Background: The daily cleaning routine of the silicone maxillofacial prostheses by the patient may cause some alteration in the materials properties. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of different disinfection procedures on some properties of silicon dioxide reinforced Cosmesil M511 HTV maxillofacial silicone. Materials and Methods: One hundred and sixty (160) specimens were prepared by mixing 5% SiO2 nano particles and 0.5% intrinsic cream color into the silicone polymer according to manufacturer's instructions. Specimens were divided into 4 groups according to the performed test (tear strength, surface hardness, surface roughness and color) with 40 specimens each. Each group was further subdivided according to the disinfection procedure conducted (control, microwave exposure, neutral soap and 4% chlorhexidine gluconate). Measurements for tear strength were done using universal testing machine. Surface hardness test was carried out with a Shore A Durometer. Surface roughness was analyzed with a portable digital Profilometer. Color change was established with a Spectrophotometer. After the initial testing, all specimens were submitted to disinfection procedure 3 times a week for 60 days. Measurements were repeated and data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Fisher's LSD or Games-Howell test. Results: Spectrophotometer results showed non-significant decrease in the light absorbance of all experimental groups after disinfection, indicating a strong integration between the nano filler and the polymeric chains, which was not broken during the disinfection procedure. Highly-significant increase in Shore A hardness was recorded, while the decrease in surface roughness was highly significant in all experimental groups. Tear strength reduced significantly after disinfection in all experimental groups. Conclusion: Disinfection seemed to cause different amount of alteration in all of the tested properties of silicone. High color stability is expected in this type of maxillofacial silicone after disinfection.Although microwave exposure had increased the hardness of the material, it is considered a satisfactory disinfection procedure since it caused the least effect on the tear strength and surface roughness of the material. Therefore, microwave exposure is recommended for the disinfection of maxillofacial silicone prostheses.
Nanomaterials enhance the performance of both asphalt binders and asphalt mixtures. They also improve asphalt durability, which reduces resource consumption and environmental impact in the long term associated with the production and transportation of asphalt materials. Thus, this paper studies the effectiveness of Nano Calcium Carbonate (Nano CaCO3) and Nano Hydrated Lime (NHL) as modifiers and examines their impact on ranges from 0% to 10% through comprehensive laboratory tests. Softening point, penetration, storage stability, viscosity, and mass loss due to short-term aging using the Rolling Thin Film Oven Test (RTFO) were performed on asphalt binders. Results indicated a significant improvement in binder stiffness, particularly
... Show MoreAn experimental and theoretical works were carried out to model the wire condenser in the domestic refrigerator by calculating the heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop and finding the optimum performance. The two methods were used for calculation, zone method, and an integral method. The work was conducted by using two wire condensers with equal length but different in tube diameters, two refrigerants, R-134a and R-600a, and two different compressors matching the refrigerant type. In the experimental work, the optimum charge was found for the refrigerator according to ASHRAE recommendation. Then, the tests were done at 32˚C ambient temperature in a closed room with dimension (2m*2m*3m). The results showed that th
... Show MoreApplications of superconductor compounds were considered as modern and important topics, especially these which are exposures to one of the nuclear radiation kinds. So, we gone to investigate the influence of fast neutrons irradiation on electrical and structural characteristics of HgxSb1-xBa2Ca2Cu3O8+δ superconducting compound at (x = 0.7) in ratio. The superconducting specimens were synthesized using solid state technique. Specimens were exposure to the nuclear radiation using fast neutrons with doses (0, 9.06 x1010, 15.3 x 1010 and 18.17 x 1010) n/cm2 respectively. Electrical and X-ray diffraction properties of superconductor specimens before and after irradiation were investigated under standard conditions. Results of X-ray diffraction
... Show MoreZeolite Y nanoparticles were synthesized by sol - gel method. Dffirent samples using two silica sources were prepared.
Sodium metasilicate (Na2SiO3) (48% silica) and silicic acid silica (H2SiO3) (75% silica) were employed as silica
source and aluminum nitrate (Al(NO3)3.9H2O) was the aluminum source with tetrapropylammonium hydroxide
(TPAOH) as templating agent.
The synihesized-samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, showed the requirement of diffirent aging time for
complete crystallization to be achieved. Transmission Electronic Microscope (TEM) images, showed the particles were
in the same range of 30 - 75 nm. FT-IR spectroscory, showed the synthesized samples having the zeolite Y crystal
properties. The i
Present study was conducted in order to assess Slabiaat water quality by measuring some physical and chemical factors of river water, the study included a choice of three stations along of Slabiaat River in Samawa city, water samples collected a monthly during the period from September 2013 August 2014. The study involved measuring the Air & water temperatures, pH, Electrical conductivity, Total dissolved solids, Dissolved oxygen, Total hardness, calcium hardness, magnesium, turbidity, and some types of bacteria in River water. The study results showed that the values of air & water temperatures have ranged between (20.1-36.6)?C , (10-21.8) in Slabiaat River, respectively . pH values ranged between (6.6-8.7). Electrical conductivity in
... Show MoreFemale infection with HPV (human papilla virus) has been established as an essential cause of CIN (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia). The danger of transformation from CIN to frank malignancy should be considered. Objective: The goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of CO2 laser vaporization of ectocervical lesion high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HGSIL). Patients and Methods: Four Female out of 150 affected with HGSIL lesions were submitted to CO2 laser vaporization and followed up in 4 months later, and 10 women with HGSIL lesion submitted to electrocautery diathermy for the comparison. Results: Among women treated by CO2 laser vaporization, 3 women had negative results (clear cervix), at 4 months follow up; o
... Show MoreNanotechnology is a continually expanding field for its uses and applications in multiple areas i.e. medicine, science, and engineering. Biosynthesis is straightforward, less-toxicity, and cost-effective technology. TiO2 NPs biosynthesis has attained consideration in recent decades. In this study, probiotic bacteria were isolated from cow’s raw milk samples, and then were identified by using the Vitek2 system; as Leuconostoc spp. included Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides (Leu.1), Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. cremoris (Leu.4), and Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides (Leu.14). All Leuconostoc spp. isolates showed an ability for TiO2 NPs bio-production, after being incubated at anaerobic conditions (30 o C/ 24 h) in DeM
... Show MoreBackground: One of the most important complications of fixed orthodontic treatment is formation of white spots, which are initial carious lesions. Addition of antimicrobial agents into orthodontic adhesive material might be wise solution for prevention of white spots formation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial properties of orthodontic adhesive primer against S. Mutans after adding the three different types of nanoparticles (Ag, ZnO, or TiO2). Materials and methods: Discs were prepared using empty insulin syringe approximately 2 mm×2 mm rounded in shape specimens (40 discs) were divided into four groups (ten discs for each group): The first group was the control (made from primer only), the second group (10 dis
... Show More