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 Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) measures the reflected solar radiation in the ultraviolet and visible part in the spectral range that is between 270 and 500 nm, using two channels with a spectral resolution of about 0.5 nm. Ground-level tropospheric ozone is one of the air pollutants of most concern. In the troposphere, near the Earth's surface, human activities lead to ozone concentrations several times higher than the natural background level. To evaluate the ozone distribution over Iraq, the ozone data from OMI were analyzed using geostatistical techniques. Theoretical spherical models provided the best fit for all monthly experimental variograms. The parameters of these variograms (sill, range and nugget) wer
... Show MoreThe city of Derna has distinctive architectural and architectural features, like other Arab and Islamic cities in the Arab West and North Africa. Its markets and shops have taken many different forms and structural forms within the urban fabric of the central commercial zone. The meeting between the various commercial and handicraft jobs and consumers within a spatial area starting with the old markets of the dark market and the agency of the harvest and vegetable market and the mosque of the old and the square of the mosque and the Red Square and the square Kharazin. It then grew linearly towards commercial hubs that were associated with the city's expansion axes. Old markets represent the architectural and planning heritage associated
... Show MoreWater pricing and substitution of the costs of irrigation investment operation and maintenance have been controversial issues for a long time. The small charges for irrigation water are addressed, and additionally, the low level of farmers who pay the costs. In a few schemes, expense accumulation rates are close to zero, notwithstanding when water charges are well beneath the cost of operation and maintenance. Water prices are charged to farmers for two essential objectives. The first is to cover the operation and maintenance estimation with the goal that the investment is fiscally practical. Much of the time, costs will likewise need to incorporate a price for the cost of capital required to develop
This research includes the principles of the democracy، and to which extent it can contribute in establishing these principles. Democracy is not only to hold parliamentary or presidential elections but also the result of these elections wills it lead to the emergence of an integrated regime that can actually expresses the citizen's rights and to which extent those citizens can contribute in that regime and control it. Since 2005، when the first elections took place in Iraq after the US occupation of Iraq 2003، Iraqi people are looking to a rule that represented them and achieve their interests after getting rid of the totalitarian regimes and establishing an institutional regime that work by democratic means in order to achieve the so
... Show MoreThe research studies the melodic and rhythmic characteristics of monologue, in addition to how it was transferred from the Arab homeland to Iraq and reviewed its most prominent performers, as well as a review of the monologue types and their propagation in the Arab homeland such as comical, dramatic, and political and guidance monologues.
The methodological framework included: the problem of the research, the importance of the research and the objective of the research which is to uncover the melodic and rhythmic structure of the monologue in Iraq. The limits of the research included the objective limit tackling the art of monologue and the spatial limit which is Baghdad
... Show MoreBackground: Verrucous carcinoma (VSCC) is considered as a rare well differentiated carcinoma variant of SCC with no metastatic potential. The aim of this study is to evaluate the Immunohistochemical expression MMP-2, VEGF and D2-40 expression in OSCC and VSCC. Materials and methods: Thirty formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue blocks of OSCC and another twelve VSCC were collected and Four micrometer thick sections were cut from each block and mounted on positively charged slides and stained immunohistochemically with monoclonal antibodies to MMP-2, VEGF and D2-40. Results: there is no statistical difference between SCC and VSCC regarding the immunoexpression of MMP-2 and VEGF. While the lymphatic vessels density were higher in SCC than V
... Show MoreSchiff base derived from PVA and Erythroascorbic acid derivative (pentulosono-ɣ-lactone-2, 3-enedianisoate) was synthesized and characterized by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and FTIR spectra, aldehyde was also characterized by (U.V-Vis), 1HNMR, 13CNMR and mass spectra. The inhibitory effect of prepared polymer on the activity of human serum Cholinesrerase has been studied in vitro. The polymer showed a remarkable activity at low concentration (4.5*10-3 – 4.5*10-8 M).