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.
The aim of the current research is to identify the level of organizational culture among the headmasters and teachers of intermediate and secondary schools in Arar city. It also aims to identify the effect of job variables, qualifications, educational stage, and years of experience on the level of organizational culture and its domains. The research sample consisted of 62 participants divided into 7 headmasters and 55 teachers. The researcher used the questionnaire of the organizational culture. The researcher used also statistical methods such as mean, standard deviation, t-test, and One way ANOVA. The results revealed that the level of organizational culture and its four domains were high, and there was no effect of the variables (teac
... Show MoreThe research deals with the topic of (formal formation and its semantic projections in the design interior spaces of daily newspapers buildings) including the research problem summarized by the following question: (does the formal formation do a semantic role in the design of the interior spaces?). The research objective has been evident in discovering strong and weak points in the formal formations and their semantic projections in the design of the interior spaces for the daily newspapers buildings, reaching at the best design foundations, and shedding light on the cognitive and scientific importance of the research, and the objective, temporal and spatial limits in addition to identifying the terms. The theoretical framework includes
... Show MoreAsthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of airways mediated by T-helper 2 (Th2) cells involving complex signaling pathways. Although resveratrol has previously been shown to attenuate allergic asthma, the role of miRNA in this process has not been studied. We investigated the effect of resveratrol on ovalbumin-induced experimental allergic asthma in mice. To that end, BALB/c mice were immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) intraperitoneally followed by oral gavage of vehicle (OVA-veh) or resveratrol (100 mg/kg body) (OVA-res). On day 7, the experimental groups received intranasal challenge of OVA followed by 7 days of additional oral gavage of vehicle or resveratrol. At day 15, all mice were euthanized and bronchioalveolar fluid (BALF), se
... Show MoreThis cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study evaluated the knowledge, attitude and practice towards breast cancer and breast self-examination [BSE] among 387 [302 females and 85 males] educated Iraqis affiliated to 2 Iraqi universities. The participants were categorized into 3 occupations: student [71.3%], teaching staff [10.3%] and administrative staff [18.3%]. About half of the participants had a low knowledge score [< 50%]; only 14.3% were graded as [Good] and above. Almost 75% of the participants believed that the best way to control breast cancer was through early detection and other possible preventive measures. Most participants [90.9%] had heard of BSE, the main source of informatio
... Show MoreThe behavior corrosion inhibition of aluminum alloy (Al6061) in acidic (0.1 M HCl) and saline (3.5% NaCl) solutions was investigated in the absence and the presence of expired diclofenac sodium drug (DSD) as a corrosion inhibitor. The influence of temperature and was studied using electrochemical techniques. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the surface morphology. The results showed that DSD acted as a powerful inhibitor in acidic solutions, while a moderate influence was observed with saline one. Maximum inhibition efficiency was 99.99 and 83.32% in acidic and saline solutions at 150 ppm of DSD, respectively. Corrosion current density that obtained using electrochemical technique was increased with temperat
... Show MoreThe main goal of the current research is to know -Environmental problems included in the content of the two science books (chemistry units) for intermediate stage
A list of environmental problems had been prepared and consisting of (8) main areas which are (air and atmosphere pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, energy, disturbance of biodiversity and environmental balance, waste management, food and medicinal pollution, investment of mineral wealth). Of which (60) sub-problems, at that time the researcher analyzed the two science books (two chemistry units) for the intermediate stage of the academic year (2020-2021) in light of the list that was prepared, and the validity and consisten
... Show MoreObjectives: To assess nurses-midwives knowledge and performance regarding immediate newborn care in delivery rooms, and to identify the relationship between nurses-midwives knowledge and performance and their socio-demographic and professional variables regarding immediate newborn care.
Methodology: A descriptive study was conducted from 1st of October, 2019 to 20TH of October, 2020 at three maternity teaching hospitals in Baghdad city/Al-Russafa Health Directorate: Al-Elwiya Maternity Teaching Hospital, Fatema Al- Zahra Maternity and Pediatric Hospital, Al- Za'faraniyah General Hospital. Non-probability (purposive sample) include
... Show MoreThis paper presents comprehensive analysis and investigation for 1550nm and 1310nm ring optical modulators employing an electro-optic polymer infiltrated silicon-plasmonic hybrid phase shifter. The paper falls into two parts which introduce a theoretical modeling framework and performance assessment of these advanced modulators, respectively. In this part, analytical expressions are derived to characterize the coupling effect in the hybrid phase shifter, transmission function of the modulator, and modulator performance parameters. The results can be used as a guideline to design compact and wideband optical modulators using plasmonic technology
Abstract
The aim of this research is to formulate a proposed strategy for developing graduate studies at King Khalid University to support the achievement of the Kingdom's vision (2030). The research used the descriptive survey approach. The research community consisted of all graduate students at King Khalid University. The research was conducted on a random sample included (623) Male and female students, this research relied on the questionnaire as the main tool for collecting its data. The results revealed that the research sample believes that all the proposals included in this research are very important for the development of postgraduate studies at King Khalid University to support the achievement of the K
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