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.
A tunable band pass filter based on fiber Bragg grating sensor using an in-fiber Mach-Zender interferometer with dual micro-cavities is presented. The micro-cavity was formed by splicing together a conventional single-mode fiber and a solid core photonic crystal fiber (SCPCF) with simple arc discharge technique. Different parameters such as arc power, length of the SCPCF and the overlap gap between samples were considered to control the fabrication process. The ellipsoidal air-cavity between the two fibers forms Fabry-Perot cavity. The diffraction loss was very low due to short cavity length. Ellipsoidal shape micro-cavities were experimentally achieved parallel to the propagation axis having dimensions of (24.92 – 62.32) μm of width
... Show MoreWhat distinguishes the athlete in dealing with all stimuli is the ability to understand the cognitive rules through which he acts and directs behavior through thinking and regular planning methods in dealing with the environment in a realistic manner, and this comes through techniques and means based on modernity in obtaining information that makes the athlete arrange in His memory is the programs that are the most important crutch for relying on when he asks for them in applying and executing the skill assignment. One of the enhancers of awareness of variables is the ability of coaches to provide openness in modern ideas to find solutions, through which the player can sense and interpret events and produce outputs for quick and successful
... Show MoreVaccination is a vital cornerstone of public health, which has saved countless lives throughout history. Therefore, achieving high vaccination uptake rates is essential for successful vaccination programs. Unfortunately, vaccine uptake has been hindered by deferent factors and challenges. The objective of this study is to assess COVID-19 vaccine uptake and associated factors among the general population.
This study is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in Basmaia city, Baghdad from June to October 2022. Data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire using multi-stag
The subject of the act and its transformations in the presentation is of great importance at the level of study, analysis and interpretation, and through that the researcher adopted the following title (The Dramatic Act and Its Transformations in the Iraqi Theatrical Show). The play of Black Astronomy was chosen as a sample for analysis, and the aim of the research came in order to achieve a special knowledge of the extent of the transformation that occurred between the dramatic structure of the act and theatrical embodiment and its multiple elements of operation in the Iraqi theatrical shows. It was limited to the show of the Iraqi theater in the year (2020) and included the theoretical framework that accommodated three sections. As for
... Show MoreNew complexes have been prepared from the new ligand [N1,N5-bis(3-hydroxyphenyl)-2- oxopentanediamide] derived from 2-Oxoglutaric acid and 3-aminophenol. Accordingly its binudear Mn(II),Co(II),Ni(II),Pd(II) and VO(II) complexes were prepared.. These compounds have been characterized by FT-IR, UV-Vis,Mass, 1H-NMR spectra, TGA curve, Chloride containing ,Molar conductance and atomic absorption. The characterization results gave binuclear complexes and pentadentate coordination and tetrahedral geometry for each Cobalt, Nickel, Manganese and Copper complexes otherwise Palladium complex gave a square planar geometry and Vanadium complex gave a square pyramidal geometry and the ligand is tetradentate. The biological activities for the new compoun
... Show MoreThe importance of the Arabic language and its deep vocabulary in the live translation of the work of science and interior design can't be hidden from the whole world. The previous studies have dealt with the role of the linguistic vocabulary and Arabic calligraphy in interior spaces in terms of decoration and design. However, this research sheds light on the importance of linguistic vocabulary in the construction of design thought and how it has become the a basic motivation in the process of scientific and practical construction and not just aesthetic formations that took their place in the interior spaces, as linguistic vocabulary emerged recently and echoed within the specialization of interior design and formed a key motive to explor
... Show MoreIn this research, the influence of the orientation and distance factors on the lowest usable frequency (LUF) parameter has been studied theoretically. The calculations of the (LUF) parameter have been made using the (VOACAP) international communication model for the connection links between the capital Baghdad and many other locations that distributed on different distances and directions over the Middle East region. The results shown in this study indicate there is a slight affection of the link direction (orientation) on the LUF parameter, while the influence of the distance factor is more significant on the values of the LUF parameter. The day/night effect appears for the long distance HF links (i.e. more than a 500 Km)
Recently on the dermatological fields, the serum levels and the roles of Zn, Cu and Mg have been studied especially in acne vulgaris, but the results were controversial. The aim of the present study is to investigate a relationship between the severity of acne and the serum levels of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and magnesium (Mg) and to demonstrate the status of serum levels of zinc, copper, and magnesium in Iraqi male patients with acne vulgaris and to compare it with those of healthy controls.This case controlled study was conducted in the Department of Dermatology and Venerology and in the Poisoning Consultation Center of Baghdad Teaching Hospital between May 2009 to January 2010. Forty- five male patients with acne vulgaris, their a
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