Objectives To tailor composites of polyethylene–hydroxyapatite to function as a new intracanal post for the restoration of endodontically treated teeth (ETT). Methods Silanated hydroxyapatite (HA) and zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) filled low-density polyethylene (LDPE) composites were fabricated by a melt extrusion process and characterised using infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The flexural strength and modulus were determined in dry state and post ageing in simulated body fluid and fractured surfaces analysed by SEM. The water uptake and radiographic appearance of the experimental composites were also measured and compared with a commercially known endodontic fibre post. Data were submitted to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc Tukey multiple comparison tests at a level of significance P < 0.05. Results The LDPE/HA composites were structurally flexible and the HA content had a significant effect on the flexural strength and modulus. A univariate analysis of variance showed no significant differences in modulus and strength (P < 0.05) post accelerated ageing in simulated body fluid with very low water uptake. The melting point of the LDPE/HA composites ranged between 135 and 136 °C, which would facilitate removal in case of retreatment using conventional dental heating devices. The inclusion of HA reduced the damping thereby enhancing dimensional stability, whilst the addition of zirconia yielded a semi-translucent material that was sufficiently radiopaque, comparable to commercial posts, thus yielding aesthetic materials. Conclusions Innovative materials for restoration of ETT were developed; offering considerable benefits over the currently available material in terms of biomechanical and thermal properties. Clinical significance This study provided a new option for the development of a new intracanal post made up of functional and aesthetic composites.
Catalytic microwave-assisted pyrolysis of biomass is gaining popularity as an alternative to fossil fuels due to health, environmental, climate, and economic issues. This study conducted a catalytic pyrolysis process of the Albizia plant's branches using an Iraqi clay catalyst (bentonite) focusing on the variables including the biomass-particle size, experimental time, microwave power level, and the catalyst-to-biomass ratio. The physical and chemical properties of the resulting biofuel were analyzed presented by HHV, acidity, density, viscosity, GC-MS, FTIR for bio-oil and SEM, EDX, BET, HHV, FTIR for biochar. The study revealed that addition of bentonite as a catalyst led to enhanced production of biogas produced from 5% to 45% an
... Show MoreThis paper proposes a compact, plasmonic-based 4 × 4 nonblocking switch for optical networks. This device uses six 2 × 2 plasmonic Mach-Zehnder switch (MZS), whose arm waveguide is supported by a JRD1 polymer layer as a high electro-optic coefficient material. The 4 × 4 switch is designed in COMSOL environment for 1550 nm wavelength operation. The performance of the proposed switch outperforms those of conventional (nonplasmonic) counterparts. The designed switch yields a compact structure ( 500 × 70 µ m 2 ) having V π L = 12 V · µ m , 1.5 THz optical bandwidth, 7.7 dB insertion loss, and −26.5 dB crosstalk. The capability of the switch to route 8 × 40 Gbps WDM signal is demonstrated successfully.
... Show MoreLeishmaniasis is a group of parasitic diseases caused by Leishmania spp., an endemic infectious agent in developing countries, including Iraq. Diagnosis of cutaneous lesion by stained smears, serology or histopathology are inaccurate and unable to detect the species of Leishmania. Here, two molecular typing methods were examined to identify the promastigotes of suspected cutaneous leishmaniasis samples, on a species level. The first was species-specific B6-PCR and the second was ITS1-PCR followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) using restriction enzyme HaeIII. DNA was extracted from in vitro promastigote culture followed by amplification of kDNA by B6 or amplification and digestion of LITSR/L
... Show MoreOptimized Link State Routing Protocol (OLSR) is an efficient routing protocol used for various Ad hoc networks. OLSR employs the Multipoint Relay (MPR) technique to reduce network overhead traffic. A mobility model's main goal is to realistically simulate the movement behaviors of actual users. However, the high mobility and mobility model is the major design issues for an efficient and effective routing protocol for real Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs). Therefore, this paper aims to analyze the performance of the OLSR protocol concerning various random and group mobility models. Two simulation scenarios were conducted over four mobility models, specifically the Random Waypoint model (RWP), Random Direction model (RD), Nomadic Co
... Show MoreObjectives: To assess patients' satisfaction to nursing care at hemodialysis units and determine the relationship
between patients' satisfaction and patients' demographic data.
Methodology: A descriptive study was carried out at hemodialysis units of Baghdad teaching hospitals from Feb.
4
th
, 2010 through Sep. 5
th, 2010. A purposive (non-probability) sample of (150) patients ta hemodialysis units ni
Baghdad teaching hospitals was selected. The data were collected through the use of constructing questionnaire
and by means of an interview technique with the patients; the questionnaire consists of two parts (1)
demographic data (2) patients' satisfaction to nursing care. The validity of the study questionnaire w
Removal of direct blue dye by electrocoagulation method has been investigated using aluminum electrode in a bench-scale electrochemical system. Current density, NaCl concentration, electrocoagulation time, and dye concentration has been studied as effecting parameters in color removal efficiency. Increasing of current density will increase the color removal efficiency and energy consumption as well. While increasing NaCl concentration increase the color removal efficiency but it decrease energy consumption. High dye concentration is needed for extra electrocaogolation time to reach the same efficiency that obtained with low dye concentration .With current applied 0.35 amps. and NaCl concentration of 2 g/l more
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