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.
Global warming and environmental damage have become major problems. The production of Portland cement releases large quantities of gas, which cause pollution to the atmosphere. This problem can be solved via the use of sustainable materials, such as glass powder. This study investigates the effect of partial replacement of cement with sustainable glass powder at various percentages (0, 15, 20, and 25%) by weight of cement on some mechanical properties (compressive strength, flexural strength, absorption, and dry density) of Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC) containing a percentage of Polypropylene fibers (PRPC) of 1% by weight. Furthermore, steam curing was performed for 5 hours at 90oC after hardening the sample directly. The RPC was
... Show MoreThe effect of Wood Flour addition to the gamma alumina powder used in the preparation of gamma alumina (ɤ-Al2O3) catalyst carrier extrudates on the pore volume and BET surface area physical properties was investigated. Two parameters which are size of wood flour particles and its quantity were studied. The sizes of wood flour particles used are 150 µm, 212 µm and 500 µm and the weight percentage added to the gamma alumina powder during the preparation of the extrudates are (1%, 3%, 5% and 10%). The results showed that the addition of wood flour to the gamma alumina powder in order to get gamma alumina extrudates used as catalyst carrier is one of the successful methods to improve the pore volume
... Show Moreتعد الموازنة الأداة الأساسية لتنفيذ أولويات أية دولة، ويتوجب النظر إليها في ضوء المناخ الاجتماعي والسياسي والاقتصادي، لأنها تساعد في توجيه الاقتصاد لتحقيق النمو ورفع مستوى الرفاهية. اعتمدت وزارة المالية في أعداد الموازنة السنوية بعد 9/4/ 2003 أسلوباً مغايراً لما كان معتمداً في العقود الماضية، إذ كانت هناك موازنتين الأولى الموازنة الجارية، والثانية الموازنة الاستثمارية رغم وجود قانون يحتم إصدار موازنة
... Show MoreBackground: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the most common diagnoses in hospitalized patients. Increased plasma hemostatic markers were noted in acute myocardial infarction, indicating that the blood coagulation system is highly activated in those patients. Aims of the study: To study the level of intrinsic coagulation factors including (FVIII:C, FIX:C ,FXI:C ,FXII:C ) in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Type of the study: Cross –sectional study. Methods: Thirty patients (their age range is 48-68 years) were included in this study (9 female, 21 male) who were just admitted to the coronary care unit in AL-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital and diagnosed as having acute myocardial infarction patients, blood samples were tak
... Show MoreThe research of three-based financial indicators to create value for shareholders, have been identified research problem in a number of the questions revolved around the extent to which it can express its based performance metrics to create value for the essence and the reality of the surveyed enterprises performance, Can the departments surveyed companies to choose the scale or the most harmonizing index and an expression of the actual performance of the company, has the goal of research is to diagnose the strengths and weaknesses in the performance of the surveyed enterprises through the use of a number of based on the concept of creating economic value and the search for the most suitable indicator to the reality of the perfor
... Show MoreCorruption has become the subject of great interest, and the subject of research and scrutiny in recent years, because of its penetration in all fields of life, whether these fields are political, economic, social, and administrative. It is one of the biggest challenges and problems that are facing communities. Therefore, this study is focused on the evaluation of measures implementing the national strategy to combat corruption in Iraq.
This study was launched, first because of its intellectual dimensions to ensure a conceptual presentation of the strategy and operational management in general with a special focus on the processes of implementation and control str
... Show MoreBackground: The Andrews’ six keys of normal occlusion contribute individually and collectively to the total scheme of occlusion and, therefore, are viewed as essential to successful orthodontic treatment. The present research aims to evaluate the presence of the parameters of the Andrews’ Six Keys of normal occlusion in a sample of 100 Iraqi adults with complete permanent dentition and clinically acceptable normal occlusion (Angle’s Class I) in Baghdad city. Their age range 18-25 years (60 males and 40 females). Materials and methods: Each patient was subjected to clinical examination and then study cast models were made, with their occlusal records. The measuring tools that have been used involved: Three-dimensional goniometer to me
... Show MoreA chemical study was carried out to evaluate the efficiency of the liver enzyme concertation and uric acid level and its antagonists in the serum of the professors exposed to chemicals in the laboratories of the University of Samarra and their comparison with the healthy people. The research included 25 samples of the exposed professors and 20 samples as a group of officers.
The results of the current study showed a significant increase in the level of AST, ALT in the serum of professors exposed to chemicals compared to healthy people. The results showed no significant increase in
... Show MoreIntroduction: This study aimed to assess the color change of human teeth with artificial enamel white spot lesions (WSLs) after sandblasting with bioactive glass, resin infiltration, and microabrasion and to test color stability after pH cycling. Methods: Fifty extracted human mandibular first molars were randomly assigned into five groups: Sound, WSLs (untreated), and WSLs sandblasted with bioactive glass (Sylc), WSLs treated by resin infiltration (ICON), and WSLs treated by microabrasion (Opalustre), respectively. All specimens underwent a pH cycling procedure. The color parameters for each specimen were assessed using an Easyshade dental spectrophotometer at different time stages then the color changes (ΔE) were calculated. Results: The
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