Background: Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin is extensively utilized in prosthodontics and orthodontics, particularly in fabricating artificial teeth, provisional crowns, denture bases, and orthodontic retainers. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of incorporating cerium oxide and polyether ether ketone nanoparticle (CP) composite into PMMA resin on transverse strength, impact strength, surface hardness, and denture base adaptation. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 PMMA specimens were divided into three groups based on the concentration of CP composite added to PMMA resin, with each group consisting of 40 specimens: a control group without fillers, group (A) containing 1% wt. of composite filler with a ratio of 30% cerium oxide and 70% polyether ether ketone, and group (B) comprising 3% wt. of composite with a ratio of 50% ceria, and 50% polyether ether ketone, as determined by the pilot study. Each group was tested for transverse strength, impact strength, surface hardness, and denture base adaptation, with 10 specimens for each test. The tested specimens were examined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE–SEM). The resulting data were statistically analyzed using SPSS at a significance level of P≤0.05. Results: Group B showed a significant statistical increase in transverse and impact strength compared with the other groups. Surface hardness and denture adaptation increased significantly in group A. FTIR analysis revealed transmission peaks and heightened intensity after the addition of the CP composite into the PMMA. The FE–SEM images showed a well-distributed nano CP composite within the PMMA matrix for all experimental groups, with increased agglomeration observed in group B (3%). Conclusion: The incorporation of 3% wt. CP into PMMA resin significantly improved transverse and impact strength compared with 1% wt. and the control. The surface hardness and denture base adaptation improved when 1% wt. CP was incorporated into the PMMA resin compared with the other tested groups.
Background: Strangles is a highly contagious equine respiratory disease caused by Streptococcus equi subsp. equi. It is a globally significant pathogen and one of the most common infectious agents in horses. In Iraq, no sequencing data on this pathogen are available, and only two molecular studies have been published to date. This study provides preliminary insights into strain diversity and provides a foundation for future large-scale investigations. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the molecular characteristics, identify SeM gene alleles, and perform a phylogenetic analysis of S. equi isolates from horses in Baghdad, Iraq. Methods: We analyzed 59 Streptococcus spp. isolates previously obtained from equine clinical sample
... Show MoreBackground: Ultrasonography has been used to examine the thickness of the lower uterine segment in women with previous cesarean sections in an attempt to predict the risk of scar dehiscence during subsequent pregnancy. The predictive value of such measurement has not been adequately assessed. Objectives: To correlate lower uterine segment thickness measured by trans abdominal ultrasound in pregnant women with previous cesarean section with that measured during cesarean section by caliper and to find out minimum lower uterine segment thickness indicative of integrity of the scar.Methods: A prospective observational study at Elwyia Maternity Teaching Hospital, from January 2011 to January 2012. A total of 143 women were enrolled in the stu
... Show MoreThe study examines Julia Alvarez's role as a Dominican American author, poet, and essayist. Despite being born in New York City in 1950, she was raised in the Dominican Republic by a family with Dominican heritage. Her residence in her ancestral homeland significantly influenced her subsequent literary works. Upon her father's implication in a conspiracy against Dominican President, he departed from the Dominican Republic. Alvarez encountered the challenge of the English language. They were compelled to acquire proficiency in English due to the prevailing perception that anyone who spoke a language other than English were deemed "un-American" during that period. Alvarez recounted her initial encounters in the United States and the subseque
... Show MoreUsing zooplankton as bioindicators, this study evaluates the ecological condition of the Euphrates River in Iraq's Babylon Province. Site 1 (North Hillah, next to the old Babylon ruins), Site 2 (Hillah city center), Site 3 (South Hillah, close to Al-Mahaweel), and Site 4 (near Al-Kifl town) were the four monitoring locations chosen along the river. The highest and lowest averages of the measured physical and chemical factors indicate temperature (25.1°-29.4°), pH (7.2-7.9), electrical conductivity (EC) (940 µS/cm-1241µS/cm), total dissolved solids TDS (591 mg/L-789mg/L), dissolved oxygen (DO) (5.6 mg/ l-7.1 mg/L), biological oxygen demand (BOD5) (2.4mg/L-4.2 mg/L), nitrate (1.3 mg/L–3.2 mg/L), nitrite (0.04 mg/L–0.13 mg/L),
... Show MoreThis work presents a completely new develop an analyzer, named NAG-5SX1-1D-SSP, that is simple, accurate, reproducible, and affordable for the determination of cefotaxime sodium (CFS) in both pure and pharmaceutical drugs. The analyzer was designed according to flow injection analysis, and conducted to turbidimetric measurements. Ammonium cerium nitrate was utilized as a precipitating agent. After optimizing the conditions, the analysis system exhibited a linear range of 0.008-27 mmol. L-1 (n=29), with a limit of detection of 439.3 ng/sample, a limit of quantification of 0.4805 mg/sample, and a correlation coefficient of 0.9988. The repeatability of the responses was assessed by performing six successive injections of CFS at concentra
... Show MoreThe gas sensing properties of Co3O4and Co3O4:Y nano structures were investigated. The films were synthesized using the hydrothermal method on a seeded layer. The XRD, SEM analysis and gas sensing properties were investigated for Co3O4and Co3O4:Y thin films. XRD analysis shows that all films are polycrystalline in nature, having a cubic structure, and the crystallite size is (11.7)nm for cobalt oxide and (9.3)nm for the Co3O4:10%Y. The SEM analysis of thin films obviously indicates that Co3O4possesses a nanosphere-like structure and a flower-like structure for Co3O4:Y.The sensitivity, response time and recovery time to a H2S reducing gas were tested at different operating
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