Resilient polymeric materials such as silicone elastomers are currently used for maxillofacial prostheses construction but the strength of these materials and their clinical performance need to be optimized with the addition of reinforcing fillers. This study investigates the effect of zirconia nanopowder addition on tear strength, tensile strength, elongation at break, Shore A hardness, surface roughness and cytotoxicity of VST-50 maxillofacial silicone. Silicone base was mixed with different amounts (1%, 2% and 3%) of zirconia nanopowder using a vacuum mixer. Silicone without filler was used as control for comparison. Scanning Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy were utilized to assess the efficiency of high-shear vacuum mixing as filler dispersion method and the surface topography, respectively. Both SEM and AFM images showed that the zirconia nanopowder were distributed fairly well within the polymer. Statistically, highly significant increase in tear strength, tensile strength and hardness with non-significant decrease in elongation at break and non-significant increase in surface roughness were seen with 1% and 2% groups. Whereas with 3% group, there was significant improvement in tear strength, tensile strength and hardness but there was significant undesirable decrease in elongation and increase in roughness. Cytotoxicity test revealed that the addition of zirconia nanopowder was nontoxic to Rat Embryonic Fibroblast (REF) cells and there was non-significant change in the cell viability of all study groups after 24- and 72-hours incubation periods. In conclusion, the addition of 2% by weight nano zirconia to VST-50 maxillofacial silicone could be beneficial in enhancing its performance.
Objective(s): Evaluation of late adulthood knowledge about social frailty, measure the level of knowledge about social frailty, and to find out the relationship between knowledge and socio-demographic characteristics.
Methodology: A descriptive study design was carried out to measure the late adults' level of knowledge at Technical Institute-Suwaira in Middle Technical University and to find out the association between late adults' knowledge and their socio-demographic characteristic. The study was started from 28th April 2022 to 15th August 2022. The sample was Non-probability (convenience) sample of (100) late adults were selected according to the study that are working i
... Show MoreClimate change causes water shortage (water scarcity) in addition to the dams built by neighboring countries, which caused a lack of Iraq's water share. Therefore, evaluating the irrigation system requires considering its suitability, adequacy, and efficiency. Irrigation is considered adequate when it maintains water availability within the root zone, and if the amount to be added is determined, irrigation efficiency becomes possible by avoiding water loss. Babil Governorate is considered one of the agricultural governorates in the country that depends on its irrigation from Shatt Al-Hilla. The study area is the Elaj project. Three fields were selected for the project (B1, B2, and B3). These fields are lo
... Show MoreThis research examines the factors which influence pedestrian's walking speed in Baghdad. the variations in walking speed of pedestrians are related to pedestrian characteristics such as gender, age group, and clothing traditions. Using the established methodology, the counts of pedestrians were performed using manual and video counting. The case study was performed in two streets located in a highly crowded commercial zone at the city center of Baghdad: Al-Karada Dakhel and Al- Sina’a Street. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using IBM SPSS Statistics 19 software. It has been found that Iraqi pedestrians walk slower than other pedestrians in the developed countries or in the region with minimum walking speed of 29.85 m/min.
... Show MoreObjective(s): To evaluate of nurses practice toward orthopaedic wound infection and to determine the
relationship between orthopaedic nurses practice and their demographic data characteristic
Methodology: A descriptive study was carried out at orthopaedic wards of Baghdad Teaching Hospital started
from February 1
st, 2011 to August 30th, 2011. A non-probability sample of (39) orthopaedic nurses who were
working in orthopaedic wards were selected from Baghdad Teaching Hospital. The data were collected through
the use of questionnaire , which consists of two parts (1)Demographic data form that consists of a(10) items
and (2) orthopaedic nurses practice form that consists of (4)sections contain (69) items, by mean of di
Many trials were made to prepare Tinidazole 2% as bioadhesive vaginal gels using different gel bases including hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (3 and 4% w/w), methylcellulose (3 and 4%w/w) and carboxymethylcellulose (2 and 3% w/w) .Swelling index of the polymers,pH , viscosity , bioadhesive force , and in-vitro drug release to the simulating vaginal fluid (S.V.F.) were investigated for all the prepared bioadhesive gels . The mechanism of drug release from the gel bases was also investigated.
The results revealed that C MC 3% gave the highest viscosity and bioadhesive strength with the lowest release rate while lowest viscosity and bioadhesive force
... Show MoreIntroduction: Breast cancer is a significant global health concern, affecting millions of women worldwide. While advancements in diagnosis and treatment have improved survival rates, the impact of this disease extends beyond physical health. It also significantly influences a woman's lifestyle and overall well-being. Objectives: The current study intends to analyze the lifestyle of breast cancer patients who are receiving therapy or are being followed up at the Oncology Teaching Hospital in Medical City, Baghdad, Iraq. Method: The present study uses a descriptive design with an application of an evaluation approach. A convenience sample of 100 women with breast cancer was selected from the Teaching Oncology Hospital at the Medical C
... Show MoreMineral filler is one of important materials and affecting on properties and quality of asphalt mixtures .There are different types of mineral filler depended on cost and quality , the matter encourages us to achieve this study to evaluate hydrated lime filler effects on properties of asphalt mixes related with strength and durability. Conventional asphaltic concrete mixtures with Portland cement and soft sandstone fillers and mixtures modified with hydrated lime were evaluated for their fundamental engineering properties as defined by Marshall properties , index of retained strength , indirect tensile strength , permanent deformation characteristics , and fatigue resistance .A typical dense graded mixture employed in construction
... Show MoreImpact of buildings in Iraq and other countries on the environment is obvious; this problem began to take scientific and humanitarian dimensions in order to reduce and eliminate this problem. This impact can be seen through the energy, water and raw materials consumed for the establishment, operation and maintenance of these buildings, as well as the emissions of hazardous gases and generations of solid wastes.
This work was conducted to assess the current maintenance managerial practice for the governmental buildings to stand on the main obstacle and extrapolation of measures by means of interviews with experts to determine the effective factors and closed questionnaire to state the features and the need for new
... Show MoreWarm mix asphalt (WMA) is relatively a new technology which enables the production and compaction of asphalt concrete mixtures at temperatures 15-40 °C lower than that of traditional hot mix asphalt HMA. In the present work, six asphalt concrete mixtures were produced in the mix plant (1 ton each) in six different batches. Half of these mixes were WMA and the other half were HMA. Three types of fillers (limestone dust, Portland cement and hydrated lime) were used for each type of mix. Samples were then taken from these patches and transferred to lab for performance testing which includes: Marshall characteristics, moisture susceptibility (indirect tension test), resilient modulus, permanent deformation (axial repeated load test)
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