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.
Abstract This study explores the extent to which public relations (PR) departments within Traqj governmental institutions are integrating artificial intelligence (AI) applications into their communication activities. The research adresses the growing importanc of AI in enhancing administrative efficieney, communication transparency, and stakeholder engagement. Adopting a descriptive research design, the study relied on an electtonic questionnaire distributed to PR profesionals across various ministries and government bodies, collecting 100 valid responses. The indings reveal that while younger PR practitioners are actively embracing AI, older employees show limited engagement. Most participants acquired AI-related skills through self- learn
... Show MorePhenol oxidation by Fenton's reagent (H2O2 + Fe+2) in aqueous solution has been studied for the purpose of learning
more about the reactions involved and the extent of the oxidation process, under various operating conditions. An initial
phenol concentration of 100 mg/L was used as representative of a phenolic industrial wastewater. Working temperature
of 25C was tested, and initial pH was set at 5.6 . The H2O2 and the Fe+2 doses were varied in the range of
(H2O2/Fe+2/phenol = 3/0.25/1 to 5/0.5/1). Keeping the stirring speed of 200 rpm.
The results exhibit that the highest phenol conversion (100%) was obtained under (H2O/Fe+2/phenol ratio of 5/0.5/1)
at about 180 min. The study has indicated that Fenton's oxidation i
Physical adsorption by nitrogen gas was studied on seven commercial platinum reforming catalysts (RG-402, RG-412, RG-432, RG-451, RG 422,RG-482, PS-10), four prepared platinum catalysts (0.1%Pt/alumina, 0.2 %Pt/alumina, 0.45 %Pt/alumina and 0.55% Pt/alumina), and -alumina support. Physical adsorption was carried out by using Accelerated Surface Area and Porosimetry (ASAP 2400 device) at 77 K . The results indicate that the surface area in genaral decreases with increasing platinum percentage, high platinum loaded (0.45% and 0.55%) it was found that the percent increasing in surface area was lower than those obtained for low platinum loaded catalysts , and at very higher platinum loading 0.6 %Pt , some reduction in surface area was
... Show MoreBackground: The present study aimed to determine the influence of the different types of mouth wash on discoloration of different orthodontic ceramic, sapphire brackets and adhesives. Materials and methods: The sample composed of 120 ceramic brackets and 120 sapphire brackets, the brackets were divided according to bond material into three groups of 40 brackets include unbounded brackets, chemically cured (no-mix) bonded brackets and Light cured bonded brackets all these groups were further subdivided according to mouth wash type into three groups with 10 brackets each which include; Listerine, cetrimide, chlorhexidine 0.2%, and one control group which immersed in artificial saliva; then Staining measurements were performed with UV-Visibl
... Show MoreDuring the last decade, there has been a concern about the relation between aluminum residuals in treated water and Alzheimer disease, and more interest has been considered on the development of natural coagulants. The present study aimed to investigate the efficiency of alum as a primary coagulant in conjunction with mallow, Arabic gum and okra as coagulant aids for the treatment of water samples containing synthetic turbidity of kaolin. Jar test experiments were carried out for initial raw water turbidities 100, 200 and 500 (NTU). The optimum doses of alum, mallow, Arabic gum and okra were 20, 2, 1 and 1 mg/L for100 NTU turbidity level, 35, 4, 2 and 3 mg/L , for 200NTU turbidity level and 50, 8, 10 and 8 mg/L for 500 NTU turbidity leve
... Show MoreThe researchers have discovered weaknesses in the rotational phase of the 100-meter freestyle event, including a lack of proper movement direction and control of biomechanical variables necessary for swimmers to achieve high rotational accuracy, which leads to outperforming competitors. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of using a laser device on improving the performance of the rotational phase among swimmers on the Iraqi national team. The experimental approach was conducted on a sample of 6 swimmers, representing 100% of the target population. The researchers concluded that the utilization of a proposed laser device in the rotational phase resulted in positive differences in biomechanical variables, contri
... Show MoreBackground: Dental implant surface technologies have been evolving rapidly to enhance a more rapid bone formation on their surface and improve implant therapy.Implant threads should be designed to increase surface contact areathat induced better stability. In addition, implant surface coating with Flaxseed was used to enhance bone formation at the bone-implant interface. Materials and methods: Ninety-six commercially pure titanium (CpTi) screws were implanted in rabbits' tibiae and divided into three groups as dual-threaded group, flaxseed-coated group and control group. All groups were evaluated mechanically, histologically and radiographically after each healing periods (2, 4, 6 and 8) weeks and the resulting data were statistically analy
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