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.
Mercury-lead-antimony based superconductors with the formula Hg0.5 Pb0.5xSbxBa2Ca2Cu3O8+δ (x=0, 0.10 and 0.15) have been prepared by useing three step solid state reaction processes. Electrical resistivity, using four probe technique, is used to find the transition temperature Tc. It is found from that sample Hg0.5 Pb0.5Ba2Ca2Cu3O8.437 is semiconductor , sample Hg0.5 Pb0.4Sb0.1Ba2Ca2Cu3O8.353 is normal state with metallic behaviors, while sample Hg0.5 Pb0.35Sb0.15Ba2Ca2Cu3O8.233 is superconducting state with critical transition temperature (Tc) is 126K. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed a tetragonal structure with decrease in the c-axis lattice constant for the samples doped with Sb as compared with these which have no Sb
... Show MoreThis work is devoted to define new generalized gamma and beta functions involving the recently suggested seven-parameter Mittag-Leffler function, followed by a review of all related special cases. In addition, necessary investigations are affirmed for the new generalized beta function, including, Mellin transform, differential formulas, integral representations, and essential summation relations. Furthermore, crucial statistical application has been realized for the new generalized beta function.
This article reviews the construction of organic solar cell (OSC) and characterized their optical and electrical properties, where indium tin oxide (ITO) used as a transparent electrode, “Poly (3-hexylthiophene- 2,5-diyl) P3HT / Poly (9,9-dioctylfluorene-alt-benzothiadiazole) F8BT” as an active layer and “Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly (styrene sulfonate)” PEDOT: PSS which is referred to the hole transport layer. Spin coating technique was used to prepared polymers thin film layers under ambient atmosphere to make OSC. The prepared samples were characterized after annealing process at (80 ͦ C) for (30 min) under non-isolated circumference. The results show a value of filling factor (FF) of (2.888), (0.233) and (0.28
... Show MoreThe research deals with a new type of high-performance concrete with improved physical properties, which was prepared by using metal additives minutes (Metakaolin) and by studing their impact on the properties of mortar and concrete high-performance through destructive and non destructive tests. This type of concrete is used broadly in public buildings and in other structures . The research involved a number of experiments such as finding the activity index of burned at a temperature of 750 º C according to the standard ( ASTM C-311/03), as well as casting models for the cubic mortar mixtures and concrete containers at different rates of metakaolin ranging between (5% - 20%) as an added part to the cement mix to get a high- compressive
... Show MoreGlycyrrhiza glabra is a herbal plant used for treatment of many infertility diseases. Its roots, a common herbal source, are described to soothe fetuses in pregnant mice, but there isn't enough research to know if it's safe to take during pregnancy and its effects on implantation factors. This study examines the impact of the growth factors betacellulin (BTC), heparin-binding epidermal growth factor, and activin A hormone on embryonic development after oral administration of Glycyrrhiza glabra aqueous extract to mice. In line with clinical use, an aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra roots was prepared. Pregnant mice were randomly assigned to one of four groups: Two mice groups 8 and 28 weeks old treated with water as a negative co
... Show MoreObjective: impact of the education program for nurses' knowledge toward children under mechanical
ventilation, and to find out the relationships between nurses' knowledge and their general information.
Methodology: Quasi experimental study was carried out at the respiratory care units of Baghdad
Pediatric Teaching Hospitals started from February15th, until September 26th, 2011, A purposive (nonprobability)
sample of (23) nurses working in the respiratory care units, were selected from Children
Welfare and Pediatric Central Teaching Hospitals. The data were gathered through using of the
constructed multiple choice questionnaire using to evaluate the nurses knowledge using checklist, The
questionnaire consists of two p
Background: Hypothyroidism is the most prevalent thyroid disorders worldwide. Hypothyroidism manifestations are wide spectrum, affecting various systems in human body including the nervous system. Hypothyroidism can cause neuropsychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, depression and diminishing in attention, memory and executive function. Aim: to investigate the level of anxiety and depression in patients with hypothyroidism receiving levothyroxine treatment. Method: a cross-sectional study was conducted at Baghdad Center for Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Therapy from March to June 2022. The study population included patients of both genders, aged 18-65 years, diagnosed with hypothyroidism, were receiving levothyroxine treatment and
... Show MoreObjective(s): To evaluate students’ communication skills and their academic performance; to compare between the students relative to communication skills and their academic performance in the University of Baghdad and to identify the relationship between students’ communication skills, academic performance and their socio-demographic characteristics of age, gender, grade and socioeconomic status. Methodology: A descriptive design, using the evaluation approach, is carried through the present study to evaluate colleges’ students’ communication skills and their academic performance in the University of Baghdad for the period of January 7th 2019 to August 28th 2019. A non-probability, purposive sample, of (80) university students, i
... Show MoreDairy wastewater generally contains fats, lactose, whey proteins, and nutrients. Casein precipitation causes the effluent to decompose into a dark, strong-smelling sludge. Fluid waste contains soluble organic matter, suspended solids, and gaseous organic matter, which cause undesirable taste and smell, grant tone and turbidity, and advance eutrophication, which plays an essential role in increasing biological oxygen demand (BOD) in water. It also contains detergents and disinfecting agents from the rinses and washing processes, which increase the need for chemical oxygen (COD). One of the characteristics of dairy effluents is their relatively high temperature, high organic contents, and wide pH range, so the discharge of wastewater into
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