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 diversity of cultures is still the title of an Iraqi specificity that gave the society a diversity and this is reflected in the journalistic reality with the changing of the political system generate a new political and ideological life that differs from what is prevailed during the decades. However, its exacerbation of the degree of division is an additional duty for the press as a cultural platform and a knowledge bridge that contributes to the process of dialogue, addressing the differences, establishing a politically homogeneous structure through the state and socially by uniting all components of society and working to raise public awareness of the importance of national belonging to build a modern state. Cultural diversity is a
... Show MoreDuring the Maastrichtian, the rudists and benthic foraminifera of Aqra Formation underwent two major radiations, the first beginning in early Early Maastrichtian and peaking in the late Early Maastrichtian, and sconed extending from the early Late Maastrichtian to a late Late Maastrichtian peak.The radiations were punctuated and separated by prominent extinction episodes, fit with global Maastrichtian mass extinction.The high level of rudist, endemism [90%] allows definition of true regional origination and extinction pattern; these may represent global pattern for rudists. Radiation and extinction patterns in the northern Iraq [Kurdistan Region] can be variously related to relative sea level fluctuation and the rate of food and clastic
... Show MoreBackground: In recent years, the prevalence of obesity has climbed sharply. Still, only a few safe and effective medications are approved as weight-loss drugs. Objective: This study aims to assess the knowledge and practice of community pharmacists in Iraq regarding the use of Liraglutide and Semaglutide as weight-loss medications. Method: A cross-sectional survey was implemented using a validated questionnaire and a convenient sample of Iraqi community pharmacists from different governorates. The questionnaire was created after conducting a literature review of the most important articles about liraglutide and semaglutide. The questionnaire consists of three sections. The first part was used to collect demographic information. The second a
... Show MoreThe composition of the clay taken from the lake of Hamrin, Iraq was studied with the determination of the concentrations of the major oxides and the minor oxides in it. Kaolinite was the most dominant clay in the samples, while quartz was the most abundant non-clay mineral.
Some physico-chemical parameters in lake's water were determined such as oxygen, a chlorosity, nutrient salts, pH, total alkalinity, total nitrogen, total phosphorous and silicate.
The effect of increased wastewater and human activities affected the composition of water and lead to a decrease in the productivity of the lake which was reflected by the relatively low pH values (average 8.0) and alkalinity in water as a result of t
... Show MoreBackground:Periodontal diseases and dental caries are the most common oral diseases, but they can be adequately prevented by adopting a specific health behavior and plaque control.The study was carried out to determine and compare oral health status; it included both caries experience, gingival health and oral hygiene behavior betweenfirst and fifth yearsof Al-Mustansiriyahdental students. Materials and methods: Total sample of the study consisted of 50 students at first year (25 males, 25 females)and 60 students at fifth year (30 males, 30 females). Plaque andgingival indices,dental caries indices (DMFS and DMFT) wererecorded to evaluateoral health status for each student. Further questionnaires were given to evaluate different oral hyg
... Show MoreNewly prepared derivatives of Heterocyclic of dicarboxylic acid include 1, 2, 4-Triazoledicarboxylic acid. Thiocarbohydrazine (TCH) reacts with aliphatic and aromatic dicarboxylic acids, and when these resulting compounds interact with compounds containing a group of carbonyl they result in Schiff base, which are very important in the industrial and medical fields and the acids used (oxalic acid, succinic, terephthalic) to prepare the triazole, then the reaction with Para-chlorobenzendihaide. and some physical properties were measured for these products. The biological activity of the prepared compounds has been studied, and it has been shown that they have different effects on the bacteria, compounds prepared with Fourier Transform Infrare
... Show MoreThis study was conducted to determine the Immuno – globulins and complements quantitatively. The result revealed that the concentration of Immunoglobulin M(IgM) was increased significantly in patient group comparing with control group . The concentration of complement protein C4 was increased significantly in patient group comparing with control group.IgG of Candida albicans was detected by using ELISA Technique, the result indicated also that this antibody was found in 628% of the women who infected with Vulvovaginal Candidiasis. The sensitivity and specificity of the test were 63% and 89% respectively.
The results of theoretical and experimental investigations carried out to study the effect of load and relative sliding speed on the abrasive wear behavior in drilling bit teeth surfaces of an insert tungsten carbide bit have been presented. Experimentally, an apparatus for abrasive wear tests conducted on the modified ASTM-G65 was modified and fabricated to facilitate loading and measurement of wear rate for the sand/ steel wheel abrasion test, which involves two cases of contact; first is at dry sand and second is under wet condition. These tests have been carried under varied operating parameters of normal load and sliding speed. A theoretical model based upon the Archard equation has been developed for predicting wear simulation by u
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