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 novel series of liquid crystalline compounds containing 2,4-thiazolidinedione units with varying terminal alkyl chain lengths was successfully synthesized and characterized. The chemical structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by FT-IR, ¹H-NMR, and mass spectrometry. The mesomorphic behavior was investigated using polarized optical microscopy (POM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Compounds [V]₄, [V]₅, and [V]₆ exhibited enantiotropic nematic phases, while compound [V]₈ displayed a smectic A (SmA) phase. No liquid crystalline behavior was observed for compound [V]₃. The liquid crystalline properties were found to depend on the terminal-to-lateral chain length ratio, molecular geometry, and the nature
... Show MoreBackground: All diseases concerning bone destruction such as osteoporosis and periodontal diseases share common pattern in which the osteoclast cells are absolutely responsible for bone resorption that occurred when osteoclast activity exceeds osteoblast activity. Osteoprotegrin (OPG) considered as novel soluble decoy receptor known as “bone protector†since it prevents extreme bone resorption through inhibition of differentiation and activity of osteoclast by competing for binding site. It binds to receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) and prevent its interaction with receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B (RANK), thus inhibits osteoclast formation. TNF-α is a pro-inflammatory cytokines having
... Show MoreIn this study the role of remote sensing and geographic information systems in the planning of some Iraqi cities, including the city of Aziziyah in Kut / Wasit Governorate, was considered. Certain appropriate models (sprawling growth patterns) have been adopted to plan this city, and tables and a future map have been prepared to arrange this city. Land uses for public services will be proposed for adopted case(Aziziyah in Kut / Wasit Governorate). This paper describes a specific application of GIS functionalities for spatial planning analysis, examines the breadth of GIS and attempts to address the analytical part’s limitations in planning studies. The study concluded, through high-resolution visuals, to the possibility of determining th
... Show MoreThe Importance of Effort and its Impact in Building the Society in the Light of
the Holy Book and Sunna.
Thank for God and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad, His hose hold and
Companions.
This research is to refute a fault : that Islam as a religioncalls for laziness and
dependence and this in first, Second, to show the originality of the Islamic method in
building and construction.
This research Starts with an introduction in which I refer to the nature of the
Islamic method and its way of work in life: that it is a divine method that is achieved
by the effort of the people them selfves and not through a divine extraordinary power:
The research explains the shift in the peoples life who were addressed by this<
Mixed metal ligand complexes is reported with Curcumin (CUM) as a primary ligand and 1:10-phenanthroline (phen ) as secondary ligand. The structures of these complexes are confirmed by using FT-IR and UV- electronic spectroscopies, magnetic moments, melting points , molar conductivity measurements .and the metal % analysis revealed that the complexes analyze indicates a six coordinated as[M(CUM)( Phen)2]Cl, M=Mn (II), Co(II), Ni(II),Cu(II) ,Zn(II) , Cd(II) , Hg(II) and [M’ (CUM)( Phen)2]Cl2 M’= Cr(III) &. Fe(III). In-vitro antimicrobial studies on ( Curcumin and 1:10-phenanthroline ligands and mixed metal ligand complexes against {(Bacillus subtilis (G+) , Esherichia Coli (G-) and as well as antifungal activities against Candida albican
... Show MoreGlobalisation and rapid environmental change have created many challenges for public and private organisations across Iraq as a developing country, particularly in the higher education sector. This includes, for example, decreases in government funding; increased demand for higher education; a need for economic transformation, and related competitiveness of organizations. Such challenges require exceptional leaders and strategic planning in order to take action to improve. In Iraq, the higher education sector is still one of the main foundations in progressing the knowledge economy. Studies into leadership style, strategic planning processes, and the importance of leadership and organisational culture to an organisation’s success have bee
... Show MoreA new simple and sensitive spectrophotometric method is described for quantification of Nifedipine (NIF) and their pharmaceutical formulation. The selective method was performed by the reduction of NIF nitro group to yield primary amino group using zinc powder with hydrochloric acid. The produced aromatic amine was submitted to oxidative coupling reaction with pyrocatechol and ammonium ceric nitrate to form orange color product measured spectrophotometrically with maximum absorption at 467nm. The product was determined through flow injection analysis (FIA) system and all the chemical and physical parameters were optimized. The concentration range from 5.0 to 140.0 μg.mL-1 was obeyed Beer’s law with a limit of detection and quantitatio
... Show More