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.
Background: Orthodontic mini-implants are increasingly used in orthodontics and the bone density is a very important factor in stabilization and success of mini-implant. The aim of this study was to observe the relationship among maximum bite force (MBF); body mass index (BMI); face width, height and type; and bone density in an attempt to predict bone density from these variables to eliminate the need for CT scan which have a highly hazard on patient. Materials and Methods: Computed tomographic (CT) images were obtained for 70 patients (24 males and 46 females) with age range 18-30 years. The maxillary and mandibular buccal cortical and cancellous bone densities were measured between 2nd premolar and 1st molar at two levels from the alveol
... Show MoreAsset management involves efficient planning of economic and technical performance characteristics of infrastructure systems. Managing a sewer network requires various types of activities so the network can be able to achieve a certain level of performance. During the lifetime of the network various components will start to deteriorate leading to bad performance and can damage the infrastructure. The main objective of this research is to develop deterioration models to provide an assessment tool for determining the serviceability of the sewer networks in Baghdad city the Zeppelin line was selected as a case study, as well as to give top management authorities the appropriate decision making. Different modeling techniques
... Show MoreThis paper presents a study of the application of gas lift (GL) to improve oil production in a Middle East field. The field has been experiencing a rapid decline in production due to a drop in reservoir pressure. GL is a widely used artificial lift technique that can be used to increase oil production by reducing the hydrostatic pressure in the wellbore. The study used a full field model to simulate the effects of GL on production. The model was run under different production scenarios, including different water cut and reservoir pressure values. The results showed that GL can significantly increase oil production under all scenarios. The study also found that most wells in the field will soon be closed due to high water cuts. Howev
... Show MoreThe study has tackled three important variables on the strategic and organizational level, that are : (Administrative skill, strategic Entrepreneurship and organizational flexibility). Through the statistical analysis is, the research hers have sought to identify the relation among them. The study has been applied on a sample of (44) private banks in Iraq. A questionnaire, which has been designed according to a number of international standards, has been used. It's made of (29) items that cover the three variables to test their hypotheses. A number of statistical tools have been used A number of conclusion have been reached and recommendations have also been suggested.
The trading banks in Iraq invest their funds according to regulations imposed by the Central Bank in Iraq in different financial fields like stock exchanges, acquire stocks as assets that could be sold at any time as well as make loans and contributing in corporations establishment also magnitude foreign capital through direct contacts with foreign exchange markets.
We can summarize the problem of this paper as shortage in mathematical models that used in studying and analyzing these investments and according to this problem we used (a constructed mathematical model ) consists of three major indicators: profitability of total investment assets which is divided into three sub-indicators: owners equity risk indicator, debits risk i
... Show MoreAn abstract is a brief summary of a research article, thesis, Schiff base ligand (L) was prepared by the reaction of 4-aminantipyrine with o-phenylenediamine, the prepared ligand characterized by Micro elemental Analysis, FT. IR, UV-Vis, and 1H,13C-NMR spectroscopy.complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Hg(II) with Schiff base and 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) have been investigated in aqueous ethanol with (1:1:1) (M:L:Phen). The prepared complexes were characterized using flame atomic absorption, (C. H. N) Analysis, FT. IR and UV-Vis spectroscopic methods as well as magnetic susceptibility and conductivity measurements. From the obtained data the octahedral structure was suggested for all complexes. The biological screening effects o
... Show MoreThe new Hexadentate complexes type [M(H3L3)]K were prepared from the condensation reaction of Diphenylmonoxime and KOH with (Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Hg(II)) in methanol with 3:1 ligand : metal ratio to give a series of new complexes of the general formula [M(H3L3)]K (where: M(II) = Mn ,Co ,N ,Cu ,Zn and Hg).All compounds have been Characterized by spectroscopic methods [I.R, U.v-Vis, atomic absorption and microanalysis (C.H.N) along with conductivity measurements. The stability constant K and Gibbs free energy ∆G were calculated for [Co (H3L3)] K, [Ni (H3L3)] K and [Cu (H3L3)] K and complexes using spectrophotometer method. The obtained values indicate that these complexes stable in their solution. From the above data
... Show MoreOur study comes up to clarify the role of television in spreading the culture of violence with a child. This study represents one of the important studies that have tried to highlight the impact of these programmes, particularly cartoons, on the child's behaviors, actions and acquired habits.Violence considers a common phenomenon among the people, as the role of the media, particularly TV has a vital role due to its properties, characteristics and its significant impact on different segments and groups in society and in children particularly through exposure to programmes of films.The results of the study have been affected by the rising proportion of females to males, and that the contribution of real life has a big role in the child ac
... Show MoreThe developed financial system is essential for increasing economic growth and poverty reduction in the world. The financial development helps in poverty reduction indirectly via intermediate channel which is the economic growth. The financial development enhancing economic development through mobilization of savings and channel them to the most efficient uses with higher economic and social returns. In addition, the economic growth reduces the poverty through two channels. The first is direct by increasing the introduction factors held by poor and improve the situations into the sectors and areas where the poor live. The second is indirect through redistribution the realized incomes from the economic growth as well as the realiz
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