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.
he Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing is a promising technology for the Next Generation Networks. This technique was selected because of the flexibility for the various parameters, high spectral efficiency, and immunity to ISI. The OFDM technique suffers from significant digital signal processing, especially inside the Inverse/ Fast Fourier Transform IFFT/FFT. This part is used to perform the orthogonality/De-orthogonality between the subcarriers which the important part of the OFDM system. Therefore, it is important to understand the parameter effects on the increase or to decrease the FPGA power consumption for the IFFT/FFT. This thesis is focusing on the FPGA power consumption of the IFFT/FFT uses in the OFDM system. This researc
... Show MoreIn this study, the volatile compounds found in lemon trees infested and uninfested with Planococcus citri (Risso) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) were investigated. In addition, the interest of the predator Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and the parasitoid Leptomastix dactylopii (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in lemon trees infested and uninfested with P. citri and some volatile compounds was investigated. According to the results obtained, most of the volatile compounds obtained from mealybug-infested lemon trees showed changes compared to healthy lemon trees. Since volatile compounds play an important role in attracting pests and natural enemies, linalyl acetate was selected as the compound showing the highest amount of chan
... Show MoreThe effect of ozone gas with temperatures 35. 40 and 45 Celsius to control on larval and adult stages of Tribolium castaneum was tested and at time of exposure 1.0, 3.0, 7.0, 9.0, 11.0, 13.0 hours and the level of relative humidity prevailing during the test 45 ± 1%. Results showed significant differences between the exposure times, when the percentage of mortality 100% between larvae (primary, intermediate and advanced) in the treatment effect at a temperature of 35 Celsius with ozone gas at exposure time to 9.0, 11.0, 11.0 hours for the three ages respectively, and adult (male and female) in the same treatment when the three heat degrees had given ratios the total mortality reached 100% of both males at exposure time to 7.0 ,3
... Show MoreBackground: Cyclophosphamide (Cpd), a common immunosuppressive and chemotherapeutic drug, can cause hepatotoxicity by inducing inflammation and oxidative stress. Dapagliflozin (Dapa) and other sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and Silymarin is a natural compound extracted from the seeds of the milk thistle plant (Silybum marianum). It is best known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects.Objective: By measuring oxidative stress, inflammation, and liver regeneration parameters, with an emphasis on the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and hepatocyte nuclear factors (HNF4α and HNF6), Dapa's hepatoprotective effects in comparison to Sil on Cpd-induced liv
... Show MoreObjective: Develop a deliberate thinking scale for the setting skill in volleyball for second-year female students in the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences for Woman. Research methodology: The researchers used the experimental approach, employing a two-group approach (pre-test and post-test), to suit the nature of the research. The research community comprised (65) second-year female students from the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences for Woman at the University of Baghdad for the academic year 2024-2025. The research sample was randomly selected, with (15) students in Section A, the experimental group, and (15) students in Section B, the control group. This group represented (46%) of the students. Th
... Show MoreObjective: Develop a deliberate thinking scale for the setting skill in volleyball for second-year female students in the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences for Woman. Research methodology: The researchers used the experimental approach, employing a two-group approach (pre-test and post-test), to suit the nature of the research. The research community comprised (65) second-year female students from the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences for Woman at the University of Baghdad for the academic year 2024-2025. The research sample was randomly selected, with (15) students in Section A, the experimental group, and (15) students in Section B, the control group. This group represented (46%) of the students. Th
... Show MoreWomen's rights in social studies and national textbooks in the secondary stage in the light of the international charters of women's rights and the cultural specificity of the Saudi society Abstract The current study focuses on exploring women rights that required to be involved in social studies and national textbooks in the secondary stage in the light of international conventions on women's rights and cultural specificity of the Saudi society, as well as to reveal the teachers and educational supervisors' estimation about the degree of importance of those components included in the books, and then build a matrix of the range and sequence of women's rights in the books of social studies and national in the secondary stage. The study us
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