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.
Scrophularia. striata from Scrophulariacea family has been used in Iranian folk medicine for the treatment of infectious diseases. In this study we evaluated the synergistic effect of S. striata hydroalcoholic extract (SSE) and commercially available antibiotics against P. aeroginosa and Methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The resazurin-based microdilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of plan extract and standard antibiotics. The interaction between standard antibiotics and SSE was evaluated by using checkerboard method. The results of this study revealed that SSE enhance the antibacterial activity of antibiotics. The combin
... Show MoreBreast cancer (BC) is the most common malignant tumor in women and the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. This work was conducted to estimate the roles of oxidative stress, vitamin B12, homocysteine (HCY), and DNA methylation in BC disease progression. Sixty BC patients (age range 33–80 years) and 30 healthy controls were recruited for this study. Patients with BC were split to group 1 consisted of stage II BC women (low level), and group 2 consisted of patients in stages III and IV (high level). Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPX3), HCY, and vitamin B12 levels in the study groups were measured. Also, the 5-methylcytosine (5mC) global DNA methylation levels were evaluated. The results showed a significant
... Show MoreIn this study the (geoelectric – hydrogeologic) parameters which are obtained by the
quantitative interpretation of (80) Schlumberger Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES)
points distributed in six linear profiles within the study area are used in addition to
(6) pumping test locations for the groundwater reservoir located to the south of Jabal
Sinjar (Sinjar anticline). The studied area covers about 7920Km2. The (VES) field
readings were interpreted manually by using the auxiliary point method-partial
resistivity curve matching,then the interpreted results enhanced by using computer
software specialized for the 1D- (VES) resistivity curves interpretation. The (VES)
results analyzed by using modern techniques in or
Smoking-related diseases can be attributed to the inhalation of many different toxins, including heavy metals, which have a host of harmful health effects. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether local and imported cigarette brands used in Iraq , have they elevated levels of metals or not .Three metals Lead (Pb) , Cadmium (Cd) and Chromium(Cr) were determined in tobacco of seventeen brands of imported cigarettes commonly available in Iraq and three Iraqi domestic cigarettes , which were randomly taken from retail market in Baghdad by using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The produced data of imported and local cigarette brands were discussed and compared together and with studies from elsewhere .The result
... Show MoreZinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were synthesized using a modified hydrothermal approach at different reaction temperatures and growth times. Moreover, a thorough morphological, structural and optical investigation was demonstrated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), ultra-violate visible light spectroscopy (UV-Vis.), and photoluminescence (PL) techniques. Notably, SEM analysis revealed the occurrence of nanorods-shaped surface morphology with a wide range of length and diameter. Meanwhile, a hexagonal crystal structure of the ZnO nanoparticles was perceived using XRD analysis and crystallite size ranging from 14.7 to 23.8 nm at 7 and 8 ℎ𝑟𝑠., respectively. The prepared ZnO samples showed good abso
... Show MoreThe importance of specifying proper aggregate grading for achieving satisfactory performance in pavement applications has long been recognized. To improve the specifications for superior performance, there is a need to understand how differences in aggregate gradations within the acceptable limits may affect unbound aggregate base behavior. The effects of gradation on strength, modulus, and deformation characteristics of high-quality crushed rock base materials are described here. Two crushed rock types commonly used in constructing heavy-duty granular base layers in the State of Victoria, Australia, with three different gradations each were used in this study. The gradations used represent the lower, medium, and upper gradation li
... Show MoreIn this work, we are Study the effect of annealing temperature on the structure of a-Ge films doped with Sb and the electrical properties of a-Ge:Sb/c-Si heterojunction fabricated by deposition of a-Ge:Sb film on c-Si by using thermal evaporation. Electrical properties of aGe:Sb/c-Si heterojunction include I-V characteristics in dark at different annealing temperatures and C-V characteristics and with the C-V characteristics suggest that the fabricated heterojunction was abrupt type, built in potential determined by extrapolation from 1/C2-V curve and show that the built - inpotential (Vbi) for the Ge:Sb/Si system increases with the increase of annealing temperatures
This thesis aims to study the effect of addition polymer materials on mechanical properties of self-compacting concrete, and also to assess the influence of petroleum products (kerosene and gas oil) on mechanical properties of polymer modified self-compacting concrete (PMSCC) after different exposure periods of (30 ,60 ,90 ,and 180 days).
Two type of curing are used; 28 days in water for SCC and 2 days in water followed 26 days in air for PMSCC.
The test results show that the PMSCC (15% P/C ratio) which is exposed to oil products recorded a lower deterioration in compressive strength's values than reference concrete. The percentages of reduction in compressive strength values of PMSCC (15% P/C ratio) was
... Show MoreIn the current study, the definition of mapping of fuzzy neutrosophic generalized semi-continuous and fuzzy neutrosophic alpha has generalized mapping as continuous. The study confirmed some theorems regarding such a concept. In the following, it has been found relationships among fuzzy neutrosophic alpha generalized mapping as continuous, fuzzy neutrosophic mapping as continuous, fuzzy neutrosophic alpha mapping as continuous, fuzzy neutrosophic generalized semi mapping as continuous, fuzzy neutrosophic pre mapping as continuous and fuzzy neutrosophic γ mapping as continuous.
Lead-free ferroelectric nano ceramics of BaZrxTi1-xO3 (x=0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) were prepared by means of microwave assisted chemical route. The structural, dielectric and electrical properties were examined. The crystalline structure of the specimens was studied by X-ray diffraction patterns. All the samples showed pure single phase of perovskite structure with space group of I4/mcm. X-ray diffraction data illustrated that there is no secondary phases exist. Structural and electrical properties of barium titanate ceramics are influenced significantly by small additions of Zr. The electrical conductivity showed higher values at x=0.2 and decreased at higher Zr content. The Hall charge mobility is found
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