Abstract Background: The daily usage of maxillofacial prostheses causes them to mechanically deteriorate with time. This study was aimed to evaluate the reinforcement of VST50F maxillofacial silicone by using yttrium oxide (Y2O3) nanoparticles (NPs) to resist aging and mechanical deterioration. Materials and Method: Y2O3 NPs (30–45nm) were loaded into VST50F maxillofacial silicone in two weight percentages (1 and 1.5 wt%), which were predetermined in a pilot study as the best rates for improving tear strength with minimum increase in hardness values. A total of 120 specimens were prepared and divided into the control and experimental groups (with 1 and 1.5 wt% Y2O3 addition). Each group included 40 specimens, 10 specimens for each parameter tested (i.e., tear strength, surface roughness, hardness, tensile strength and elongation percentage). Specimens were artificially aged in a weathering chamber for 150 h and then tested. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey’s honestly significant difference (HSD). Statistical significance was set to P ≤ 0.05. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were also conducted. Results and Discussion: SEM results showed that Y2O3 NPs were distributed well within the silicon matrix. FTIR results indicated that the NPs were physically dispersed within VST50F silicone without chemical interaction. After 150 h of accelerated artificial aging, adding Y2O3 NPs significantly increased the tear strength, hardness, surface roughness, and elongation percentage. Tensile strength increased non significantly. Conclusion: Adding Y2O3 NPs as fillers improved the mechanical properties of artificially aged maxillofacial silicone elastomer. Keywords: maxillofacial silicone, Y2O3, nanoparticles, fillers, artificial aging.
Rutting is one of the major distresses in pavement. The objective of this paper is to develop an improved asphalt binder grading system for Iraq based on the principal of Superpave system, and increasing performance grade of product asphalt binder in Iraq using polymers without raising the viscosity of the binder. Two types of polymers are used, Plastomers, Functionalized Polyethylene (PE) which is developed by asphalt research group in Wisconsin University in the USA, and Elastomers, Styrene Butadiene Styrene (SBS) with and without cross linker. Mastercurve are drown for these modified binders, Rolling thin film aged, to show effects on rheological properties at high temperature for complex modulus (G*) and phas
... Show MoreThin films of pure polycarbonate (PC) with anthracene doping PC films for different doping ratios (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 ml) were prepared by using a casting method. The influence of anthracene doping ratio on photo-fries rearrangement of polycarbonate was systematic investigated. Furthermore, pure PC and anthracene doping PC films were irradiated via UV light at a wavelength (254 nm) for different periods (5, 240, 288, and 360 hrs). The photo-fries rearrangement occurring in pure PC and anthracene doping PC films were monitored using UV and FTIR spectroscopies. The photo-fries rearrangement leads to scission the carbonate linkage and formation phenylsalicylate and dihydroxybenzophenes. The result of the UV spectrum confirms disappea
... Show MoreThe significance of the research conducted in northern Iraq comes despite the expansion of afforestation projects; yet, the suffering of the forests has increased due to their lack of scientific study, unpredictability of the climate, and adverse effects on the spread and growth of plant species Therefore, the goal of the study is to understand the effects of afforestation through a statistical analysis of plant diversity in northern Iraq and its distinctivenessThe analysis revealed that natural groupings had improved qualitatively more than other groups, particularly some dwindling species that are able to compete and occupy new areas. drought-prone vegetation, vegetation, and climat
Beta-irradiation effects on the microstructure of LDPE samples have been investigated
using Positron Annihilation Lifetime Technique (PALT). These effects on the orthopositronium
(o-Ps) Lifetime t3, the free positron annihilation lifetime 2 t , the free-volume
hole size (Vh) and the free volume fraction (fh) were measured as functions of Beta
irradiation - dose up to a total dose of 30.28 kGy.
The results show that the values of t3, Vh and fh increase gradually with increasing Beta
dose up to a total dose of 1.289 kGy, and reach a maximum increment of 17.4%, 32.8% and
5.86%, respectively, while t2 reachs maximum increment of 211.9% at a total dose of 1.59
kGy. Above these doses, the values show nonlinear changes u
Electrochemical Machining is a term given to one of nontraditional machining that uses a chemical reaction associated with electric current to remove the material. The process is depending on the principle of anodic dissolution theory for evaluating material removal during electrochemical process. In this study, the electrochemical machining was used to remove 1 mm from the length of the a workpiece (stainless steel 316 H) by immersing it in to electrolyte (10, 20 and 30 g) of NaCl and Na2SO4 to every (1 litter of filtered water). The tool used was made from copper. Gap size between the workpiece and electrode is (0.5) mm. This study focuses on the effect of the changing the type and concentration of electroly
... Show MoreBackground: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) is still a severe threaft for human health currently, and the researches about it is a focus topic worldwide.
Aim of the study: In this study, we will collect some laboratory results of the patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to assess the function of liver, heart, kidney and even pancreas.
Subjects and Methods: Laboratory results of the patients with COVID-19 are collected. The biochemical indices are classified and used to assess the according function of liver, heart, kidney; meantime, and blood glucose is also observed and taken as an index to roughly evaluate pancreas.
Results: There were some in
... Show MoreThe nephrotoxicity induced by methotrexate is a severe condition that greatly affects its therapeutic potential and has a significant inflammatory component. Fimasartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker that offers organ-protective effects and may be useful in mitigating renal injury. The present study explored the anti-inflammatory potential of two doses of fimasartan against methotrexate-mediated nephrotoxicity. Albino rats were intraperitoneally administered a single methotrexate (20 mg/kg). Intraperitoneal treatment with fimasartan (5 or 10 mg/kg/day) was initiated on day two after methotrexate injection and continued for seven consecutive days. Methotrexate significantly increased serum urea, creatinine, and NGAL concentrations. It al
... Show MoreThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of omega-3 poly unsaturated fatty-acids co-administered with the therapeutic dose of lornoxicam on liver of healthy rats. Twenty-eight adults male rats weighing 180-200g were used in this study and the animals were randomly divided into four groups of seven rats each. Group I: negative control/rats intraperitoneally injected with normal saline in a dose 5ml/kg/day; Group II: rats intraperitoneally injected with lornoxicam at dose 0.7 mg/kg/day; Group III: rats orally-administered omega-3 only at a dose 185mg/kg/day; Group IV: rats co-administered omega-3 (185mg/kg/day) orally and in
... Show MoreZinc oxide nanoparticles sample is prepared by the precipitation method. This method involves using zinc nitrate and urea in aqueous solution, then (AgNO3) Solution with different concentrations is added. The obtained precipitated compound is structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The average particle size of nanoparticles is around 28nm in pure, the average particle size reaches 26nm with adding AgNO3 (0.05g in100ml =0.002 M) (0.1g in100ml=0.0058M), AgNO3 (0.2g in 100ml=0.01M) was 25nm. The FTIR result shows the existence of -CO, -CO2, -OH, and -NO2- groups in sample and oxides (ZnO, Ag2O).and used an
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