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.
The process of stocks evaluating considered as a one of challenges for the financial analysis, since the evaluating focuses on define the current value for the cash flows which the shareholders expected to have. Due to the importance of this subject, the current research aims to choose Fama & French five factors Model to evaluate the common stocks to define the Model accuracy in Fama& French for 2014. It has been used factors of volume, book value to market value, Profitability and investment, in addition to Beta coefficient which used in capital assets pricing Model as a scale for Fama & French five factors Model. The research sample included 11 banks listed in Iraq stock market which have me
... Show MoreThe effects of T-shaped fins on the improvement of phase change materials (PCM) melting are numerically investigated in vertical triple-tube storage containment. The PCM is held in the middle pipe of a triple-pipe heat exchanger while the heat transfer fluid flows through the internal and external pipes. The dimension effects of the T-shaped fins on the melting process of the PCM are investigated to determine the optimum case. Results indicate that while using T-shaped fins improves the melting performance of the PCM, the improvement potential is mainly governed by the fin’s body rather than the head. Hence, the proposed T-shaped fin did not noticeably improve melting at the bottom of the PCM domain; additionally, a flat fin is ad
... Show MoreThe huge magnetic fields of neutron star cause the nuclei of the stellar surface to form a tightly bound condensed layer. In this research some characteristics of polar gap and magnetosphere enclosed the star according to Sturrock Model were illustrated, positrons move out along the open field lines, and electrons flow to the stellar surface as in the related to Sturrock model. The magnetic field within polar gap areas, which is defined by the Irvin Radius (RL) decreases due to the expansion of the polar, resulting from the physical motion of the accreted material. The values of height gap at different distances from the star were estimated. The obtained results improve the most energetic positrons those with E? Emax radiate away their ener
... Show MoreGypseous soils are common in several regions in the world including Iraq, where more than 28.6% of its surface is covered with this type of soil. This soil, with high gypsum content, causes different problems for construction and strategic projects. As a result of water flow through the soil mass, the permeability and chemical arrangement of these soils varies with time due to the solubility and leaching of gypsum. In this study, the soil of 36% gypsum content, was taken from one location about 100 km southwest of Baghdad, where the samples were taken from depths (0.5 - 1) m below the natural ground and mixed with (3%, 6%, 9%) of Copolymer and Novolac polymer to improve the engineering properties that include: collapsibility, perm
... Show MoreWe report here an innovative feature of green nanotechnology-focused work showing that mangiferin—a glucose functionalized xanthonoid, found in abundance in mango peels—serves dual roles of chemical reduction and in situ encapsulation, to produce gold nanoparticles with optimum in vivo stability and tumor specific characteristics. The interaction of mangiferin with a Au-198 gold precursor affords MGF-198AuNPs as the beta emissions of Au-198 provide unique advantages for tumor therapy while gamma rays are used for the quantitative estimation of gold within the tumors and various organs. The laminin receptor specificity of mangiferin affords specific accumulation of therapeutic payloads of this new therapeutic agent within prostate tumors
... Show MoreThe importance of evaluation depends on many institutions, whether governmental or private, including media institutions, rely on the list to evaluate the weight of things and appreciation, as well as judging things, achievements, and everything related to the institution is concerned. Because through evaluation, institutions can recognize weaknesses and strengths. It is also an effective tool for management review, through which the institution can review everything related to planning and decision-making, leadership, incentives and other administrative matters.
Therefore, this study attempts to shed light on the evaluation process, its basics and its importance in general and in the Kurdish media institutions as a model in part
... Show MoreLaboratory and field experiment were conducted at MustansiryahUniversity in 2010 to investigate the possible allelopathic potential ofDigitariasanguinalis (L.) Large crabgrass andClerodenduminerme on the seed germination and seedling growth of bladygrass (Imperata cylindrica), the results showed areduce of 44%and 43% in seed germinationby leaves extracts ofClerodenduminermeandDigitariasanguinalisrespectively in 50% concentration and 61% and 62% in 100% concentration. Root and shoot length of blady grass seedlings growth were reduced by an average of 75-70%. Field experiments indicated thatcrude material of Clerodenduminerme and Digitariasanguinalisin50 gm/ m2 gave the highest control on blady grass than the
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