more popular and reliable than spatial domain watermarking approaches. Hybrid DCT and DWT are the two most used techniques and achieve good results in the fi
... Show MoreThe work is devoted to the study of the plastics features in modern construction use. The plastics classification in modern construction is generalized. This classification includes: the field of building products application, the features of the materials properties and products, a backup group that includes those products that are not included in the previous groups. The classification considered is the basis for choosing the basic materials properties that affect the quality and durability of products. To improve the plastics types in the construction, the Venn diagram is used. The main materials types for manufacturing a product of the "window profile" type are analyzed; the result of the studies is a comparative diagram.