Objectives Bromelain is a potent proteolytic enzyme that has a unique functionality makes it valuable for various therapeutic purposes. This study aimed to develop three novel formulations based on bromelain to be used as chemomechanical caries removal agents. Methods The novel agents were prepared using different concentrations of bromelain (10–40 wt. %), with and without 0.1–0.3 wt. % chloramine T or 0.5–1.5 wt. % chlorhexidine (CHX). Based on the enzymatic activity test, three formulations were selected; 30 % bromelain (F1), 30 % bromelain-0.1 % chloramine (F2) and 30 % bromelain-1.5 % CHX (F3). The assessments included molecular docking, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), viscosity and pH measurements. The efficiency of caries removal was assessed by DIAGNOdent pen, measuring the excavation time and number of applications, followed by a morphological evaluation of the remaining dentine using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results were compared to Brix 3000 as a control. Results The chloramine and chlorhexidine were chemically compatible with bromelain without compromising the enzyme activity. All experimental formulations showed higher viscosity and pH in comparison to Brix 3000. The DIAGNOdent readings were <20 in all groups, and the lowest readings were observed in F2. The excavation time and number of applications were lowest in F2 and F1. Both F2 and F3 produced smooth dentine surfaces with less tissue debris, but more patent dentine tubules were observed in F1 and F2. Conclusions The bromelain-contained formulations showed a potential to be used as chemomechanical caries removal agents in vitro. Further laboratory and clinical studies are needed to validate this claim.
This paper studied kinetics of flotation of emulsified paraffine in water in bubble column with sodium .dodecylsulphate as a collector agent. The effects of oil drops and air bubble diameters on the flotation rate constant were studied. The removal rate for each oil drop size was first order with respect to oil drop concentration. An experimental procedure permitting determination of the first order rate constants for removal due to bubble/drop interaction was developed, decreasing bubble diameter by adding NaCl and increasing oil drop diameter increased the rate constants. A comparison between the experimental and theoretical rate constants showed
... Show MoreThis paper describes a microcontroller-based function generator system. By the function generator sine wave, square wave, quasi-square wave, saw-tooth and triangular waveforms are generated over a wide frequency range according to user requirements. By utilizing processing capabilities of the microcontroller the hardware is minimized exceedingly. The output waveform shapes are digitally-controlled to achieve the required wave shape. The single chip microcomputer of waveform generation equipment offers the possibility of improvements in manufacture reliability, maintenance and servicing and increased control flexibility. The system is built and tested. The results of test were satisfactory and appreciated by test engineers at different ce
... Show MoreThis work includes design, implementation and testing of a microcontroller – based spectrum analyzer system. Both hardware and software structures are built to verify the main functions that are required by such system. Their design utilizes the permissible and available tools to achieve the main functions of the system in such a way to be modularly permitting any adaptation for a specific changing in the application environment. The analysis technique, mainly, depends on the Fourier analysis based methods of spectral analysis with the necessary required preconditioning processes. The software required for waveform analysis has been prepared. The spectrum of the waveform has been displayed, and the instrument accuracy has been checked.
... Show MoreThis work aimed to study the effect of laser surface treatment on the mechanical characteristics and corrosion behaviour of grey cast iron type A159. Many technical applications used conventional surface treatment, but laser surface hardening has recently been used to enhance the surface properties of many alloys. The mechanical characteristics, including microstructure, microhardness, and wear resistance of A159 grey cast iron, were studied, in addition to corrosion behaviour. The experimental laser parameters in this work were 0.9, 1.2, and 1.5 KW power with continuous wave carbon dioxide lasers with scanning speeds of 10 and 12 mm/s were used. The results found that phase-transitional alterations in microstructure were influenced by lase
... Show MoreThe aim of this work is to evaluate some mechanical and physical
properties (i.e. the impact strength, hardness, flexural strength,
thermal conductivity and diffusion coefficient) of
(epoxy/polyurethane) blend reinforced with nano silica powder (2%
wt.). Hand lay-up technique was used to manufacture the composite
and a magnetic stirrer for blending the components. Results showed
that water had affected the bending flexural strength and hardness,
while impact strength increased and thermal conductivity decreased.
In addition to the above mentioned tests, the diffusion coefficient
was calculated using Fick’s 2nd law.
The present study aims to explore the effectiveness of a proposed study unit based on the funds of knowledge theory in developing the attitudes towards cultural identity and the proposed study unit. In order to achieve the goal of the study, the two researchers followed the quasi-experimental approach, where the study sample consisted of (28) female students of the fifth-grade at Al-Jeelah Basic Education School, Al-Dakhiliyah Governorate in the Sultanate of Oman. The data were collected by two scales: the first is a scale of attitudes towards cultural identity consisting of (26) items. The second was a scale of attitudes towards the proposed study unit, which consisted of (24) items. The results of the study revealed that the effect of
... Show MoreThe aim of this essay is to use a single-index model in developing and adjusting Fama-MacBeth. Penalized smoothing spline regression technique (SIMPLS) foresaw this adjustment. Two generalized cross-validation techniques, Generalized Cross Validation Grid (GGCV) and Generalized Cross Validation Fast (FGCV), anticipated the regular value of smoothing covered under this technique. Due to the two-steps nature of the Fama-MacBeth model, this estimation generated four estimates: SIMPLS(FGCV) - SIMPLS(FGCV), SIMPLS(FGCV) - SIM PLS(GGCV), SIMPLS(GGCV) - SIMPLS(FGCV), SIM PLS(GGCV) - SIM PLS(GGCV). Three-factor Fama-French model—market risk premium, size factor, value factor, and their implication for excess stock returns and portfolio return
... Show MoreOne of the most difficult issues in the history of communication technology is the transmission of secure images. On the internet, photos are used and shared by millions of individuals for both private and business reasons. Utilizing encryption methods to change the original image into an unintelligible or scrambled version is one way to achieve safe image transfer over the network. Cryptographic approaches based on chaotic logistic theory provide several new and promising options for developing secure Image encryption methods. The main aim of this paper is to build a secure system for encrypting gray and color images. The proposed system consists of two stages, the first stage is the encryption process, in which the keys are genera
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